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!
Deirdre
January 21, 2014 at 10:56 amI would love to win this amazing prize for my Mom. She loves to paint with watercolors but is in need of a new set of paints. Thanks so much.
Ashley Pahl
January 21, 2014 at 10:57 amI used to paint every day in high school – I really need to start up again!
NancyY
January 21, 2014 at 10:58 amThanks so much for sharing and for putting together the giveaway – watercolor party!
Jaylyn
January 21, 2014 at 10:59 amMy daughter would love these!
Paige // Lively Green Door
January 21, 2014 at 10:59 amI just started watercoloring again too! I’d love to try a new palette. I bought some Winsor & Newton half pans. They’re nice, but I’d love to see what else is out there. So many choices!
Emma
January 21, 2014 at 10:59 amWhat a darling, generous giveaway! I would dedicate my gift to random acts of color and joyful expression.
Christa Mae
January 21, 2014 at 10:59 amOh my goodness I would love this! I have wanted to take up watercolor painting, but I only have the cheap kids’ set! And my daughter has muddied all the colors :) Thanks for a great giveaway!
Meredith K A
January 21, 2014 at 11:00 amI’ve had an itch to try watercolors lately, and I saw this exact palette but passed it up because I thought, for that price it must be crap. So refreshing to hear it’s decent! What a nice, friendly, thoughtful little giveaway. Your paintings looks so great, too!
Sarah
January 21, 2014 at 11:00 amWould love this!
Deby
January 21, 2014 at 11:00 amUh, Nicole, you continue to amaze me w/ all your talents. This is the result after taking a hiatus from painting? You blow me away. I LOVE your work. Please open an Etsy shop or do custom watercolor items. PLEASE. Ok, I’ll cease. I know you have beyond enough to do, but really…such talent.
If I win, I’ll get back into it but it sure is humbling looking at your work!
Danielle
January 21, 2014 at 11:00 amLOVE watercolors for journaling! Thanks for sharing your favorites!
Holly
January 21, 2014 at 11:00 amI love the look of watercolors & have been wanting to experiment with them. What a fun giveaway!
Amanda V.
January 21, 2014 at 11:02 amThis is such an exciting giveaway! Would be great if it came with that little watercolor of the prizes…so meta!
Carol
January 21, 2014 at 11:02 amI’m impressed with your paintings!
Miki
January 21, 2014 at 11:03 amYour paintings are beautiful. Love that you are sharing your new passion with us.
Katie W
January 21, 2014 at 11:03 amWhat a lovely way to ease back into the creative process! Thank you for inspiring us!
Erin
January 21, 2014 at 11:04 amLove watercolors! That set looks dreamy.
Kristen
January 21, 2014 at 11:05 amFun! I just started using watercolors too!
Grace
January 21, 2014 at 11:05 amI would love to win!
Caitlin
January 21, 2014 at 11:05 amI’ve really wanted to get into painting. This is perfect! Your paintings are so delightful! Thanks!
Sarah T.
January 21, 2014 at 11:06 amThere’s such a spirit of loveliness on your site. I was delighted to see the giveaway and the gorgeous palette. Creativity abounds! Thank you.
Kathy
January 21, 2014 at 11:06 amYour paintings are beautiful. I have never painted but would love to give it a try.
mary
January 21, 2014 at 11:06 amI admire your ability to pick up a brush and create such amazing watercolors. Impressed!
Zaidy Santoni
January 21, 2014 at 11:06 amI recently got a Chinese painting kit and started experimenting. So fun! It’s definitely made me want to branch out. Your watercolor furniture prints are so beautiful & inspiring! So glad I found your blog; it’s become an instant favorite for sure. :)
xo
Zaidy
Teresa
January 21, 2014 at 11:06 amOh, I’ve been wanting to learn watercolor and this would be the perfect way to start. Your new hobby is so inspiring!
meg
January 21, 2014 at 11:07 amwhat a wonderful idea! thanks for sharing the love.
Victoria
January 21, 2014 at 11:08 amI just took a watercolor class this fall. It’s so hard but I love it, I would love to have some supplies to continue on my own!
AshleyM
January 21, 2014 at 11:08 amThis is for sure one of the most fun giveaways on the interwebs. And more special since you aren’t being paid, just being kind. :)
Janay
January 21, 2014 at 11:10 amWhat a great giveaway! I have been wanting to start painting again!
Amanda
January 21, 2014 at 11:12 amI am so inspired by your paintings!! I would love to win these and give it a go myself – like others who commented, I haven’t painted with watercolors since I was a child. This and a cup of tea would be perfect therapy here in the winter months.. :)
Amy Beqm
January 21, 2014 at 11:12 amI’d love those watercolors. I’ve been contemplating painting again as I’ve loved the watercolors of succulents I’ve seen recently.
Heather
January 21, 2014 at 11:12 amI love your illustrations! Mine won’t look like that haha. But I’m still excited to try!
elizabeth e
January 21, 2014 at 11:13 amso fun! i’ve never experimented with watercolors, but this looks like a wonderful way to start!
Andrea
January 21, 2014 at 11:13 amYour work is BEAUTIFUL!
Beverly
January 21, 2014 at 11:14 amI used to paint, draw, color, etc. when I was younger and then life got in the way and it fell by the wayside. I would love to try these!
Caitlin
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 amI really love your illustrations. Would love to experiment with watercolor some more
Iris
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 amHow lovely! Thank you for sharing!
Monica
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 amI’d love to win watercolors. My daughter and I would both enjoy them.
Hannah
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 amWhat a great little prize. I absolutely love it.
carolyn
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 amOh how funny – I’ve had “buy watercolors” on my list for ages. Have just been waiting for room in the budget to open up. Would be lovely to have a set sooner. Fingers crossed.
Kris B.
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 amWould love this set to start off the New Year! Wonderful idea!!
Caroline Royce
January 21, 2014 at 11:16 amI love this giveaway! I actually took up a small watercolor hobby over the summer, after buying a cheap set from Target. Really a nice change of pace from illustrator. I’d LOVE a nice set and a Moleskine.
Kim Q
January 21, 2014 at 11:17 amThanks for the opportunity! :)
Emma
January 21, 2014 at 11:17 amI was inspired by your previous watercoloring post, and started digging through some drawers looking for my old watercolors. Of course, they were nowhere to be found, so I am currently living vicariously through the watercolors at the local museum. I would love to paint instead of look!
amber
January 21, 2014 at 11:18 ami love that you are getting into painting! it’s been on my mind for a while now…and now you’ve got me more excited than i already was about it. thank you, nicole!
Katie
January 21, 2014 at 11:21 amI can’t wait for spring – I’m going to start back into botanical watercolor illustration. We have a local iris garden that’s perfect to sit and paint while dragonflies zoom around your head. :)
Janna
January 21, 2014 at 11:21 amMy daughter would love these. She is trying her hand at several paint types and techniques. I’m hoping to find my art inspiration too. Maybe I’ll keep them for myself!
gina
January 21, 2014 at 11:22 ami would love to start painting again!
erika
January 21, 2014 at 11:23 amWhat a great giveaway-my whole family can enjoy the watercolor set!
vicki
January 21, 2014 at 11:23 amWow what an awesome giveaway!!! I’ve just started using watercolours and I’ve been desperate to get my hands on a moleskein!!!
mirabelle
January 21, 2014 at 11:24 amon my bucket list of hobbies to try!
Katie A.
January 21, 2014 at 11:24 amWould love to be considered! We have a local iris garden that is perfect for sitting and painting while dragonflies zoom around your head! :)
Marsha D.
January 21, 2014 at 11:24 amYour paintings are soo lovely!
Jules
January 21, 2014 at 11:26 amYes! I just picked up a paintbrush too. It’s the right time of year to be thinking about and painting gardens :)
Kate
January 21, 2014 at 11:26 amI would love these–I’m feeling very disconnected from my creative side these days…
Courtney
January 21, 2014 at 11:26 amI’d love to give this a try. The colors in the palette are beautiful!
Anu
January 21, 2014 at 11:26 amalways loved watercolors. would love to start painting again too.
meghan
January 21, 2014 at 11:26 amWould love to win! I have always wanted to try water color!
Kelly P
January 21, 2014 at 11:28 amI haven’t painted in years – I would love to pick it back up again. Thanks for such a lovely giveaway!
Kari
January 21, 2014 at 11:28 amI love watercolor art!!
Melanie
January 21, 2014 at 11:28 amSo fun! My daughter just got a set for Christmas and I’m dying to get in on the action!!
Amy
January 21, 2014 at 11:29 amI used to do Chinese painting, which is essentially watercolor on rice paper. I’ve definitely missed creating something with color!
Nicole Puckett
January 21, 2014 at 11:30 amJust started trying to watercolor myself… The gift of Pinterest and YouTube to make me inspired to do things I never thought I could..
laura
January 21, 2014 at 11:30 amI would love to take up watercoloring! thanks
Karen
January 21, 2014 at 11:30 amI’m experimenting with my illustrations and have decided to actually paint them instead of trying to color them with photoshop. These look so colourful and lovely! I’d love to be considered :)
kate
January 21, 2014 at 11:31 amwhat a lovely painting!
good luck to everyone :)
Carly
January 21, 2014 at 11:31 amLovely! Exciting, too! I’d like to try it out!! :) A splash of color can brighten any day!
Erin
January 21, 2014 at 11:32 amBeautiful paintings! I’d love to win!
Nicki Clark
January 21, 2014 at 11:35 amWhat a fantastic giveaway! I have been wanting to start experimenting with watercolor, and this would be just perfect.
Megan r
January 21, 2014 at 11:35 amYou’ve got talent, girl!
Kelli W.
January 21, 2014 at 11:35 amI resolved to be more creative in 2014, but have failed so far. This would be a great way to start!
hannah
January 21, 2014 at 11:36 amoo, i was just saying to my man the other day that i want to take an art class – i haven’t regularly done anything creative since college, and it would feel so good to get back into it!
Anne
January 21, 2014 at 11:37 amMy husband would love this!
Krysta
January 21, 2014 at 11:39 amI love your watercolors! I am pushing myself to be more creative and try new things this year, which for me means finally painting without worrying about the outcome.
Gilit @ Shoes Off Please
January 21, 2014 at 11:39 amThank you thank you! This is just the kick-in-the-pants I could use to try something new! Okay, that’s not true I’ve been doing a lot of new stuff lately but I would LOVE to add this to the list :)
Sally
January 21, 2014 at 11:39 amOh what a generous giveaway. It would be fun to use these.
Pamela
January 21, 2014 at 11:40 amI would love to try your new hobby :)
Annie
January 21, 2014 at 11:40 amOh wow! I was just feeling a serious urge to get back into painting, but I long ago got rid of all my supplies. How fun!
jenn aka the picky girl
January 21, 2014 at 11:43 amThis is so generous! I’ve loved seeing your paintings and wondering what I could come up with (though I doubt I could touch your paintings…they’re so pretty!)
Thank you so much for sharing. :)
eileen
January 21, 2014 at 11:44 amLove your paintings!
Donna
January 21, 2014 at 11:44 amWhat a great way to “pay it forward”.
Emily
January 21, 2014 at 11:44 amSo pretty!! I would love to take up water colors!
Katie
January 21, 2014 at 11:45 amWow, thank you for sharing the joy with us. Your watercolor posts have been some of my favorites of all time. Fun to get to know another (talented) side of you. You have also inspired me to investigate watercolor classes in my town. Safe travels!
Virginia (The Heartographer)
January 21, 2014 at 11:45 amAww, what a cool contest! My grandmother always did watercolor paintings, and at the time it didn’t really speak to me but now I kind of want to try it. :) I’ve been thinking of taking an actual class soon of some kind of drawing/painting, and I’ve also been wanting to go to one of the Paint Night things that seem to be popping up at bars all over the city. So cool to get to sip and paint at the same time!
Larissa Menezes
January 21, 2014 at 11:46 amSuch a nice gesture! I’d love to start on some hobby like this :)
Arianna Morales
January 21, 2014 at 11:48 amWhat a great giveaway! Love your paintings :)
Sadye
January 21, 2014 at 11:50 amWould be lovely to immerse in creating art.
tRACY K
January 21, 2014 at 11:51 amawesome!!!
elizabeth
January 21, 2014 at 11:51 amBecause of your first post on watercolor I’ve been playing around with watercolors lately and loving it. I’d love this set!
mary
January 21, 2014 at 11:52 amI’d love a chance to get back into something artistic!
Kristen
January 21, 2014 at 11:52 amAdorable!!!! Who wouldn’t love a new set of paints!
marjorie herbert
January 21, 2014 at 11:52 amwill number 385 be the one of the lucky ones? oh pleease? love your blog by the way. i read it all the time for inspiration for things i love in common with your style.
Angie
January 21, 2014 at 11:53 amI have been eyeing these items for my daughter, who loves to create.
Clarissa
January 21, 2014 at 11:54 amI would love love love to give it a go!
Lori
January 21, 2014 at 11:54 amThis might give me the inspiration I need to make art!!!
Rachael
January 21, 2014 at 11:55 amLove your little paintings. While my little one naps I make little watercolors, too. I miss having real, quality time to paint, but I’ve become very fond of my little postcard-sized paintings. What a sweet giveaway! I’m hoping one of those sets heads my way.
Rebecca G.
January 21, 2014 at 11:55 amI have a few watercolor tubes that have been sitting in a tub. being forlorn. This palette might get me motivated to get back into making some art too!
Kaitlin Jenkins
January 21, 2014 at 11:56 amOh how lovely! I’d love to win-this might just be the hobby I need to entertain myself while my husband is out of the country for 3 months!
Vedrana
January 21, 2014 at 11:59 amThe colors in the palette are beautiful!
Mudrick
January 21, 2014 at 12:00 pmI’d love to give this a whirl!