Texture in watercolour – how to make your own tools
If you want to create texture in watercolour paintings, you can use granulating colours and granulation medium. You can also use watercolour ground and these days, even pearlescent watercolour ground. The development of painting mediums has given artists so many choices. Mixed media artists have…
Aine Divine Painting Landscapes
One of the most requested tutors and subjects for future workshops on our feedback form is Aine Divine painting landscapes. I am thrilled that she will be joining us in September 2021 to tutor a 2-day landscape workshop. In February 2020, a group of watercolour…
An Artist’s Christmas
In my studio, an artist’s Christmas is typically a time for resting and preparing for the coming year. Although it may be different for others, I think of it as a mini hibernation. This is so because it is time to be introspective and quiet. The warmth…
Watercolour Christmas Card designs
I love making handmade watercolour Christmas card designs in December. It is now many years since I bought a pack of printed cards. The ones I make are so much more personal. The first few years I created them, I felt a bit self-conscious about…
A watercolour wishlist
Do you have a watercolour wishlist? This is the time of year in our family when we are all putting together Christmas wishlists. Surprise gifts can be a real delight. They can be a disaster too. At some point, we’ve all had an unexpected gift…
How we made Christmas art instead of Christmas cards
Christmas art instead of Christmas cards? Nothing about this year has been ‘business as usual’. It’s all be topsy turvy. So why not change things up when it comes to Christmas cards too? I have a selection of gorgeous cards professionally printed from images of…
What my art taught me about myself
What my art taught me during this pandemic were some vital lessons. Hands up who struggled to paint in the first lock down? Did you hear that whooshing noise? That was my hand shooting past my ear. Once we reached the point of lockdown, I really…
Daniel Smith Watercolours 36 dot cards – my views
Have you seen the new Daniel Smith Watercolours 36 dot cards? They come in two variations: Mineral Marvels and Watercolor Confetti. These little gems dropped through my letterbox earlier this week, thanks to Premium Art Brands. How exciting to receive a surprise package in the…
How to layer in watercolours
Many artists want to know how to layer in watercolours without creating mud. Layering in watercolour is often considered very difficult. The main problem occurs when the initial layers of colour are disturbed and mix with subsequent layers. This can be hugely frustrating. You might…
Why use layering in your paintings
One of the most satisfying aspects of painting is colour, but why use layering in your paintings if you can use flat colour? Even neutral and subtle colours can be exciting. Most artists have a particular way of using colour that is their preference. For…