One Color, One Session: Painting a Moody Architecture Study with Daniel Smith Lunar Black
One color. One session. Twenty minutes. That is all it took to paint this moody architectural study of the Scarritt Bennett Center church in Nashville — and the entire thing was done without ever letting the paper dry. Using only Daniel Smith Lunar Black on thoroughly saturated Canson Heritage Hot Press paper, I tilted, spritzed, stamped, and scrubbed my way through a painting that was less about control and more about letting the water do the work. Here is exactly how I did it.
Painting a Bright Cottage Cafe in Watercolor: Architecture, Attitude, and a Little Dopamine
Gray skies called for something bright, so I pulled out one of the very first watercolor sets I ever bought and painted a loose, cheerful cottage cafe facade. Architecture is not my comfort zone — I am far more at home with animals and botanicals — but I made a deal with myself: no judging the painting until it is finished. What followed was a big colorful wash that looked like an abstract mess, a second layer of confident brickwork and jewel-toned shadows, and a reminder that color is not just decoration. It sets the whole mood.
I Tried the Da Vinci Eye App
I kept seeing other artists using the Da Vinci Eye app on Instagram and I figured — why not try it myself and bring you all along? The app superimposes a reference photo over your paper through your phone camera, so you can see both your brush and the image at the same time. I decided to skip the sketch entirely and paint a loose panda straight into the overlay. Spoiler: it is extremely strange to paint while staring at your phone instead of your paper. Here is everything that happened.
How I Painted a Moody Blue Elephant in Watercolor (No Sketch Required)
What happens when you skip the sketch, squeeze paint straight onto paper, and just trust the water? You get a moody, atmospheric blue elephant that practically breathes. In this post, I'm walking you through every decision I made while painting this large-scale portrait on 18x24 rough Arches watercolor paper — from my initial color-blocked wash to the final scrubbed highlights and watercolor ground tusks. Whether you're a loose watercolor lover or just curious about granulating pigments, there's something here for you.
Painting a Dreamy Magnolia Blossom: A 15-Minute Watercolor Study
Join me for a 15-minute magnolia blossom watercolor study that demonstrates the art of painting white flowers through negative painting. Learn how to create soft, silky petal textures using lifting techniques, contrast delicate flowers with rough bark, and build dreamy, ethereal compositions with strategic color placement. This quick study proves you don't need expensive materials or hours of time to create beautiful botanical paintings.
Reviving an Old Watercolor: Bringing New Life to a Forgotten Elephant Painting
Join me as I rescue a six-year-old elephant watercolor from obscurity and transform it into a dynamic, atmospheric study. Learn practical techniques for paint lifting, strategic shadow placement, texture creation, and finishing touches that can breathe new life into your forgotten artwork. Sometimes the best paintings are hiding beneath the surface, just waiting for a second chance.
Painting a Loose Watercolor Cardinal: A One-Wash Atmospheric Study
Join me as I paint my first watercolor of 2026—a loose, atmospheric cardinal study dedicated to my dad. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create a beautiful bird painting without a preliminary sketch, using simple materials and a one-wash technique that captures the essence of a cardinal with minimal detail. Learn about color harmony, lifting techniques, and the art of knowing when to stop.
Painting a Minimalist Winter Berry Bouquet in Watercolor
In this watercolor tutorial, I'm painting my first minimalist bouquet of winter berries in a vase on this channel. Using Daniel Smith permanent red and a simple "parentheses" technique, I'll show you how to create dimensional berries, paint white objects with reflections, and achieve that loose, atmospheric style I love. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your watercolor skills, this red and green winter study is perfect for practicing fundamental techniques.
Painting Winter Berries: A Simple Two-Color Watercolor Tutorial
Discover the beauty of simplicity in watercolor painting. In this tutorial, I share how I created a dreamy winter berries composition using only two colors—a brilliant jadeite green and vibrant permanent red. Learn the techniques that bring loose, atmospheric paintings to life without the need for reference photos or dozens of colors.
Painting Esquie from Clair Obscur Expedition 33: A Watercolor Journey
When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took the gaming world by storm, I knew I had to paint one of its most whimsical characters: Esquie. This giant, sweet character captured my heart, and I wanted to honor him with my largest watercolor painting yet—18 by 24 inches on Arches rough press paper. What followed was a multi-day journey of layering, experimenting with watercolor ground, and learning to trust the process even when things looked uncertain.