First get rid of the expecations of what you do in the studio, and be willing to learn a lot about creativity, focus and a get ready to have some fun, consider Plein air painting. Here easle I used is a Traveler Series Watercolor Package click here View the Beach painting demo on Youtube Online courses Join the mailing list on my Home website Insta…

Based on my "Fearless flowers" courses, in this episode, we explore when painting how to get out of your comfort zone, and grow to be more bold and dynamic. In the Fearless Flowers series, both the interactive and independent study options are available. For immediate access to any of the lessons I suggest the independent study option, full courses…

Today were talking about what if you’re doing a painting and use photos that someone else took as your reference material, can you use it for a show, can you sell it, can you claim it as your own? Are you using your artistic vision or copying an image? What if you took a class and are inspired by the instructor, and use their lesson and reference m…

Pushing through the fear. Do you feel the need to always be perfect? What kind of artist do you want to be? Do you want to have the control you want over your brushstrokes, and if you don’t it can depend on the brush and the amount of water it’s holding? Are your paintings to weak and wimpy, and are you afraid of the darks? Try to relax and think o…

Sometimes it’s difficult to get started and paint again, it can be because of some life circumstance, the holidays, or we're just not inspired. Not everyone enjoys the isolation of the studio or is a self-motivated artist, some enjoy painting with other artists, especially watercolor. With the pandemic, many people haven’t felt creative and have be…

In this episode, we discuss the approach of painting a cluster of Monarch Butterflies. We will be covering what you might think might be a failure could be an incredible abstraction, along with paper surfaces and color mingling. Online Courses Website Monarch Butterfly Mug Monarch Tote bagAf Birgit O’Connor

Values help to invite the viewer into the painting, so in today's episode we are having a discussion about why they are important, to help create a push pull effect and prevent paintings from looking flat.Af Birgit O’Connor

In today's meeting will talk a little bit about how to get that fine spray in a painting by using an atomizer, a Kemper tool or a toothbrush. We will also discuss a value study app and talk about some of the challenges you can face when doing a plein air competition, and how all these challenges can help you grow in your creativity. Value study app…

In this episode will be having a conversation about where your inspiration come from? Have you ever thought of where you painting from in your body? Is it your head, your heart, your fingertips, wrist, arm, full body and what kind of experience is it for you? What about commissions, do you enjoy doing them or is it a chore, and how can you move awa…

Today Ann told us today about Ranger inks, and how much she is enjoying them, especially the distressed inks. Then our conversation took a turn into what's the difference of inks, alcohol inks and water color pigments and can alcohol inks be used in watercolor competitions. Personally, I found this fascinating information, I hope you will too. www.…

When I first started painting years ago, the art store where I did my first demonstration gifted me with the largest brush that I had ever seen, a #30. I had no idea what to do with it, or how to use it, it wasn't terribly comfortable in my hand, I thought the brush they gave me was nice, so I just put it to the side, because most of my brushes tha…

Today I will give you a glimpse inside my process as I discuss an article by Cherie Dawn Hass from Realism live and how my work has changed over the last decade. Click here to see the full online article For online courses and workshops visit my websiteAf Birgit O'Connor

Today we discuss how to get focused after being distracted with summer, and should you use black in a painting? If you use a black, should you use it from the tube or mix your own? will it look harmonious, like a black hole and what happens to the surrounding colors. When it comes to figures should you outline them or work with values, and what do …

Today we discuss backgrounds and ideas of how to approach them. More problem solving, what do is the masking sticks to paper and what about the magic eraser.Af Birgit O'Connor

Many people think that watercolor is weak and wimpy, let’s look at how to bring up the color, lift highlights and make smooth washes. For workshops and online courses go to https://birgitoconnor.comAf Birgit O'Connor

Today we visit Ingrid in her home studio, and discuss what art projects she has been up to during Covid. You can find out more about Ingrid in one of our past inteviews, or on my Podcast The World of Watercolor Painting with Birgit O'Connor Past interview #041 Guest interview with Ingrid Butler / The Business of Art Oct 6th, 2019 by Birgit O'Connor…

Wet into wet how to paint a fluffy cat, discussing paper, drying time. Do you attach paper to a board? Painting with one color, values, dampness of the paper. Working on a full sheet painting Discussing how to separate from the analytical mind into more of the creative mind Why highlights make a difference Review of handmade Indian paper What about…

Painting with a piece of paper The best way to experience this method is either by enrolling in the independent course on Seascapes or you can always join the interactive course later. Interactive courses run in sessions. How to handle painting in dry enviornments Humidifier: TAOTRONIS model: TT-AH043 Tao Tronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier fro…

Interview with Andy Rycroft of Creative Productivity and his upcoming event later this month. Purpose, productivity and creative value. With the support of the creative community and strategic daily activities, you will identify your creative value, the potential it has for others, and make powerful steps towards living your creative life on your o…

Today we discuss how to let the color find its own path through the water on the surface, and how with a simple touch you can allow dissolve an edge, to the color to escape. Do you want hard or soft edges? Do you want to keep it light, soft and pretty, or do you want to create depth? Have you tried tools other than a brush? What about paintings tha…

Let's talk about how you can remove some of the invisible obstacles that happen, when life gets in the way. How can you find the time to paint? Does every painting need to be a a masterpiece or can you think about it as an experiment? Have you recognized where your fear comes from, is it the cost of the materials, or fear of failure? Either way the…

If you have ever wanted to know more about what it's like to be a successful professional watercolor artist, come and join me and Sterling Edwards in the studio. We will be discussing how we got started, what inspired us, can you make a living as an artist, should you be in a gallery, workshops, art markets, shipping ideas, art shipping companies, …

Today we visit Tamra in her studio in Camas, Washington to discuss her work and techniques on Yupo Paper. When designing she uses a watercolor pencil instead of lead, and many different kinds of salt hymalaian, pink, table, kosher, rock, epson salt, basically any kind you can imagine. To get really interesting effects she also uses red paper flakes…

Website: www.birgitoconnor.com Join us as we take a look at how to simplify a desert path using the learned techniques then applying them into a students photograph. For the full demonstration join us in the Desert Landscape course or view as a premium download (from one of our live meetings in the "Desert landscape course,")…

Join me as I sit down with Ingrid Butler of Moth Mablers and discuss a little about the business of art. Even though she isn't a watercolor artist her papers and designs are internationally recognized. Her work has been included in many museums and collections throughout the world. For more information visit her website http://www.ingridbutler.com …

Join me as I interview with Tony White from Tasmania, about his beautiful watercolor paintings, we will discuss his artistic journey and the leap of faith of leaving a 9-5 job as a banker to become a successful watercolor artist that now travels the world and teaches. Tony was a lot of fun to talk to, down and see how he transformed a painting with…

When it come to painting loose, it seems much easier than it really is. We are all so use to painting everything that we see and all the little details, so letting those blooms happen and loosing edges can feel a little unnerving. Come and join me and take a peek inside a live online meeting where we review student paintings.…

Looking at a students painting from the "Develop your own Paintings e-course" where we discuss the approach and how to get the results that she wants. Coming soon an expanded version with continuing education for those that have already enrolled.Af Birgit O'Connor

Keep it simple using the same concept as the shadows and highlight on the rocks, this time we will apply it into Foot prints in the Sand. www.birgitoconnor.comAf Birgit O'Connor

When it comes to this painting style as many of you have found, it's not always as easy as it looks. I'll share a secret with you, much of it has to do with the drawing, materials you're using and the real magic happens in the brushstroke and since this looser painting style is more subjective to the artist, you will find that this course is a litt…

Part 1 of painting loose and FreeAf Birgit O'Connor

How to get past feeling stuck, find your creativity and remove obstacles. Sometimes you just don't feel like painting, or life events get in the way, or maybe you're just afraid of making a mistake and ruining a piece of paper. So how can we get past that get you started again? Technique and skill always improve with practice, and most often you ne…

Today we are meeting with some students to go over their paintings, talk about shadows, value and placement along with a demonstration. For more information about the full course go to Rocks Sand & Sea Glass e-courseAf Birgit O'Connor

Jane's Ultimate Mixing Set - now available from Daniel Smith : Jane: "I have often been asked what colours I recommend for people to buy to get started in watercolour or to upgrade to artist quality watercolours so I created this palette to address that question. It is intended as a universal palette, suitable for any subject. It is also suitable f…

A fantastic idea of making a downloadable low commitment print on Etsy to create a passive income, how to find a image to paint and entering a showAf Birgit O'Connor

Inspired by one of my students on how to paint footprints in the snowAf Birgit O'Connor

Join me in the studio as we review the upcoming content for the Rocks Sand & Sea Glass course, get some tips and techniques along with a very simple exercise that you can do at home. Student offer view and enroll See the upcoming online schedule WebsiteAf Birgit O'Connor

Continuing the conversation with students about instagram, facebook, Pintrest, do you really need a website and should you enter shows. What are judges looking for how to find them and more.Af Birgit O'Connor

Video: Review paintings and demonstration Meet a few of the students, see what you can do to make paintings have a little more depth and watch a demonstration on how to build color intensity. Find out More about the course Join the Course Home websiteAf Birgit O'Connor

Join me as I interview one of my previous students Eva Nicholas about her journey, who has gone on to enter shows, travel and teach and show her work in galleries YouTube Channel: Eva Nichols ArtWebsite: https://www.beautyonlocation.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eva.s.nichols Instagram: http://instagram.com/evanicholskunst Twitter: http://…

Video Podcast From the Waves, Water Land & Sea course I'd like to give you a peek inside, learn about brush strokes and problem solving Find out moreAf Birgit O'Connor

Remember that creative blocks are temporary Can you identify your creative block - how long has it been? What are some of the things that are happening in your life right now? What does you inner critic say? Does the fear of failure prevent you from getting started? Who are you afraid of being rejected by? Are you aware or can you tell when creativ…

Before entering into a show, check the show prospectus Do you own the copyrights? Did you create the painting on your own without guidance or instruction? Entry fees range and are not refundable Digital images usually need to be at 300dpi (Check the show prospectus) 1200 - 2100 pixels at the largest side Free online tool to resize an image https://…

Part 2 of our discussion of building an artist website Notes from our conversation Absolute Art https://www.absolutearts.com https://www.absolutearts.com/cgi-bin/portfolio/art/get_art.cgi Absolute Arts is an online marketplace for artists to sell their unique masterpieces, including paintings and sculptures. You can sign up as an artist to promote …

Do you need a website? What are your specific needs? Functionality, How you want to show yourself to the world, e-commerce Is Support important Is it mobile friendly Website builders to look at https://www.wix.com https://www.Godaddy.com Weebly.com https://www.faso.com https://www.squarespace.com ost varies Basic site SEO SSL security Domain Ecomme…

Today we will be discussing the challenges that students had along with what paper types they preferred for the looser painting style along with looking at a few paintings, and how to rework hard edges to get the effects that they want. The Joy of painting Loose and Free - interactive course Non-interactive option will be available soon For student…

Let's talk about our fear and obstacles, is it real, or imaginary, do you limit yourself by someones else's idea or projection. Let's take a look. http://birgitoconnorwatercolors.teachable.comAf Birgit O'Connor

Continuation of our conversation to "Say it out Loud". To join an interactive, non-interactive or Free Mini course go to https://birgitoconnorwatercolors.teachable.comAf Birgit O'Connor

Let's talk about what are your Wildest Creative Goals at this time, everyone has a different idea, they are all relatable and fascinating to hear. To join the conversation or take a Free mini course go to https://birgitoconnorwatercolors.teachable.com/Af Birgit O'Connor

Lets start to name some of those 2019 Goals, and say them out loud and discuss how you can obtain them. Goal Setting PDF downloadAf Birgit O'Connor