If you read my last blog post, you’ll know I’ve taken on a lot recently — and then I got sick.
One of the unfortunate side effects of overloading your plate is that the things that bring you joy are often the first to go.
And anything new you want to try?
That usually gets pushed aside too.
For me, one of those “someday” things has been watercolour painting.
Almost a year ago, I bought all the things — paints, brushes, pens, and a book of watercolour paper. I was excited. Ready.
All I needed was time.
This week, while doom scrolling in survival mode, I stumbled across a Facebook reel of an artist painting in watercolours.
One video led to another… and then I found a whole series she’d made to help people learn and practice, step by step.
I felt something stir.
And after digging out all my supplies (which took longer than you’d think — dust is sneaky), I decided to finally try.
This blog is going to be a record of that journey.
Every time I paint something, I’ll update this post with my progress.
Maybe it’ll inspire you to try something new, too.
It doesn’t have to be watercolours.
Anything that sparks even a flicker of joy — that’s worth picking up.
Page 1: A Patchwork of Possibility
The first page is the creation a cover page for the book. The learning here is about how water colours work and what happens when you dab the paint to water.
I did end up with a bit of a pool of water like she did and I thought that I would hate that part of the page but actually it blended so nicely when it dried and it’s kind of my favourite part.
If you’ve always been afraid to give watercolours a try, I think this is the perfect exercise to get you to give it a go because the whole plan is for it not to be perfect, which is really actually perfect.
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| I started by taping up my page. I was so worried that the type would stick and rip the paper but actually it came off like a dream! | When I’d finished adding my paint it really looked a little like it would turn out to be a disaster. | But it wasn’t! I love this page so much and I actually really enjoyed adding the details with the black pen! |
Page 2: The Swatch Garden
The second page is a fun variation of making a ‘swatch’ to show what each colour paint looks like on the page. My watercolour palette has a lot more colours than hers and I think my book is smaller so my mushrooms quite small compared to hers, but I don’t think that matters.
I’ve never in my life drawn a mushroom so this was actually quite challenging for me. My perfectionist brain was screaming, blobs! And panicking but I just kept reminding myself that the whole point of this is practice. It isn’t supposed to be perfect and that’s what makes it awesome.
It did take longer than I thought it would to draw on all the details. My poor fingers are sore!
My watercolour palette doesn’t have names anywhere for the colours so I haven’t included them. Maybe I should just make some up…
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| It was really hard for me to image what shapes make mushrooms but I think my blobs turned out alright? | Wow, they look so good! Who knew I was capable of creating something I would be so proud of! Considering I’d never drawn a mushroom before… |
Page 3: Chaos and Control
I do not have a box of circles…
I also had never painted on paper with acrylic paints and when I first did my circles I thought because they were perfect this would turn out horribly but actually, the imperfections make this piece more interesting.
I’ve spent a long time trying to decide which side I like better. The wet on dry side looks clean and clear and dare I say ‘neater’. The chaos side was chaos to create and yet it turned out so well. I really like how the colours blend together and I used grey and black to make the background and I love how it turned out too! Nope, I can’t decide.
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| I forgot to take a photo of just circles! Here is what I was up to when I remember I should have! | The background of the chaos side dried a lot lighter than I thought it would be but I think it actually matches the other lighter colours better than if it were darker. |
Page 4:
Coming soon!
This post will grow as I do.
Each time I complete a new page from the series, I’ll update this blog with my progress.
Feel free to check back now and then to see how far I’ve come — and maybe you’ll feel inspired to try something new too.
If this post sparks something in you — a desire to try, to create, or to return to a forgotten joy — I’ve created a space just for that.
Burnt & Beautiful is a Facebook group for anyone exploring their creativity, whether you’re painting, doodling, colouring outside the lines, or just starting to dream again.
It’s a gentle, safe space where imperfection is welcome and sharing your progress (or your glorious mess) is celebrated.
If you decide to give this a go, we’d love to see what you create.
You can join the community here.
Ash & Ember Rising 