When to Leave It In… or Leave It Out – Watercolor Lessons from Monhegan Island, Maine

When to Leave It In… or Leave It Out – Watercolor Lessons from Monhegan Island, Maine

There’s a quiet kind of magic to painting coastal Maine — the way the light dances off the water, how the grass moves in the breeze, and the peaceful charm of those tucked-away island homes.

In my latest Patreon tutorial, I painted a scene from beautiful Monhegan Island, complete with ocean views, wildflowers, and a sweet little cottage. And right in front? Two Adirondack chairs — the kind that beg you to sit for a while and just be.

But here’s the thing… those chairs gave me trouble.

Original Painting in Etsy Shop

I traced them in to keep it simple, but since I painted the scene fairly small, they still got a bit lost. There just wasn’t enough room to include the detail I was hoping for — and they started to feel more like a distraction than part of the story.

Looking back, I probably should’ve outlined them with a fine Sharpie and added just a light wash — something to suggest them without needing much. But hey, that’s part of the process. We’re always learning.

And the beauty of being the artist?
You get to decide what stays and what goes. You’re not locked into the reference photo. You can simplify, shift, or completely change course if it helps tell the story you're aiming for.

So that’s exactly what I did: I painted the scene a second time.
This time? No chairs.

Just the view, the sky, the garden, and the stillness. It felt just as peaceful — maybe even more so. And it reminded me how freeing it is to paint something twice and let it evolve.

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💡 Artist Tip:
When painting small and dealing with detailed objects (like chairs or windows), simplify. Try outlining them with pen and using a soft watercolor wash instead of overworking tiny brush details.

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 Patreon-only tutorial, I share:
– Layering skies and coastal grasses in watercolor
– What made the chairs tricky, and how I handled them
– My choice to revisit the painting with a simpler version
– Encouragement to trust your own creative decisions

The full-length video, traceable sketch, and reference photo are available now for my Patreon members. If you're looking for a relaxing project and a bit of behind-the-scenes honesty, this one’s for you.

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Want to paint along with me?
Join me on Patreon where I share exclusive full-length tutorials, downloadable extras, and behind-the-scenes lessons from my watercolor journey:
👉 Patreon.com/KellieChasseFineArt

April Watercolor Challenge – Week 2: Spring Skies & Weather

April Watercolor Challenge – Week 2: Spring Skies & Weather ☁️🎨

Welcome to Week 2 of our April Nature Watercolor Challenge!
This week we’re diving into 5-minute experiments with green—but with a fun twist: we’re focusing on sky moods and weather scenes.

Each day brings a new mini challenge, perfect for boosting creativity and loosening up your brushwork. These are designed to be quick and approachable, even if you’re short on time.

Here’s what we’re painting this week:

• Mon, April 7 – April Showers: Think rainy skies or playful puddles

• Tue, April 8 – A Windy Day: Swirling clouds, bending trees

• Wed, April 9 – A Vibrant Sunset: Let loose with color!

• Thu, April 10 – A Starry Night: Try moon glow and deep blues

• Fri, April 11 – A Rainbow After the Rain: Soft pastels and blends

• Sat/Sun, April 12–13 – Free choice or catch-up time

How to Join In:

• Paint one or all prompts at your own pace

• Share your art in our Facebook group: Kellie Chasse Art Group

• Use the hashtag #AprilNatureWatercolors so we can all see your beautiful work!

This week’s theme is a great way to loosen up and play with green tones, skies, and layered washes. You’ll be surprised how much emotion and story you can pack into a 5-minute painting!

Want to see what brush I’ve been using for these studies?
👉 Check out the FUUMUII Brush on Amazon (affiliate)
👉 Watch my unboxing video on YouTube

The Power of 5-Minute Watercolor Studies: How Quick Painting Can Transform Your Art

We often think that improving our watercolor skills requires long, dedicated sessions at the easel. But what if I told you that some of the most effective learning happens in just five minutes a day?

This month, I’m diving into quick 5-minute watercolor studies as part of my April Challenge, and I’d love for you to join me! 🌿🎨

Why 5-Minute Watercolor Studies?

Short, intentional painting sessions help us in so many ways—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist. Here’s why making time for just five minutes a day can transform your creative practice:

1. Overcome Perfectionism

When you only have five minutes, there’s no time to stress over every detail. You learn to let go, trust the process, and embrace imperfections, which often leads to more expressive, spontaneous work.

2. Build a Consistent Habit

Sometimes, the hardest part of painting is just starting. But when you know it’s just five minutes, it feels easy to commit! And the more you show up, the more progress you’ll see.

3. Train Your Eye & Hand

Quick studies sharpen your observation skills and improve your brush control. Whether it’s capturing light, mixing greens, or creating texture, repetition builds muscle memory.

4. Unlock Creativity Through Play

In short sessions, there’s no pressure to create a masterpiece. Instead, you can experiment freely with colors, shapes, and techniques—leading to happy accidents and new discoveries.

5. Reduce Creative Blocks

Feeling stuck? A small, no-pressure painting session can reignite your creative spark and help you push through resistance.

Join the April Watercolor Challenge!

This week, we’re exploring different shades of green with a variety of fun, bite-sized prompts:

🖌️ Tiny forest scene
🖌️ Meadow with wildflowers
🖌️ Sprouting seed or new growth
🖌️ Green critters (frogs, turtles, lizards)
🖌️ Misty green hillside
🖌️ Free choice or catch-up day

You can paint along with me in my latest YouTube video—a collection of quick demos to inspire your daily practice. Watch it here! 

And if you’d love extra feedback and support, my Patreon members get access to the full-length versions of these tutorials!

Let’s paint, experiment, and grow together. Share your work using #AprilNatureWatercolors so we can cheer each other on!

Happy painting,
Kellie

Fuumuui Needle Point Brushes – The Best Brushes for Fine Details?

When it comes to watercolor painting, having the right brush can make all the difference—especially for fine details and precision work. In my latest LIVE YouTube video, I tested out the Fuumuui Needle Point Brushes, a set designed specifically for intricate linework and was was very excited to see what all the fuss was about.

If you've ever struggled to find a brush that holds a sharp point, retains water well, and doesn’t fray, you’re not alone! In this post, I'll break down what makes these brushes unique, when to use them, and whether they’re worth adding to your collection.

What Are Fuumuui Needle Point Brushes?

Fuumuui is known for creating high-quality, budget-friendly watercolor brushes. Their Needle Point Brushes are designed with an extra-fine tip, making them ideal for:

✔️ Tiny details (think whiskers, eyelashes, or intricate textures)
✔️ Line work & calligraphy
✔️ Botanical veins & delicate patterns
✔️ Fine highlights on watercolor paintings

These brushes typically have synthetic bristles or a synthetic-natural blend, which helps maintain a sharp point while still holding enough water for smooth application. The box that I purchased did not say which these were. 

How Do They Perform? (Live Test & First Impressions)

I put these brushes to the test in my LIVE unboxing and painting demo, where I experimented with how they handle:

🖌️ Water retention – Do they hold enough water for smooth, uninterrupted strokes?
🖌️ Brush control – Can they create consistent, delicate lines without fraying?
🖌️ Durability – Do the bristles keep their fine shape after multiple strokes?

Watch the Full Video Replay!

📺 Watch here: https://youtube.com/live/sDfsQFQxQc0&list=PLNUT8Q-YGZshSkpvlE82UsYYKwCrMeXML

Tips for Using Needle Point Brushes

If you’re working with fine details, here are some tips to get the best results with these brushes:

🔹 Use light pressure – Since these brushes are designed for detail, pressing too hard can cause the bristles to splay.
🔹 Load your brush properly – Too much water can cause bloating, while too little may lead to dry, scratchy strokes.
🔹 Use smooth, controlled strokes – These brushes shine when used for slow, precise work rather than loose washes.
🔹 Clean them gently – Fine-point brushes can lose their shape if scrubbed aggressively. Rinse well and reshape after use.

Are They Worth It?

After testing them live, I found that the Fuumuui Needle Point Brushes performed really well for precision work. They hold a good amount of water without losing their sharp tip, making them a solid choice for fine details in watercolor. The larger brushes also worked well for the background. I was able to use the belly to hold a lot of color and the precision tip worked well around the details.

If you're looking for an affordable detail brush that maintains good control and flexibility, this set is definitely worth considering!

Want to Try Them?

You can check them out here:
👉 Amazon (affiliate) link: https://amzn.to/4bH63mL

What’s your favorite brush for fine details? Let me know in the comments! And if you missed the live demo, be sure to watch the replay to see these brushes in action. 😊🎨

Art Vacation Week with Mom

My Cutie Patootie Mom painting the flowers!

Mother/Daughter time never gets old.

I told my Dad I was kidnapping her.....

I had the best vacation week ever with my Mom last week.

The first day we went to the Maine State Music Theatre  and I got to see my very ALL TIME FAVORITE movie

as a play...what would that be? "The Wizard Of OZ" of course. 

Our week was all playtime and sunsets!

Swimming, kayaking,  lunch out everyday, and even had cheesecake for breakfast!

The biggest part of the week was spent painting and creating and here's what we did. 

Day 1 - Brought out the alcohol inks and she painted a gorgeous hummingbird in Masterpieces Hard Core Art  panels.

Day 2 - Painted on Silk Scarves. Now neither one of us had done this before, so it was experiment time for us both. Fun trying different options like Jacquard Dynaflow paints, Alcohol Inks, and even Brusho. Super fun results. I am planning to experiment more and do a class in the future. 

Day 3- We got my Resin out and I made some Maine Lobster Jewelry from the shells.

Day 4  She painted this lovely bouquet that my wonderful neighbor gave us along with some
           fresh garden cucumbers and tomatoes! ( I know right, lucky!!) 

Day 5 - I filmed her painting one of her photographs from Acadia Maine over at the Bluff House Inn.
           (We get a really good deal since my Brother and his wife are the Inns owners!) 

Now that my vacation is over I'm back to working on my Online courses and just finished up August in time!

I'm super excited.......What's it about you ask? 

Shimmer colors!!! 

Ok, so how many of you are seeing all of these gorgeous alcohol inks with shimmer or sparkles? If you have been following me you know that I am a debt free simple living artist and although I don't mind spending money on things I really love, I do like to repurpose things that I already have to save.

Shimmer inks - you know you want to try them!
I'll show you how you can easily create your own shimmer colors in a number of mediums that you probably already have hanging around. We will practice, play and explore a few options and we will finish up this beautiful shell project at the end. 

I've also added 2 more PFD's that you can print off to create some more shells. 

Want to learn more about the Collage on wooden birch panels check out my Artist friend  Jane Monteith's Online Courses! You may also like to see our fun resin Youtube Collab. 

Thankful to have you here!

Kellie X

Watercolor Flower Illustration abstract techniques

Watercolor Flower Illustration abstract techniques - Demo Painting.

Happy Tuesday morning all! In this weeks DIY Art Tuesday Video I wanted to show you how I do a simple exercise warm up painting. Most days I am not sure what I am going to paint when I start and let the painting take me to that creative space.

This week I opted for some SPRING fever and decided to paint some little flowers with a quick pen and ink detailing at the end.

It took me less than 15 minutes in total. So come learn how to paint a sweet flower Illustration perfect project for your daily journal.

Take some time for yourself - and try this watercolor project - it'll make a great start to your day.

You can find the Video here under Youtube - New Video Every Tuesday Link.

Happy Painting,
Kellie

Watercolor Brush Pen Tutorial for a Sweet little Seascape Card

Watercolor Brush Pen painting technique tutorial for beginners. This is a quick and easy seascape painting done with a Water brush Ohuhu Pen. We will create a super cute watercolor card with the finished art piece.  Stick around till the end to see how we add some pen and ink details!

🌸 I love it when folks create from my videos, I just ask that if you post your work on any social media platforms that you please give me credit as the artist stating this is an inspired piece  copied from and original painting by  Kellie Chasse 😊 Use @kellielynnart on Facebook  or @kelliechasse_fineart on instagram.

You can see the FULL Tutorial on my Youtube Channel!

We'll start off with a quick wet in wet painting using winsor and newton cotman kit and a Ohuhu water brush pen filled with water. The colors used in this painting are Ultramarine Blue, Phathlo Blue, Sap Green, Raw Umber, Viridian, and White Gouache. I'll have the links below for you.

Once the painting is complete we will then use a little pen and ink for some details, the I"ll show you how I tear the edges and then we'll add it to a card. 

You can PURCHASE most of the products featured in today's video in my Amazon shop, plus check out the Special Launch Price  on the New Resin Coaster Course.

THANK YOU so much for supporting me by purchasing my online courses. It helps me continue to keep making all of these FREE video's for you! If you haven't yet tried an online course you can check them out here: ONLINE COURSES

Happy Painting,
Kell

Day 25 of Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Maine Field in Autumn

Click Here for More Information

Original Watercolor Painting A Maine Farm Field in the Autumn 
Wonderful Gift and a simple reminder of Maine in the fall - overlooking a field.

This beautifully hand painted Watercolor was painted by Maine Artist Kellie Chasse. The painting is 5x7" and mat is 8x10". Ready for frame. 

Day 4 of 30 in 30 - Maine Lobster Art

Original ACEO Collectable Atlantic Lobster coastal Maine Art 
BUY NOW - $39.95

Hey, isn't this little guy the cutest, or not? I just want you to know that I love lobster, but absolutely CAN NOT see them before, or during the boil faze!! I've only eaten two this summer, we'll see if I can fit in another round before the winter hits - who's with me?!

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Website:
www.kelliechassefineart.com

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