Easy DIY “Low-Stress” Watercolor Sketchbooks, Part 2

Here are two more simple DIY sketchbooks you can make with the watercolor paper you usually paint on, including one that makes it easy to create a polished-looking travel sketchbook after you get home. You can rearrange pages and organize your sketches, and maybe add some text or trip souvenirs (without a lot of work) and wind up with a beautiful book you’ll be proud to share.

Sketching is less stressful when your sketchbook doesn’t feel so expensive and intimidating. Fast, easy and no bookbinding skills required. Give them a try!

If you missed Part 1, you can find it here.

Prevent buckling without stretching your paper

Working on paper that is saturated from the back is a method for preventing your paper from buckling while you work that does not involve stretching it.

Second Sunday Live Demos | Supplies and Materials

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?”

Supplies and Materials | Tips & Hacks

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.

Journal page with colors and shapes from the autumn landscape.

Creative Energy Journaling | Planning Your Own Watercolors | Sketching

Plein Air Painting for Everyone

For those who aren’t familiar with the phrase, painting en plein air is just a fancy way of referring to painting on location, usually outdoors. It’s a challenge! In addition to all the usual problems a painter has to solve (composition, color mixing, brush handling, etc.), there is the constantly changing light, the sun, rain and wind,…