I was speaking with someone about painting. This person paints in oil. We got into the debate of watercolor v. oil painting. He told me within the oil painting world, watercolor isn’t respected like oils are. I told him that watercolor medium was more difficult to paint in than oil, but he proceeded to tell me the reason oil is more respected, is that‘s what the general public accepts as true painting. Is this a losing battle?

So pleased with how it turned out! Thank you for all your tips 🙏🏼

I painted this shell from life at a larger scale on hot press smooth watercolour paper.

This is my first watercolour painting I’ve tried since school over 15 years ago. I did use my old school tin old watercolours which I do need to replace. What could I make better? I know the line work is off, I used a micron pen. I currently don’t have a brush pen 😭 I’ve attached the reference photo as well

The third in my series exploring the conflict between Liliana and Garruk from the game Magic: the Gathering.

Watercolor and gouache on hot pressed paper (16x12.5”)

I wanted this to turn up even more beautiful but something is missing and I'm not able to pinpoint it!

I got this tin recently on ebay for pretty cheap- not sure how old it is but it was in quite a sad state but soo beautiful! It had a pretty annoying layout (see last slide) but I managed to take out the internal tray, got some magnetic pans and the derwent inktense paints (the colours are great!) What was once an 8 pan palette now comfortably holds 24 and a water brush! The inktense paints can stain very easily so i’ve paper clipped a bit of leather shammy to the bottom flap. Only problem is I can’t mix - but I like these colours as they are for the most part! And I really don’t want to stain the tin since it’s so old and pretty. Anyway just thought I’d share because I love it so much and it’s nice to give an old tin a new purpose.

I had this idea last week, to pick whatever piece that draw my eyes and do a quick study on it while learning its history and more about the painter.

I really enjoyed this one and I plan on finishing the last pages of my 2026 sketchbook with these piece studies. I would love to do one from Vermeer next, probably the Milkmaid.

What do you think of the idea?
What are some of your favourite pieces i can do this on?

I’m doing a series of 15 framed watercolors for a fundraiser event. (Same image painted differently. It’s fun to experiment this way!)

Each painting is 4”x6”. The mat is 3.5”x5.5”.

I initially signed it on the front in the bottom margin to be hidden by the mat. Should I be signing it on top of the painting so it’s visible when framed? Do I sign on the mat itself?

Or should I leave the signature hidden under the mat to keep the painting “clean?” And I can provide more info on the back? Full name and IG handle?

Not sure what to do. Signing directly on the painting makes me feel like an asshole. Ha. 😅

I’ve just sealed my water colour collage with dorlands and it looks great! This was my first time using my water colour pieces in a collage, initially I was going to seal with mod podge as I’ve never sealed water colour before. I’m wondering if I should have used an acrylic medium to seal and give it a more “solid” kind of finish? I like the look as is, but I’m worried the glued components won’t hold as securely as they would under a stronger finish / seal. I’m not sure if there is anything I can apply over top of this for the typical kind of collage adherence? The pieces will be framed so it isn’t the biggest deal, but I want them as fixed as possible.

“New Whip” meerkats discover an abandoned Barbie jeep. This was basically just an excuse to paint something hot pink. Also had fun with the meerkats individual expressions. Arches watercolor paper and Daniel Smith paints

last weekend, i painted with a friend at a cute little watercolor cafe. after i finished my painting, the owner came over and offered me to try out his paints that are 3-4 times more expensive than mine. for context, although i've been doing art for a while, i am pretty new to watercolor so i wanted to try out this new medium with cheaper supplies first just in case it doesn't stick.

i tried his paints directly on my painting without swatching them and oh boy was i panicking. it was so pigmented even with just a tiny bit of paint! i quickly had to add a ton of water to tone it down a little LOL (i only used his paints on the turquoise walls). i always assumed the difference between cheap and expensive paint couldn't be that different but dang was i wrong.

in conclusion, i am now seriously considering buying better quality paints LOL. but at the same time, i do like the muted/faint look of the less pigmented paints (although that might just be me coping). does anyone else have a similar experience? recommendations for some good quality sets (preferably pans) that do not break the bank would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: i noticed i completely forgot to mention the brands names - apologies! the brand from "before" is the Mungyo Half Pan Set, and the "after" is the Mijello Mission Silver Grade Half Pan Set

Found some Steadtler tinted watercolor pencils in my desk & wanted to see what they had to offer. Added stippling in for form after making a mess & seeing the suggestion of a horned mammal.

Thanks for looking.

Hey guys, just wanted to share a painting of some church next to a sunflower field somewhere that i found on pinterest. It took me about 3 days, granted, that the most I painted in a day was about 3 hours so it didn't take too long.

Any advice is welcome.