New year, new hobby! Which new hobby are you going to start?

Well, there is quite a few to choose from; at one end there is “extreme ironing” for those who like to push themselves to the limit and the routine of pressing a shirt, to the next level, whilst at the other, there are hobbies that promote well-being and are safely done at the kitchen table.  Taking up watercolour painting comes under the later type of hobby, but of course there is nothing stopping you from painting a watercolour whilst sky diving or water skiing….if a rush of adrenalin is your thing!

Joking apart, starting a new hobby can be a great way to bring positivity and excitement into your life, especially at the beginning of a new year. Watercolour painting, in particular, has been found to have numerous benefits for one's mental health and overall well-being. Not only does it provide a creative outlet for self-expression, but it can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels.



Figure 1: Using my little red hair detailing brush to add the first few watercolours to my puffin painting

Those of you that are lucky enough to be able to incorporating watercolour painting into your daily routine, will find that it can also help to improve focus and concentration, as it requires a great deal of attention to detail and precision. Additionally, it can be a great way to connect with other like-minded individuals and build a sense of community through art classes or online forums.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, taking up watercolour painting as a new hobby is a great way to challenge yourself and explore your creativity. So why not give it a try and see how it can positively impact on your life?



Figure 2: Adding the finishing touches to the pair of puffins I am painting, with the ceramic tile I use as a palette in the background.

Aside from the joy of creating something beautiful, there are many other benefits from taking up watercolour painting. It is a great way to de-stress and unwind after a long day, and can even have therapeutic benefits, as Emma Jessen pointed out in last month’s ARTicle. Plus, it can help to improve your hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, as well as your ability to focus and concentrate. It can also give you that creative-buzz, that is so important to us as discussed in last September’s ARTicle. So, there is a lot of “under-the-surface” well-being aspects going on, as well as “up-front” enjoyment in spending time painting.

Watercolour is a beautiful and versatile painting medium that allows you to create stunning works of art using a range of techniques. From soft washes to bold brushstrokes, there are endless possibilities when it comes to watercolour painting. Furthermore, it is a relatively affordable hobby, as you don't need a lot of equipment or a big space to get started (as you can see from the photograph of my painting table, shown in figure 3). With regards to selecting the right watercolour paints, paper and brushes, please see our ARTicle from June 2022, “Revisiting ‘Watercolour Choices for the Budding Watercolourist’” and the ARTicles from January and February 2023.

Figure 3: My painting table with some of my in-progress paintings, my favourite brushes, jars of watercolour paint, and few other odds-and-ends I regularly use.

Does it still sound difficult to try? I understand your apprehension. It is hard to know where to start, but don’t worry I have a solution.

Have you heard of the “All you need to paint..” watercolour painting sets designed and made by A J Ludlow?  This could be a good place to start, as each painting set contains all the materials and instructions to allow you to try watercolour painting straight away. These painting sets were launched last August (as featured in August 2023’s ARTicle) and as it says on the label (see figure 4), contain all you need to paint in watercolour; pencil drawn designs on 425gsm Saunders Waterford 100% cotton watercolour paper, two high quality brushes and three professional quality A J Ludlow watercolour paints. There are also painting videos to help you complete the paintings in each set, which you can do at your own pace.