Category: blog

When life gets really overwhelming – as it does – my go-to reaction is to ask my husband, Alex, to run away with me and go live under a waterfall. I imagine a paradise without pressure and responsibility; a slow-paced life, immersed in nature. So far, Alex has been very good at talking me out […]

Having taught watercolor for many years, I realised that the medium of watercolor, with its fluidity and surprises, lent itself to working spontaneously for instance, with no preconceived subject matter in mind ! I selected color pigments that created effects and breakaway washes to add texture. (Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna/Umber) These […]

THE MARVELS OF WATERCOLOR STICKS. Being a traditional watercolorist and preferring to work predominantly with tubes of paint, I was very undecided about these watercolor sticks that are newest form of watercolor paint on the market. Daniel Smith is my favourite brand and as a few of my colors ran out I decided to replace […]

Unlocking Creativity: Exploring the Beauty of Favini Watercolour Papers Watercolour painting, with its ethereal beauty and captivating translucence, demands a canvas that can breathe life into every brushstroke. For artists seeking that perfect balance between texture, absorbency, and durability, Favini Watercolour Papers stand as a testament to the art of paper-making mastery. Craftsmanship Redefined: Favini, […]

You stare at a blank surface and have no idea what you want to paint. It can be frustrating and paralysing. You are not alone. All artists suffer creative block at some time in their lives. After over 30 years painting professionally, I have learned that waiting for inspiration is not the solution. You will […]

A scamming trend seems to have grown prolifically in the art world in recent years, likely due to the increasing number of artists sharingtheir work on social media platforms. I’ve been approached numerous times, primarily on Instagram byindividuals who first compliment me on my art and then claim they want to make a purchase. There […]

The FabrianoInAquarello prestigious annual international event is now open for candidature for 2024.  It is the 14th year since this event was first held in 2010 as an experimental project, and has now become the largest event dedicated to watercolour, bringing together artists, masters, enthusiasts, collectors, art supply brands etc from all over the world […]

Conversations with John Cogley: a lifelong passion for pigment Owner and CEO of Daniel Smith Artists materials, John Cogley, visited South Africa during the week of 20 – 23 May 2023. He gave interactive talks about Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor paints in Johannesburg, George, Hermanus and Cape Town. The event was hosted by Prime […]

Interview with Naseema Barday, winner of Beginner category in International Watermedia Competition.

Since moving to Malawi 8 months ago, back to my roots, so to speak, to work on the family crocodile farm at Lake Malawi, I’ve come to realise that blessings come in many forms and change may well be a wondrous thing. When we arrived ,[November, aka ‘Suicide Month’]it was unbearably hot and humid and […]

I can’t speak for others, but as time has progressed with this virulent virus, I’ve found myself opting out of painting with excuses eg: “Im feeling too stressed”, or “I don’t feel like painting right now”. The reasons we give ourselves are limitless. I recently came across some excellent ADVICE on how to REDUCE STRESS […]

It’s that time of the year…sweltering heat, stifling humidity and hot hot hot! Your watercolor paint dries faster than you can add water to the promising page, and the need for speed is prevalent. With heat and summer theme, plus the stresses of this crazy corona, I decided on cool ice lollies to calm my […]