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Watercolor: Rediscovering My True Medium

When I first started learning to paint, watercolor was the medium that drew me in. Something about the way it flows on paper, the way colors blend and interact with each other, always felt like the perfect fit for me. But as I went through art school, I noticed that watercolor wasn’t taken very seriously in Academic Art circles. Oil painting was considered more “serious,” so I spent most of my time working with oils.


Watercolor Lily Flowers | Painting Technique Video
Lily Flowers Watercolor Painting Demo

While I did enjoy learning and painting with oil, I never quite let go of that feeling that watercolor was my medium. After a long break from painting, I’ve finally returned to it. But it hasn’t been easy. There’s always that fear of failure lingering in the background. Can I still paint the way I used to? Will I be able to express what I want with watercolor? These questions are always there, but I’m working through them, one painting at a time.


Watercolor can be challenging in practice, no doubt about it. It’s not as forgiving as other mediums, and it requires a lot of patience. You have to pay close attention to how the colors flow, how much water is on the brush, and when to stop before overworking a piece. But at the same time, that’s what I love about it. It forces you to be present in the moment.


The more time I spend with it, the more I’m reminded why I fell in love with watercolor in the first place. It’s a medium that challenges you, but once you get comfortable with its unpredictability, it becomes incredibly rewarding. I’m learning to let go of perfectionism and embrace the unexpected results that come with it—because those little surprises are often what makes watercolor so special.


Returning to watercolor feels like coming home. It’s a process of rediscovery, and although it hasn’t been an easy journey, I’m finding joy in it again. Each painting helps me get a little more comfortable, and a little more confident. And with that, the fear of failure starts to fade, replaced by the excitement of seeing where this medium will take me next.




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