Whimsical Watercolour
Do we really need to be constantly pushing ourselves outside our comfort zone?
I really don't think so. Watercolour painting has given me the perfect opportunity to play with this idea of comfort zones. What applies to painting applies to life, it seems.
Have you noticed how little time it takes before everyone in the house gravitates towards the kitchen?
The kitchen is the hub. The heart of the home.
(And houses many an ideal watercolour painting subject.)
This is my 45th monthly painting series! You’ll understand why I wonder about whether you can run out of inspiration for paintings…
Can you guess what the source of this month’s inspiration was?
See the whole series and find out more here…
A trip to the beach - in real life or vicariously through paint is enough to give one a bit of perspective on busy life. Take up a paintbrush and paint away your cares…
If there’s one thing that’s bound to lift your mood when you are feeling a bit down, it’s painting a rooster. Come and find out how to paint a rooster in watercolour and instantly lift your mood.
See the whole series and find out more here…
I have been painting hydrangeas in watercolor, this month. It has been a while since I have painted these beautiful flowers and that reminded me of a story which makes me think about why we paint …
We all take so very many photos these days. But what do you actually do with them all?
Here is a suggestion for that and a way to improve your overall happiness. Find out how to savour the moment, and why you might want to.
Berries and seeds are tiny symbols of hope and possibility - don't you think? I love that something so small can be so mighty. From a tiny little seed a whole new plant can come to be - nature’s everyday magic.
From the tiniest acorn grows a mighty oak.
Only it doesn’t have to.
Not every acorn will become a tree. We do not judge those acorns that don't end up transforming themselves.
We see their fascinating shapes and textures and delight in their current stage. They are valuable just as they are, right now.
We don't see their worth as conditional on what they might become.
““When we plant a rose seed in the earth, we notice that it is small, but we do not criticize it as “rootless and stemless.” We treat it as a seed, giving it the water and nourishment required of a seed. When it first shoots up out of the earth, we don’t condemn it as immature and underdeveloped; nor do we criticize the buds for not being open when they appear. We stand in wonder at the process taking place and give the plant the care it needs at each stage of its development. The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change; yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.”
”
Those little seeds and berries remind me of all the ideas we have and the projects we begin. A new idea is exciting - as plump and juicy and wonderful as a berry. So is every book we add to our reading lists and every online course we begin.
Psst… if you happen to be on the lookout for an online watercolour course, this link is for you. 😉
(Yes I am an enabler!)
But just like those seeds, not every idea will manifest its largest form. We enjoy an abundance of new books and courses, ideas and projects - more of these are available than we have the resources for. That’s okay. Nature shows us that this is simply the natural way of things.
There is value in beginnings: the burst of enthusiasm, the creative zeal that sparks us into action. The joy of possibility is enough.
Some of our ideas and projects will see completion. It’s okay that we probably don't know which ones they are at the outset.
Many seeds fall from the tree. Only the passing of time and allowing events to unfold can determine which ones will will flourish. And since we don't know which ones will flourish we need them all.
Unfinished projects, or forgotten ideas are not wasted, they are a part of the process. They all have a role - it just might not be the one you expected. Some are stepping stones, some are just practice. Some are for exploration and help you find your way by a process of elimination.
Revel in the abundance of all your beginnings. Please don't berate yourself for the ones that didn't appear to go anywhere.
Let them go in the knowledge that they are enough just as they are.
One of these might be helpful…
Do you ever doubt your own creativity?
Ever wonder if in fact you are artistic at all? Well, wonder no more, Creative Soul.
Here’s how to tell.
Line and wash is a watercolour technique that combines a line drawing with a watercolour painting. Since a lot of the structure of the painting is established by the line drawing itself, often all that is needed from the paint is a little wash of colour - hence the name, line and wash.
Let me show you the sort of effects you can get with line and wash watercolour techniques - yes, there are videos! 🍿🎥
I’ll also tell you about my favourite pens to use in line and wash paintings and explain why line and wash can be a great watercolour technique for beginners.
When I was a beginner painter, I discovered that coming up with easy watercolor ideas can be tricky. So I have made a list of 7 good things to paint - just for you. These are all easy painting ideas that are sure to put a spring in your brush and get you inspired, but I am saving the best (my personal favourite) for last.
Painting little piglets in watercolour taught me a thing or two about attitude.
They showed me just what it might look like to approach everything with gusto, in the spirit of play!
Let me show you…
Children are a subject matter that calls to me so often for this very reason. There seems to be something so fitting about capturing a little of the spirit of childhood in paint.
I think that because of this reverence in which I hold the very idea of childhood, and the fact that drawing children means drawing people, it is a subject that can be as terrifying as it is attractive.
Dogs are a delightful painting subject - especially for loose watercolour.
If you are a little afraid of all that fur and getting the anatomy right - take heart. I used to feel exactly the same way. Let me show you the approach that helped me let go of those fears and jump into joyful dog painting.
Watercolour poppies are a wonderful painting subject for beginners (and the more experienced!)
Here are some youtube demos of watercolour poppy paintings and tips for beginners which are sure to inspire the loose watercolour artist in you.
Process art is art that is made with an intention to focus on the creative process rather than the finished product. With process art, the joy is in the journey rather than the destination. Creating a mandala is one of my favourite ways to surrender to the notion of process art. Find out how and why here….
Do you know the story of the three wise monkeys?
There is something special about a story that has endured so long and in so many forms. From Confucius to carvings to frog ornaments to emojis, here’s what they are really about.
I have spent a glorious month painting autumn in watercolour. It is, by far, my favourite season. I had imagined that I would be painting autumn landscapes in watercolour and of course those beautiful autumn leaves.
But a total cutie popped up in one of my paintings this month …
There is something so deeply pleasing about the organised rows of vines. No wonder I couldn’t stop at one when I painted a vineyard. There is so much to learn from nature about achieving balance and order and rhythm. I can’t think of a better way to study them than painting.
See the whole series and find out more here…
This month I have been painting Portraits in Watercolour. Painting faces is fascinating work for so many reasons, its no wonder we still paint faces even in era of the omnipresent camera.
See the whole series and find out more here…
This month I have been painting Hot Air Balloons - one of my absolute favourite things to paint.
See the whole series and find out more here…
I end every year with a Mandala series - this one is the latest.
Apparently I am not the only one who loves circles, it is actually something hard wired into our brains. Who knew?….
Did you know that elephants purr? Yes, a bit like a cat!
This is just one of the many fascinating facts I learned about elephants - my painting subject for this month’s series. They are such magnificent creatures you can’t really help being curious, can you?
