So. sketchbook, visual diary or art journal… what's the difference?

Which one should a beginner take up?

Let’s investigate and find out which one is right for you.

Ever heard that artists should work in a series?

In part, this conventional wisdom is to do with the more commercial aspect of an artist's work - developing  a body of work for which they are known. But really I think this undershadows some of the more important benefits that arise when you work in a series.

Wherever you are in your creative journey there is merit to taking on board some of the ethos of working in a series.

In fact, even if your creative project is your big beautiful life as opposed to a particular creative hobby there is merit to giving yourself some sort of 'series' to work on in order to reap these benefits.

One of the watercolor problems that every artist needs to learn to solve is handling the paintings that they don’t think are good enough. It happens to us all, believe me. Eventually you will hear yourself say I hate my art ! Here are some strategies for handling that eventuality with grace.

Are you wondering about the best brushes for watercolour?

Let’s talk about choosing the right brush for watercolor painting and more importantly, the brush techniques that will give you the most effective watercolor brush strokes - even if you are a beginner.

If you want to paint with watercolour, do you need to be able to draw?

Well, in short no.

But why wouldn’t you want to?

There are a few options available to get you painting even if you feel you can’t draw yet, which we’ll discuss.

But please know that being able to draw provides a satisfaction that is hard to beat. (And it’s really not as hard as you may think.)

Let me explain.

Do you consider tracing to be cheating in art?

That’s a question I have heard a few times before. It makes me chuckle.

Cheating who exactly, I always want to say?

Let’s figure out when and if tracing might be useful to your art practice and then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tracing.

A sketchbook really is a painter’s best friend.

(Of course, it can be your best friend even if you don’t paint!)

Here are 7 excellent reasons a watercolour painter should get out their sketchbook today.

Ever heard the term chocolate box painting and wondered what it meant?

Let me explain the term and I’ll give you my thoughts on whether or not this bad, low brow art because, obviously, I won’t be able to help myself. 😉

How do you go about choosing colours for painting the sea?

The sea is never just one colour, but since it is that colour that draws us into wanting to paint the sea in the first place it feels like something you really want to get right.

I bet you’ve heard that you can’t fix watercolor mistakes. That’s just not true - in fact I want to show you how I fix an entire bad watercolor painting. I’ll even show you my bad painting and show you the techniques you need to fix a mistake in watercolor.

What is the best painting size for beginners? The size you are most likely to paint!

Here are 7 big reasons to paint small paintings…

Of all the types of watercolour that are available portable watercolour sheets are the most compact and easy to carry. This post dives into what portable watercolour sheets are and how best to use them. I’ll even take you inside my sketchbook and show you one of my projects using my set of Peerless Watercolour Sheets.

Sometimes you get an idea for a painting but you just can’t find the right photo reference for what you have in mind.

Luckily, it is possible to combine multiple references to create the image that you are after. However, there are a few potential pitfalls to avoid.

Let’s review them and figure out the best approach to painting from two or more reference photos.

Colour is one of the things we painters get most excited about - of course!

Colour might attract as to paintings and definitely calls to the painter, but it is not what makes the painting make sense - value does that.

Let me show you how. I’ll also tell you how to alter values in watercolour and tell you something about the colour wheel that just might surprise you.

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.)

Have you heard people talk of painting in a ‘loose’ style and wondered what that actually means?

Like a lot of things in art, it is rather subjective so perhaps the better question is to ask what loose watercolour painting means to you.

I want to paint with ease - with a glad heart and a confident brush.

That to me, is loose painting.

Let me explain…

If you love painting flowers as much as I do you probably also love all the colours 🌈 you get to use when painting florals.

Luckily that doesn't mean you have to buy tonnes of colours (unless you want to), because of course we can always mix a whole range of hues.

Except one.

Actually, I know what you are thinking…

Is it time to replace your watercolour brushes?

It can be hard to let go of a beloved painting supply, so it is handy know what to look out for.

Here are my best tips on how to tell if your watercolour brush needs to be replaced and how to look after your new paintbrushes so that you get the most use out of them.

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…

Capture the memories of your holiday and turn them into delightful works of art with watercolour painting. The key to success is choosing the right photo to paint.

Let me guide you through the process of selecting the best vacation photos for watercolour painting. From considering composition and lighting to analysing colour and subject matter, I want to share my tips and tricks to help you make the perfect choice for your next watercolour painting.