Sometimes creating comes easy and feels like second nature. This feeling of inspiration can be intoxicating, and it can also fool us into thinking that something is “wrong” if we don’t feel this same excitement every time we sit down to create. 

Don’t listen to that voice. Inspiration comes and ...

One of the more challenging parts about painting in watercolor is that we essentially paint in reverse. We paint from our lightest values to our darkest values, so we have to keep the  light in mind throughout the entire process. 

Now, large, bright areas of our scene, we can paint around. This ...

If you are a watercolor artist who is looking to move beyond the basics and develop your own painting style, a good place to set your attention is on your brushwork. 

Every little mark that you make is a reflection of the energy that you have when you're painting. It's what sets your paintings a...

One goal we have when we paint is to take the essence of a scene - something that excites you - and to put it on paper. 

An element that consistently inspires me is light. 

And often, I find myself wanting to capture that glowing feeling of warm light. If that's something that you're interes...

What is atmosphere in watercolor painting, and how can you create it?

The words atmosphere and mood refer to the emotion that a piece of art evokes in the viewer and are often used interchangeably. When we can accurately convey a mood in our painting, it becomes more than just a picture on a ...

There are 3 rules that you must follow when painting water scenes in watercolor.

These may seem like minor details but they make a big difference in the believability of your painting.

When we’re trying to learn anything in life, time is the most valuable asset, and watercolor painting is no different. But there are certain lessons that, when learned early, can speed up the learning process. 

When I look back at my years of painting watercolor, I can identify three breakthroug...

Even when you’re not able to attend a workshop or take an online course, you can pick up a lot from simply admiring the work of successful watercolor artists. Each of their paintings is a window into their process. 

Occasionally, I find it helpful to look back at the American Watercolor Society ...