So many of you have asked over the last wee while as to what my studio now looks like; what sort of things I use and how I organise my bits and pieces.  I can't say that it is set up exactly the way I would like - sort of a work in progress, I'm always finding new ways of placing things.  None-the-less, I have put together a quick whizz through and hope it helps out your curiosity.  

I might - at a later date, put together a series of these videos to show you my usual habits and workings.  I think it is always  nice to see how other artists organise things and what their days might look.  I still have to share my days with teaching and business paper work, which at times seems never ending.  Eventually, that will lessen and I will be able to put my heart and soul into my watercolour and writing.  Well, that's the plan, anyhow.  

So many afternoons, I can't wait to pick up my paint brush and just paint.  However, given the busy-ness of the world and that teaching often consumes my hours - especially around this time of the year - this is not always possible.  Sometimes, I just have to be satisfied with 20 minutes or so on the weekends.  No, it is not enough, but if that is all there is - I'll take it.

It is unfortunate, but if one does not get regular access to practice - like the old saying goes - 'if you don't use it, you lose it.'  I think this saying is very valid, when it comes to water colour.  Continual practice is necessary, as is remembering which paper or brush worked the best under the conditions. Remembering which treatment you used, whether it was wet on wet, wet on dry, dry on dry, to ink before or after you paint or for that matter did you ink while the paint was wet.  I think if one has regular practice, you don't have to think about all that because like driving a car it becomes second nature - part of your usual working. 

I am forever sacrificing my painting time, while I am trying to earn a living.  However, because I so enjoy doing what I do, I just keep plodding on, despite the fact I often take two steps back and one step forward.