For years, this community has grown through a shared love of watercolor painting. One of the ways I’ve been able to keep our channel and website running and keep the tutorials free is through affiliate links with Amazon. You click a link, you buy a product, and the retailer sends a small “thank you” commission […]
Why We’re Saying Goodbye to the “Everything Store” Read More »
It’s a familiar moment. You sit down with your paints, thinking it will be a quiet, relaxing half hour, and within minutes you’re clenching your jaw, frowning, concentrating hard, and desperately fiddling with a wash, trying to get everything just right. The petals aren’t quite right, the edges feel awkward, and somehow the whole thing
Letting the Water do the Work: Painting Blobby Blooms! Read More »
There’s a quiet pressure that often creeps unbidden into our creative lives. It’s the feeling that we must study before we’re “allowed” to enjoy what we’re doing. Watercolor painting, along with many other pleasurable activities, seems to carry too much of this weight. We think that once we’ve learned enough, then we can start to
Painting with Freedom: Finding Joy in Watercolor Leaves Read More »
Nowadays we are finding that, all too often, life just feels overwhelming. The constant bombardment from all the different media competing for our attention raises our blood pressure. We often find ourselves assaulted by noise—whether from crowds, music, traffic, or building works—and, if you’re like me, you find yourself increasingly seeking the calm of a
You Have the Power Read More »
There are days when painting comes naturally, but more often you sit down in front of your paints and the ideas simply don’t arrive. There’s always something else to do—run the vacuum round quickly, put a load of laundry on—anything to avoid having to make a decision and get started. We’ve all been there. I
Boost your Brain: Gentle Ways to Spark your Creativity Read More »
How to Join In Are you ready for a fun and creative daily watercolor challenge? Introducing #BuildABird, a whimsical and playful way to design your own unique birds, one step at a time! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this challenge will help you loosen up, experiment with different shapes, and build a
Join the #BuildABird Watercolor Challenge! Read More »
Every year I say the same thing, and every year so far I’ve changed my mind at the last minute. This year will be different! Has your Christmas been cancelled this year? I was sad to hear from a good friend that this year her usual hosting of Thanksgiving had been cancelled for family reasons.
I’ve cancelled Christmas this year! Read More »
When fake looks real and real looks fake A YouTube viewer commented recently that she wished our videos were filmed face-to-camera because she likes to know that the people she’s watching are real people. As the lyrics of one of my favorite childhood songs state* – “The idea’s sound, but how will you lift it
It’s a New World, but Are We Being Brave? Read More »
…and why I’ll never fake my watercolors! We used to worry about copying other people’s work and whether that made our own work less authentic, but now we have something much bigger to worry about — telling the difference between an artist who’s creating a real painting, and a channel which creates the false illusion
Why REAL ART Matters in an Artificial World… Read More »
Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of World Watercolor Month this July! Founded in 2016 by Charlie O’Shields of Doodlewash, WWM was created to inspire creativity and raise awareness for art education—and every year, 100% of proceeds from the official shop go to the International Child Art Foundation. I’m proud to serve as
Download Your Free World Watercolor Month 2025 Prompt Sheet Read More »
As our #buildabird challenge shifts from designing bodies and legs to imagining wings and tails, here is a look back at how I approached Stage 1 of our April Daily Watercolor Challenge, and some of my favorite body and leg creations and combinations. 6 Bodies I started by trying to cover all the bases of
#buildabird Challenge Stage 1 – Bodies & Legs Read More »
If you’ve ever traveled to the Middle East or even just seen photos, you’ve probably noticed the stunning mosaic tiles that adorn everything from fountains to doorways. Here in Cairo, traditional tile designs are everywhere—in homes, shops, and historic buildings—and each tile feels like a small masterpiece. These designs are often complex but beautifully harmonious,
Watercolor Inspiration from Cairo: Unlocking Creativity with Middle Eastern Mosaic Tiles Read More »
Discover how to select and mix a perfect fall watercolor palette with just six essential colors. Explore tips for creating rich autumn tones using top watercolor brands like Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton, Michael Harding, and more. Perfect for artists looking to capture the beauty of the season.
Crafting the Perfect Fall Palette: A Guide to Mixing Colors for the Season Read More »
Watercolor painting is like dancing with a slightly tipsy partner—unpredictable, spontaneous, and full of surprises. If you’re over a certain age and diving into watercolor for the first time, congratulations! You’re about to experience an art form that’s as much about letting go as it is about creating something beautiful. Forget perfection; this is about
If you’re someone who loves watercolor painting, enjoys creative expression, and values a personal touch in art, then etegami might be a delightful new adventure for you. Etegami, which means “picture letter” in Japanese, is an accessible and heartfelt art form that combines simple watercolor illustrations with thoughtful words. This art style is perfect for
Exploring Etegami Art: A Watercolor Journey for the Soul Read More »
Watercolor painting is a mesmerizing art form best known for its characteristic transparency and fluidity. Unlike most other mediums, watercolor offers a unique interplay of light and color, resulting in paintings that can be either delicate or vibrant. If you’re considering adding watercolor painting as a hobby, these essential tips and insights will help you
Starting Your Journey with Watercolor Painting Read More »
Gardening can teach many life lessons, perhaps especially the arts of timing and nurturing – and today I realised that trying to grow tomatoes in less-than-ideal weather has offered me a new perspective on creativity and the artistic journey. Imagine a garden where the tomatoes, heavy with promise, cling to the vine. The weather, however,
Ripening Creativity: The Art of Switching Styles Read More »
How I Fell in Love with Acrylic Markers Sometimes all we need to get our creativity fired up is for something new to happen. What happened for me a couple of weeks ago was receiving a package from Lightwish, which contained a set of acrylic markers. Coincidentally I’d just watched a Danny Gregory video where
Love at First Sight? Read More »
