You’re most welcome - I’m glad this is helpful! Yes, doing circles (or similar simple shapes) is a great practice for both beginners and experienced alike, in my opinion. A low entry way to practice / start :) I’m stoked you’re starting your art journey!
I prefer them, and I also have some pans and tubes to compare. The only thing is for both the sticks and pans, it takes a little longer to mix up a decent amount of wash. And I also think I waste less with the sticks and pans too…
I SO LOVE THIS! For many reasons - the meditative state, the color combination, the different techniques used, your calmness that you exude while describing the techniques and the music at the end. I finally bought some DS sticks but need to find the plastic holders. I will check out your listings of materials at the end! I need to try this technique now, Congrats @renbrennanart! So happy our paths crossed!!!!! I can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for you!!!
Thank you so much Monica!! I so appreciate your support and encouragement thru all these things :) Btw, Blick sells the Daniel Smith Watercolor Stick plastic cases for ~$5.
excited to have found your channel! Like you mentioned, some of the simplest exercises are so beneficial! This includes those new to watercolor as well as those that have been painting for years! When I first started watercolor, I kept hearing about "flow state". Several weeks later, i was trying an exercise similar to this video and discovered "flow state". It IS real, and it does provide stress relief and relaxation! Even if our demands for supper, homework, sports games, etc, are lingering in our minds, this flow state allows us to focus on what's in the "now". I find this very refreshing, not to mention how fast time goes! Thank you for sharing! Like others, I will be looking forward to more of your content!
I totally agree with you - achieving flow state is so good for our brains. it's easier for me to get into flow when I'm doing an exercise like this, or just playing around with paints, than it is when I'm trying to achieve an outcome / particular result. For me, it doesn't come naturally to not focus on the result, so I make sure to set aside time to do things like this and just play, knowing it'll probably just get filed / recycled. That helps me stay detached and less thinky -> flow! :) I just finished filming another similar type of exercise, so I can't wait to edit and get it posted here!
Hi Ren! Lovely to meet you! I’ve just found this page and I love it so far. New subbie! ❤ I am pushing myself to up my “brush miles” as of late as it’s one of my 2025 art goals to improve my watercolor skill and mastery of technique. I love your perspective on working on watercolor in ways like this just to sit and work on watercolor to learn and improve. This drill was so soothing to watch. I look forward to checking out your other videos! Thanks for the Inspo!
Hi Brea, lovely to meet you too! One of the things I’ve consistently loved about watercolor is how relaxing it can be, especially since it forces you to surrender a bit, let go of control, and let the paint’s magic shine. Highly recommend these simple exercises, even just to build confidence and habit, without having to think of all the other things we ‘should’ be learning/doing. Thanks so much for subscribing!
I love this! I’m trying to get back into painting and this will help me. And, like you said, it’s a fun, no pressure but beautiful exercise! Thanks! 🌻😁🇺🇸
Hi Marjorie, so glad this was helpful for you! It took me a little while to embrace the fun / no pressure / for the love of process mindset, so if you’re already there, you’re way ahead of me! 👏🏼💪🏻
Wishing you all the best in 2025 with your new channel here on UA-cam. Just came upon your channel today and have subscribed. I will enjoy taking a look at your previous videos 🎉😊😊🎉
Hi Amy - yes, I can confirm the Derwent Inktense Blocks do fit inside the Daniel Smith Watercolor Stick cases (not the XL Inktense Blocks, just the regular ones, eg in the 72 set). Hope this helps!
Is it the watercolor sticks that you’re thinking are obscure? They are the same as using a watercolor pan, or dried watercolor from a tube. I just find them cheaper than buying pans or tubes. You absolutely could do this same exercise with any watercolors :)
@ yes. My hubby is ready to cut me loose because I keep ordering things that we can’t afford. 😂. I would love those sticks as I paint from bed (disabled.) I’m sorry. I guess I was feeling sore and cranky. Of course I’ll try with my regular palette. Thank you for your sweetness in answering me.
@@Weissguys6 Of course, I totally understand. I overbought when I was first starting out too, and have learned I didn't need anywhere near as much as I thought I did. I actually got into the sticks, because they were a cheaper way to refill some of my pans that were nearing empty, in my Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing Palette (which I had bought for a course - it's been great and lasted ages!). And I personally find the tubes a bit messy. The most common way i use the sticks is cutting a section off and putting it in a pan, to use as a normal pan watercolor.
@@RenBrennanArtthey would surely be easier to balance in bed! Maybe when I finally use up my pallets and couple tubes, I’ll replace with them. Again, thank you for being so sweet. I’m getting ready to just paint blue circles right now. ❤
How fun 🤩💙💜💚
So glad you liked it! I hope you have fun doing something like this too :)
Thank you. I am new to this art world so working on circles and transparency looks like fun and learning at the same time
You’re most welcome - I’m glad this is helpful! Yes, doing circles (or similar simple shapes) is a great practice for both beginners and experienced alike, in my opinion. A low entry way to practice / start :)
I’m stoked you’re starting your art journey!
Those watercolor sticks look like they're a bit easier to manage than watercolors in a tube.
I prefer them, and I also have some pans and tubes to compare. The only thing is for both the sticks and pans, it takes a little longer to mix up a decent amount of wash. And I also think I waste less with the sticks and pans too…
I SO LOVE THIS! For many reasons - the meditative state, the color combination, the different techniques used, your calmness that you exude while describing the techniques and the music at the end. I finally bought some DS sticks but need to find the plastic holders. I will check out your listings of materials at the end! I need to try this technique now, Congrats @renbrennanart! So happy our paths crossed!!!!! I can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for you!!!
Thank you so much Monica!! I so appreciate your support and encouragement thru all these things :)
Btw, Blick sells the Daniel Smith Watercolor Stick plastic cases for ~$5.
excited to have found your channel! Like you mentioned, some of the simplest exercises are so beneficial! This includes those new to watercolor as well as those that have been painting for years! When I first started watercolor, I kept hearing about "flow state". Several weeks later, i was trying an exercise similar to this video and discovered "flow state". It IS real, and it does provide stress relief and relaxation! Even if our demands for supper, homework, sports games, etc, are lingering in our minds, this flow state allows us to focus on what's in the "now". I find this very refreshing, not to mention how fast time goes! Thank you for sharing! Like others, I will be looking forward to more of your content!
I totally agree with you - achieving flow state is so good for our brains. it's easier for me to get into flow when I'm doing an exercise like this, or just playing around with paints, than it is when I'm trying to achieve an outcome / particular result. For me, it doesn't come naturally to not focus on the result, so I make sure to set aside time to do things like this and just play, knowing it'll probably just get filed / recycled. That helps me stay detached and less thinky -> flow! :)
I just finished filming another similar type of exercise, so I can't wait to edit and get it posted here!
Hi Ren! Lovely to meet you! I’ve just found this page and I love it so far. New subbie! ❤
I am pushing myself to up my “brush miles” as of late as it’s one of my 2025 art goals to improve my watercolor skill and mastery of technique. I love your perspective on working on watercolor in ways like this just to sit and work on watercolor to learn and improve. This drill was so soothing to watch. I look forward to checking out your other videos! Thanks for the Inspo!
Hi Brea, lovely to meet you too! One of the things I’ve consistently loved about watercolor is how relaxing it can be, especially since it forces you to surrender a bit, let go of control, and let the paint’s magic shine. Highly recommend these simple exercises, even just to build confidence and habit, without having to think of all the other things we ‘should’ be learning/doing.
Thanks so much for subscribing!
I love this! I’m trying to get back into painting and this will help me. And, like you said, it’s a fun, no pressure but beautiful exercise! Thanks! 🌻😁🇺🇸
Hi Marjorie, so glad this was helpful for you! It took me a little while to embrace the fun / no pressure / for the love of process mindset, so if you’re already there, you’re way ahead of me! 👏🏼💪🏻
Awesome Job!.Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Jeff! Glad you enjoyed :)
Thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays.
🎄
Happy holidays!
Wishing you all the best in 2025 with your new channel here on UA-cam.
Just came upon your channel today and have subscribed.
I will enjoy taking a look at your previous videos 🎉😊😊🎉
Thank you so much! Lovely to have you join this little community on YT, and I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos so far ❤️
Will Derwent blocks/sticks fit in those plastic cases?
Do you mean the Derwent Inktense blocks? If so, I can check…
@RenBrennanArt yes, please.
Hi Amy - yes, I can confirm the Derwent Inktense Blocks do fit inside the Daniel Smith Watercolor Stick cases (not the XL Inktense Blocks, just the regular ones, eg in the 72 set). Hope this helps!
Every “beginner” video I’ve watched lately has a somewhat obscure ingredient that most of us beginners don’t have. It’s a bit disheartening.
Is it the watercolor sticks that you’re thinking are obscure? They are the same as using a watercolor pan, or dried watercolor from a tube. I just find them cheaper than buying pans or tubes. You absolutely could do this same exercise with any watercolors :)
@ yes. My hubby is ready to cut me loose because I keep ordering things that we can’t afford. 😂. I would love those sticks as I paint from bed (disabled.) I’m sorry. I guess I was feeling sore and cranky. Of course I’ll try with my regular palette. Thank you for your sweetness in answering me.
@@Weissguys6 Of course, I totally understand. I overbought when I was first starting out too, and have learned I didn't need anywhere near as much as I thought I did. I actually got into the sticks, because they were a cheaper way to refill some of my pans that were nearing empty, in my Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing Palette (which I had bought for a course - it's been great and lasted ages!). And I personally find the tubes a bit messy. The most common way i use the sticks is cutting a section off and putting it in a pan, to use as a normal pan watercolor.
@@RenBrennanArtthey would surely be easier to balance in bed! Maybe when I finally use up my pallets and couple tubes, I’ll replace with them. Again, thank you for being so sweet. I’m getting ready to just paint blue circles right now. ❤