January Newsletter
Happy New Year, fellow watercolor enthusiasts! As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace the blank canvas of 2024, it's the perfect time to reflect on our artistic journey and set resolutions for the coming year. Today, I want to share with you my watercolor New Year's resolution for 2024, along with a valuable practice that has greatly enriched my artistic endeavors.
1. New Year, New Watercolor Goals
As we step into the new year, I find myself setting an exciting resolution for my watercolor journey. In 2024, I aspire to practice in small 15-minute sessions every day and push myself out of my comfort zone to try new things and practice techniques that I love. What's your watercolor resolution for the year? Feel free to share it in the comments; let's inspire each other!
2. The Power of Warm-Up Exercises
In the spirit of sharing insights, I wanted to highlight the immense value of warm-up exercises in our watercolor routine. Before diving into the main painting, consider creating mini masterpieces as warm-ups. This practice not only helps to get into the watercolor mood but also serves as a powerful tool for honing your skills.
3. Mini Paintings: A Gateway to Success
In one of my blog posts about watercolor success (if you haven't read it yet, you can find it here), I talk about steps to ensure a successful painting. To expand on this I started incorporating warm-up exercises, particularly through mini paintings, into my artistic routine. These small-scale artworks serve as a testing ground for your ideas, allowing you to explore compositions, color palettes, and techniques on a smaller and more manageable scale.
4. The Benefits Unveiled
Why are these mini-paintings so valuable? Firstly, they offer a perfect warm-up to ease you into the watercolor mindset. Secondly, they allow you to practice with minimal resource consumption - less paper and paint are used. Thirdly, the condensed format makes artists more daring, encouraging the exploration of new ideas and techniques without the fear of ruining a larger piece.
5. Endless Possibilities
Embrace the possibilities that mini paintings present. Use them to practice wet-on-wet techniques, experiment with blending, try your hand at dry brushing, and explore the art of glazing. These exercises not only refine your skills but also cultivate a sense of fearlessness in approaching your main watercolor projects.
As we embark on this new year filled with creative opportunities, let's commit to continuous growth, exploration, and the joy of making art. Share your watercolor resolutions and experiences with warm-up exercises in the comments below. Here's to a colorful and artistic 2024! 🎨✨
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Wishing you all a very happy New Year and art-filled 2024!
Sincerely,
Nicole Courtemanche
