Already we’re a quarter of the way through a new year – where does the time go! I have always found it near impossible to find what I consider to be the “perfect” sketchbook for watercolours. And I’ve tried a lot! So, late last year I decided to make my own! I threw myself, straight in the deep end, into the wonderful world of book binding. Above is one of my earliest hand crafted, hard backed, multi section sketch books. This particular sketch book is landscape orientation, measures 6.5″ x 5″, and has 32 pages of 100% cotton, 300 gsm, cold pressed watercolour paper.
For me personally, this is the only way I’m going to have sketchbooks for watercolour painting that I’m happy with. The sand coloured sketchbook above is A5 landscape. These sketchbooks will fit neatly into a bag and are perfect for taking to the beach (or anywhere else) for watercolour sketching…
With book binding, there is a lot to learn. I’ve had to buy supplies/tools, but most of the tools needed for book binding at home are relatively simple and inexpensive. I love book binding! For me, this is the way forward – I may never buy another watercolour sketchbook again… !
The Spring of last year saw a big change in my watercolour journey. I hadn’t been liking the art I was creating, but couldn’t quite put my finger on the problem. I tried different paper, brushes and techniques etc. but still I wasn’t happy with my art. Then one day in spring 2025, something happened (doesn’t matter what it was) and all of a sudden the “problem” was staring me in the face. GRANULATION. Or to be more precise, excessive amounts of granulation! It was a revelation to me! Why hadn’t I realised that sooner? This eureka moment prompted a re-evaluation of my entire watercolour collection – 95% of which were Daniel Smith watercolours. At this point, I would like to state that I do like granulation. BUT, I want the granulation on my terms – when and where I want it. I don’t want granulation in everything!
I immediately began sourcing watercolours that don’t granulate. It didn’t take me very long to find what I was looking for… and I found watercolours I love, with minimal granulation, in the Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour range. I realised then that I would never use the majority of my Daniel Smith watercolours ever again so, along with some other colours I didn’t want, I gave 95% of them all away – hundreds of pounds worth – to my artist sister! I’m sure I hear some gasps of horror out there… but I did what I had to do. I was ruthless. Also, I was following my own advice at the bottom of the My View Of Colour page – MOVING FORWARD point 1.
These are the colours now in my palette…
The number of colours I now use is significantly less than before – my palette is much simpler and the colours are fairly traditional – but I love them. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolours are pigment rich and vibrant, with beautiful clarity and transparency. It’s funny because I started out on my watercolour journey with Winsor & Newton watercolours, I got side tracked… but now I’ve come home.
Finally some colour mixing fun:
Above and below, I’ve been mixing Schmincke’s Transparent Ochre with colours from my palette. The result are some beautiful beach colours, based on what I see around our beautiful UK coastline. All colours are Winsor & Newton Professional watercolours unless otherwise stated…
I’m going to keep these colour mixes nearby when I’m painting for quick reference. Any appearance of granulation in these colours is mostly from the texture of the rough paper that I have used – not from granulating watercolours. Also, my DSLR picks up more detail than you can see with the naked eye!
I’m still caring for my beautiful mum full time (24/7) but I’m very happy to be sharing this labour of love with my sister, we’re in it together. But caring for mum does make finding time to paint very difficult. But my watercolour journey continues. I snatch moments of time to paint as often as I can. That’s all for now – happy painting!
INDIGO BEACH ART 