How to Paint in Watercolor (part 2)

Here’s Part 1 in the series: How to Paint in Watercolor (part 1) “I don’t know what to paint if I can’t look at Pinterest or Instagram“ So what do you think people used to do before those things existed?! I remember my first art lesson when I was eleven years old. The teacher gaveRead more ⟶

Why Pay More for your Paint?

Cheapskate or Paint Smart? My world of watercolor has changed. Not long ago I thought I had a grip on what watercolors were. The major brands like Winsor & Newton and Schmincke were familiar to me and had been the staple of my palette for more years than I care to remember. I felt IRead more ⟶

Watercolor Brush Sketching Easy Flowers for Creative Healing (how to break the rules!)

This watercolor brush sketching flower painting tutorial is for beginners and all levels. Learn how to paint loose watercolor florals with Diane Antone for relaxation and creative healing. This easy semi-abstract loose floral watercolor flower and leaf painting tutorial in modern watercolor style will help you to learn how to paint and also how toRead more ⟶

Swatch and Doodle

Using my Kuretake Art Nouveau set I created eight pastel toned rectangles and embellished them with doodles in paint and pastel. This meditative exercise in watercolor and drawing is easy and relaxing to do and will be a good way to spend an hour unchallenged by the need to perform or achieve. Just let’s goRead more ⟶

Painting the French Ambiance

As you know, I am lucky enough to live in France, in Brittany in the far west of the country. So here is a little painting which reflects the mood or ambiance of France, plus some whimsical touches which reflect how I would like to see the country looking at its best! Capture the moodRead more ⟶

Sea Biscuit Meditation

I found this Sea Biscuit on the beach in the Bahamas years ago and have carefully kept it with my collection of found shells. I didn’t know it was called a Sea Biscuit and thought it was a Sand Dollar, but they are actually quite similar. I decided to paint a meditative painting of them,Read more ⟶

Pretty Vintage Birdcage with Flowers

So why shouldn’t you fall in love with your art? Well, that’s not what I mean! Someone said to me once – or maybe I read it – I suspect it might have been Ron Ranson or Roland Hilder – that it is risky to become attached to a small section of your painting whileRead more ⟶

If I jump, will I fly?

Painting without a plan has something in common with bungee jumping. Although you know it probably won’t hurt and could be exciting, you’re still pretty nervous about stepping off the edge and letting gravity do its work. There are days when I know exactly what I’m going to paint. Tomorrow for example I know I’mRead more ⟶

Watercolor and Ink Poppies

With the Superbloom in full force at the moment what could be more appropriate than a page of poppies? This quick video will give you plenty of ideas for your own poppy fiesta! Any paints are suitable for this style of painting. Materials Here are the materials I used for this little page of poppies.Read more ⟶

Discovering Intuitive Art

We talk about Intuitive Art and painting from the heart but where to start? I wanted to share with you something that I’ve found to be immensely helpful and discovered recently – Aboriginal song lines! Song lines are these amazing pathways of traditional knowledge, stories, and practices that are deeply connected to the land ofRead more ⟶

Exploring Watercolor Animals

Adding a bit of whimsical fun to your animal paintings is a great way to make them truly special. If you’re looking for a creative card or gift idea, try adding a few whimsical animals to your work. A delightful creature can really bring a painting to life and give it a unique feel. WhetherRead more ⟶

Let’s get Abstract!

We all need more time to relax in our lives nowadays and what better way than letting the paint flow and the brush glide across the watercolor paper? In this video I’m going to talk about how to create a simple abstract without stress. In fact, the whole process is pleasurable and relaxing. What’s notRead more ⟶

Easy Floral Bookmarks to Create

Everyone needs a new bookmark! Come the very first harbingers of spring and our thoughts turn naturally to flowers, and one of the earliest is the crocus. Last month we made bookmarks with a Snowdrop design and this month I’m going to show you how I painted some purple Crocus bookmarks, and just for fun,Read more ⟶

Easy Landscape for Beginners

This landscape is ideal for all beginners, and for anyone wanting to move from painting flowers and leaves into the slightly more challenging field of landscape. So let’s break all the rules – of composition, color theory, and technique – and paint a luminous, evocative landscape we would all love to live in! This landscapeRead more ⟶

Easy Abstract ‘Nature’s Dance’

Let’s paint another abstract in soft muted rose pink and apricot, with contrasts of chocolate and ginger leaves to create a warm, relaxing vibe. Easy as pie especially if you have watched the introduction to abstract art video here https://youtu.be/5mE-Ln9v5Mw  as this project builds on what you learnt in the first one. Materials paper Fabriano ArtisticoRead more ⟶

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year! 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese culture and I decided to paint a rabbit in honour of the new year. Keeping it really simple I outlined a rabbit in Chinese style, and painted it in a traditional shade of red. Red is considered to be good luck inRead more ⟶

Beginners Start Here!

Learn to paint watercolor the fun and easy way In this video I show you how to choose a colorscheme from your Kuretake paint sets, plus ways to use a brush, different types of brushes, water control and much more. Plus you are going to create a super attractive abstract piece of art that willRead more ⟶

Whimsical Angels

Every year I hang three little wooden angels on the tree for Christmas. These little angels have been with me through thick and thin and have lived on three continents with me. Somehow they have managed to stick around despite all the upheaval in my life. This year I decided to use them as modelsRead more ⟶