From pulp to perfection: The art of making watercolour paper
The art of making watercolour paper is complex. I recently wrote about learning to make watercolour paint. I can’t claim to have gone on a paper-making course (although, that really would be bloody amazing!) However, I have done a bit of research to learn more…
Making watercolour paint
When I started painting, I never would have imagined I would be tempted into making watercolour paint. It all started with a visit to an art shop in Venice where the enticing rainbow display of pigments in the window tempted me inside. Just look…
A studio wishlist
There’s more on a studio wishlist than just paint and supports – those are the obvious things. But they aren’t the only useful items for a studio. Some of the indispensable items in my studio are a bit less obvious. Because of this, I keep…
How to Loosen Up Watercolours
The advice I am asked for most often at my Open Studios is how to loosen up watercolours. This year’s Cambridge Open Studios was no exception. ‘Do you teach?’, and ‘I wish I could paint looser watercolours’: the theme was repeated in so many questions….
Choosing greens – a curse or a joy
Choosing greens: for some artists, dealing with the ‘nasty greens’ is a nightmare – and I’m not talking about vegetables. But using green paint in your art doesn’t need to be a nightmare of indecision. With good judgment, it is possible to use green paint…
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…
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 re-use failed paintings
Have you ever wondered how to re-use failed paintings? (I’m talking specifically about work on paper in this post). See that photograph of 62 failed paintings at the top of this post? That’s not a stock picture. That huge pile of paper had been sitting…
Should Artists Experiment?
Perhaps instead of ‘Should artists experiment?’, we should be asking: When should artists experiment? and ‘Why should artists experiment? Let’s start with the word experiment? So often, the term is misinterpreted in the context of making art. We say experiment when we mean ‘explore’. There…
3 ways for artists to stay motivated during isolation
3 ways for artists to stay motivated when they are isolated. It can be difficult to stay focused and inspired without connection to other people. Here are some ideas that might help.