This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.
The Most Important Guideline that I suggest is to
Have Fun
Painting is a joy.
Smile and enjoy the moments as you get lost in the act of creating.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Monday, January 3, 2022
Don't Panic!
This entry was originally posted on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
We
have all experienced those moments when we realize that the paint is not doing
what we wanted it to do.
Then
we panic. We grab for the tissue and blot like crazy or keep adding water and
paint only to discover that we have made it worse.
Instead
of panicking, realize that the spontaneity of the water and the paint is what
makes watercolor painting so exciting.
Take
a deep breath. Watch the paint do its magic or think to yourself,
"Okay,
this wasn’t what I expected and it isn't anything like I imagined, but how can
I make it still look great?"
Perhaps
it is just a matter of changing your perspective or your vision.
But
please don’t panic!
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Separate Yourself From Your Genius
This entry was originally posted on Monday, January 2, 2012.
At
the beginning of every workshop and class I would give my students 4
guidelines. Yesterday I told you about my first one, Bless Yourself.
My
second guideline is to
Separate
Yourself From Your Genius.
This
suggestion is inspired by a TED Talk by
After
discussing this talk with a fellow artist and friend about our need for
perfection in our work, she asked that I include this in my list of
guidelines.
Think of yourself as but a vessel for your
genius.
Show up and do your job. If your genius doesn't bother to show up, at least you did and go ahead and paint.
"If the divine cockeyed genius assigned
to your case decides to let some sort of wonderment be glimpsed, for just one
moment through your efforts, then "Ole!" -
Saturday, January 1, 2022
Bless Yourself
This entry was originally posted on Sunday, January 1, 2012
There are a few guidelines I live by and I share with my students before painting even begins. I will now share these with you.
Starting a painting, especially as a beginner, can sometimes be a daunting prospect.
All kinds of doubts arise and you wonder if you can do this.
So my first suggestion before painting is to
BLESS YOURSELF!
Tell yourself that you are an artist here to learn and create.
It is a process to be enjoyed. There are only positive thoughts allowed.
If you think you can, you can!
Friday, December 31, 2021
Welcome!
This post was originally posted on December 31, 2011
Welcome to my new blog!
Watercolor Weapons: Words of Watercolor Wisdom to help you conquer watercolor.
In this blog, I will attempt to bring you a daily (or near daily) tip or technique that I find helpful for watercolor painting..
I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Ten Year Anniversary of Watercolor Weapons
The Blog and The Book
It has been 10 years ago since I created the blog, Watercolor Weapons, that eventually became the book, Watercolor 365. It will be 5 years next month since Watercolor 365 was published.
When I created the blog, I had just moved from Victoria, BC to Vancouver, BC. I was teaching on a regular basis in Vancouver and would teach weekend workshops in Victoria once every 4-6 weeks. I was also attending the University of Victoria during the summers, working on my Master of Art Education.
Why I thought I could or should post everyday, I am not entirely sure? My intention with the blog was to stay in touch and communicate with many of my beloved students that I left behind when I had moved. I did not intend to make it a daily blog but that is what eventually happened. I think part of the reason I did post everyday is because as I was working on my Masters degree, I was journaling my painting and teaching process and the natural outcome became this blog. I started to throw in some thoughts and quotes about how to stay inspired and to keep going.
At first I believed that those thoughts would help and encourage my students. I discovered that those thoughts, as well as the comments from not only my students, but from all around the world, encouraged me and kept me motivated.
Three years after I started the blog, I contracted with North Light to turn the blog into a book. The timing of the book was difficult as I was trying to extricate myself from nightmarish circumstances. It also could not have been a better time for it. During the book's writing, I realized that my blog was much more than technique about watercolor and words to keep you painting. It was words for me to get up every single day, to keep looking forward, and to keep hoping for something better. It was me being my own cheerleader and it was the words I wanted to hear from others while I felt alone for many years.
By the time the book was published, I realized I wasn't alone at all. I had many, many friends that had become (and still are) my cheerleaders and gave me so much more than just words of encouragement. So the blog and the book became not only words for me to keep going but once again words of encouragement for others to let them know that I hear you, I understand you, and you are not alone.
Keep going. Keep painting. You have something beautiful and unique to say with paint.
Friday, December 11, 2020
New Website and New Blog
Monday, July 27, 2020
Pouring Colorful Watercolors with Leslie Lambert Redhead Online Course P...
I have finally created a course on pouring liquid watercolors!
The course shows how to pour and create a painting of crab apples.
To register for the course, please go to my school https://watercolor-365.teachable.com/
or click here
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Autumn Leaves in Watercolor Mini-Course Plus a Coupon!
Just $19 USD!
So much has been happening since I returned home to the lake. Progress continues to be made on my new studio and now I have made a new course for my online watercolor school. This course is Autumn Leaves. I call it a min-course because it is less than an hour of instruction and costs only $19!
Plus, I am offering a coupon for 20% off this course, as well as my others, until May 1, when you apply the coupon code PAINTATHOME upon checkout.
To access this course, as well as my other courses, please go to my online school at watercolor-365.teachable.com
I hope you enjoy painting the leaves as much as I enjoy making and sharing the course with you.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Watercolor Poured
Watercolor Poured
Poured Watercolor
14x21"
I did 4 pours on this painting. The letters on some of the tubes were too small to try to mask around. So after I pulled off all the mask, I did paint in some of those smaller letters.
The colors I uses were Winsor Yellow, Winsor Blue (green shade), and Quinacridone Rose.
The Drawing
Pour 1
Pour 2
Pour 3
Fourth and Final Pour
The Big Reveal
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