Watercolor Practice: An Unplugged Favorite
I’m always chasing down ways to bend my brain and get creative away from my computer screen. After a virtual watercolor class during the Covid lockdown, I’ve reinvigorated my love for the craft (I’m an art school dropout). Read on for tips and my favorite supplies!
After taking a watercolor class as a birthday present to myself last summer with The Mint Gardener, I’m feeling so inspired to keep playing with watercolors - but without any expectations.
Earlier in my art school days, the pressure always felt very high to create something better every time, to always improve, especially when the art was being graded or displayed in an art show. The pressure always got to me and I ultimately pursued an advertising degree, knowing that if I was expected to create art as a living, I’d surely buckle under my own desire and expectation for perfection. I found it nearly impossible to relax enough to express myself without keeping the final product in mind - and that will take your art down every time!
For me, the results are wildly better when I paint without expectations and simply for the act of painting. Mixing colors, experimenting, trying new techniques and brushes…that’s what I’m in it for!
After taking Sarah’s class I purchased her book which has been a true game changer. In the back, she has templates to trace from (I use a light, flesh colored watercolor pencil) that make it easy to dive in without worrying about your drawing skills. Once the tracing is completed using a bright window, I’m ready to start. My painting sessions usually last about an hour, nothing crazy. Even just that one hour helps me relax, lets my eyes readjust to paper vs. screens and gives me a chance to see new colors outside of what I’m used to.
A tip for staying accountable to your creative practice - make it a true practice. For me, I set the goal of one painting per month as a New Year’s Resolution (more on that here) as a due diligence to actually sit down and be creative. Otherwise, the time passes by and the supplies collect dust. I usually put the creative time on my calendar (I’m a big fan of time blocking!) and I find myself looking forward to the break when I have it scheduled.
My favorite teachings from Sarah are the way she makes art so accessible. It didn’t take many fancy supplies to get started and I am able to run to my favorite local art store (Art Mart, if you’re local to St. Louis!) when I need a new color or piece of paper here and there. Wandering the art store in itself is a great digital break.
What are some ways you get away from it all? How do you reset your eyes after so much screen time? Drop me a comment and tell me below.
