“You know what? I actually like this. I thought I was going to hate it!” I had just finished adding ink outlines to my little watercolor project and turned it around to show my husband.

As I think I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been a member of The Garden Studio for a couple of months now, and I’m working my way through the projects of the Sowing Stage. To be honest, I had considered not doing this particular project because I’m not too crazy about line and wash.

I decided to stick with the program and do it anyway. I’m so glad I did! I enjoyed doing it, and I was pretty happy with the results. So that leads me to Lesson #1 over these last couple of weeks:

Try new things, even if you think you probably won’t like them.

If I hadn’t tried this, I would have missed out on a fun project. Not only that — I would have missed out on learning a new technique. When we’re developing new skills, sometimes it’s helpful to learn new techniques even if we don’t think we’ll end up using them again. Why? Because if nothing else, it gives us more practice. Even more than that, though, we’re opening our minds to new possibilities and embracing the growth mindset that helps us learn and expand our horizons.

In this case, even if I hadn’t liked the finished product or enjoyed the process, I had a chance to practice. Right now, getting those ‘miles on my paintbrush’ is the most important thing I can do to improve some of those basics we talked about a couple of weeks ago.

I learned another lesson completely by accident. I wanted to make a little notecard for my bestie, so I decided to paint a much smaller version of something I had painted earlier in the week. About a week later, I decided to do one for our neighbors who recently lost their fur baby. I thought, “why not start simultaneously painting miniature versions of some of my other paintings as I do them?”

In doing this, I realized something….

Painting miniatures can really help you learn both water and brush control.

I hadn’t thought about it, but it makes perfect sense to me. You have to learn to control both your brush and your water when you’re painting this small; that is, unless you want a big ‘ol mess. This is such a great way to get some practice in, develop muscle memory, and improve your skills!

These are just a couple of ‘techniques’ lessons that I’ve learned lately, but I think there’s one more thing I’m learning as well. I’m learning to see like an artist.

Artistic Vision can be developed.

I’ve always found beauty and inspiration in all different kinds of things, even things most people wouldn’t take a second glance at, but now, I’m starting to take even more notice of these things.

I find myself studying the light and shadows, shapes, the way colors are combined in nature…. It’s just a whole new way of noticing things. Then I find myself thinking about what I would need to do if I were planning to paint whatever it is I’m looking at.

I think there may be hope for me as an artist yet! In the meantime, I’ll keep practicing, learning the techniques I need to learn, and expanding my horizons.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blessed week!