Gato Tomato

This piece began very well! I especially thought the bottom half displayed the reflection of the sky beautifully!

And then there's the sky...

The Auroras actually started out fairly decently and I was quite happy while painting...maybe too happy because I started adding things...and adding things...making touch ups...darkening places then getting unhappy and having to expand the sky to cover the mistake..etc..etc...

In other words, you have to know when to STOP painting because not being able to resist this temptation, will often lead to heartbreak and frustration.

As a watercolorist, I feel it is important to post my mistakes as well as my good pieces because as humans, we all struggle. I get many messages telling me how they wish they could paint like me, but they make too many mistakes...some haven't picked up a brush in years, but my work has inspired them to try again. I am telling all these wonderful people:

Put down your phones or tablets, and close out Tumblr. Pick up a brush and just paint, don't overthink it. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece or anything at all. Just feel the brush in your hand as you dip it into the cool, clean water then watch with joy as the colours burst onto the paper. Seeing those jeweled colors mixing and blending on a colorless surface will inspire you to create more.

Art is true joy you can give yourself.

Paper: Fabriano Artistico 100% cotton/ cold press

Brushes: Silver Black Velvet rounds/ Da Vinci Petit Gris Pur mop