Swatching has a reputation for being boring little boxes. Neat grids. Labels everywhere. Useful? Sure. Inspiring? Not always. If you actually want to learn  your paints—and enjoy the process—sometimes it helps to swatch in ways that feel more like painting and less like cataloging. Here are some fun, low-pressure ways to swatch your paints that still teach you a lot. ◯ ◻︎ △ Paint Overlapping Figures Instead of isolated shapes, paint simple overlapping forms : circles silhouet

✨Most art journaling advice pushes cohesion: one theme, one palette, one mood, one tidy idea. Sometimes I want that. But often? That’s not how I think , and it’s not how I paint . Some of my favorite journal pages are made up of several unrelated paintings —different subjects, different moods, different levels of finish—sharing the same page without trying to explain themselves. Here’s why I do it, and why it quietly made my work stronger. ✂️ It Removes the Pressure to Make “

Winter looks “blah” to most people—but to artists? It’s a goldmine of subtle color, strange textures, and dramatic light you won’t see any other time of year. Here are five winter subjects that look completely ordinary… until you put a brush to them. These are perfect for quick warmups, photo references, or full atmospheric landscapes. 1. ✨ Dead Weeds With Backlight You know those crunchy little tan weeds along fences and sidewalks? The ones everyone else ignores? Hit them wi

In a world that often demands constant productivity, your sketchbook can become a sacred space to slow down. Visual meditation is the art of letting go — letting your hand move without pressure, your colors flow without a plan. Whether you’re sketching spirals, breathing with brushstrokes, or creating soft winter washes, these gentle exercises invite calm, presence, and reflection. Here are five ways to transform a blank journal page into a peaceful visual meditation. 1. Draw

Winter branches are some of the most underrated practice subjects on the planet. No full trees. No landscapes. No complicated compositions. Just small, delicious textures — bark, twigs, frosty rims, little bursts of lichen — all zoomed in so you can practice looseness and  precision at the same time. Here’s how to turn these tiny “micro-studies” into a January warm-up ritual: Why Branch Studies Work So Well • They’re bite-sized. Each study takes 2–5 minutes, perfect for warmi

✨ A Mini Swatch-Party for the Deep-Winter Mood January has its own palette  — quiet, cool, a little dreamy, and full of that in-between light that makes everything feel like it’s wrapped in frost. It’s not December’s festive brights. It’s not February’s soft pastels. January is its own  mood — and honestly? It hits different. So today, let’s have a little swatch-party  of the colors that feel  like this month. These are the shades I reach for when I want my paintings to breat

Skip the weather app – today, paint your own emotional forecast. Are you cloudy blue, fiery orange, or calm mint green? Ever wondered...

🎨 Why Paint the Seasons? Painting the seasons is a wonderful way to stay inspired throughout the year. Each season offers its own...

Winter doesn’t always have to be dramatic or festive — sometimes, the quietest moments make the most beautiful art. Whether you’re...

When the days grow shorter and the air grows colder, it's the perfect time to cozy up with your sketchbook and a steaming mug of cocoa....

🕯️ Why Sketching in the Evening Matters As the days grow shorter and darker, it’s easy for creative energy to fade with the light. But...

Every October, our feeds fill with bright orange pumpkins and cartoon bats — but Halloween has another side: quiet, elegant, and...

🧙‍♀️ Why Paint Familiar Spirits? In folklore and witchcraft, familiars  are magical animal companions that guide and protect. These...

October isn’t just about darkness — it’s about transformation. The air smells of rain and woodsmoke, colors deepen, and even fading leaves seem to burn with quiet dignity.This post celebrates the beauty of impermanence  — how to paint decay, texture, and nostalgia without losing warmth. 🧡 Step 1: The Weathered Ground Start by staining your paper with tea, coffee, or diluted sepia watercolor. Let it dry naturally — uneven tones, drips, and stains are part of the story.This “i

There’s something about October that makes ink feel alive. Maybe it’s the longer nights or the way light catches on cold air — every mark...

As the air turns crisp and shadows stretch a little longer, October becomes the perfect time to explore the mysterious side  of...

Welcome to Inktober 2025! I had mentioned in a previous post that I would be participating in Inktober. For those of you not familiar, Inktober is a creative challenge held every October where artists commit to creating one ink drawing per day for the entire month—usually guided by a daily prompt list. If you'd like to follow along with the official list you can find it on Inktober.com . Inktober is one of my favorite times of the year — a whole month dedicated to nothing but

✨ What is Inktober? Inktober  is an annual art challenge created by artist Jake Parker in 2009 , designed to encourage artists to build...

Painting Cozy Interiors: Mugs, Books, and Warm Spaces As autumn deepens and temperatures drop, many artists feel called inward. Cozy...

Sketching is not only a creative practice but also a powerful way to cultivate presence and awareness. As seasons shift, mindful...