Although most of our family vacations are packed with sight-seeing activities, I always bring my travel watercolor kit with me in case I have a quiet moment to paint. Last month I had the joyful and relaxing experience of painting the view from my cottage rental in the Scottish Highlands.

Here’s a fun idea to try using the supplies I outlined in my previous blog post, The Beginner’s Watercolor Supply List.

Using watercolor paint tubes can feel like an overwhelming concept for new watercolorists. How do I choose from all of the colors? Why are they so expensive? How much paint should I use? How do I store them? If you’d like to give them a try, read on to learn why I now prefer using watercolor paint tubes instead of pre-set paint trays.

I love painting with watercolor. It relaxes me. It surprises me. It enhances my day. If you’re looking for a hobby that can do that in your life, this post is for you. In this first lesson, I share a list of my recommended supplies (and why I use them).