Category Archives: Art Techniques

Watercolors vs. Gouache: Which Paint is Right for You?

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Lately, I’ve been working on a small handmade journal, experimenting with both watercolors and gouache. Each medium has its own strengths, so I thought I’d share some of the perks and drawbacks of both. If you love painting, you’ve probably come across these two, and while they share similarities, their unique qualities can make a big difference in your creative process. Let’s dive into the pros and cons to help you decide which one suits your style best!

Watercolor

Pros:

  • Transparent & Layerable – Watercolors create beautiful, light washes and ethereal effects.
  • Fluid & Spontaneous – The paint flows naturally, making it great for loose, expressive work.
  • Lightweight & Portable – Perfect for travel and on-the-go painting.
  • Mixing Potential – Can achieve a wide range of colors with just a few pigments.

Cons:

  • Less Control – The unpredictability of water can be challenging to manage.
  • Lighter Colors Only – Once a dark color is down, it’s hard to lighten it.
  • Paper Dependent – Requires high-quality, absorbent paper for best results.

Gouache

Pros:

  • Opaque & Vibrant – Offers rich, bold colors with great coverage.
  • More Control – Doesn’t flow as much as watercolor, making details easier to refine.
  • Reworkable – Can be reactivated with water after drying, unlike acrylic.
  • Matte Finish – Gives a velvety, professional look, perfect for illustrations.

Cons:

  • Less Flow – Doesn’t have the same natural blending effects as watercolor.
  • Can Crack When Thick – If applied too heavily, it may crack when dry.
  • Not as Portable – Tends to be heavier and requires a palette for mixing.

Which One Should You Choose?

If you love soft, translucent layers and effortless blending, watercolor might be your best bet. If you prefer bold colors and a more forgiving medium, gouache is a great choice. Why not experiment with both and see what suits your style?

Which one do you prefer—watercolor or gouache? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you found this helpful—thanks for stopping by!

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The Magic of Layering: Creating Sunset Lake Scenes

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I love experimenting in my abstract paintings, allowing each piece to evolve organically with textures, layers, and unexpected materials. Recently, I incorporated a unique twist into one of my works—a piece of cloth seamlessly blended into the paint. I didn’t have a set vision when I started, but as I layered colors and textures, something magical emerged.

Somehow, it transformed into a scene that reminds me of a sunset by the lake—a warm glow reflecting off the water, the sky shifting through soft gradients of color, and a sense of peaceful movement. That’s one of the things I adore about abstract art: the way it unfolds in unexpected ways, sometimes revealing emotions, memories, or entire landscapes you didn’t consciously set out to create.

This piece also reminded me why I love experimenting with different materials—whether it’s textiles, textured pastes, or metallic finishes, they add unexpected depth and intrigue. Pushing the boundaries of my work keeps the creative process exciting and full of discovery. I encourage anyone creating art to embrace playfulness, let go of expectations, and see where the materials take you.

But art is deeply personal, and the beauty of abstraction is that each viewer brings their own perspective. What do you see in this piece? A distant horizon? Gentle waves? A completely different story? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

✨ Wishing you a weekend filled with creativity, inspiration, and a touch of magic! ✨💫

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Unique Techniques for Stunning Abstract Watercolors

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Lately, I’ve been exploring new abstract designs, color combinations, and techniques to bring more depth and intrigue to my art. Some mediums have quickly become favorites, while others… not so much. But that’s the beauty of the creative journey—learning, experimenting, and discovering along the way!

One of the most magical parts of this process is working with watercolors. When creating these abstracts, you never quite know how the final piece will turn out. The paints mix and mingle in unexpected ways, forming unique colors and organic shapes that make each piece one of a kind.

This 4×6 inch watercolor abstract was an experiment with a new color combination that I instantly fell in love with. After the first layer dried, I built up the vibrancy with additional layers, enhancing the depth and shading. To finish, I added touches of gold pen and a bit of glitter for that extra magical glow. To me, it feels like a peaceful lake at sunset, with cattails swaying along the shore.

What do you see in it?

Wishing you a day filled with creativity, inspiration, and a little touch of magic! ✨

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Setting New Creative Goals with Watercolor Landscapes

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  • Day 1 – Night Falls
  • Day 3 – Dusky Skyline
  • Day 4 – Beach Bonfire
  • Day 5 – Golden Wood

It’s hard to believe we’re already into November, with Thanksgiving just around the corner. As I start looking ahead to next year, I’m setting some exciting goals for my art journey—planning both what I want to accomplish and the new techniques I’m eager to explore.

One of my personal goals is to complete a watercolor landscape in my journal each week. I’m a huge fan of Kolbie Blume, the talented artist behind This Writing Desk. Her books—Wilderness Watercolor Landscapes, Stunning Watercolor Seascapes, and Mastering Light in Watercolor—are my go-to guides for inspiration and technique. With all three on my shelf, I’ve decided to challenge myself to paint through each one, creating a new piece from her books each week until I’ve explored them all.

The paintings shown here were inspired by an online art challenge Kolbie hosted last year, which was a fantastic learning experience. I’m excited to dive back into her work and continue learning, especially as I build my skills in capturing the beauty of nature with watercolor.

If you haven’t checked out Kolbie’s work, I highly recommend it. Her books, website, and YouTube channel offer fantastic tutorials for watercolor lovers at any level. I hope this inspires you to set your own creative challenges for the upcoming year!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with inspiration! 🌄✨

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Unleashing Creativity: Transforming Brushstrokes into Abstract Art

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I’ve been practicing brushstrokes in my journal with the new watercolor brushes I recently bought, and I’m amazed at how each one is completely unique. They differ in how much water they hold, their bounce, and how well they maintain their shape. These new brushes are a significant upgrade from my old ones, but they definitely take some getting used to.

Instead of leaving this as a boring practice page I thought it would be more fun to keep the creativity going and turn this into an abstract design. So I used my pens to add lines and dots.

What started as simple brushstroke practice turned into a fun and creative abstract design. Art is all about exploration and finding joy in the unexpected. Have you had similar experiences with your own practice or art projects? I’d love to hear your stories and see your creations. Share your journey in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other.

Thanks for joining me on this creative adventure!

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