Painting the Atmosphere – Using Watercolor to Capture Light, Mood, and Movement

Painting the Atmosphere – Using Watercolor to Capture Light, Mood, and Movement

When most people think of watercolor, they picture florals, fruit, or maybe a still life on a sunny table. But what really inspires me is something a little less defined—atmosphere.

I love using watercolor to explore how light moves across a sky, how color shifts at dusk or dawn, or how a simple silhouette can tell a quiet story. There’s something powerful about suggesting mood rather than spelling everything out.

In a recent study, I painted two very different skies:

• One was full of bold, swirling clouds in deep violets and turquoise.

• The other—soft, minimal, and inspired by the Northern Lights—used just a few layers of quiet color and gentle movement.

Both reminded me of something I return to often in my teaching:

🎨 You don’t always have to paint “things.”
You can paint light. You can paint motion. You can even paint silence.

With watercolor, you have a tool that naturally lends itself to suggestion—flow, softness, and transparency are built in. You can use value shifts and contrast to hint at light. Use wet-on-wet to mimic fog or softness. Use lifting and dry brushing to give a sense of time or texture.

This approach to painting is as much about feeling as it is about form.

If you’re a creative, a teacher, or someone looking for new ways to express emotion through visual work, painting atmosphere is a beautiful path to explore. It’s something I love sharing through my classes and Patreon—not just how to paint, but why.

And if you’re in the worlds of creative education, wellness, or visual branding and want to explore collaborations, licensing, or custom commissions that lean into this softer, expressive side of watercolor—I’d love to connect.

Here’s to painting more than what we see—
Let’s paint what we feel. You can watch the Full Tutorial on YouTube and the extended one is available for Patreons. 

💛
Kellie

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Tags:
#AtmosphericArt #WatercolorMood #PaintingTheSky #KellieChasseFineArt #ArtLicensing #CreativeWorkshops #WatercolorTips #MindfulArt #OnlineArtClasses

How a simple yellow iris reminded me that less can be more.

Not every painting needs hours of planning or perfect lines. In fact, some of the most freeing and rewarding pieces are the ones we create in a short burst of inspiration, with no pressure and no perfectionism.

This loose yellow iris came together with just a few bold strokes.
Lots of water.
A little pigment.
And a lot of letting go.

There were no tight outlines or detailed sketches—just a quick moment of play with a brush and some color. It reminded me how powerful simple tools and a little confidence can be. No overthinking, just painting.

One thing I always remind my students: drawing and painting are two different muscles. You don’t have to be great at both. That’s why I’ve included a free downloadable traceable for this iris painting—so you can skip the sketch and just focus on having fun with your brushwork and color.

I know many creatives—especially those juggling full plates with work, family, or running a business—feel like they need a big block of time to make something meaningful. But here’s the truth:

You don’t need hours to make art.
Sometimes, all it takes is ten minutes and a brush to reconnect with yourself.

If you're curious to explore more, I offer watercolor classes, art licensing, and creative content designed for people who value emotion, simplicity, and ease in their practice.

Want to give this painting a try? Join us on Patreon for this quick painting demo and give yourself permission to just play. 

💛
Kellie

How to Paint Coastal Lupines in Watercolor – Depth, Movement & a Little Maine Magic

How to Paint Coastal Lupines in Watercolor – Depth, Movement & a Little Maine Magic

There’s something magical about lupines blooming along the Maine coast. They’re wild, imperfect, and always moving—like they’re dancing in the wind. Every year when they show up, I feel this quiet pull to paint them.

But painting lupines in watercolor can feel intimidating at first. All those little shapes, overlapping leaves, and shifting colors—it’s easy to overwork them or get caught up in the details. That’s why I wanted to share some helpful tips for capturing them in a way that feels natural, loose, and fun.

You can watch the tutorial for this one on youtube HERE.

 Etsy Shop 

Start with the feeling, not the flower

Instead of focusing on exact shapes, begin by asking: What’s the mood I want to create?
Coastal scenes often have movement—wind in the trees, light in the sky, a breeze rolling over the water. Try to build that into your piece through your brushwork and color transitions. Let the sky blend softly. Keep your trees a bit blurry in the distance. Let the background recede so the flowers can shine.

Work from soft to bold

Lupines look best when they pop against a calm, layered background. I usually start by laying in a light wash for the sky, then adding soft distant trees using wet-on-wet or lifting to create texture and depth. This makes your purples and greens really stand out when you get to the flowers.

Layer your color with purpose

Purples can get muddy fast, especially when mixed with too much green. So take your time layering. Let the first layer dry completely, then build the richness by glazing purples and adding shadows with a bit of Payne’s Gray or Ultramarine Blue.

Tip: Don’t forget to mix some cool and warm greens to create a more natural look—nature rarely sticks to just one shade.

Suggest, don’t overdefine

Lupines have a unique structure, but you don’t need to paint every petal. A few well-placed strokes and suggestions are enough. Leave some white space, break up your shapes, and let your viewer’s eye fill in the rest.

Let go of perfection

This is something I come back to in almost every floral or landscape I paint. The most beautiful pieces often come from looseness, play, and letting watercolor do what it does best: move freely.

When in doubt—use more water, step back often, and trust the process.

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Final Thought:
You don’t need to be an expert to capture something beautiful. You just need to show up, stay curious, and be open to surprises along the way. Whether you’re painting Maine’s coastline or your backyard blooms, lupines are a lovely reminder that wild and imperfect can still be absolutely stunning. 

Want to go deeper?
If you’d like to see the full, extended version of this painting—along with the real-time process, traceables, and access to my growing library of watercolor tutorials—you’re invited to join me on Patreon. It’s where I share the behind-the-scenes, the messy middle, and the real-time magic of watercolor. I’d love to paint with you there!

💜
Kellie

Painting Loose & Expressive Rose Watercolor Florals – Letting Go of Perfection

Painting Loose & Expressive Watercolor Florals – Letting Go of Perfection

Do you ever feel stuck trying to make your watercolor flowers look just right? Maybe you’re fussing over every petal, getting tight with your brushwork, and before you know it — you’ve lost that soft, painterly feel you were going for.

Trust me, I’ve been there. But here’s the secret: expressive florals aren’t about accuracy — they’re about feeling.

This week, I painted a bouquet of pink roses straight from my garden — and I kept it loose, messy, and playful. No sketch, no pressure. Just water, pigment, and movement.

You can watch the full tutorial on YouTube.

Here are a few tips that might help you loosen up, too: 

1. Start with Shapes, Not Petals

Don’t try to outline every flower. Instead, think in loose, blobby shapes — let your brush dance in circles, soften edges with clean water, and suggest where the flower is without over-explaining it.

2. Work Wet into Wet First

Get your paper damp and drop in color. Watch the paint flow and bloom. This is where the magic of watercolor really shines. You can add sharper details later — but that initial softness gives life to your florals.

3. Limit Your Palette

Too many colors can overwhelm. I like to pick 2–3 main shades (for this rose piece I used pinks and greens) and work with those. It keeps the piece cohesive and frees you up from decision fatigue.

4. Add Some Drama with Contrast

Dark leaves, bold stems, or a strong background shape can help your flowers pop. Don’t be afraid of darker tones — they give your light petals something to shine against.

5. Want to Add a Little Sparkle?

In my extended version for patrons, I added handmade metallic watercolor for a soft shimmer. It’s subtle in the light but brings an extra layer of interest and joy to your work.

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This tutorial is up on Patreon now for my members! We paint the same bouquet twice: once with traditional watercolor, and again with metallics for that extra glow. You'll learn:

• How to paint a loose glass vase

• Creating florals without a sketch

• Balancing bold and soft edges

• Building confidence through expressive strokes

You can join and watch here: Patreon – Kellie Chasse Fine Art

Loose Florals with Pen & Ink Doodles – Embracing Simplicity in Watercolor

Loose Florals with Pen & Ink Doodles – Embracing Simplicity in Watercolor

Lately, I’ve been leaning into simple joy in my painting practice—loose florals, light washes, and a little pen and ink play. There's something really freeing about not overthinking it.

This floral piece started as a quick sketch with a basic pencil outline, followed by light layers of watercolor. I let the colors blend softly and imperfectly—because that’s kind of the point. Once it dried, I added loose ink lines and just a touch of shimmer in the center to bring it to life.

There’s no pressure to make it "perfect." That’s what I love most about this kind of work—it's more about the feeling than the outcome. A reminder that art doesn’t always need to be detailed or polished. Sometimes the most meaningful pieces are the ones that come from simply sitting down, putting brush to paper, and letting your hand move freely.

If you'd like to see how this piece came together, I shared the full process in a video on my YouTube channel. You can watch it here!

Let me know if you’d like to see more like this—step-by-steps, classes, or behind-the-scenes thoughts while I paint. I always enjoy sharing what I’m exploring in the studio.

💛
Kellie

Setting Up a Still Life & What I’ve Learned Along the Way

"Garlic & Grace" – Finding Beauty in the Everyday

Sometimes inspiration shows up when you least expect it. Garlic & Grace started as a quiet moment in my kitchen. I was sipping a glass of wine, setting a rose in water, and pulling out garlic for dinner. But when I saw the way the light hit the counter, I stopped everything and grabbed my camera—and eventually, my brushes.

🧄 What Makes a Still Life Work?

Over the years, I’ve found that still life setups don’t need to be complicated. Here are a few tips I’ve learned while working on this piece:

1. Start with What You Have

Fresh produce, glassware, flowers—even kitchen scraps—can be beautiful with the right lighting. Use what feels personal or meaningful.

2. Look for Contrast

The rough texture of garlic skins next to a delicate rose, or the soft curve of a glass catching light, adds visual interest and tells a story.

3. Keep It Simple

Too many elements can feel cluttered. I focused on three: the garlic, the rose, and the wineglass. Odd numbers tend to work well visually.

4. Use Natural Light

Soft window light gives a sense of calm and realism. Morning or late afternoon light usually works best (and has a lovely golden glow).

5. Take Photos First

Snapping a few reference shots helps you remember the composition and lighting if you’re not painting it immediately. Plus, it lets you relax and enjoy the setup.

🎨 What I Learned from This Piece

• Don’t overthink it. Beauty really does live in those small, everyday moments.

• Let your environment inspire you. You don’t need a fancy setup—just a little intention and curiosity.

• Keep playing. This still life reminded me how important it is to pause and see before jumping into the painting.

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If you’d like to watch the painting process, I shared the full real-time demo as my July Patreon exclusive. It’s called Garlic & Grace, and you can find it here if you're a member.

What Salt Can Teach Us About Creativity - using with Watercolors

A simple watercolor trick with surprising lessons

This week in the studio, I played with one of my all-time favorite watercolor techniques—salt. Yep, good old salt.

Whether it’s sea salt, table salt, or something in between, adding it to wet watercolor can create the most amazing organic textures. And beyond the pretty patterns, this little experiment reminded me of something bigger: creativity doesn’t always need a plan.

In my new Patreon video tutorial, I tested a few types of salt to see how they react with different paint consistencies and paper types. The results were all over the place—and that was the fun of it. Each one had its own unexpected magic.

This is one of those go-to exercises I love for:

• Loosening up when I’m feeling stuck

• Getting back into a playful mindset

• Letting go of the need to control every outcome

For anyone who teaches art, licenses their work, or just needs a reset creatively, this kind of practice is gold. It’s simple, affordable, and totally beginner-friendly—plus, it’s great for demos, workshops, or just getting re-inspired when the creative tank feels low.

🎥 Curious? You can catch a sneak peek here!

And if you want the full, extended video, including my notes on materials and what worked best, you’ll find it over on my Patreon page.

Here’s to more experiments, more messes, and more letting go in the studio.

💛
Kellie