I read an interesting question from one of my students recently. She asked, “What makes someone an artist?” There were a lot of comments on that post, and the question clearly struck a nerve. Some people were hesitant to call themselves an artist, while others were confident. Some asked thoughtful questions. Is it a certain level of skill? A certain number of paintings? Do you have to put on a show or sell your work? Do you need to spend a certain length of time learning? Doe

I put together a big studio giveaway for one lucky student and realized it was the perfect excuse to walk you through every supply I genuinely use and love (my favorite paints, paper, brushes, and helpful extras) . This post is a fun tour of my essentials and a few “nice-to-have” luxuries, plus the why  behind each pick so you can buy with confidence, avoid gimmicks, and get better results with less frustration. You can watch the walkthrough here and find the clickable supply

Every watercolor artist has been there. You spend hours on a painting, step back to admire it… and something just feels off. Maybe the colors didn’t blend how you wanted, or that one leaf looks a little wonky, or the whole piece just doesn’t match the image you had in your head. It can be really disheartening, especially when you’ve put a lot of time and effort into a piece. But guess what? Every artist (no matter how experienced) has paintings they don’t love. It’s all part

What happens when you hear the words color mixing ? If you’re like lots of my students, those words evoke a little fear or confusion. And you might just want to quietly back out of the room…   But wait!  Color mixing doesn’t have to be the big, confusing elephant in the (art) room. Yes, it can feel overwhelming. And yes, sometimes it’s a struggle to mix up that perfect color. But the truth is that it can be fun  and there are some easy ways to simplify the process, which I’ll

Whenever I teach a live workshop, the same questions come up again and again. I get it! These are the kinds of things that can hold you...

Hi friends! There’s been a lot of discussion and confusion about Quinacridone Gold, and I’m here to clear it up. This is one of the...

In this post, you’ll learn what the wet-into-wet watercolor technique actually is, how it works, and how to practice it with more confidence and less frustration. Whether you’re just starting out or revisiting the basics, we’ll walk through everything step-by-step.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through what a limited color palette actually is, why it’s such a helpful tool for watercolorists (especially if you're just getting started), and how to choose a few standout colors that work together beautifully. You’ll also learn a few watercolor techniques that pair really well with a limited palette so you can get the most out of every brushstroke! 

I think there is a lot of false guilt in the art world. We feel guilty for buying art supplies, and then guilty for not using them. We...

Have you ever felt like your watercolor paintings look a little flat? Maybe the colors are there, the shapes are right, but something’s...

Painting beautiful flowers with watercolor is the ultimate dream for many watercolor beginners. But when you actually sit down with your...

Are you a watercolor beginner? In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through a few basic watercolor techniques that are perfect if you’re just...

As an art teacher, there are certain questions I hear repeatedly from artists struggling with perfectionism and self-doubt. "How can I...

One of the trickiest things to grasp with watercolor is getting your ratio of paint to water just right. In this article, you’ll learn...

When people ask me about becoming an artist, I often start with a confession: I first picked up a paintbrush in 2015 and then promptly...

Composition can make or break your paintings. When you do it right, it’s so natural that the viewer won’t even think about it, and when...

Get ready to dive into a world of vibrant blues and delicate petals as we learn how to paint a charming cornflower! Cornflowers are one...

I don’t know about you, but I’m severely allergic to Goldenrod. There’s nothing prettier than seeing a field of Goldenrod in bloom,...