Weekly Challenge
Watercolor Challenge: Dogs
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…
Watercolor Challenge: Blob Art
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?…
Watercolor Challenge: International Cat Day 2025
“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…
Watercolor Challenge: Laundry
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…
Watercolor Challenge: Cherries
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…
Watercolor Challenge: Origami
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! …
Watercolor Challenge: Hills
This week, we’re inviting you to capture the rolling majesty and charm of hills in watercolor. Why paint hills? They’re the perfect subject to practice aerial perspective, gentle gradients, and subtle color transitions. They’re a wonderful way to improve your understanding of composition and depth, especially with foreground vs background. Plus, let’s face it — painting…
Watercolor Challenge: Golden Hour
The Golden Hour is that magical slice of time just after sunrise or before sunset when the world is bathed in soft, warm, golden hues. The light becomes richer, shadows stretch long, and everything takes on a dreamy glow. It’s nature’s most flattering filter. Whether you’re capturing landscapes or cityscapes, golden hour light can turn…
Watercolor Challenge: Street Signs
Why paint a street sign? Because an artist sees what the world rushes past. Street signs are like the punctuation marks of a city—they anchor us, direct us, stop us, send us on our way. Most people pass them by without a second glance. By choosing something overlooked, you’re not only sharpening your artist’s eye—you’re…
Watercolor Challenge: Ladybugs
This week, we’re going tiny… but mighty: Ladybugs! In many cultures, ladybugs are symbols of luck and wishes come true. They are also nature’s protector: one ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime, making it a superhero for plants! Whether you go whimsical or hyper-realistic, this subject lets you play with textures,…