I’ve been enjoying my new watercolor hobby, since posting to that time-lapse video I found so inspiring. It’s only been about a month since I started, during which I’ve probably painted four times, but I’m proud of how I’m progressing. I’ve missed making art, even if I’m just painting what amount to cute spot illustrations.
I’ve been experimenting with different paints (tubes vs. pans, student grade versus professional quality), and I’m still finding what I like. You know what turned out to be great though? The inexpensive 36-color watercolor palette I had initially picked up on a whim at Michael’s. I’ve heard from more seasoned watercolor artists that they love it too!
Want to give it a go for yourself? I went back and bought five more palettes, along with some better quality paintbrushes (don’t bother with the one it comes with) to give away to five readers. I also bought five Moleskine Watercolor Notebooks
(I painted this illustration of the prize using only watercolors from that 36-color palette.)
This giveaway is open to everyone, worldwide. Just leave a comment below by midnight CST, Monday, January 27 to enter. After the giveaway ends, I’ll randomly draw five winners and ship off a palette, brush, and sketchbook to each. It’s a small way to share a little bit of what’s making me happy these days!
Tara
January 21, 2014 at 10:04 amSo inspiring! My kids love to paint and I’d like to give it a try, too!
Haley
January 21, 2014 at 10:04 amI love painting with watercolors! So much fun!
Michelle Vinson
January 21, 2014 at 10:05 amI would love this :)
KtMac
January 21, 2014 at 10:05 amOooh! What a great idea for adding some color to our Chicago winter!
Saima Ahmad
January 21, 2014 at 10:06 amIt’s funny, I’ve been thinking if revisiting watercolours too recently. Used to love it back in the day. You’ve inspired me to take it up again!
Kim
January 21, 2014 at 10:06 amWow! This is really inspiring! I recently did a paint class and really enjoyed it. The classiest acrylics, but I’ve been dying to try watercolors.
Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove
January 21, 2014 at 10:06 amI love watercolors!
Amanda Taylor
January 21, 2014 at 10:07 amToo fun!I love the painting of the giveaway :)
Cassandra Gore
January 21, 2014 at 10:07 amI have always wanted to try watercolors. Looks like fun!
Michelle
January 21, 2014 at 10:07 amI’m so inspired! Would love to start painting.
Deborah Clark
January 21, 2014 at 10:07 amThis is a very cool giveaway. Thoughtful. Thanks!
Chloe @Ergo-Blog
January 21, 2014 at 10:08 amI recently started painting again with acrylics and I would love to get my paint brush dirty with some watercolors!! Please count me in! Love, Chloe!
Ellen
January 21, 2014 at 10:08 amThank you for sharing your hobby. Your paintings are lovely! Here’s to more painting for/by everyone!
Leah
January 21, 2014 at 10:09 amOh, this would be fun! I haven’t tried watercolours since I was a kid!! :)
Melissa
January 21, 2014 at 10:10 amFun!
Kat S
January 21, 2014 at 10:10 amoh I would love a set – your paintings have really inspired me!
Heather
January 21, 2014 at 10:10 amThe paintings are lovely!
Aimee and pets (@aimeeroo)
January 21, 2014 at 10:11 amThis would be a lot of fun. I haven’t used watercolors in far too long.
Nicole K B
January 21, 2014 at 10:11 amI’ve been working on figure drawing and some acrylic painting. I have watercolor on my list. My goal for this year is to continue developing my portfolio and get some kind of online presence. The last part makes me nervous.
Erin J.
January 21, 2014 at 10:11 amOoooh – I used to paint in Jr. High (geez, what happened that I got away from it?). Even if I don’t win this, you’ve inspired me to pick it back up. Fun!
Venus Pascal
January 21, 2014 at 10:11 amI would to give a try at something new, watercolors would be a nice start.
Kerri
January 21, 2014 at 10:11 amI have been enjoying your water color painting posts. I would love to win!
Julie
January 21, 2014 at 10:11 amYour first watercolor post actually inspired me to set one of my goals for this year as “make and finish a substantial creative project at least once a month.” Like sewing, carpentry, gardening, baking… and maybe watercolors! Thanks for the giveaway!
Itziar
January 21, 2014 at 10:12 amLove!
Kristin C.
January 21, 2014 at 10:12 amAwesome giveaway =)
Jacy
January 21, 2014 at 10:12 amLovely idea!
Sabrina
January 21, 2014 at 10:12 amWatercolors are so lovely!
huette
January 21, 2014 at 10:12 amOne forgets watercolors make such beautiful images!
Marg MacRae
January 21, 2014 at 10:13 amWatercolors make me happy too! I got out my old set and bought some new ones and paper this summer after I took the bar exam. It was a great way to destress after months of studying and it was a fun thing to focus on while I waited for my results.
meagan
January 21, 2014 at 10:13 amLooks like fun! You should sell some of your watercolor paintings!
chiara
January 21, 2014 at 10:13 amThat new, clean, bright set of watercolors seems like just the thing to kick-start a 10-year-since-art-school artist’s block! What a wonderful giveaway.
Christina P
January 21, 2014 at 10:14 amHow lovely! I have always loved the look of watercolor paintings!
Emily
January 21, 2014 at 10:14 amHow Kind of you! I’d love to dust off my high school art skills and see if I’ve still got it!
Ana
January 21, 2014 at 10:15 amOh, what a fun giveaway!
courtney d
January 21, 2014 at 10:15 amwould love to win!
Jennifer v
January 21, 2014 at 10:15 amNo way! I just started trying out watercolor painting last week. What are the odds? I think this is the year of the watercolor style, we’re going to be seeing it everywhere. Would love to win.
Callae D.
January 21, 2014 at 10:15 amI have always wanted to try my hand at watercolors, it’s so lovely!
Kates
January 21, 2014 at 10:16 amI love watercolor prints and painting! I find them so soothing and beautiful!
beth
January 21, 2014 at 10:16 amone of my goals for this year is to start being more crafty-this seems like a good way to start!
Laurie
January 21, 2014 at 10:17 amI love your fig! I nearly picked up a random sale pallet at Home Good this weekend, now I’m sad I didn’t seeing you getting use out of yours.
Kris
January 21, 2014 at 10:19 amMy artist daughter would love this. Especially since she is currently working on sketching out a painting for a contest.
Joy
January 21, 2014 at 10:19 amI love to paint with water color! I took a couple I classes in high school and just fell in love with this medium
sheema
January 21, 2014 at 10:19 amyou are good at this!
sarah
January 21, 2014 at 10:19 ami love color, and how it impacts our worldview! i’ve been trying to get back into painting in awhile and your 4 sessions have me blown away. i need to start again now that you’ve inspired me. thanks!
Kelly
January 21, 2014 at 10:20 amI was just thinking of trying my hand at painting watercolors. I love the end results.
Brooke
January 21, 2014 at 10:20 amWhat a fun new hobby! I have never tried watercolor, I have always played it safe with acrylic.
amy v
January 21, 2014 at 10:20 ami haven’t tried watercolor since high school, but would love to try it again.
Mary Beth
January 21, 2014 at 10:21 amOh! How lovely indeed! I love watercolor!
Deana Boyer
January 21, 2014 at 10:21 amI have been wanting to try watercolors!!!!!
Thanx for the chance to win!! ♥♥♥
Laura R.
January 21, 2014 at 10:22 amYou’re so good! I’d love to see a video of you painting and explaining your process, even though I know you’re still learning yourself.
Debren
January 21, 2014 at 10:23 amI haven’t done watercolors since the early 90s! What a fun inspiration to try again! I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
Elizabeth K
January 21, 2014 at 10:23 amHow so very generous to share a new passion with others. Would love to give water colors a go as your posts have been inspirational.
Mary Rigby
January 21, 2014 at 10:23 amThis set is perfect for travel. I love to see the little vignettes you’ve been painting. It’s inspiring!
Ariadna
January 21, 2014 at 10:24 amI haven’t done anything artsy since before my daughter was born! I would love to try these out and create something for her room. Do you have any book or website recommendations on how to properly use watercolors by any chance? All instructions I got were from a high school art class over 10 years ago! It is always just fun to play around with them too though.
Jennifer Coyle
January 21, 2014 at 10:25 amWatercolors are so much fun. I recently bought watercolors in tubes but they’re proving to be very difficult to work with. I’d love to win this palette and Moleskine (I live by Moleskines) but even if I don’t win I will be making a trip up to Blick! You’ve inspired me :)
Jennifer
January 21, 2014 at 10:26 amI haven’t painted since college. I’d love to start again.
Janette
January 21, 2014 at 10:26 amI loved painting with water colors in high school. But I haven’t picked them up I years! I would love to win and rediscover my ‘lost art.’
Katie Nekson
January 21, 2014 at 10:26 amI would love to try it all! Art school was over ten years ago so I’m sure I’m rusty!
carol
January 21, 2014 at 10:27 amI would love to have a go at painting. I haven’t tried in many years!
Ellen Walker
January 21, 2014 at 10:27 amPretty work!
Lindsay Smith
January 21, 2014 at 10:28 amLove watercolours!
Rachel
January 21, 2014 at 10:28 amI am inspired by your painting! I especially love your paintings of the couches. :)
Katie
January 21, 2014 at 10:29 amThanks for the tip and the give away. I will be picking up a set of these paints today in any case!
Maura
January 21, 2014 at 10:29 amI’ve been dying to do something creative lately, the terrible two’s at my house are killing me! This is something I would be super interested in!
Sarah Joy
January 21, 2014 at 10:29 amWhat a fun gift!
jackie
January 21, 2014 at 10:29 amI am very impressed with your painting! Here’s hoping I could be half as talented.
Elaissa
January 21, 2014 at 10:30 amFun! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tracy
January 21, 2014 at 10:31 amMaybe it is time I graduate from my six year old’s watercolors that I love to paint with while he is at school.
Jenny Hillman
January 21, 2014 at 10:32 amYes, please!!! My daughter, Harmony, absolutely loves watercolors, and if I were to win, I would surprise her with it! I know she would be thrilled with this palette, and I can see her carrying around that sketchbook wherever she goes… She would be over the moon about it. :)
For many years now for my birthday, she uses watercolor pencils to make a picture for me, that I then frame. I wish I could share a picture of them all here!
Lisa Perry
January 21, 2014 at 10:32 amI have been wanting to try and pick up water colors since you first blogged about it!
audra
January 21, 2014 at 10:33 amLove this! My daughter is really into painting and loves using watercolors. I used to paint all the time and would really enjoy using these and painting with her.
Rebecca L
January 21, 2014 at 10:33 amI started sketching again before Christmas after many years! Been thinking it’s time to introduce some colour… I’d love to win this to kick start me!
Aida
January 21, 2014 at 10:34 amToo bad you can package up a little bit of your talent with the prize. ;) I still would love to try – if not, at least my daughter would completely enjoy them.
Colleen
January 21, 2014 at 10:34 amMy partner has recently started making art. She mentioned she’d love to try painting next. Thanks for the recommendations on supplies!
Jeni
January 21, 2014 at 10:35 amIt’s so funny that you bought that palette. I also bought the same one for myself at Michael’s randomly and gave it to my daughter (8year old). She loves it and the paintings she produces are great. I’d love to have one for myself.
Sarah B.
January 21, 2014 at 10:36 amSuper cute! I’ve been wanting to try watercolor…
kelly
January 21, 2014 at 10:36 amYes, please! I’ve been getting back into painting myself! Thanks!
Ashly
January 21, 2014 at 10:37 amI would love this! I used to do watercolors and oil pastels in high school (which seems like a million years ago now). It would be fun to pick it up again!
christina
January 21, 2014 at 10:39 amBefore the new year i just bought a lot of watercolor accessories to dabble with it. It was the same exact pins you posted about that inspired me too! i still need a moleskin and the watercolor palette would be a great addition! Thank you!
Kellie
January 21, 2014 at 10:39 amYour paintings are just amazing. All the posts on this subject has really made me want to start experimenting with water color.
Betsy
January 21, 2014 at 10:40 amJust started playing with watercolors after seeing some of your sweet little illustrations and would love to have this pallet and notebook to create a lovely little hobby!
Stephanie
January 21, 2014 at 10:42 amI’ve not used water colors since high school. But they are a meduim I’ve been wanting to try again. Thanks for the give away, hope the winners enjoy it as much as you have.
Emily S
January 21, 2014 at 10:42 amHow fun! Something I wouldn’t buy myself!
Amanda K.
January 21, 2014 at 10:44 amWhat a pretty little thing. Will be perfect for nature journaling!
Dawn
January 21, 2014 at 10:47 amLovely set! Definitely inspired by your whimsical illustrations.
merlin513
January 21, 2014 at 10:48 amWatercolors were something I never got the hang of, so I don’t have any stashed away in the house. Would love to be able to try again.
Nichole K
January 21, 2014 at 10:48 amI would love to take some me-time to get back into painting. I’m more of an abstract girl though (as in I can’t paint a still life for the life of me).
Phyllis Cooley
January 21, 2014 at 10:49 amWow, your watercolors so far are beautiful! You’ve inspired me to start again.
Melissa
January 21, 2014 at 10:49 amI’ve never used watercolors, but being able to make a somewhat decent watercolor painting is on my bucket list! I find them so intimidating for some reason, but I would surely love to give it a go. This is such a sweet and thoughtful giveaway!
Mandy
January 21, 2014 at 10:49 amI am definitely commenting! I’ve been craving some paint time too lately. Something about cold wintry days & wanting some color! I love the green leaves you painted.
Jen
January 21, 2014 at 10:49 amWhat you have created already is very pretty! :) I’m not very artistic, but I try…
Kimberly
January 21, 2014 at 10:51 amWould love to get back into watercolor painting. I need to make more time for my art in 2014! Thank you for the opportunity to win and the motivation.
Chrissy Wayman
January 21, 2014 at 10:51 amI always go to paint with my acrylic gouache but keep wanting to do some experimenting with the ‘ol watercolors. I would love to start back up with this set!
Amy
January 21, 2014 at 10:52 amMy daughter and I love painting with watercolors together when we have our one-on-one time. I’d love to win this to share with her!
Navjot Dhillon
January 21, 2014 at 10:52 amI love your enthusiasm and positivity! Your work is incredible! I’m seeking to get into the same field at Ryerson! Btw water painting, THE BEST❤
Veronica S.
January 21, 2014 at 10:53 amLooks so fun! Keeping my fingers crossed I’m a lucky winner :)
Melissa
January 21, 2014 at 10:54 amThis would be fun! I’ve always wanted to give watercoloring a try. :)
Sherry
January 21, 2014 at 10:54 amI’d love to win for my son who is 14 and a budding artist!
Mandi Holmes
January 21, 2014 at 10:55 amhooray! Trying watercolors is one of my Art goals for 2014. Perfect timing! Even if I don’t win, it’s nice to see what you are using, because I really have no idea where to begin.
Thanks for the opportunity!
-Mandi
Becky Stickley
January 21, 2014 at 10:55 amI’ve never used watercolors but it is on my list of things to try!