Landscapes

Trying Out Daler Rowney Aquafine 24-pc Watercolor Travel Set

| Patricia

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” ~ Pablo Picasso

I recently purchased a 24-colour travel set of Daler Rowney Watercolours made from high-quality organic pigments that deliver rich colours with premium mixing ability, with long-term resistance to fading, Made in England.

The pigments are, as advertised, strong and vibrant. The blue cloudscape to the left is my first try and I found it to be overly saturated.

Next, I resolved to load less paint on the brush and build up lighter layers that are more transparent as I would normally work with watercolour paints.

The second attempt was better but felt like I was still finding my way through the strong staining power of the Daler-Rowney watercolour pigments that continued to feel too heavy and a bit muddy.

The third exercise was painted with a 3/4” long #6 rigger liner brush using Prussian and Ultramarine blues, dragging the brush in long, flowing strokes.

I was starting to feel like I was getting the hang of these materials. 😉

Have any of you used this brand of watercolour? if so, what are your observations, experience using it in practice?

Thanks for reading.

A Tiny Pencil and Watercolour Daily Sketch

| Patricia

“The landscape thinks itself in me, and I am its consciousness.” ~ Paul Cézanne


‘GreenScape’ is a quick colour study from one of my older sketch books. For many years I have tried to keep a habit of doing art every day. Even if it is just a tiny sketch like this imagined landscape scribbled down in a small 4” x 5” notebook (one of a several drawing pads that sit on my bedside table). These studies can inform colour combinations and suggest forms to use in larger compositions.

Keeping a colour journal, as well as a features collection, can help when a larger future work isn’t quite working. Flipping through these binders and sketchbooks can give new insights for where to go in the new work.

The initial sketch, shown here, was drawn with a common HB lead pencil, with a few brushstroke washes added using a small Cotman Water Colour Sketchers’ Pocket Box.

All artwork and creative writing is Copyright © of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

Inky Tree Concept Sketch

| Patricia

“If I lose paper and ink, I will write in blood on forgotten walls.” ~ Henry Rollins, Spoken Word Artist

Not every work is a masterpiece. Some merely get the creative juices flowing. Some become fodder for future works. Any practice is better than none.

I prefer thinking in the abstract—the unknown or the simplistic. At times writing a passage that can be interpreted in more than one way, so the reader has some responsibility in how they react to what is written. Painting in broad strokes and leaving some of the detail to the viewers’ imaginations. I’ve created a multitude of tiny landscapes in this vein. It is a good way to loosen up for larger pieces.

Perhaps I have a short attention span, and simply want to get on to the next thing. However, I generally think in terms of “I like this right now. If I continue, I’ll screw it up”.

In addition, I’m one of those people who has multiple thoughts running through their brain at any given time. So I don’t have a lot of time to concentrate on just one concept, unless I want the others to float off into oblivion. Anyway, this is just a thought. Anyone else out there identify?

All artwork and creative writing is Copyright © of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

Watercolour Salt Experiment: Mixed Results

| Patricia

“Passion is the salt of life…” ~ Françoise Sagan, author.

A small experimental piece to try out materials, techniques and colour combinations.

In this approximately 6” x 6” watercolour, I dabbed some beads of Daniel Smith tube colours (Yellow Light, New Gamboge, Pyrrol Scarlet, Quinacridone Rose, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue) midway down the sheet. Next, I floated clear water up to the paint, tipping the board to flow the colour into the corners of the space. When still wet, I sprinkled some table salt in a couple spots. Some lovely cloud-type and crystalline shapes formed. Though the salt did not disperse as much in later stages. Perhaps the paint was too dry by that time. Also, the salt didn’t rub off very well after dry. I expect it will work better with thinner washes.

Lessons learned include: a) work faster before the paint dries too much to easily flow; b) use a coarser salt and apply it where there is more water on the sheet; and c) put paint on in thinner or smaller daubs to start.

What are your ‘go-to’ subjects, materials, colours when you just want to doodle?

Art created 3/19/2026.

All artwork and creative writing is Copyright © of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

A Small Coloured Pencil Sunlit Ocean Landscape Sketch

| Patricia

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The torrential rains pelted down from lowering moisture-laden clouds. The sun-burnt grasses, that lay flat on the long-parched hills, lifted their faces to the welcome relief from the drought.” ~ Patricia White. Written March 13, 2026.

A small sketch from my bedside stash of art materials. Whenever I pick up a pencil or brush with no preconceived idea of what to draw, it often turns out to be a sea/sky-scape. I love using complementary colour combinations for the dynamics they set up on the canvas.

What are your ‘go-to’ subjects, materials, colours when you just want to doodle?

Art created 2/12/2026.

All artwork and creative writing is Copyright © of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

Daily Soft Pastel and Pencil Sketch

| Patricia

“In the springtime, the heart regrows hope.” – Angie Weiland-Crosby.”

ART FIX: I, once again, have restarted my practice of daily experimental art-making. Sketching, collage, writing, anything to drag the ideas out of my head and on to paper.

Journals for creative writing as well as to make notes for art-making. A tiny sketch pad and a small basket of writing, drawing and painting materials close to hand.

This is a quick little soft pastel and pencil sketch, exploring texture and colour combinations.

Grabbed colours randomly, without thinking about how they might work together. Not sure how successful this combination was but it will form part of my colour catalogue to inform choices for future works.

Practicing a total spur-of-the-moment, don’t-think-just-do, creating.

Drawn 2/6/2026.

What practices do you use to create when the spirit is not moving you?




All artwork and creative writing is Copyright ©️ of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

Rolodex Watercolour washes

| Patricia

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso

When I closed down my design business years ago, I had a box of blank Rolodex cards in a storage cabinet. As most artists are packrats, I thought , “hmm, maybe I can do something with these”. So they sat for years and then I started trying out watercolour wash combinations on them. Kept in a notebook, these make great colour studies for future works.

I ran across them today and saw that they could be ‘matched up’ to create a kind of segmented landscape work. Here, a skyscape and a foreground.

Where do you find inspiration for art or written works?

All artwork and creative writing is Copyright ©️ of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

The Value of Miniature Sketching

| Patricia

“A day is a miniature eternity.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I try to adhere to a daily practice of creating something—be it a paragraph or two to further a story or verse; a thumbnail sketch, or a quick concept to be used later for a larger work of art. I like the challenge of doing tiny works, making sure they have the same impact and balance as larger pieces.

I found this 2” square seascape in an old sketchbook today. 

I generally list materials used for future reference: In this case, I used Faber-Castell, Grumbacher and Gallery Soft Pastels, plus a few CarbOthello pastel pencils. Created May 24, 2023, 1130am. 


What practices do YOU use to preserve ideas to use for later works?

All artwork and creative writing is Copyright ©️ of Patricia White. No use of this content or concept may be used without the express permission of the artist/author.

Painting Sunny and Cloudy Skies

| Patricia

“The sky, a perfect empty canvas, offers clouds nonetheless. The shift and drift and beg interpretation. Such in the nature of art.” ~ Jeb Dickerson

Explore light, color and movement in cloud studies inspired by those of John Constable.

Artists Network has a good tutorial on painting skies from Maria Baggetta. Take a look and consider a membership. I’ve been a member for a couple years and, even as a seasoned artist, I constantly find interesting information and techniques to explore. Click the image below to read the article.

7 Tips for Painting Sunny and Stormy Skies

by Marla Baggetta

All artwork and writing is Copyright of the artist/author.