To increase your skill level with any job or hobby, you need two things:

LOTS of book-learning hours

LOTS of real-world practice

Surgeon or master carpenter or architect or watercolorist. They all require lots of study and practice. The challenge is to make both book learning and technical practice as interesting, even pleasurable as possible.

I created a great way to make study and practice happen at the same time, by making a designated textbook companion sketchbook, what I call a “Book Book.” I dedicate one sketchbook to the sole purpose of taking notes and doing the exercises from one watercolor instruction book.

The good news is that when you feel like painting, but have no inspiring subject matter, just grab your art kit, your textbook, and your Book Book, then head out to your favorite café for some fun study time.

That’s what I did Wednesday, and it was a delicious mood lifter!

First the textbook, a classic by Ron Ranson. “Watercolour Painting from Photographs.”

I freely mark up art textbooks I own, using pencil, pen and highlighters to underline and make side comments in the margins. When any info in the textbook triggers a heartfelt “aha!” in me, I make an extra note in my “Book Book” sketchbook, jotting down the textbook reference page number.

I draw or paint an illustration on almost every two-page spread, to make sure I flex those practice muscles and push back from any tendency to treat watercolor study as a spectator sport. Never leave a watercolor study session without a good cup full of muddy paint water!

After I finish my attempt to copy an admired textbook illustration, I take the time to jot down, on the facing page, a few notes about my personal experience during the session. My favorite prompt is, “Lessons I Learned,” a good reminder that the goal is Learning, not Perfection!

The note reads:

Misty Creek- pg 56-57

Lessons Learned:

• A lot of rewetting & cautious reworking to get “wet-in-wet” effects on paper that was not designed to handle it.
• Wet your palette first, and mix up the anticipated colours in advance as much as possible. “Evaporation Happens!”
• Give yourself a “2/3 Advantage” – Be very familiar and comfortable with TWO of these: BRUSH, COLORS, PAPER. Then let the remaining one be your learning edge.
• LOVE YOUR SUBJECT MATTER! Then even a dicey result is a pleasure.”

I noticed when I was writing this post just now that I broke one of my cardinal rules: I had forgotten to write the date of my work session on the page! I looked back in my diary and added the date just now. Ahh, that feels good.

That’s about it. I am so glad I have a no-brainer way to continue my watercolor practice at a moment’s notice without the barrier of decision paralysis:

“What shall I paint? Where shall I go? What supplies do I need?”

Choking on these answers is the only barrier to your steady improvement in watercolor. Make it easy on yourself. Grab one of those “I’m gonna read this someday” watercolor instruction books on your dusty bookshelf, get a nice little sketchbook (5.5 x 5.5 hand.book Travel Series Journals are great), then create a title page with a commitment to read, study, and practice that instruction book. You will be amazed at how well this simple learning trick works.

That’s it! Keep learning, keep sketching, and keep in touch!

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All three of my books are available on Amazon in eBook and paperback formats. The newest book, Look at That! – Second Edition, is also available as a beautiful hardcover.

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