Watercolor Notes
Hi Reader, I hope your May has been a creative one so far.
I took Ellie to the beach yesterday and she dug a big hole. What she really loves is rescuing a small stick from the depths of the sand.
If I find a stick and push it down into the hole she’s already dug, the game really begins. It’s serious work and play at the same time. She has to problem-solve and that’s what she loves most.
This is similar to the reason why I enjoy watercolor painting so much. Painting is one long, satisfying problem-solving session.
You start off, and everything feels like a walk in the park, but pretty soon, you’ve got a lot to figure out. Getting your colors right, managing your values, dealing with washes that are too wet or areas that are drying too fast. And sometimes you’re in a race against the clock. There can be a thrill in that.
What if we approached painting like a quest? What if we considered it a challenge we’ve set for ourselves with obstacles, surprises, and a little adventure tossed in?
Watch kids playing sometime and you’ll see how they create problems on purpose. A cardboard box becomes a boat, the sharks are coming, they have to paddle faster. The problem makes it more fun. I think that’s what Ellie is doing when she wants me to bury her stick so she can find it again.
Next time you’re painting and things start to feel hard, see if you can flip the switch. Approach it like play. Let the challenges be the adventure. Pretending that sharks are swarming is optional. 😉
A few adventures I’m offering this summer:
- Sketching Adventures, an in-person workshop I’m teaching on June 27-28. Click here for more info.
- Watercolor in Flow, my online mentorship program for structure and support throughout your painting journey. Click here to watch a video explaining what Watercolor In Flow is.
- One-on-one paint coaching — I have a few openings this summer for painters who want one-on-one support for their creative process, specific painting challenges, or both. Just reply to this email if that’s you.
Until next time, keep playing.
-Vinita
