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!
Kelsey
January 21, 2014 at 6:54 pmI’ve been enjoying painting with my sons lately… this would pretty it up!
Pamala
January 21, 2014 at 6:54 pmI just found your website and I have to say, I love it. You have been bookmarked! I have little painting experience; my watercolor experience is books as a child. What fun this would be to win this and find my inner artist!
Corinne
January 21, 2014 at 6:55 pmLove to watercolor, it’s one of my favorite hobbies!
Shelley T.
January 21, 2014 at 6:55 pmThis would be awesome! I piddle with watercolors but I’m not very good.
Corrina
January 21, 2014 at 6:58 pmI love to watercolor…it’s so soothing and always looks pretty!
Mandolin Lewis
January 21, 2014 at 6:59 pmI would love to win one of these sets! Thanks for the opportunity, Nicole!!
michelle
January 21, 2014 at 7:00 pmI doubt I will win, but wanted you to know how much I love your blog. Thanks for making my days a little bit more lovely! :)
Alison
January 21, 2014 at 7:01 pmYou’re never too old to get paint under your nails.
angela
January 21, 2014 at 7:06 pmOhh, watercolor, that sounds fun. Angela
Debbie
January 21, 2014 at 7:07 pmJust want to say how much I love your blog and to thank you for this awesome giveaway!
Cheers
Debbie
Erin
January 21, 2014 at 7:09 pmLove watercolors! Such a fun way to unwind, and I feel like things always come out so prettily :)
Linzy
January 21, 2014 at 7:17 pmThis is so nice of you! If I win I’ll send you a painting :) Though to be honest I was always better with oils, I think I’m too type A for the free and loose watercolor. But yours are coming along so well! Look at ’em! Good job, lady. P.S. did you ever use those books as a kid that you just added water and the paint was already on the page? I haven’t thought of those in years…
Jenn Hoff
January 21, 2014 at 7:18 pmWow! That’s so sweet of you! I was really inspired by that video, as well. I don’t have paint supplies and I’m not physically able to go pick any up, so it started me drawing. Funny how it’s not the same medium, but it still got the juices flowing.
Melanie Walter
January 21, 2014 at 7:20 pmI adore watercolors! What a fun giveaway!
Shannon
January 21, 2014 at 7:21 pmI am just rediscovering my watercolors and realized my old tubes are all crunchy. A new set would be a lovely boost! Thank you!
Marlys
January 21, 2014 at 7:23 pmI would love this!
Ashley@Biggerthanthethreeofus
January 21, 2014 at 7:23 pmI would love to win this! You’ve been inspiring me to try my hand it it…working on the courage. =)
Kara
January 21, 2014 at 7:23 pmcount me in!
Holly
January 21, 2014 at 7:29 pmWhat a sweet idea. Thanks!
Moid Ali
January 21, 2014 at 7:30 pmI want to get into drawing and painting so, this would be great!
Anna L
January 21, 2014 at 7:32 pmI started water colors in an intro art class in college. I absolutely loved them. Haven’t used them much lately but this would be a great chance to get back into painting. Love your blog!
Brooke
January 21, 2014 at 7:32 pmI adore your work and I need to brush up on my painting and this would be perfect!
Valerie Bermel
January 21, 2014 at 7:36 pmWhat a great idea! I hope I win! I love your blog!
Cari
January 21, 2014 at 7:37 pmThank you for sponsoring this giveaway drawing. How very kind and generous of you. I *just* discovered you on Facebook and began Following you. In reading your page I saw your post about this drawing and thought that I would try my luck.
Thank you again for sponsoring such a lovely drawing. (Good luck, everyone!)
Creatively Yours,
Cari
merry z
January 21, 2014 at 7:38 pmI love water colors. What a lovely giveaway!
Meredith
January 21, 2014 at 7:39 pmI just said to my husband over the weekend “I need to get some watercolors – I really miss painting!”
Kim Casey
January 21, 2014 at 7:41 pmLove your art style! Thanks for some inspiration!
Brenna Cade
January 21, 2014 at 7:46 pmI actually just started a beginner watercolor class at a local art store here in Louisville, KY! Loving it so far!
Joan
January 21, 2014 at 7:51 pmI’d love to receive these. I crave moments to make art.
Mia
January 21, 2014 at 7:55 pmHow nice! I haven’t done any painting since high school art class, but this would be really fun!
Carlotta
January 21, 2014 at 7:57 pmWould love to experiment with painting
joelle
January 21, 2014 at 7:57 pmSeing your sweet watercolor sketches took me back to my twenties … traveling around Europe using the tiniest watercolor set :)
Elaine
January 21, 2014 at 8:00 pmAwesome. My grandadaughter and I would love this! Love your blog!!!
Emily K.
January 21, 2014 at 8:02 pmSuper fun giveaway! I’d love to use this palette to make some homemade Valentines!
Melissa Ph
January 21, 2014 at 8:08 pmAwesome giveaway! My two girls and I love to paint!!
Holly
January 21, 2014 at 8:09 pmWhat a great giveaway!
Sarah E
January 21, 2014 at 8:10 pmYes please! 2014 will be a year of creativity for me and this would be a perfect start! Fingers crossed!!
Darcy
January 21, 2014 at 8:13 pmWhat a lovely opportunity! I used to love making little watercolor portraits. I got distracted from it over time and seeing you pick up the paints has me itching to start back.
Kits
January 21, 2014 at 8:13 pmMy husband used to paint but I haven’t done it since high school! Would love to try my hand at it!
DianeG
January 21, 2014 at 8:15 pmI would love those! My goal for 2014 (one of them anyway) is to teach myself basic watercolor. This would be a great jump start, and I’ve been enjoying reading these posts. Thanks!
Ali Martinez
January 21, 2014 at 8:17 pmI would LOVE to win this set! I have wanted to begin dabbling in watercolor, and this would be the perfect way to begin!
mindi
January 21, 2014 at 8:18 pmooh, how fun! i’d love to start painting again…
Marianne
January 21, 2014 at 8:21 pmOne of my goals this year is to explore my creativity – thanks for sharing your illustrations! Very inspiring, truly!
Antoinette La Frenais
January 21, 2014 at 8:27 pmSeeing how inspired you have become has inspired me I would love to do a watercolour painting of my bridal bouquet.
Kat N
January 21, 2014 at 8:32 pmI love using water colors in my journaling!
Whitney
January 21, 2014 at 8:32 pmI’ve started doing watercolors too, although I am quite the amateur. I would love some more supplies!
Mel
January 21, 2014 at 8:33 pmHow timely! I borrowed my daughters water colour pencils just yesterday, thinking “how hard can this be” :) I have some learnin’ to do and this giveaway would be an awesome start.
Alicia
January 21, 2014 at 8:36 pmWatercolors just look so happy who wouldn’t want them!
ellen
January 21, 2014 at 8:36 pmi’ve always wanted to get into painting with water color. so inspirational!
Maryanne
January 21, 2014 at 8:39 pmso bee-you-tee-ful! My first love was and always will be Watercolors! I started painting when I was 13 and still have my original box of paints, “Page of London”. It’s 42 years old. The tin box is dented and the hinge is broke but every time I open it and see the names like, Pink Madder,Green Bice and Venetian Red, it takes me back to a time when I could disappear into a world of flowers, trees and butterflies. When I look at your work it brings it all back to me. Thank you!
Maryanne Hernandez
Claire
January 21, 2014 at 8:42 pmI was just thinking I wanted watercolor to be my art resolution this year. This would be perfect!
nicole i
January 21, 2014 at 8:43 pmyour watercolor fiddle fig is so fun!
Joyce
January 21, 2014 at 8:44 pmI love watercolors! This would be a lovely upgrade from my dinky beginner’s set.
Kristen
January 21, 2014 at 8:53 pmWould love to upgrade my kindergarten watercolor set! :)
Stephanie
January 21, 2014 at 9:04 pmI’d love to do more watercolor and would appreciate some great materials – thanks so much!
Lynn
January 21, 2014 at 9:05 pmI’ve always painted in oils. I’d love to try water colors .
Julia Harts the Man
January 21, 2014 at 9:06 pmI would love to start using watercolors again. I love the thought of painting again.
Caitlin
January 21, 2014 at 9:10 pmThese are lovely!
Sara
January 21, 2014 at 9:11 pmOh, I would love to try some painting (and let my daughter have some fun with it too!)
Brooke Warburton
January 21, 2014 at 9:15 pmThanks for the chance!
Holly H
January 21, 2014 at 9:17 pmI’d love to do some painting!
Michelle - Jarrah Jungle
January 21, 2014 at 9:21 pmThanks for such an awesome giveaway …. I hope the creativity and inspiration keep flowing throughout the new year!
jen decker
January 21, 2014 at 9:28 pmi would love to paint again too!
jasilee
January 21, 2014 at 9:29 pmvery cool set. though i love the moleskine best
Miya
January 21, 2014 at 9:35 pmLove these!
Jenny Holton
January 21, 2014 at 9:36 pmI have always wanted to try water colors and have never had the time. Now that I am retired, I would love to take the chance.with the wonderful set you are giving away!
Melissa p.
January 21, 2014 at 9:37 pmI’ve never painted with watercolors. Looks fun!
Stephanie
January 21, 2014 at 9:43 pmOMG I LOVE WATERCOLORS! thanks you so much for this giveaway
Ashley R
January 21, 2014 at 9:43 pmOOOOHHHH…. beautiful work!
I started water colouring in the fall with a small set and I am desperate for some new brushes and sketch pad.
You are the sweetest to do this!
Michellejeanne
January 21, 2014 at 9:44 pmI think you just found this year’s Valentines gift for my girls – aged 8, 13, and 16 – all who love to paint and sketch. It has been a while since they each had new watercolors. Michael’s, here I come!
Megan C.
January 21, 2014 at 9:50 pmWatercolors are my absolute favorite medium. I used to have a beautiful set but I used them up and never bought a new one.
Jennifer D
January 21, 2014 at 9:51 pmHow inspiring! I too miss making art….
Shirley K
January 21, 2014 at 9:54 pmNeat! I like all the colors in that watercolor set!
Kelli
January 21, 2014 at 9:57 pmLovely work! I’d love to have a set of watercolors!!
Kristin
January 21, 2014 at 9:58 pmSo pretty. Thanks for the giveaway.
heather f
January 21, 2014 at 10:03 pmhow fun! I hope you will include a little hand painted card for me, I mean the winner too!
Shelley b
January 21, 2014 at 10:03 pmI’ve always been too intimated to buy water colors but really want to try them
Alexandra B
January 21, 2014 at 10:07 pmWow those water colors are great! Makes me want to learn how to do it!
Haley Howell
January 21, 2014 at 10:08 pmLooks like so much fun!
Jenny
January 21, 2014 at 10:12 pmHow fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
Katie
January 21, 2014 at 10:17 pmThe kids at my school constantly show me up in the painting department (I’m the teacher), this would definitely kickstart my motivation to practice and at least equal the 7yr olds skill!
Emily
January 21, 2014 at 10:20 pmThis is an awesome giveaway! I love being a little “artsy” when I can and you’re making watercolor seem like a wonderful diversion :)
DCWJes
January 21, 2014 at 10:26 pmYou are so talented!
Erin
January 21, 2014 at 10:29 pmWhat a sweet way to share the happiness painting gives you!
Patricia Heis
January 21, 2014 at 10:30 pmI’ve been enjoying coloring with pencils but have never tried painting. Could be fun!
allysha
January 21, 2014 at 10:33 pmThis is so charming! Hoping I win!
Stacy
January 21, 2014 at 10:36 pmNicole – Your watercolor posts have been inspiring me to create more art and to try new things. To win this would push me even further! What a lovely contest!
Erin
January 21, 2014 at 10:42 pmI haven’t painted in so long….your lovely watercolors are inspiring me to make time for it again!
Alyssa
January 21, 2014 at 10:48 pmIt’s all about being happy & creative in 2014! :-)
Shana
January 21, 2014 at 10:51 pmI’d love to do some watercolor painting to relax after my son goes to bed!
Mmir
January 21, 2014 at 10:53 pmI would looove this!
Cristina
January 21, 2014 at 10:54 pmYour water colors are beautiful! I’ve been wanting to get a watercolor set and start making some art – including paper flowers with some water coloring on them, it would be so fun to win this!
AmyG
January 21, 2014 at 10:55 pmMy teenage daughter goes through watercolor paint like, we’ll, water. We’ll have to check out the kit at Michael’s.
tracy parker
January 21, 2014 at 10:56 pmWhat a treat it would be to win New materials. The colors look wonderful and sketch book would be a nice addition.
Kathryn
January 21, 2014 at 10:58 pmYou are such an inspiration! I have lots of experience with acrylics, but watercolours have always intimidated me. I would love to give them a try. Your paintings are lovely!
Mickey Drake
January 21, 2014 at 10:59 pmI’ve never tried watercolor painting, this little set would give me the motivation! :)
Andrea Gillis
January 21, 2014 at 11:00 pmI would love the opportunity to sit with some tea, good music and this amazing gift and create some beautiful art. Le Swoon!
Isabel
January 21, 2014 at 11:04 pmLove it! Thanks
Kathy
January 21, 2014 at 11:06 pmOh I’ve been meaning to start watercoloring. I really need to get off my butt and try it
Joanne
January 21, 2014 at 11:08 pmI love watercolor painting… It takes me to a better world of health and happiness.