Follow What, exactly, does the term 'flow state' mean? Why is it important for artists and creatives to experience it on a more consistent basis? How can I get into 'flow state' as I'm working on my art? We experience 'flow state' or 'creative flow' when we're fully immersed in a task, whether it be painting, drawing, sculpting, writing, or playing music.  Our minds and bodies seem to be working in unison when we're experiencing a state of flow. Unsurprisingly, it leads to our best art...without us even trying too hard. There are no negative voices coming from inside us, critiquing ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) What is masking fluid, exactly? What can it be used for when painting with watercolor? How do you avoid damaging your paper and other accidents when bringing masking fluid into the watercolor painting process?  Though masking fluid is not necessary for beautiful watercolor paintings, it is a great tool to le ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Interested in developing your skills with watercolor pencils? Wondering how to paint realistic flowers that show depth and dimension with this versatile medium?  In this step-by-step tutorial for beginners, I take you through my entire process for developing botanical paintings using watercolor pencils.  I share ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) ​ Looking for new techniques to make your watercolor paintings more unique and interesting? What are watercolor blooms and how are they created?  Watercolor is a challenging, but extremely rewarding painting medium. As opposed to mediums like acrylics or oils, watercolor encourages us to be light-handed, to embrace su ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) ​ What's the difference between drawing on white paper vs. drawing on toned paper? Will drawing on toned paper help you improve your art skills faster?  What advantages does this type of drawing/sketching substrate have? As I've explained in past blog posts and YouTube videos, I 100% believe that drawing is the basis f ..read more

Follow ​ Seeing artistically does not happen automatically. We must constantly develop our powers of observation. -Eugene Delacroix I often receive messages from beginner artists asking me how or where to start for faster, more effective progress. ​ The one skill I'd advise beginners to strategically work on developing right away is their observation. This may sound obvious, but there's so much misinformation out there that creates confusion among aspiring artists to the point that, lots of them, don't truly get started at all. Not to mentio ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Wondering how to use watercolor pencils for best results? How are watercolor pencils different from regular colored pencils and traditional watercolor paint? Where to start when learning about this versatile medium? ​ Watercolor pencils are an incredibly fun, beginner-friendly, versatile medium that continues gain ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Struggling with an art block or creative rut? Looking for ideas to get the most out of Inktober this year? Eager to take your art further, whether in terms of skill development or expanding your audience? Participating in online art challenges can be an amazing way to get back into creating art consistently after a break ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Confused as to why your watercolor landscapes are looking unrealistic and flat?Looking for best ways to create realistic greens for your watercolor botanical pieces? How can you make unnatural looking greens in your watercolor sets look more realistic? Lots of beginners getting started on their journey with watercolor strug ..read more

Follow *This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Eager to learn watercolor painting but confused as to where to start? Have you started on your journey with watercolor, but always experience frustration during your painting processes and/or end up disappointed with your results? ​ ​ Water and brush control are two basic skills that anyone looking to learn watercolor shou ..read more