Featured piece
Watercolour beginner mistakes: the five that matter most
Most early frustrations with watercolour come down to the same handful of problems. Understand what they are and why they happen, and the medium becomes considerably less mysterious.
Read the pieceRecent writing
On technique, materials, and artists.
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Watercolour supplies for beginners: what each one is for
You can begin with a few colours, suitable paper, one brush and a plate. Here is what each supply does, and when the rest is worth adding.
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How long to wait between watercolour layers
There is no reliable number of minutes between watercolour layers. The look and feel of the paper give a better answer than the clock.
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How much water to use in watercolour: palette, brush and paper
There is no fixed ratio of water to paint. Judge the mixture, the brush and the paper by sight, then record your own paints with a strength strip.
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Watercolour palettes compared: plastic, metal and porcelain mixing surfaces
Plastic, enamelled metal and porcelain palettes behave differently. Choose by mixing visibility, weight, cleaning and where you paint.
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Mop vs quill vs round watercolour brushes
Mop, quill and round brushes overlap, but their construction changes capacity, control and the marks they favour.
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Watercolour brush sizes explained: what the numbers really tell you
Brush size numbers are relative, not universal. Learn how to compare dimensions, capacity and marks instead.
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Artist vs student watercolour paints: what really changes
What changes between artist and student watercolour paints, what does not, and when an upgrade is worth making.
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Drybrush watercolour technique: texture without heaviness
Drybrush uses a lightly loaded brush across dry paper so the surface catches broken colour. The result depends on moisture, pressure and paper tooth.
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How to lift watercolour paint without damaging the paper
Lifting can lighten a passage or recover a highlight, but the safe limit depends on the paint, paper, timing and amount of friction.
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Hard and soft edges in watercolour: how to control both
Watercolour edges are controlled by the moisture relationship between the paint, brush and paper at the moment a stroke is made.
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New writing from the site, the occasional material recommendation, and brief notes on painting. Sent monthly, nothing more.
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