Tag Archives: watercolor journal

Embrace Spontaneity in Art Journaling

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Have you ever started creating without having any idea what the finished piece would look like?

That’s exactly how this journal page came together. I began with random line drawings using a watercolor pencil, simply letting my hand wander across the page. From those first lines, I started adding watercolor, playing with turquoise, orange, blue, and green. Circles, dots, patterns, and a little sparkle followed, and before I knew it, the page had taken on a life of its own.

Just Follow the Fun

I love when a journal page evolves this way. There’s no pressure to create something perfect and no need to have the whole thing figured out from the beginning. One mark leads to another, one color suggests the next, and suddenly you have something you never would have planned.

This colorful page was a fun reminder of why I enjoy art journaling so much. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply pick up a pencil, make a few marks, and see what happens.

And who knows? Maybe this little experiment will lead to something new. Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing more about that later this month.

Thank you for spending a little creative time with me today. I hope you find a few minutes to play and make something simply because it makes you happy.

Have a colorful and wonderful day!

Share the Happy 💖

Embrace Creativity: Break Your Artistic Routine

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

As artists, it’s easy to fall into comfortable routines. We all have favorite colors and trusted techniques, but sometimes the best discoveries happen when we try something different.

This journal page began as an experiment. I rarely reach for black paint, especially in watercolor, but this time I thinned it slightly with water and let it flow across the page without a plan.

At first, it felt much darker than anything I normally create. Instead of starting over, I asked myself, “How can I make this feel more like me?” The answer was color.

Soft turquoise blues and cheerful pinks brought the page to life. White doodles, playful marks, and splatters added movement and whimsy, transforming the painting into something that felt much more like my style.

It reminded me that contrast isn’t something to avoid. The darker areas make the bright colors shine, just as life’s challenges often help us appreciate the joyful moments even more.

That’s why I love keeping an art journal. Not every page has to be a masterpiece. Some are simply a place to play, explore, and discover something new—and those unexpected experiments often become our favorites.

This page started with watered-down black paint, but it ended as a reminder that trying something outside our comfort zone can lead to beautiful surprises.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope this encourages you to try something new, whether it’s in your art or in everyday life. You might just surprise yourself.

Have a wonderful day!

Share the Happy 💖

Exploring Creative Freedom in Art Journaling

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Art journaling is such a fun way to play and get in some practice at the same time. It’s the perfect space to try out new ideas, techniques, tools, and colors without any pressure—just pure creativity.

When I make these abstract pieces, I love how the shapes and colors take on a life of their own. Simply using more or less water can create the coolest organic effects. Whether I’m brushing wet paint onto dry paper or working wet-on-wet, the results are always different, and honestly, always a little surprising!

This piece was created in my Strathmore Watercolor Journal using only three shades of blue. I added some line work and fun details with Posca pens and gold metallic markers. It turned into an interesting little design that really invites you to stop and look a bit closer.

Whatever your passion is, keep practicing and nurturing it. Doing what you love brings so much joy—and it’s amazing to see how your skills grow along the way.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Share the Happy ❤️

The Art of Emotions: Capturing Faces in Acrylic

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve always been amazed at how a face can tell a whole story without saying a single word. One glance can share a feeling, a mood, or even a little secret. That’s why I love creating faces so much. Whether they turn out whimsical, serious, detailed, or abstract, each one brings its own unique emotion.

This particular piece was a fun practice session in my Strathmore watercolor soft-cover journal. It’s one of my first portraits using acrylic paints and inks. There were parts I really enjoyed and a few things I didn’t love as much—like blending the skin tones. I find that so much easier with watercolor, probably because I’m more used to working with it. But trying something new is all part of the adventure, right?

I still think about some of my very first watercolor portraits… those faces were definitely on the blotchy side! But that’s the beauty of learning—practice really does make a difference.

I’ve been rethinking a few things behind the scenes, so you’ll be seeing some changes coming to my Etsy shop and this site soon. I’m still working out the details, but I’ll keep you updated as everything comes together.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you a bright, happy week ahead.

Share the Happy ❤️

The Joy of Watercolor Journaling: Get Inspired!

Posted on by
Reply

I love creating in my 5.5×8.5” watercolor journal—it’s the perfect way to warm up before diving into larger pieces in my studio. My last abstract was mainly shades of blue (my favorite!), but I felt like mixing it up this time. So, I went for a blend of blues, greens, pinks, and yellows for a bit more pop!

I had a blast experimenting with different patterns and designs, letting one element lead into the next. That’s what I love about art journaling—there’s no right or wrong, just the freedom to explore and see where it takes you.

Have you tried art journaling before? If not, I highly recommend it! It’s such a calming practice and doesn’t require fancy supplies or tons of time. You can use whatever you have on hand and fit it in whenever you have a few spare minutes.

I hope this inspires a little creativity for your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by—I appreciate you being here!

Share the Happy💖

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.’‘ ~George Bernard Shaw

Exploring Abstract Art with Watercolor Brushes

Posted on by
Reply

I recently got a new set of watercolor brushes, and I couldn’t wait to try them out! I grabbed my 5.5×8.5” watercolor journal and spent a fun afternoon playing around, creating this colorful abstract. It’s amazing how different each brush feels—getting used to their bounce and how much water they hold is part of the fun.

I love experimenting in my journal, testing out new patterns and designs. Some might make their way into bigger pieces, and some are just for the joy of the process. I’m a bit obsessed with curves—you’ll often see circles, waves, and leaves pop up in my art. They remind me of the ocean and trees, two of my favorite things.

For this painting, my favorite parts are the blue leaves near the top and the dark blue waves at the bottom. There’s something calming about those patterns—I love the flow they bring to the piece. What about you? Do you have a favorite part?

I hope this little peek into my process brings a bit of inspiration to your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this creative moment with me!

Share the Happy💖

“‘Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.’” ~Pablo Picasso

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com