Do you need metallic watercolour paint? Well, need is a funny word… as in how many pairs of shoes does a woman ‘need’...?

It is much the same with art supplies. We don’t actually need that much. A loose watercolour painter really only needs…

How marvellous is it that looking at a picture can instantly change your mood?

The reason we love art is that it stirs an emotional reaction - it makes us feel something. An image can convey so much in an instant and each of us has our own unique response.

So how do you create a mood in your painting?

Let’s start with these 6 tips…

Sometimes you get an idea for a painting but you just can’t find the right photo reference for what you have in mind.

Luckily, it is possible to combine multiple references to create the image that you are after. However, there are a few potential pitfalls to avoid.

Let’s review them and figure out the best approach to painting from two or more reference photos.

Colour is one of the things we painters get most excited about - of course!

Colour might attract as to paintings and definitely calls to the painter, but it is not what makes the painting make sense - value does that.

Let me show you how. I’ll also tell you how to alter values in watercolour and tell you something about the colour wheel that just might surprise you.

Have you noticed how little time it takes before everyone in the house gravitates towards the kitchen?

The kitchen is the hub. The heart of the home.

(And houses many an ideal watercolour painting subject.)