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International Dog Day is August 26!   Why paint dogs? Dogs remind us to play, love unconditionally, and nap.  Let’s celebrate their quirks, their cuddles, and their paw prints on our hearts. Watercolor challenge:  Dogs Here are the details: Share your paintings of dogs  Sponsored by Rachel Parker Varner, http://rachelsstudio.com/ Prize for one random winner: 6-month…

This week, we’re starting with the unexpected: random blobs, splashes, swooshes, and puddles of color. No planning, no pressure—just pure possibility. Then, let your imagination take over. What does your blob want to become? A sleepy cat? A flower? A dancing jellybean? A person walking?  You get the idea.  Anything goes. Why blobs and splashes?…

“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” —Terry Pratchett This week, we’re celebrating International Cat Day with a challenge full of feline flair and maybe just a touch of cattitude. Fun fact:  A cat’s nose print is as unique as a human fingerprint—no two are alike! Watercolor challenge:  Cat…

Whether it’s tumbling in the dryer, flapping in the breeze, or forming its own abstract sculpture on the kitchen table… this week we’re celebrating Laundry in all its glory.  It could even be a stack of folded laundry! Why paint laundry? Because folds, fabric, and draped clothes challenge your observation skills, build confidence in sketching…

This week, we’re celebrating the sweet, tart, and totally irresistible fruit – cherries! Whether you love painting their glossy skins, tangled stems, or the way they burst with color in a bowl—this fruit is a watercolor dream.  Why paint cherries?  Cherries are a great study in values and highlights—perfect for practicing shine and dimension.  Their…

This week, we’re folding inspiration into brushstrokes—literally! Our challenge theme is Origami, and while paper might crease, your creativity has no limits.  Why paint Origami?  Origami has crisp lines, folds, and shapes that naturally lend itself to dramatic shadows and highlights. Painting them trains your eye to see structure, shapes and values — great practice! …