Creative Spirits Soar!

Pink Bicycle

I love painting with watercolor. It's more hobby than profession, like with oils and acrylics. 

 

I plan to teach this watercolor paint-along twice in September; once in Franklin on September 6 and in Spring Hill on September 20. Message me with your email address if you would like to get the calendar once each month in your inbox or go to paintingwithsusan.com to see the current month's schedule of painting classes and art events. 

 

Illustrated Watercolor Peach Pie Recipe

As much as I love painting studio and plein air works of art, it's Illustrated Watercolor Journaling that brings me pure joy. The hobby started with an Illustrated Nature Journal. Shortly after it began, I went on a scenic, painting trip to Owl's Head, Maine, with a few friends, so the journal evolved to an Illustrated Nature and Travel Journal. But I also love to cook and to eat! And I love history and historic and family recipes. And guess what? The illustrated watercolor journal as evolved to involve these loves, too. 

To see the 30 minute demonstration, click here.  To see the sped up 60 second version, click here. 

The watercolor set you see in the video is the Winsor & Newton Professional Sketchers Watercolor Box.  It's a bit pricey for the first time watercolor painter.

My oldest and most used set is my Winsor & Newton Compact Watercolor set for travel. I love this one because it is small, compact, holds your brush and wash water well, and the lid can be used as your palette for mixing. The half-pans easily pop out and can be replaced with any Winsor Newton half-pan watercolor, and it's practically indestructible. I've taken it on many trips. And because there is no liquid involved, they can be pack in your pocket or purse to carry on an airplane. 

 

However, I also have a set of Uloochi Watercolor pens, and love them. My students were unable to find Uloochi and purchased Arteza Watercolor brush pens, and I can't tell the difference. They are both easy to use, have beautiful color, and are convenient. If you go this route, you'll want to also purchase a watercolor brush to move color around with water. Sometimes the pens dispense a lot of color, so it's best to lay down a small amount of color from the pen and then use a clean, wet brush to extend the color where you want it. 

Illustrated Watercolor Cookbook

Spending a little time this afternoon in Watercolor Illustration. It's so much fun!!

 

Or for the 25 minute demonstration, click here.  Or for a 60 seconds highlight reel, click here. 

I love watercolor illustration and use it for a variety of journals, from Illustrated Nature Journals to Illustrated Travel Journals, to Illustrated Family Recipes Cookbook, not a day goes by I wouldn't rather be illustrating a journal with watercolor. 

I have a thing for adorable, portable watercolor travel sets, too. It's an addiction. And I also love the watercolor pens. Not too fond of the watercolor pencils, however. It's a great idea in theory, but I can't make them work they way I hoped they would. 

The watercolor set you see in the video is the Winsor & Newton Professional Sketchers Watercolor Box.  It's a bit pricey for the first time watercolor painter.

My oldest and most used set is my Winsor & Newton Compact Watercolor set for travel. I love this one because it is small, compact, holds your brush and wash water well, and the lid can be used as your palette for mixing. The half-pans easily pop out and can be replaced with any Winsor Newton half-pan watercolor, and it's practically indestructible. I've taken it on many trips. And because there is no liquid involved, they can be pack in your pocket or purse to carry on an airplane. 

And then I have a variety of sets I use in the studio, including the Charvin water-soluble pastels set which isn't a watercolor set at all, but I use it as one.  I bought my set at Jerry's Artarama in Nashville, but I believe they are available at Jerry's online.