from Bluebird Hill

Over the holidays I received some great books on how to watercolor, and one I especially like is The Modern Flower Painter by Anna Mason. Her tips can be used for any watercolor scene you might be doing, but her thoughts on building up the color with layering was really useful to me in this rose. Now remember, I just started this 6 months ago so try not to be too critical because I know I will never be Rembrandt! Here are some other tips that I have learned and would like to share.  Learning and being self-taught, I have had many frustrating moments that knowing these few tips could have saved me from. ( I also could have taken classes to learn these things, but that is not me!) Buy good brushes.    Research them for the type of painting you want to do and then get the best you can afford.  When I first started I just bought a bag of brushes.  I have now disposed of all of them.  A good brush will hold the water and your paint, as well as keep...

photo by Alex Mihis I have been trying to teach myself to watercolor paint since summer. It is something that I have found to be relaxing and challenging at the same time.  Between watching you tube videos on various blogs, looking closely at other artist's work and trial and error I can see an improvement in my little works of art!  ( I use that term very loosely ! ) This is a photo of a Christmas card that I did this morning.  It is a new technique for me, and I am quite happy with the way it turned out. Below are some samples of invitations I did earlier in the month. These are very simple little designs, as I have not mastered anything complicated yet! But still, it gives me great pleasure to do these for friends, and I hope they enjoy them. Putting a bit of yourself into the things you send out to others  takes courage.  None of us wants to be criticized for not being good enough.  But real friends will cheer ...