Earlier this year I discovered the art of journalling. As a former daily diary writer, I found myself attracted to the concept of creating a journal from scratch, incorporating all sorts of mementos and memories along the way. So much more satisfying than pages of longhand script I never re-read, my journal became a reflection…
Tag: watercolour
Red Cardinal on Snowy Holly
Everyone loves the Red Cardinal, the brightest spot in the winter in many cold climes. Nothing says Christmas louder than a flock of cardinals feeding in the garden. So for the Christmas seasonal change in decor, I painted a single cardinal on a branch of holly. Materials Paper The paper I chose was a 140lb…
Christmas Stockings and the Mouse Family
Today I’m painting three warm and cosy Christmas stockings perfect for hanging in front of a roaring log fire on Christmas Eve. Santa has already been and filled the stockings to bursting, but now the local Mouse Family has arrived and is checking out the contents! For this painting I used a sheet of Etchr…
Baby Birds and Baubles
Today I decided to start the morning session in the studio with a loose warm-up exploring my Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints, before going on to the main painting of the day. So using my medium sized Isabey quill brush I simply picked up color at random from the set and made circles on a piece…
Paul Rubens Emerald Box Set
Let’s find out what’s inside a tin of Emerald Paul Rubens paints and then see how to paint a simple little seasonal wreath for cards or other Christmas stationery. The Product The tin of paints comes in a very sturdy green box with embossed gold writing on it. It would prove a very good way…
Wondering what to paint for Christmas?
Here’s a handy summary of all the Christmas themed tutorials we have in our back catalogue on YouTube.
Two Quick and Easy Christmas Cards
Today we’re painting two easy and quick Christmas designs to use as greetings cards, or to adapt for place cards or any other seasonal stationery. First, a bright and cheerful seasonal message with a simple design of five baubles, decorated with a snowflake pattern done in gel pen. You can get the sketch for this…
Exploring your paintbox with flowers
Loose watercolor warmup for recovery and relaxation Some days you just don’t want to concentrate on a complicated composition or a difficult project. If you feel like that – maybe because you haven’t painted for a while or for reasons of health, work pressures – or just feeling lazy, don’t let that put you off!…
Autumn Flavored Leaves and Berries with Gold
Today I’m using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints to create a colorful whimsical leaf design to help you practice your watercolor skills. Using a multilayered, mixed media method to develop the rich tones of the Kuretake paint with gold accents, you’ll be thrilled with your results and want to do more! My Materials I decided…
Foxes and Friends
Here’s a whimsical little landscape to celebrate autumn or fall depending on where you live! Also it’s the time of year when druids and pagans celebrate Samhain, as the old year draws to a close and the new year begins for them. Please download the sketch of this painting for your personal use – just…
Beautiful Florals Every Time
Today we’re painting a simple floral bouquet or spray, ideal for beginners and improvers. You can adapt the colors to suit any season, but this one is late summer roses and some imaginary flowers as it’s always good to let the imagination run free. I picked out four colors from my set of Kuretake, and…
Oak Leaf Fall Greetings Card
The leaves are starting to change color and fall now that autumn is here. So how about this pretty mixed media design to use for your autumn greetings cards? You can download the sketch to help you with the painting right here. Materials I recently received a pack of Etchr greetings cards with matching envelopes…
Paint a Cute Cat in a Flowerbed
Here’s a quick and easy floral with a cat which would be ideal to make into a cute greetings card. Use odds and ends of paint and a small piece of paper to create a whimsical moment in your day. This little painting is easy and effective and will banish the blues for a few…
Find Your Inner Child with Whimsical Birds
Loose watercolor for recovery and relaxation I was sitting listening to the birds singing in our garden yesterday and realised for the millionth time how beautiful their voices are! So here’s a hommage to the birds as we go into the hard season for them, to thank them for the joy they bring us every…
Getting Back into the Flow with Florals
Loose watercolor warmup for recovery and relaxation If you haven’t painted for a while you’re sure to feel a bit rusty and stiff the next time you pick up a brush, but don’t let that put you off! Sometimes a break, be it for reasons of health, holidays or just being too busy, will bring…
Flowers and Birds with Gold Accents
Today I’m using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints to create a richly detailed and stylishly colorful whimsical leaf design to help you practice your watercolor skills. Using a relaxed and enjoyable method to embellish the rich tones of the Kuretake paint with gold accents, you’ll be thrilled with your results and want to do more!…
Whimsical Houses on a Hill
This easy landscape solves all the problems that landscape paintings usually bring. With this style you don’t need to worry about realism, or perspective, or color mixing, or living up to anyone’s expectations or standards. You just paint from the imagination and from the heart. We already did a couple of 2D landscapes to introduce…
Two Fine Hens Greetings Card to paint
How about this pretty painting of two fine hens to use as the jumping off point for greetings cards? Ideal for a friend who loves or keeps chickens, and you can personalise to include all the features of the chickens of the person who is going to be thrilled to receive it! The great thing…