Week 3 of the April Challenge is here, and this one’s all about slowing down, relaxing, and letting watercolor do its thing.
This week, I painted five gentle animal studies:
🐦 A sweet hummingbird
🐞 A cheerful ladybug
🐰 A soft and fuzzy bunny
🐟 A graceful koi fish
🐝 And a buzzy little bumble bee
Each one focuses on simple, calming techniques—like soft blends, wet-on-wet washes, and gentle brushwork. These little paintings are a great reminder that you don’t need to overthink it. Sometimes, just sitting down and letting the paint flow is exactly what you need. If you missed the first two weeks, don't worry you can catch up anytime and watch them. Click to watch Week 1 and Week 2!
Let the Paint Breathe — Don’t Overthink It
One of the biggest lessons watercolor teaches us is to let go. It’s easy to get caught up in making everything perfect — the shape of a wing, the exact color of a shadow — but honestly, watercolor shines when we step back and let it do its thing.
This week’s animal studies are a great reminder that you don’t need to overthink it. A few loose shapes, some soft color, and a little space to let the water move can say more than hours of detailed work.
Some of my favorite parts of these paintings are the happy little accidents — a color bloom here, a fuzzy edge there. That’s where the magic lives.
If you find yourself overworking your piece or second-guessing every brushstroke, just take a breath, loosen up your grip, and let the water lead a little. That’s when it gets fun again.
I’ve created a short video showing snippets of each animal and some of the relaxing techniques I used. You can watch the overview on my YouTube channel to get inspired!
✨ Want to paint along with me?
I’m sharing the full-length, step-by-step versions of all five paintings over in my Patreon group. These are perfect if you want to follow along in real time or build your skills in a calm, supportive space.
👉 Join Patreon for full tutorials
This challenge is all about making time for yourself and finding joy in creating — even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
I hope these peaceful little creatures bring you a smile and a little artful calm this week. 💛
Thanks for painting with me!
– Kellie
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