Watercolour painting

How beautiful. I can't paint but I have painted glass just for fun x

Thanks. Teacher and my Christmas present book both said use a damp sponge. I'll try a wet one!

And I'm not all that brilliant now! Really glad you're enjoying it!

If you're going for anything under 260lbs, Nfk don't be afraid to really soak it - not just damp it, give it a good dunk in a bowl of water or the sink, drain it off and then stick it to your board with paper sticky tape on all the edges and leave it to dry. It will dry as taut as a drum and won't cockle. I agree with Pompa, a good heavy paper does help - you don't have to stretch it, but it's too expensive to be expendable when you're only happy with one effort in five! I dread to think of all the paper I binned when I started out just learning the techniques, before I even got to painting pictures.

Yes it does wrinkle, a good quality heavy watercolour paper helps.

I'm learning to dabble in watercolours at present and finding it more user friendly than acrylics. I think I'm improving as I'm now reasonably happy with one picture in five rather than ten!

I can't master damping the paper to stretch it. It doesn't seem to make much difference, it still wobbles up when I put a wash on.

I did try acrylics, but still prefer the unpredictability of wet in wet watercolour.

Not that I'm any good at painting, but I like using acrylics as they're very forgiving! (Can be covered over)

Loads of artists in my family but it has not passed to me.! Would love to be an artist but my efforts are just rubbish.

I like Acrylics , this is a vase of tulips sitting on my bookcase recently

I use acrylic paint mostly which I love ! You can water it down and use it like watercolour and it is more forgiving than w colour. Or you can use it thick without too much or any water. I volunteer at a local retirement home ( Canada) and although they tend to like to paint in w colour - maybe it's more ladylike ! - acrylics are more fun - !!

My mother was artistic so when I was a child she always encouraged me to draw, I thought everyone did it. When older and I tried water colour painting, it wasn't successful and this was because I used cartridge paper and cheap paints. Later I tried some expensive thick water colour paper, if its really thick it doesn't need stretching. I got some Windsor & Newton artists quality paint. What a difference. I use lots of water and let the layers dry before adding another wash or more detail. I draw the flowers lightly in pencil first, then when dry lines can be rubbed out. Secret is lots of water and take no notice of instruction books and experiment - don't give up

I'm just musing here, but has anyone tried watercolour pencils with these colouring books (haven't used the books myself, although I have thought about it)? They are basically colouring pencils, and they can be used like that, but they are water soluble and you can intensify the colour by adding water to the tip, or you can apply water once it is on the paper to produce washes. The only problem I can foresee is the quality of the paper in these books may not lend itself to the application of moisture and felt tips are not water based.

The other thing I would say, and I have said this before on these painting threads, is don't let the fact that you can't draw stop you from having a go at painting. Try watercolour techniques - washes, dry brush, spattering, wax resist - and see where it takes you. You might surprise yourselves if you aren't restrained by drawing.

I can't draw or paint for toffee but have thought of the adult colouring books as a stress reliever. For those of you who have done them ,what are/is the best thing /s to use?. I don't want felt tips that "run" and crayons seem too chunky.

Honeypot43 how beautiful your picture is, i am so envious!!!

Did you have to have lessons to learn how to paint and draw like that or is it a natural born talent????

I have tried so many times to draw and paint but everything comes out like rubbish so am beginning think it is something you are born with!!!!!!

Your paintings are really beautiful Honey.

I got a lovely book the other day for colouring in. It was "The Victorian House" with drawings of every room. Haven't had much time to do it though. I also bought a set from Lidls last week with lots of crayons and 48 drawings. Don't like those drawings though and find the crayons "wishy washy" So I'm looking for some felt tips now. The childrens felt tips that you can buy are a bit garish for it though.

Has anyone tried "colouring for grown ups"? When I was feeling down, raining outside and on my own, I had a go with my "Secret Garden" colouring book that my daughter had bought me last Christmas. I thought at first it was a bit embarrassing, but got out the felt tip pens and really enjoyed doing something thoroughly easy with lovely colours, listened to Radio 4 play and felt much better. I did the page with peacock and flowers around it - its lovely, and even though I do water colour painting, this is different and very good for you!

I wish I could paint anything - flowers, people, industrial landscapes, just anything. It must be a wonderfully relaxing pastime. Well done honeypot and Artiarticle and all of you who can produce such lovely paintings.

Indeed it is! I admire those who can paint flowers. I can paint them as specimen pieces but not in delicate gatherings like yours - it defeats me. I went to an art class once where the teacher was obsessed with painting flowers, whereas I liked to paint industrial landscapes and coastal scenes. I was bored stiff and didn't last long!

Congratulations honeypot beautiful painting

I love water colour painting too. Am in early 70s husband died end of 2014 and painting has been a life saver for me, its so therapeutic. I have painted all my life inbetween career and children but had no time for it till now. I particularly love wild flowers and have painted loads - so having an exhibition at Richmond (North Yorkshire) Station from 7-19 May, and hope I can sell some, as I have invested a lot in frames and mounts. I do like your picture.

Lovely, artiarticle (like your name, too!) I do mainly acrylics but lately have been experimenting with mixed media - textiles and acrylic, textiles and watercolour - since I bought a book on how to do it. I find there are some very good tutorials on YouTube for all sorts of arty subjects.

They're very nice artiarticle. Interested to know what you used to get the background effect on the flower one. Is it salt over a wet wash? I used to do a fair bit of watercolour but haven't picked up a brush for ages. Must have another look at it.

I am very envious of your talent Artiarticle. I would love to be able to paint half as well as that.