*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Are expensive, super-high quality supplies really necessary to progress your watercolor painting skills? What can you do as a beginner just starting out to ensure that you're spending your money wisely and not on cheap materials that are going to make the learning process more difficult than it needs to be? In my blog post Watercolor Supplies for Beginners: Things You Must Know, I explain all about the common types of watercolor paint, paper and paintbrushes that you'll be able to find in art supply stores. I also demystify what it is you actually need as someone just starting out with this painting medium and what you really don't. Today, I'll be sharing the exact products that I finally came across at the beginning of my watercolor painting journey that really allowed me to make substantial progress without breaking the bank. In the video included within this post, I'll be talking about these items. I'll also be sharing a time lapse of an illustration I created using a combination of these. When I was first getting started, I didn't have money to spend on the high-end paper, paintbrushes and paint sets that I saw professional artists using and recommending on Instagram and/or YouTube. As I tried to learn what I could from the pros, I heard them saying time and time again, that the higher the quality of the supplies, the better results will be. Especially, it seemed, when painting with this very volatile medium. Though you should definitely avoid the super-cheap watercolor paint/paper varieties because they will not really help you understand the medium's characteristics and will probably make the learning process much more frustrating, there are brands that offer excellent quality products at affordable prices that are perfect for those starting out. Rest assured that you can progress your skills far with accessibly priced products. I also think there's a lot to say for artists who're able to create amazing looking artwork with what they have on hand and that don't rely on only the best-of-the-best supplies. I still use several of these items, to-the-day. Not only for teaching and filming tutorials, but also whenever I'm not creating a painting or illustration I'm intending to sell! Let's get to the video!
If you enjoyed this video, make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel. I publish a new video every-single-Friday sharing art tips, drawing/painting tutorials and encouragement for aspiring artists!
After almost four years of painting with watercolors I can honestly say that, while it's true that artists selling their work must be able to offer high-quality, durable artwork to their customers, beginners shouldn't feel the pressure to spend $40 dollars on sable brushes or $50 dollars on watercolor paper. Beginners should be exploring, trying different techniques, learning the do's and don'ts of the medium on hand, and thinking about what subjects and styles they'd love to become better at. They shouldn't stop themselves from creating because they're afraid of wasting expensive supplies. 
Watercolor Plymouth Fury by Erika Lancaster. Winsor & Newton 12-pan set on Fabriano watercolor paper.
Watercolor Sandwich by Erika Lancaster. Sakura Koi Watercolors on Canson Watercolor Paper.
Watercolor Paint Sets
Watercolor Paper
Watercolor Paintbrushes
Thanks so much for reading and I wish you great progress! Become a Patreon community member to get access to: -Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary -Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists -Direct feedback from me -Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice -Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art -Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared -Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics -Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments + much more! *Click below to learn more! 
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*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Welcome back fellow artists and art lovers! I’m unbelievably excited to be sharing another segment of my Artists from Around the World interview series! This is one of the many exciting projects I’ve been working on behind the curtain, and I hope these interviews inspire aspiring artists out there to keep pursuing their passions, as well as help get amazing artwork in front of people looking to buy from or hire amazing creatives. One of the things I love about being active in the online world, is that it enables me to connect with other art lovers and passionate creatives around the world. In the short amount time I’ve been working on this site,my YouTube channel, and sharing my work on social media, I’ve been able to get to know amazingly talented people that I would have otherwise never met. Haydn Symons is one of the people I've had the fortune of getting to know. He's an incredibly talented illustrator and designer based in the U.K. that has not only developed a unique and appealing art style, but has been able to gain experience working with world-wide clients in a variety of fields. Haydn designs logos and branding work for clients, as well as editorial and book cover illustrations. Something I admire about Haydn is that he's constantly pushing himself to explore new subjects and techniques, and that his style and personality is palpable in everything he does. A few months ago, he wrote an incredibly helpful blog post for us titled 3 Tips to Combine Watercolor and Gouache Like a Pro, in which he shares the similarities and differences between these two painting mediums, as well as useful tips to help us combine them effectively. Haydn was very kind to answer a few questions I sent over and will be sharing with us how his artistic journey started, how he arrived at his art style, insights into what it's like to make a living as an artist, and much more. So grab a cup of coffee, tea or your beverage of choice, and join me for this interview! :) Interview with Illustrator/Designer Haydn Symons 
Editorial illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!
1. What made you want to become an artist/illustrator? I’ve been interested in art and design for a long time and have been drawing since I was around three years old. I’ve always loved to create new drawings and paintings, as well as learn about art. I studied Art and Design at Secondary School, took an Illustration course at college, and finally studied Illustration at Falmouth University, which I absolutely loved. Illustration covers a lot of industries, from publishing, advertising to editorial, which makes it such a exciting discipline! Throughout the years I've developed my craft and style, and have learned what it takes to become a successful freelance illustrator. I'm very passionate about the field and am 100% committed to what I do. I believe this dedication is what has allowed me to evolve my skill to what it is today. 2. You have a very distinguishable art style! Can you tell us a bit about how you arrived at it? I started developing my illustration style during my years at Falmouth University. Throughout this time, I experimented with different mediums and materials, and pushed the boundaries of what I could produce. My style is a mixture of traditional and contemporary elements. I consider it to be eye-catching and friendly. The artistic mediums I use most are gouache and watercolor, but I love constantly challenging myself with new techniques. After finishing a new piece, I scan it into Adobe Photoshop in order to tidy it up a bit and do any necessary editing. My illustration style has changed a lot from graduating back in 2013, and has evolved through a lot of practice, into what it is today. 
Sketch by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!
3. What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect about being a working artist? The most difficult part about being an artist is the unsteady income. It can really fluctuate from month to month and those bills need to get paid. This makes people hesitant about becoming freelance illustrators, designers or fine artists. It can be scary and stressful when you don’t get commissions or money coming in. However, it’s an amazing feeling when you're asked to work on a new project and get paid for doing what you love. Being creative and using your artistic talent is extremely rewarding and there's nothing like being able to make a living by doing what you're most passionate about. I've found it's incredibly important to know about marketing, sales, networking and business in general, to become successful as an artist. 4. What are your main sources of inspiration? My sources of inspiration change from day-to-day. I’m inspired by the things around me - everything from landscapes and portraits, to news articles and popular culture. I’m also very inspired by fine artists like David Hockney, who has become well-known figure in the art world. I really admire his use of color. I also love more traditional artists like Caravaggio, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Edward Hopper. Alongside them, I’m also inspired by well-known illustrators like Oliver Jeffers, Mr. Bingo and Sam Webber. Lastly, I gain a lot of inspiration from reading and writing on a daily basis. I feel these practices really impact my work positively. 
Abraham Ford illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!
5. What are your must-have art supplies? Paint
My go-to art supplies include gouache and watercolor. As I shared here at Erika's blog, I really enjoy combining both painting mediums. The paint sets I'm currently using are both by Winsor and Newton.
I usually like painting the background/base of my illustrations using watercolors, and using gouache for elements in the middleground/foreground.
Paper
I highly recommend using thick, strong watercolor paper if you’re using water-soluble painting mediums. Having to deal with buckling during the painting process is very frustrating and so is damaging our paper! I really enjoy using Seawhite Heavy Watercolor Paper in 350gsm.
Paintbrushes
Lately, I've been using a set of paintbrushes by HeartyBay that I acquired through Amazon. It's affordable and perfect for use with both watercolor and gouache.
Software applications that I use on a daily basis which are very common in the creative industry include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign to Adobe Illustrator. These are paramount for any creative. 6. Do you have any tips on how to stay motivated/productive as an artist? To stay motivated you need to commit to creating the work that you love producing. Set goals for yourself based on your passions, and actually see them through. Read Erika's blog post titled Time Management for Artists: My Secrets for Staying Consistently Productive to learn how to define life goals and set objectives to ensure you're progressing towards them every week. As an artist, you'll discover the specific subjects and styles you like creating, whether they are portraits, landscapes, abstract paintings, etc. If you continue focusing on getting better at what you want to be producing, and sharing your work with the world, people will start knowing you for that kind of work. But you have to stay consistent! It's normal to have to do work to pay the bills that we're not necessarily passionate about doing, especially when we're starting out, but it's essential to keep making time for self-initiated projects that light us up. Whenever I'm struggling or feeling unmotivated, I always think back to my why. Why am I a freelancer? Why am I an artist? What will I gain (professionally and personally) if I keep pushing towards my dreams, and what will I have to give up if I stop? 
Taj Mahal illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!
7. Do you have any projects you'd like to make happen in the near future? I traveled a lot last year and am super pumped about creating a series of illustrated maps, soon! I visited some amazing places that I really want to document in my own way. My illustrations will help me remember those amazing moments, and will be awesome additions to my portfolio. It's so important to include the kind of work you actually want to be doing in your portfolio, whether these projects are ones you're actually getting paid for, or self-initiated ones! I’m currently working on a couple of illustrations for magazines, and would love to do more of this kind of work in the near future, along with publishing and advertising projects. Aside from this, it's very important for me to keep developing my illustration and artistic style, and just keep producing and creating new things consistently. 8. If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring artists, what would it be? My one piece of advice for aspiring artists is to not give up. Even if you keep receiving knock back after knock back, keep going. Learn from your mistakes, get better, and improve. If you’re constantly creating, improving and putting yourself out there, nothing will stop you. Keep going and never give up on your dreams! 
New York Map illustration by Haydn Symons. Click on image to check out more of his work!
9. Lastly, could you share where we can find more of your work and news from you? You can find my portfolio and personal blog over at www.haydnsymons.com. You can also find me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydnsymons/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/haydnsym Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydnsymonsillustration A huge thanks to Haydn, for taking time to answer my questions, sharing his experience with us and, most importantly, for inspiring us to pursue our passions. Hope you enjoyed this interview and make sure to follow Haydn's work. I personally can't wait to see what he'll be producing in the future! Cheers! 
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :) Confused as to what the similarities and differences are between watercolor and gouache? What are the main things to have in mind when combining these two painting mediums in one same piece in order to achieve the best outcome? It's no secret that watercolor and gouache can work amazingly well together. This said, it can be difficult to get the most out of their combination if we're unaware of the differences between them, as well as how we can combine their distinctive characteristics to create balanced pieces that allow both of them to shine simultaneously. Learning tips and tricks from experienced artists can definitely open up our horizons to make our ideas come to life more successfully, and this is why I've asked the amazingly talented Haydn Symons to write a post for us! In today’s blog post, U.K.-based artist Haydn Symons helps us understand the similarities and differences between watercolor and gouache, and why they are so compatible. He'll also be sharing some of his expert tips that will help us successfully integrate both mediums into one great-looking piece. Haydn is a skilled freelance illustrator and designer with a vast experience working with watercolor and gouache. Throughout the years, he has developed a very striking art style and currently works with clients worldwide within the editorial, publishing and advertising spaces. Though watercolor and gouache are his favorite painting mediums, Haydn is a multi-passionate artist that constantly explores different drawing and painting techniques, which is something I really believe in myself. Without any further ado, let’s get into Haydn’s blog post! Make sure to visit his website to check out more of his amazing work and follow him on social media. Links will be provided at the end. 3 Tips to Create Amazing Artwork Combining Watercolor and Gouache Combining watercolor and gouache can be a hard nut to crack, especially if you’re new to either of these painting mediums or to the world of art. In this post, I'll be sharing the main similarities and differences between them, as well as why they are perfect for each other. I'll also be providing three pro tips to keep in mind when using both of these painting mediums in one same piece. If you want to level up your use of gouache and watercolor, look no further than this blog post!
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How have you tried combining these two painting mediums yourself? Are there any tips you’d like to share?
Haydn and I would love to hear from you in the comments section below. :)
A huge thanks to Haydn, for being so generous and sharing all of this useful information with us! He’s definitely inspired me to combine these two painting mediums more in my own work!
To find out more about more about Haydn and his work, visit his website/portfolio at www.haydnsymons.com
Also, follow Haydn on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydnsymons/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/haydnsym
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydnsymonsillustration
Become a Patreon community member to get access to:
-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!
*Click below to learn more!
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)
Interested in buying a few watercolor painting supplies that won't break the bank and will actually help you progress your skills? Tired of investing in art supplies that end up on sitting on your shelf or drawer completely unused? Afraid you'll only be able to create amazing looking artwork by using expensive paint, paper and paintbrushes?
None of these things are true at all, dear Art Friends!
While it is important to use quality art supplies in order to progress efficiently, there are excellent paint, paper and brush manufacturers that offer stand-up products for accessible prices.
I was able to make a huge amount of progress using my student-grade Koi Watercolor Set and Canson XL/Strathmore paper (for more about my favorite drawing and painting supplies visit the My Art Tools section of my website). Of course, before discovering these supplies, I invested in quite a few that either were very frustrating to work with or ended up completely unused.
This is why I want to share my findings with you.
If you're a beginner just starting out with watercolors, I highly recommend checking out my blog post Watercolor Supplies for Beginners and Things You Must Know. In it, I dispel common myths in regards to watercolor painting supplies and provide thorough information about paint, paper and paintbrushes that will help you make more informed choices when it comes to buying supplies.
Watercolor illustrations created on 140 lb Canson XL paper and Winsor and Newton pan set.
Watercolor illustrations created on 140 lb Canson XL paper and Winsor and Newton pan set.
Today, I'll be sharing a couple of my latest YouTube videos in which you'll see me paint two different subjects (a landscape and a bird) using the same combination of paint and brushes. The reason I did this, is because I really believe in testing out supplies thoroughly before coming to a conclusion about them.
These products were sent to me to try out and share with you guys by an awesome online store called ConsumerCrafts. They offer a very wide array of art supplies at very affordable prices and, I've been able to find specific items at their website that I haven't been able to find through Amazon.
Though I had prior experience using these particular round brushes by Royal and Langnickel, I had never used the flat and the dagger brush. Also, I had never used watercolor tubes from Winsor and Newton. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of most of these supplies and they are very accessibly priced.
If you enjoyed these videos, I'd absolutely love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I publish a brand new video every-single-week sharing art tips, drawing and painting tutorials, and encouragement for aspiring artists. :)
Affordable Watercolor Painting Supplies
All of the supplies used in these video can be found at www.consumercrafts.com. Click on the images to learn more about each product.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set (12 pieces) $26.25
Arches Watercolor Paper Pad 10 X 14 inches (12 sheets) $15.68
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Royal ZEN All Media Round Brush (Size 8) $3.00
 Royal ZEN Watercolor Artist Brush: Flat Wash (1 inch) $3.00
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Become a Patreon community member to get access to:
-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!
*Click below to learn more!
I hope you found these videos helpful and I wish you all the best as you move forward in your artistic journey!
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)
What's the actual reason behind swatching watercolor paint (aside from the satisfaction of laying pretty colors down on paper)? What specific things should we be looking for when testing out a new watercolor paint set, besides differences in color? What are the different variables that may affect watercolors' behavior and their final appearance?
In this blog post, I'm going to explain the most important characteristics that you should start taking note of when it comes to watercolor paint. By understanding these different aspects and how they vary from pigment to pigment, you'll be able to make more informed choices when it comes to picking your color palettes/schemes for your paintings, which will make everything go a lot smoother.
I'll also walk you through my own personal method for swatching out a new paint set and share why I like testing my paints on two different types of paper.
It's very useful to explore a new paint set before actually attempting to create a painting with it. This is especially the case when it comes to watercolors, as this painting medium's inherent characteristics make it tricky to use.
For one, watercolors are translucent, which means we can't simply cover up our mistakes like we can when working with acrylics or oils. Secondly, due to their water-soluble properties, they tend to have a mind of their own. Finally (and something that was very hard for me to wrap my head around in the beginning), behaviors and effects can vary greatly from pigment to pigment, even within a set manufactured by the same company.
There are also many external factors that can affect our watercolor painting process and the final outcome of a piece, such as how clean our water is, what kind of paper is used, and even the temperature of the room we're working in!
Always remember that, as artists, we have to learn to embrace the exploration process. It may seem like a waste of time and resources when we're just starting out, but these smaller studies give us confidence and allow us to find ourselves as artists, so that we're then able to create more effective finalized works.
If you're a beginner just starting out with watercolors, I highly recommend checking out my blog post titled 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting With Watercolors. By understanding these ten ideas and applying them in your painting, you'll be able to progress your watercolor skills much quicker and waste less supplies in the process.
Let's get to the swatching!
If you enjoy this video, subscribe to my YouTube channel! I publish a brand new video every-single-Friday with art tips, drawing/painting tutorials and encouragement for aspiring artists.
There is no right or wrong way to test out a new watercolor paint set. The whole point of swatching and testing out colors is for you, the artist, to have a better understanding of different color behaviors. This way, you'll be able to select the colors you like best depending on the particular subject you paint, your personal techniques and the overall effects you're going for.
If you're just starting out and haven't found your style, no problem! As your artistic journey progresses, you'll discover your own way of working and the specific paint qualities that are important for you. Later on, you'll be able to modify your swatching process to whatever fits you best and perhaps leave out aspects that aren't as important.
Watercolor Paint Characteristics
a) Mass tones
A color's mass tone tells us what it looks like when it's straight out of the tube and at its fullest saturation. Basically, it's the color at its purest and undiluted self.
-This is usually the first rectangle I fill in below the hue's name and I make sure to use the least amount of water possible.
b) Staining qualities
A color's staining quality refers to how difficult it is to remove from the paper when lifting, scrubbing or attempting to reactivate it once it's dry.
-To test this out, I like lifting paint from a small section of my Masstone square/rectangle when it's still wet with either a rag or a paintbrush. I also like coming back to my color swatch once it's dried completely to see if any color can be lifted or reactivated because I personally use this technique a lot in my work. There are some pigments that are known for being extremely staining, such as Prussian Blue, and others that lift up quite easily.
c) Opacity
A color's opacity tells us how opaque or transparent it is. Usually, you're looking for transparency when it comes to watercolors, as this is the quality that gives paintings created with this medium their distinctive glow.
-For faster swatches, I like drawing a couple of ink lines in this square/rectangle (allow them to dry completely) and painting over them with each color to see if there is any chalky residue left behind.
-Another option is painting a couple of lines or shapes with a different color (a different color from the one you're testing) and seeing how much the subsequent layer of color allows the bottom to shine through.
d) Level of dispersion
A color's level of dispersion refers to how easily it expands and/or intermixes with other colors when dropping on damp paper. A high level of dispersion means a paint color expands quickly and intermixes a lot with colors around it. A low level of dispersion means it mostly stays in place.
-For faster swatches, I like simply wetting this square/rectangle with clean water and dropping the color in in several different places to see how fast it expands.
-Another option is dropping a different color in first and then placing the specific hue you're testing out to see how much it expands/intermixes. I do recommend preparing a larger square/rectangle for swatching if you want to test this out. Because I don't do a ton of wet-on-wet work myself, this isn't I take too much time doing. However, if you do a lot of landscapes or even abstracts, it may be very useful for you to spend time testing out this particular one for your different colors!
e) Granulation
A color's granulation level can be identified by laying down a flat wash, allowing it to dry completely, and observing how even and uniform it looks after. Pigments that have a high level of granulation separate from their binder when mixed with water and tend to settle into the texture of the paper it is placed on. This leads to white dots and a patchy look in some areas. *A high level of granulation isn't inherently bad, as it can be used to create great effects in areas that require them. Many artists use highly granulating paints to their advantage!
-I don't usually create a separate square/rectangle to test out granulation, but come back to observe this later on after my paint has fully dried and settled into the paper in all my sections.
f) Permanence
A color's permanence refers to how resistant it is when exposed to light. In other words, how quickly does it start to fade out? Usually, manufacturers include this information somewhere within the packaging of the product with the following codes: AA (Extremely Permanent), A (Permanent), B (Moderately Durable) or C (Fugitive).
-I don't usually create a separate square/rectangle to test out permanence, but come back to observe how much the color has faded out a few months later.
g) How do colors react on different types of papers?
I usually like seeing how different pigments react on at least a couple of different types of watercolor paper because I know how much of a difference the right paper can make!
-For the swatching of this particular Winsor and Newton set, I used both higher quality Arches watercolor paper, as well as cheaper Canson paper. Both of these were 140 lb. Cold Press papers, but the Arches had much more of a texture to it. Another option could be testing your paint out on both Cold Press and Hot Press papers.
Check out my blog post/YouTube video Watercolor Supplies for Beginners + Things You Should Know. In it, I explain everything you have to know about watercolor paper and demystify a lot of common thoughts beginners have in relation to watercolor supplies.
Swatching Outcome and My Conclusions
Swatching out Winsor and Newton paint set on Arches 140 lb. Cold-Press watercolor paper. This photo has not been manipulated in any way.
Swatching out Winsor and Newton paint set on Canson 140 lb. Cold-Press watercolor paper. This photo has not been manipulated in any way.
The colors included in this Winsor and Newton 12-piece tube set are:
Cadmium Yellow Hue
Cadmium Red Pale Hue
Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Prussian Blue
Viridian Green
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Ivory Black
Chinese White
I enjoyed testing out this Winsor and Newton watercolor tube set and look forward to painting a piece with it. Even though this brand's Cotman line is described as being their affordable/student grade option, this particular tube set offers an excellent color payoff, contains a good amount of paint and is quite comfortable to work with. The paint's texture is just thick enough when squeezed out of the tube and onto the paint-mixing palette. Each tube contains 8 ml of paint and the manufacturer has included relevant information on its packaging such as each color's level of Permanence and Pigment Code.
A few things I noticed in regards to the differences between the swatches created on the two different watercolor papers:
a) Overall, the colors painted on the Arches paper are more vibrant than how they appear on the Canson paper.
b) The degree of this varies from pigment to pigment, but I was able to lift up more paint from the Canson paper, especially once the paint had dried. This probably has to do with the fact that the 100% cotton Arches paper absorbs the pigment a lot more effectively.
c) Wet-on-wet effects were much more beautiful on the Arches paper, which allowed them to disperse a lot more fluidly and gradually. On the Canson paper, the paint pooled in certain areas and left a patchy effect.
d) All colors, except for the Chinese white are completely transparent (which is a good thing). Transparent watercolors allow bottom layers to shine through and give paintings a unique glow. If you zoom into the ink lines below the Chinese white swatch, they appear to have a bit of a chalkiness over them.
Become a Patreon community member to get access to:
-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!
*Click below to learn more!
Watercolor Supplies Used:
*I buy most of my art supplies online through ConsumerCrafts or Amazon. Both of them are excellent options for finding great supplies at accessible prices. Click on images below to learn more about each product.
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set: 12 pieces
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Arches Watercolor Paper Pad: 10 X 14 inches
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Canson XL Watercolor Paper Pad: 11 X 15 inches
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Royal and Langnickel Zen All Media Long Handle Round Brush, Size 6
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Subscribe to my email list and get access to my exclusive group of growing artists over on Facebook. Art in Harmony is a safe place to share your art and connect with other artists in a positive environment. I'm at the group daily providing feedback and have a free live class based on topics of members' choosing every week. There are also Weekly Challenges you can take part of, Thursday Art Tips and inspiration to help you make creativity a habit.
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)
Looking for some meaningful and practical gift ideas that your artsy friend/significant other/family member would absolutely love to receive this Christmas? What items could help encourage an artist to keep creating and pursuing his/her creative passions?
First and foremost, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading this post, as it most likely means that you're interested in celebrating your friend or loved one's individuality and passion for art, and want to encourage him/her to keep going. As an artist myself, I can tell you that knowing people close to me support my decision to pursue art means everything, especially when one is just starting out.
I'm all about encouraging fellow artists to keep going because I 100% believe the world would be a better place with more art in it.
All this said, no matter how mysterious and complex people make us artists to be, we're honestly an easy bunch to buy presents for. Not only do we tend to wear our hearts (and minds) on our sleeves more than others, but there are things we need to constantly replace in order to keep feeding our need for creation. We also need to constantly seek ways to stay inspired and motivated, and a huge variety of things can get our creative minds going.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing a list of ten awesome gift ideas that your artistic friend will absolutely love. I've made sure to include options for both males and females, as well as an explanation as to why each item is so great.
Enjoy!
First and foremost, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading this post, as it most likely means that you're interested in celebrating your friend or loved one's individuality and passion for art, and want to encourage him/her to keep going. As an artist myself, I can tell you that knowing people close to me support my decision to pursue art means everything, especially when one is just starting out.
I'm all about encouraging fellow artists to keep going because I 100% believe the world would be a better place with more art in it.
All this said, no matter how mysterious and complex people make us artists to be, we're honestly an easy bunch to buy presents for. Not only do we tend to wear our hearts (and minds) on our sleeves more than others, but there are things we need to constantly replace in order to keep feeding our need for creation. We also need to constantly seek ways to stay inspired and motivated, and a huge variety of things can get our creative minds going.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing a list of ten awesome gift ideas that your artistic friend will absolutely love. I've made sure to include options for both males and females, as well as an explanation as to why each item is so great.
Enjoy!
Perfect Gifts for Artists on Amazon
I personally love buying art supplies, as well as Christmas gifts for my loved ones from the comfort of my own home through Amazon.
Click on the images below to learn more about each item on this list.
1. A sketchbook (or two)
Illo Sketchbook 180 GSM Paper (8x8). Click on image to find out more about this item.
An artist can only paint as well as he/she can draw, and keeping sketchbooks is a great way for us to continue sharpening our drawing and observational skills throughout our journeys. Not to mention, sketchbooks are portable, allowing us to stay creative wherever we go, and provide a chronological record of our progress that we'll keep forever.
You can honestly never go wrong with giving an artist a sketchbook.
Find out more about why sketchbooks are such an essential part of an artist's journey in this blog post.
2. An artsy cell phone case
CRAFIC Watercolor Paint Cell Phone Case for Apple iPhone 6 / 6S Plus. Click on image to find out more about this item.
Not only do artists love making their passions known to those around them, but many of us working artists actually depend on it. Especially when an artist is just starting out, it's incredibly important to get the word out about what it is we do so that we can start building up those connections and experience.
An eye-catching statement accessory like this artsy cell phone case is a great way for us to transmit our originality and love for art, but also encourages other people to strike up a conversation with us.
3. A leather pencil and paintbrush case
Flyshine Canvas Artist Brush Holder Rollup Pouch. Click on image to find out more about this item.
An artist's supplies are his/her tools for creation, and they must be taken care of. This can definitely be a challenge when we do sketching and painting outside of our studios. A quality paintbrush case or pouch like this canvas roll-up ensures that our favorite paintbrushes will be kept safe.
I love the practicality of a roll-up pouch like this one, as there is no space wasted and paintbrushes can be organized/kept in place perfectly.
4. A painter's apron
Artist Canvas Unisex Apron with Pockets. Click on image to find out more about this item.
The struggle is real for us artists to keep our clothes free of paint, which can be a problem because a lot of us prefer to spend our money on more art supplies, than on new clothes!
A canvas apron like this one is durable, wraps around the back for a higher level of protection, and I love that it includes different pockets for paintbrushes, rags and other things we might need to have on hand while painting. It's perfect for both males and females.
5. Some high quality hand lotion
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Lotion, Lavender (12 oz). Click on image to find out more about this item.
Hand lotion is a total must for artists, especially in the winter time. We're constantly washing paint and other harsh liquids off our hands, which makes them extremely dry and itchy. I personally have bottles everywhere, including my studio, and always carry a tube with my in my bag.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day line offers a variety of scents like Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Peppermint. They are perfect for those of us who need a higher amount of protection/moisture, as they are created especially for people who work with their hands.
We must take care of our hands because without them we can't create!
6. An inspiring (and practical) artsy mug
Paint Water & Not paint water - Set of two mugs (11oz). Click on image to find out more about this item.
Whether your friend paints with watercolors, acrylics or oils, chances are he/she's experienced dipping a paintbrush in his/her beverage on more than one occasion. It may sound odd to the non-artist, but I promise you, it happens time and time again when one is immersed in the art-making process!
I actually know someone who drank paint thinner by accident. I'll just leave it at that...
These mugs appear to be humorous, but they may also help keep an artist safe.
7. A color wheel umbrella
Streamline Rainbow Color Wheel Umbrella. Click on image to find out more about this item.
An umbrella like this one is not only beautiful and inspiring to look at, but is also large and sturdy to help us keep our work safe when walking to and from vehicles in the pouring rain (which can be very challenging).
What better way to let that artist in your life know that you're there for him/her than providing a canopy of protection from the rain?
8. An artsy enamel pin
Pinsanity Painter's Palette Enamel Lapel Pin. Click on image to find out more about this item.
On the lookout for something small, but meaningful? Enamel pins are all the rage now-a-days and are a perfect little surprise that your artsy friend will be able to actually wear while out and about.
This is another perfect accessory that can not only help us express our individuality and love for art, but can also be a conversational piece. Making time for conversation with others is essential for us, especially because artists tend to be alone a lot.
Some of us forget what it's like to talk with others. True story.
9. An inspirational art book
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life (Sharon Louden) and Art & Fear (David Bayles/Ted Orland) Books -Click on image to find out more about these items.
An artist's life can definitely get lonely and sometimes we need to be reminded of how others have gone through what we're going through. We also need to be inspired by stories from other artists who have reached success so that we can keep working hard to make our dreams come true.
Both of the books above are, in my opinion, must-reads for any serious artist.
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life is a compilation of 40 personal stories/essays by working artists. Each one of them shares his/her own experiences and struggles as they have pursued making a living as an artist. This book helps us understand the reality of what it's like to sustain a professional creative career over time.
Art and Fear is a very popular book amongst creatives of all kinds. This book tackles artistic insecurities, and the internal and external challenges that professional artists face throughout their journeys. Finishing projects, getting our work out there and receiving critique are difficult tasks that artists must learn how to do/handle. This is a book to read over and over again.
10. A painting easel
US Art Supply Tall Tabletop Adjustable H-Frame Wood Studio Artist Easel. Click on image to find out more about this item.
As a painter myself, I have a variety of easels. I enjoy standing when I'm creating my larger pieces, but a desk easel like this one is absolutely perfect for smaller and more relaxing works to enjoy on weekend mornings. Switching from one easel to another is a great way to reset my mind from a piece I'm creating for selling purposes, and one I'm creating for myself.
This easel is sleek, sturdy, and is perfectly sized, even for beginner artists working in a small studio.
Become a Patreon community member to get access to:
-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!
*Click below to learn more!
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to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
www.erikalancaster.com
is a participant in the Shareasale.com Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
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