Kerrie Woodhouse's Blog, page 4

CMYK or RBY - Does it Matter to Watercolour painters?

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you buy something we may possibly get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Have you ever had a bright lively painting in mind, but when you painted it the result seemed a little dull?

Or have you tried to mix a nice modern purple only to find you end up with a sort of grey?

It’s not just you.

It could be more about whether you are working with colours based on the CMYK scheme or the RBY schem...

The One thing your Watercolour Painting Process Needs

If you are thinking about your watercolour painting goals and wondering what your strategy should be, I have a simple approach to share.

There’s one thing your watercolour painting process really needs. It also happens to be the simplest way to set your painting goals and measure your success.

  ...

5 Reasons to Love Toned Sketchbooks

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you buy something we may possibly get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Sometimes all it takes to invigorate your sketchbook practice is a change of sketchbook.

I know, I know.

I am an enabler and you feel a spot of art supplies shopping coming on. For that I apologise. Or perhaps as the kids used to say, I could go with sorry, not sorry?

Let’s discuss 5 reasons you might want to use a toned sketchbooks and 3 ways...

You Don't Need to Find Your Artistic Style

Yes, that is what I said. You don't need to find your own artistic style. Because it isn't lost. No searching is required.

You can only paint, draw or write like you.

In your own style.

  ...

You don't need to find your artistic style

Yes, that is what I said. You don't need to find your own artistic style. Because it isn't lost. No searching is required.

You can only paint, draw or write like you.

In your own style.

  ...

Should You Paint with Fugitive Watercolours?

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you buy something we may possibly get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most joyful watercolour pigments you will find are in the family of pinks and reds - but alas the one you like best is described as ‘fugitive’.

And let me guess… you just had one of those fervent know-it-alls condemn the use of a colour like opera pink because of this particular characteristic. 😲

So let's first clarify what a fug...

Here’s Why Painters Need Constraints

Tight briefs are good for painters… Not those 🩲 briefs 🙈 - creative briefs! Let me explain.

“Give me the freedom of a tight brief”

David Ogilvy

  ...

Why do artists work in series? (and why it matters to you)

Have you heard the conventional wisdom for artists that they should work in a series?

In part, this is to do with the more commercial aspect of an artist's work - developing  a body of work for which they are known. But really I think this undershadows some of the more important benefits that arise when you work in a series.

Wherever you are in your creative journey there is merit to taking on board some of the ethos of working in a series.

In fact, even if your creative project is your big beauti...

Sketchbook, visual diary or art journal?

A few years ago, when the creative itch first started to trouble me I decided I needed to equip myself with a sketchbook. I was on holiday and with only one small bookshop  nearby the closest thing I could find was something labelled 'visual diary'. Later, a bit of research turned up yet another possibility... an art journal.

So… sketchbook, visual diary or art journal?

What's the difference?

Which one should a beginner take up?

  ...

Do You Need to Draw to Paint?

If you want to paint with watercolour, do you need to be able to draw?

Well, in short no.

But why wouldn’t you want to?

There are a few options available to get you painting even if you feel you can’t draw yet, which we’ll discuss.

But please know that being able to draw provides a satisfaction that is hard to beat. (And it’s really not as hard as you may think.)

Let me explain.

  ...