The Watercolor Tip That Changed Everything for Me (and Might Do the Same for You)

Recently, I came across a watercolor sketchbook from a well-known brand—Strathmore—on sale on Amazon. The price was surprisingly low, and although I wasn’t planning to buy anything, I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did!

At the same time, I started watching a beautiful and inspiring class on Skillshare called Sketchbook Practice: Grow In Your Art Everyday by Ohn Mar Win (you can you can try one month free of Skillshare and watch this class plus as many as you want!).

The combination of these two things sparked something in me.

So, I opened that new sketchbook and gave myself permission to just play. No pressure. No rules. And honestly? It has completely changed the way I see my daily practice.

I wish I had started this earlier. But now that I have, I want to share it with you—because maybe this simple tip will help you too: Keep a dedicated sketchbook for exploration, and paint just for you.

Here are 5 benefits I’ve discovered so far:

1. No Fear of “Wasting” Expensive Paper
Let’s be honest—when we use our best cotton paper, we often feel like every brushstroke has to be “worthy” of it. But in a sketchbook, especially one you bought on sale, you feel free to try new things. It’s a safe space to explore.

2. You Paint More Often
Since there’s less pressure, you’re more likely to sit down and paint a little every day—even if it’s just for 10 minutes. It becomes a joyful habit rather than a performance.

3. You See Real Progress
When you paint regularly in a sketchbook, you can literally see how your skills grow with each page. It’s like a visual diary of your creative journey.

4. Start by Imitating Artists You Admire
This is a wonderful lesson from the book Steal Like an Artist: great artists begin by copying. You can try painting something from a Pinterest pin, or study the style of someone you love. Don’t worry—your art can never be exactly the same. There will always be your fingerprint on it. With time, your unique voice will naturally rise to the surface.

5. It Can Be Therapy
Your sketchbook can become your scape space—a way to channel emotions, paint your day, or simply pause in silence. Sometimes I don’t feel like talking—I just paint, listen to my favorite music, or enjoy the quiet. It becomes a moment just for me.

🎨 Easy Tips to Start

Prepare Your Space the Night Before
One of the best habits I’ve learned comes from the book Atomic Habits by James Clear: set the stage for creativity.
Every night, I leave two jars of clean water on the table, my favorite brushes, a clean palette, and my sketchbook ready. The next day, I can sit down and paint without overthinking. No setup. No searching for tools. Just joy.

Maybe this is your sign to start your own watercolor sketchbook practice.

Let it be messy. Let it be fun. Let it be yours.

If you do try it, I’d love to hear about your experience—reply to this email or tag me on Instagram @leslumieresdesigns. Let’s encourage each other to paint more freely and with joy.

With love and light,
Flay
🎨✨