Some of watercolor’s most beloved colors — like Opera Pink and Moonglow — are also the least permanent. I tested these fugitive pigments and created lightfast dupe mixes so you can keep the look without the fade.

I’ve been experimenting with synthetic ox gall in both watercolor and gouache, from Holbein’s stiff granulating colors to smoky Lunar Black washes. What could have been technical “problems” — pigments resisting, spreading, or granulating too much — turned into expressive choices. In this post I share what synthetic ox gall does, which brands include it, and how it shaped my recent Dalí-inspired studies.

In January 2024, I taped 250 watercolor swatches from over ten brands to a sunny window in Munich. Seven months later, I took them down — and the results were shocking.

Some paints stayed strong, but others — even ones labeled “excellent lightfast” — faded badly. This real-world test revealed which pigments can truly stand the test of time, and which ones might let you down.

Watercolor can be magical—but also frustrating. In this post, I share 10 common mistakes that might be holding your paintings back (plus easy ways to fix them). From paper choice to pigment control, these tips are based on real lessons I’ve learned in the studio.

After 50 episodes, I’m pressing pause — not out of burnout, but to follow what’s calling louder: painting. This podcast began with a spark, and it taught me five creative truths I’ll carry forward — from protecting studio time to trusting pivots. I’m not saying goodbye, just making space for what matters most.

I just released a new watercolor class on Skillshare, and it’s all about relaxing with color — no drawing needed.

Beginner Watercolor: Create Abstract Art with Flower-Inspired Color is a gentle, beginner-friendly class where you’ll explore how flower colors make you feel — and turn those feelings into soft, expressive brushstrokes.

Whether you’re new to watercolor or just want to unwind creatively, this class invites you to slow down, play with color, and enjoy painting without pressure.

I tested R&F Drawing Oils on watercolor paper, sketchbooks, and more—layering them with pencils, acrylic, and pastels. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and how they dried over 2 days.

Painting Frida Kahlo made me ask questions I didn’t expect—about color, pain, identity, and what it really means to stay true to your voice. This post walks through two watercolor studies and a final portrait I created as part of my Masters Reimagined series, and why Frida still speaks so powerfully to so many of us—especially women.

I had never used oil sticks before Phoenix reached out to sponsor a video—and let’s just say, my first attempt was a total mess. But after some frustrating trial and error (and way too much pigment clumping), I started figuring things out: from which surfaces actually work to how warming the sticks completely changes the experience. This post walks through my honest learning curve, what surprised me, and how I ended up painting a Basquiat-inspired piece that finally made it all click.

Egon Schiele’s art is defined by its raw intensity and emotional depth. His ability to capture the vulnerability of the human body—through angular, distorted figures—pushed the boundaries of traditional portraiture. Inspired by his own tragic loss and psychological struggles, Schiele’s work conveys the complexities of life, death, and sexuality in a way that is both unsettling and beautiful.

In this blog, I explore how Schiele’s early influences, like Gustav Klimt, shaped his journey as an artist, and how he eventually broke free from those conventions to develop his own unique voice. I also discuss the lasting impact Schiele has had on contemporary artists like Agnes Cecil, whose work continues to embrace the rawness and honesty that Schiele so brilliantly mastered. Join me as I reflect on how his art has influenced my own and the lessons I’ve learned from Schiele’s emotional approach to creation.

Even when two watercolor tubes share the same name or pigment number, they can behave in surprisingly different ways across brands. In this blog, I reflect on my hands-on comparisons of over 200 watercolors from M. Graham, Daniel Smith, Schmincke, Winsor & Newton, Holbein, QoR, and more. I break down which pigments shine, which ones surprise, and how subtle differences in granulation, opacity, and flow shape my artistic choices. Whether you’re a painter or a pigment lover, you’ll find insights here to guide your own color decisions.

I never thought I’d feel a connection with Albrecht Dürer. His work always felt too technical, too rigid—nothing like the way I paint. But when I started studying him for my Masters Reimagined series, something shifted. From a gouache skull study to a rhinoceros that tested my patience, to a final portrait that made me pause—I didn’t come away painting like him, but I came away understanding something. About discipline. About detail. About how copying isn’t the goal. Listening is.

Finding your artistic style isn’t just about creating more art—it’s about learning to notice what calls to you visually and emotionally. In this guide, I share a framework for using visual analysis to uncover your creative instincts and build a cohesive body of work. By studying five core elements—form, space, rhythm, contrast, and symbolism—you’ll gain deeper clarity on what defines your voice as an artist. Whether you’re starting a new project or refining your portfolio, these tools can help you connect the dots between inspiration and expression.

Every painting is a reflection of where I am in that moment—not just technically, but emotionally. This chart isn’t about choosing sides; it’s about pausing to notice where I’m leaning and why. By naming my current artistic preferences, I’m creating space to grow while honoring the season I’m in.

After my interview with Kelogsloops, something he said stayed with me—how in high school studio art, he was encouraged to reflect on exactly why he loved certain artworks. That one habit helped him stay grounded in his journey as an artist. Later, I stumbled on a forgotten sketchbook from 2021, tucked away during my time in Singapore, where I had unknowingly done the same thing. This blog shares that exercise—a map I didn’t realize I had drawn for myself, and one I now return to when I feel unsure of my artistic voice.

I didn’t expect a conversation with Kelogsloops to take me back twenty years—to the quiet pages of my high school visual arts journal. But when he mentioned how his “Studio Art” class had him constantly reflecting on what he loved in others’ work and his own, something clicked. It reminded me of the IB Visual Arts criteria I’d once lived by—and forgotten. This blog is my way back to that compass. If you’ve ever felt lost in your style, this might help you find your way too.

I always thought Feng Shui was about balancing the whole house—something universal everyone could apply. Growing up in Japan, I saw my parents adjust our home to offset “unlucky” directions, especially near the entrance. But I never knew each person actually has their own lucky directions, based on their birth year and gender. I definitely never thought about using Feng Shui in my art studio—until recently. And once I did, it completely changed how I see and feel in the space.

Choosing the right colors can transform your art—and it doesn't have to feel overwhelming. In my latest video, I share how I select color palettes that set the tone for a painting, featuring a hands-on look at a tool called Palette Scout. If you’ve ever struggled with picking colors that feel just right, this guide is packed with practical tips, inspiration, and a process you can make your own.

Commissioning a watercolor portrait is about more than capturing a likeness — it’s about preserving a feeling, a fleeting moment, in a timeless and personal way. With their softness and emotional depth, watercolor portraits transform everyday expressions into lasting memories. From choosing the right artist to understanding the process, commissioning a portrait is a journey that adds a meaningful, handcrafted piece of art to your family’s story.

Van Gogh—well, Vincent—has always felt personal to me. For my March Masters Reimagined study, I tried painting with his energy using watercolor and pastels. Not to copy him, but to understand him. What surprised me most wasn’t how he painted, but how deeply he noticed. This project changed the way I see movement, emotion… and even led me into my next piece, Child, Blossom.