A sketchbook for journaling + drawing that can actually take light washes
Some journals that are lovely to write in and really can take a light wash nicely—Zen Art.
Supplies and Materials
Articles and videos on supplies and materials (mostly watercolor, but some other supply info as well).
Adjusting granulation
Some watercolor pigments produce granulation (a.k.a. sedimentation), a mottled or speckly appearance as the wash dries. Did you know that you can sometimes coax more or less granulation out of the same pigment? Here’s how.
Easy DIY “Low-Stress” Watercolor Sketchbooks, Part 2
Some fast and easy watercolor sketchbooks you can make yourself from the paper you usually paint on. (Part 2 of 2)
Easy DIY “Low-Stress” Watercolor Sketchbooks, Part 1
Some fast and easy watercolor sketchbooks you can make yourself from the paper you usually paint on. (Part 1 of 2)
Art Supplies That Are a Joy to Use (Gift Ideas)
Here are three things in my studio that make me smile every time I use them. (Great gift ideas for artists!)
What’s That Pen You Use for Drawing?
A lot of people have been asking about what pen I use for drawing in my journals. In this post, I describe the bottled waterproof ink and pen(s) I use in my Studio Journal, and a couple of alternative options if you prefer cartridges over bottled ink.
Stop Paint from Beading Up on a Plastic Palette
A simple and nondestructive way to stop paint from beading up on a plastic watercolor palette.
Live Demo 11 Oct 2020—Choosing Watercolor Paper (and do I really have to stretch it?)
All about choosing the best paper for you and your way of working. And, the definitive answer to that perennial question: “Do I really have to stretch my paper?”
Live Demo 13 Sep 2020—Choosing Brushes for Watercolor
Which brushes do you really need? What sizes? Synthetic or natural bristles? Is Kolinsky sable really worth the expense? I’ll answer questions like these, demonstrate different types of brushes and explain pros and cons, and share which brushes are my “go-to” brushes now and why I chose them.
Live Demo 9 Aug 2020—What’s on Your Palette?
A lot of people have asked me to talk about what brands of paint I use (most of them!) and what colors I have on my palette (way too many!). I’m always at a loss, because I am constantly playing around with the colors on my palette. I’m just as much of a sucker for a cool new color as the next person. Isn’t that just part of the fun of watercolor? 😉 But it’s time to take a stab at answering the REAL question, How can you decide which colors to have on your palette?”
Mar 2019: Get Ready for Spring Plein Air Painting
Several different options for light, packable watercolor sketching kits, and a few tips for selecting a manageable subject from the sometimes overwhelming wealth of options when working on location.
12 Tips for Happy Brushes—How to Care for Your Watercolor Brushes
I’m welcoming some new watercolor painters to the medium, so there have been some requests for information about caring for watercolor brushes. (Even if you know all this, you might want to skip down to item 9. In the third paragraph, there are two links to videos about how brushes are made. The first is…