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!
Pilar Ledezma
January 21, 2014 at 11:11 pmOh! Lovely illustrations in watercolor, would love to try it myself!
Bonnie Funk
January 21, 2014 at 11:44 pmOh! How fun! =D
Jamie
January 21, 2014 at 11:13 pmPick me! Pick me!
Miaka K.
January 21, 2014 at 11:15 pmI would love to win this! One of my favorite hobbies growing up was painting with watercolors. This paint set and notebook would be the perfect thing to get me back into it :)
Liz
January 21, 2014 at 11:18 pmhow exciting! I hope I win!
connie
January 21, 2014 at 11:22 pmwow,nice giveaway!
Heather
January 21, 2014 at 11:24 pmYour painting posts have been inspiring and I love your illustrations! Thanks for sharing!
debbi in Texas
January 21, 2014 at 11:24 pmI love watercolor; thanks for the giveaway opportunity to win
Bria
January 21, 2014 at 11:30 pmI’m dying to start getting into watercolor painting, so this would be perfect! I’ve always been fascinated with this medium.
Victoria
January 21, 2014 at 11:37 pmNice drawings! Thank you for sharing
tallin
January 21, 2014 at 11:46 pmhello, my name is tallin and i’m addicted to art supplies. this giveaway will help sustain me. thank you! :)
Jane
January 22, 2014 at 12:03 amoh i love a watercolour wonderland too!
Kate
January 22, 2014 at 12:19 amWhat a lovely idea! So glad you are enjoying yourself Nicole :)
elizabeth
January 22, 2014 at 12:25 amOOH – great giveaway! thx :)
Tamara
January 22, 2014 at 12:38 amI really enjoy following you. Thanks for adding a little extra fun.
Ellen Beasy
January 22, 2014 at 12:41 amOoooh…. This is just what I was wanting for Christmas! Yes please!
LYNDA
January 22, 2014 at 1:17 amI COULD REALLY USE ANY OF THESE PLEASE!!
Annamarie H
January 22, 2014 at 1:20 amYep, I’d love these.
Shannon
January 22, 2014 at 1:41 amI’ve just started learning calligraphy, and I have to say that hobbies are the best! I’d love to learn watercolor too! Love seeing your talent.
Laura Oka
January 22, 2014 at 1:43 amHow funny! I am just now trying to get back into the art journal habit. I’ve decided to paint my shoe collection! I was looking at those palettes the other day, wondering how well they worked.
Thanks for the opportunity,
Laura
Victoria
January 22, 2014 at 1:58 amHi Nicole,
What a lovely idea! I too used to paint and would love – now with a family to take care of – to try and carve out just a little time to get back into it. I am so enjoying seeing your progress in your gorgeous new home.
Best,
Victoria
Sarah
January 22, 2014 at 2:04 amLovely! Amazing giveaway – and appreciate the worldwide coverage as I’m in Australia!
Bessie
January 22, 2014 at 2:35 amSuch a great idea and very generous. I have only recently become interested in watercolour and I would love to really get into it. Thanks for the opportunity!
Morgan Eva
January 22, 2014 at 2:40 amI’m looking for a new, relaxing hobby which will make me happy. I think this might be it!
Shama Amjad
January 22, 2014 at 2:49 amHave been following your work on your website and facebook for sometime now. Love your style of work and teaching!
Thank you for being you:)
Shama
January 22, 2014 at 2:53 amHave been following you for sometime now on facebook and your website. Love your style of work and teaching.
Thank you for being you!
Ilaria
January 22, 2014 at 3:16 amLovely watercolor drawings! I like the fornitures and the plants! And the illustration of the prize, is it included in the prize?!
Ursa
January 22, 2014 at 3:17 amLove your paintings! You have so much talent! :) I love those watercolors too. In my country I can only get professional watercolors that cost a small fortune, so I always feel guilty when something I paint doesn’t work out :( So stress of failure + painting = bad work in my case :(
Becky
January 22, 2014 at 3:36 amLove this! As a kid, I was always creating (calling it art might be a stretch– ha!). My 5 year old son has reminded me of the joy in creating as he loves it like I did. It’s so easy to abandon things that bring us joy as we attend to our jobs, dishes, laundry, groceries, etc. I think the giveaway is great and I love the sentiment, too :)
kristiane
January 22, 2014 at 3:49 ambeen wanting to start painting again for a while now!
Tiffany B
January 22, 2014 at 4:53 amAwesome! Painting is so relaxing!
kaleen
January 22, 2014 at 5:22 amI received a small watercolor kit for xmas and was so happy to play with art again. Would love to expand my kit! Thank you for the opportunity Nicole!! :)
kaleen
January 22, 2014 at 5:23 amI received a small watercolor kit for xmas and was so happy to play with art again. Would love to expand my kit! Thank you for the opportunity Nicole! :)
María
January 22, 2014 at 5:28 amI have been following Oana for a couple of years and I love her style. I studied fine art and my favourite tecnique is watercolor. Thanks for been so generous.
Kristen
January 22, 2014 at 5:33 amPick me! What a cool way to start the new year, thanks for doing it.
Julia / junifaden
January 22, 2014 at 5:36 ami haven’t painted anything for aaaages but your pictures are so lovely i wanna start over immediately :) greetings julia
Kirsten
January 22, 2014 at 5:44 amWhat a lovely prize… From a lovely blog! I would love to win these… Especially if you are happy to send it all the way to Australia!
Kelly G
January 22, 2014 at 5:47 amOh I would love to win. How fun. I love watercolors and this would be the push I need to pick up a brush.
Elizabeth G.
January 22, 2014 at 5:49 amI would love to try it! Thanks!
Annelies
January 22, 2014 at 6:00 amYou are so gifted ! Love reading your blog. The prize sounds great.
Dawn
January 22, 2014 at 6:19 amI want to get in on the cuteness!
spark
January 22, 2014 at 6:20 amOh I’d love this. It is the kind of present that you never think to buy yourself. Thanks for the worldwide entry – don’t often get that being in Oz xx
Constanze
January 22, 2014 at 6:26 amThat’s such a nice idea! And finally an international giveaway, thank you. I would love to try all the colors.
Ashley chandler
January 22, 2014 at 6:29 amRecently I attended a lovely water color birthday party. It was a few friends painting while eating fancy cheese and chatting. I felt so inspired to learn how to paint. It’s creative and relaxing. Anyway, I would love to be chosen for a paint set so I can learn a new hobby.
Donna
January 22, 2014 at 6:30 amThanks to your blog and inspiration I have started watercolor painting. I would love to have these items! Thanks for an opportunity to win!
Jessica McCloud
January 22, 2014 at 6:34 amOkay, I know its not exactly what BOB ROSS would use, but I would totally paint some “nice little trees over there,” if I won this :-)
Even if I don’t win, thanks for the inspiration to get back into watercolors. My mini and I are having fun with them! Cheers!
Pauline
January 22, 2014 at 6:35 amI would love to win this cute gift, I love your blog, thanks again.
Lea
January 22, 2014 at 6:39 amI’m sure everybody felt inspired by your watercolour-experiments (which turned out brilliant, uh?). I really really would like (to win) to try it myself, especially because all the grey weather and the piles of work for uni are not quite helping my creativity lately…
Kim
January 22, 2014 at 6:41 amOh how lovely! Your paintings are beautiful!
Janine
January 22, 2014 at 6:49 amHi! I follow your blog on feedspot and like your beautiful pictures! I like to join this contest.
Best regards, Janine
lauren
January 22, 2014 at 7:00 amwhat a sweet prize. You are doing lovely work.
Victoria Pearson
January 22, 2014 at 7:03 amHey Nicole,
Thank you for such a generous gift! I would love to give it a try.
Katie
January 22, 2014 at 7:06 amWhat a nice giveaway, even if I don’t win (though I hope I do) I’m grateful for the watercolor suggestion. I bought a cheap pallet online and blew threw most of the reds and pinks for 4 different paintings.
Ashlee
January 22, 2014 at 7:08 amMy mom paints so it would be cool to win this for her. She’s been wanting to try water color.
Michelle | Birds of Berwick
January 22, 2014 at 7:10 amThanks Nicole! I would love to get into this and test my hand at it! BTW, I think your illustrations are beautiful! It’s so nice to find a calm and soothing hobby.
Susie
January 22, 2014 at 7:13 amWe loved your time-elapsed deer painting and watched it several times! My daughter Iris was inspired by your idea to make a time-elapsed painting for a school project on the drought in Sudan. I’d love to give her this set. Thanks for the fun and generous contest!! -Susie in Oak Park
Karen @ year of serendipity
January 22, 2014 at 7:15 amWhat a great giveaway! the deer watercolor video has me wanting to try my hand at watercolor too!
Julie
January 22, 2014 at 7:21 amI love your paintings! It’s inspiring me to try water colors. I usually paint in oil! The giveaway is such a fun idea!
Crystal
January 22, 2014 at 7:22 amWow, you are really good for not having painted much!
chanina
January 22, 2014 at 7:24 amSo generous! I love watercolors, and you illustrations are beautiful!
CourtneyV
January 22, 2014 at 7:32 amI’m loving your artwork! My niece is a budding artist (at 10 y.o.) but hasn’t yet attempted watercolor. This would be perfect to send to her.
Carissa
January 22, 2014 at 7:44 amThese look great! I would love to try.
Sophie
January 22, 2014 at 7:44 amSo Nice of you! I love painting but I’m not half talented as you are!
It would be a very nice way to start painting again.
Naomi Novella
January 22, 2014 at 7:46 amWow, what a great prize to win. I love moleskine notebooks but always feel they are too expensive to mark up! Crazy, I know! Thanks for the chance to win.
Naomi
amyks
January 22, 2014 at 7:50 amHow fun! My girlfriend has mentioned wanting to give watercolor a try, so this would be a fun surprise for her.
Emma
January 22, 2014 at 7:56 amOooh, such a lovely giveawy! I’ve really enjoyed seeing your watercolours and the video inspiration. Fingers crossed from London! Em
Ellen Coomer
January 22, 2014 at 8:02 amNicole, I just started to watercolor and am loving it! I didn’t know that I would take to it as much as I did. What a nice thing you are doing!
Kellie
January 22, 2014 at 8:07 amThanks for such a great opportunity!
Shandra Lenae
January 22, 2014 at 8:20 amThis could be just what I need to get back into painting/sketching. It’s been 14 years!
Jenna Nicholson
January 22, 2014 at 8:29 amAwesome giveaway!
Caitlin
January 22, 2014 at 8:32 amI’ve picked up and out down that palette- I’d love to try! Thank you!
Carole Day
January 22, 2014 at 8:42 amI’d love to try these, they look really good.
Ashley
January 22, 2014 at 8:46 amSuch a great idea for a giveaway! Love your writing :)
Cheryl
January 22, 2014 at 8:46 amSweet giveaway Nicole!! You have talent! You should consider selling your illustrations on etsy!
Anna
January 22, 2014 at 8:49 amAwesome gift. Thank you for paying it forward. Continue the artwork. It’s gorgeous and would love to see more.
Sarah
January 22, 2014 at 8:55 amWatercolour is a great hobby! Welcome to it :)
Jennifer S.
January 22, 2014 at 8:57 amOooh – love love love the beautiful colours in the watercolour set. I’m not much of an artist but my seven year
old LOVES to paint and is aspiring to become as good as her talented Oma (my mother) who seems to have a natural talent for watercolours.
Emily R.
January 22, 2014 at 8:58 amSo beautiful!
Shelby
January 22, 2014 at 8:59 amWhat a fun hobby. I love painting with the kids and could totally see quiet painting in the garden too. Thanks.
Lindsay
January 22, 2014 at 9:02 amYour work is beautiful! I am trying to get back into watercolors myself and would love to try these paints.
Sana
January 22, 2014 at 9:09 amI am so excited for worldwide giveaways! :) Recently (OK, last year) I returned to my hobby from kindergarten days: watercolor. I’ve tried my friend’s aquarelle colored pencils (by mondeluz) and found the technique interesting so I bought myself a small pack of those but I would like to try the other techniques, too, like you. Here is one of the pics I painted: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanapb/12087234176/
Warm wishes from Croatia,
Sana
Dawn
January 22, 2014 at 9:17 amI was an art major and haven’t been able to do “real non digital” art in forever and think this would be awesome for getting back on that ole horse ;)
Thanks!
adrien
January 22, 2014 at 9:19 amWatercolor has always been an intimidating medium to me, but ypu make it seem so fun. Thanks for inspiring me to try it!
Debbie
January 22, 2014 at 9:27 amOhh!! I love the paintings you’ve been doing and I’ve been really wanting to try watercolor painting (I’ve been experimenting with other kinds of painting lately…) I’d be super excited to win this give-away:) And I just love your blog– I read it all the time. Thanks so much for all the awesomeness!
Gloria
January 22, 2014 at 9:43 amI love watercolor! For brushes, I actually buy cheapo nail art brushed from amazon, they’re like $2 for 15 and have some really great shapes for doing the tiny little details and things. This is so sweet of your to share your love of painting!
Erinn Huttas
January 22, 2014 at 9:46 amThank you for the inspiration to start painting again!
Jennifer
January 22, 2014 at 9:49 amWhat a wonderful giveaway! I’ve tried watercolor before and love the softness of the lines. I like the botanical images, you have great technique.
Lori
January 22, 2014 at 9:53 amYour illos are so cute! What an awesome idea.
Cassie
January 22, 2014 at 10:01 amI would love to try these!
Ruth Paul
January 22, 2014 at 10:03 amGreat give-a-way! Thank you for the opportunity to win…Love your videos!
Elena
January 22, 2014 at 10:08 amThis is so nice Nicole. I would be a nice way to clear my mind after working and then putting the kids to bed at night.
Carolina
January 22, 2014 at 10:10 amI’ve only ever worked in acrylics, I’d love to be able to try my hand at water color!
Cari Aiken
January 22, 2014 at 10:12 amWhat a great giveaway! Thank you.
Marilee
January 22, 2014 at 10:16 amSuch a lovely giveaway on a wintery day! I would love to get back into painting and drawing again and your post is just the inspiration I need.
Wendy
January 22, 2014 at 10:17 amLovely paintings Nicole
I am up for the challenge of trying water colour painting and would love to win and send you the results of my efforts. Moleskins are the perfect book for all things creative. Happy 2014
Susan
January 22, 2014 at 10:18 amWhat a fabulous way of sharing your interests! Thank you
Emily
January 22, 2014 at 10:19 amOh, how dang fun! I would love to try my hand at water coloring. It is officially on my todo list. :)
Harriet
January 22, 2014 at 10:29 amWhat a wonderful giveaway and thanks for the chance to win it…
Anna
January 22, 2014 at 10:31 amThanks for the inspiration to try new things.
Lisa
January 22, 2014 at 10:38 amWonderful!
Becky
January 22, 2014 at 10:39 amI love all the color! I haven’t tried any water color painting since high school; I enjoyed it then and would love to get back into it. Thanks!