I have loved watercolour painting for many years. It was one of the first mediums I ever studied, and after I started, I never really stopped. Over twenty years have passed since then. To create with watercolour, you have to let go of the idea of perfection — and even detailed linework becomes secondary.
Some artists see digital watercolour as “not real” watercolour. That’s because they’re attached to the traditional meaning and method. But if you think of watercolour as an effect or a mood, you can absolutely reproduce it digitally.
Personally, I don’t believe in dictating what is or isn’t a valid form of artistic expression. If you manage to create a watercolour effect digitally, that’s brilliant! The world is digital now, and we artists need to embrace all forms of creative language, without rigid rules or labels.
Still, I strongly encourage you to try traditional, manual watercolour — the tactile process teaches you how the pigment behaves on paper, and that knowledge will make your digital work even better (I do this a lot myself). And let’s be honest: painting by hand brings a kind of peace that a computer screen can rarely provide.
Here’s a glimpse of my hand-painted watercolours:
Of course, there are many highly detailed and meticulously planned watercolour paintings out there, but I like to work in a looser way. I create stains that suggest forms. These stains spread across the paper in a poetic, almost elegant manner. Before you know it, there’s a watercolour rose blooming on the page.
Watercolour has this way of making you feel calm and centred at the same time. The diluted pigment creates effects that are both subtle and striking, resulting in artworks that can be breathtaking in their quiet elegance.
To paint with watercolours, you’ll need specific paper — a heavier weight, something that can handle a lot of water without tearing. I usually work with Montval watercolour paper, at least 300gsm. This allows the paper to stay wet and not break apart.
There are fine-grain papers, which make it easy to lift colour if you’re not happy with a stain — just blot quickly with kitchen roll and the pigment almost disappears. I use fine-grain paper simply because I enjoy it. Some watercolour papers are more textured and grainy, which gives your work that beautiful, artisanal look. These are a bit less forgiving if you want to “correct” a stain, but they have their own unique charm.
Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to mix my watercolours with other media — acrylic, collage, even embroidery. There’s no reason to limit ourselves.
If you’d like to see more of my work, stay tuned — I’ll be sharing more illustrations and experiments here at SoulSue. And if you paint too, or want to start, let’s talk! Art is always more fun when shared.
Q1: What is watercolour painting?
A: Watercolour painting is an artistic technique using pigments dissolved in water, applied to paper to create delicate washes, stains, and transparent effects.
Q2: Can digital painting be considered real watercolour?
A: Digital painting can replicate the look and feel of traditional watercolour. While some artists prefer traditional methods, the digital process is a valid and creative form of expression.
Q3: What materials do I need for watercolour painting?
A: You’ll need watercolour paints, brushes, and high-quality watercolour paper (at least 300gsm). Fine-grain or textured paper is ideal for different effects.
Q4: How do you fix mistakes in watercolour painting?
A: On fine-grain watercolour paper, you can quickly blot unwanted stains with kitchen paper. For more stubborn mistakes, let the painting dry and try layering or adding new elements.
Q5: Why do you prefer a loose watercolour style?
A: A loose style allows for more freedom, surprise, and poetic expression. I love how stains can suggest shapes and stories without strict boundaries.
Q6: Is it possible to mix watercolour with other techniques?
A: Yes! Watercolour combines beautifully with acrylic, collage, and even embroidery, allowing for endless creative possibilities.
What’s the craic? More soul, more stories, right this way:
