Benefits of Surrounding Yourself with Art
Have you ever walked around your space and felt like something was off? Or maybe it feels like your space no longer speaks to your personality? Art and decor that speak to who you are and inspire you throughout the day can benefit your mental health and well-being.
The Best Watercolor Pencils for Beginners
Watercolor pencils are great when you’re on the go, which makes them easy to take anywhere for practice. Here are some of my favorites and ones I’ve seen good reviews on.
Best Planner for Creatives: The Artist Project Planner
Planning your art process is a critical part of growing as an artist. Before using this planner, I would create an initial sketch and just start. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no correct way to plan or create when it comes to your artistic process, but I realized I needed a more organized way to capture all of my ideas. Enter: The Artist Project Planner!
Paint With Me Session from the Watercolor Made Simple Book
After releasing my newest book, Watercolor Made Simple, I asked for honest reviews in exchange for an invite to my (then) live painting session to paint the swallow project from the book!
Holiday Gift Guide for Watercolor Artists 2023
It’s the most wonderful and chaotic time of the year! I know how stressful shopping during the holiday season can be, and trust me, I get it. If you’re shopping for an artist in your life or want to send this gift guide to someone who needs ideas shopping for you, this gift guide is the perfect place to start.
Wondering What Online Watercolor Classes You Should take?!
It’s been a few years since I first launched my most popular watercolor class, Watercolors Made Simple. Since then, I have had the pleasure of being a part of thousands of fellow artists in their creative journey.
How to Pack Art Supplies for Travel: My Packing List & Tips
When I first started my art journey, I wanted to be able to take my supplies and paint anywhere. I love being in nature so being able to take a bike ride or a walk and still creating while doing so was very important to me. Here are my tips and trips on how to travel with your art supplies and still have everything you need to create a masterpiece.
Inspirational Books I Use in My Personal Art Practice
There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a new technique or a new process, and that’s why I LOVE using books as a jumping-off point when I’m not sure what to paint. It’s nice to have something to hold in your hand and view in person when trying to paint from photo references.
Sketch & Paint: New Watercolor E-book by Nicki Traikos
Have you ever wanted to learn watercolor painting but aren’t the greatest at sketching or drawing? I get this comment a lot! People tell me they don’t know how to sketch anything; therefore, they can’t paint anything that feels “finished” or “polished,” so I started creating my Trace and Paint books.
life i design Class Reviews from Watercolors Made Simple Reviews from Students
I recently asked my students inside our student-only Facebook group to share some of their artwork from a class they had taken with me, and the results are AMAZING. I always enjoy scrolling through our feed and seeing the beautiful artwork created, and the amount of TALENT everyone has. The passion for creating art really does shine through their work.
Back to School Shopping for Watercolor Artists
he back-to-school season should be a holiday! Some are excited about this time because it means getting the kids out of the house for 6 hours a day, while others are excited to start the new school year. Whether you’re attending school or sending kids back or both, this time of the year is perfect for shopping!
Paint Mini Abstracts With Me at Wanderlust Live Weekend 2023
I’m happy to be able to share that I am a guest instructor for Wanderlust 2024 and to celebrate, you’re invited to join me for a LIVE painting session where we’ll be painting mini abstracts in our sketchbooks! Sign up and download a fun freebie here!
Create Your Own Handmade Watercolor Sketchbook
Lately, I’ve been finding so much joy in creating my own sketchbooks before filling them up with a collection of watercolor paintings. So, I wanted to share my favorite techniques, tips, and supplies in my newest class, Creative Freedom in Your Handmade Watercolor Sketchbook.
How to Make Time for Art During the Summer Holiday
Making time for your art practice over the summer holidays can be difficult. Everyone gets caught up with summer trips, vacations, and activities. With warm weather, summer vacations, and the kids out of school, life can get crazy during the summer!
3 Projects to Help Artists Paint More: Watercolor Made Simple Book
Wanting to start a new skill is daunting. It's overwhelming with all of the free and even costly online tutorials, courses, and blog posts.
Sketching for Watercolor Painting for Beginners
Explore sketching for watercolor and discover how it sets the foundation of your paintings.
The 5 Characteristics of an Artistic Person
Being an artist takes courage. It requires embracing vulnerability, diving into the unknown, and expressing yourself authentically. You are embarking on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way.
What are the different types of Watercolour Paint & When to Use Them?!
Understanding the various types of watercolour paint and how to use them can open you up to a world of infinite possibilities. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of watercolour paint available and provide tips on how to make the most of each one.
Which is Best For You: Online or in-person painting classes?
Art classes provide aspiring artists valuable opportunities to refine their skills, unleash their creativity and connect with like-minded individuals. In today’s age, artists are offered classes in two main ways. This blog post aims to outline the pros of both in-person and online classes, helping you to determine what best suits your needs.
Botanical Watercolor Painting for Beginners
In today’s post, I wanted to discuss one of my favorite art forms: botanical watercolors. There’s something magical about capturing the delicate beauty of nature on paper, isn’t there? The vibrant hues, intricate details, and organic shapes all combine to create a stunning pieces of art that can brighten up any space.