Watercolour Workshop

13 July 2015


Last Wednesday, Tilly and I went to a sweet arts workshop that is pretty close to where I live. Watercolour Wednesdays is run by a local artist Melisah May in her art studio located in the Hunter Street Mall. I came across this crafty workshop after Newcastle Mirage posted about it on their instagram. 

I shot Mel an email and booked in for Tilly and I for the upcoming wednesday. Then we excitedly awaited the big night!


On the night, we walked in and sat down at a bunch of wooden art tables set up in front of these gorgeous white french windows. As well as me and Tilly, about 7 people showed up for the workshop. 

Mel talked us through different kinds of watercolour paint, the importance of using watercolor paper as well as some basic painting techniques. 

Our first activity was to choose 6 paint colours and put tiny dots into our palette. Then using a fat paintbrush dipped in water, we painted a circle onto our watercolour paper. Next we syringed little blobs of watercolour paint into the circles of water and smushed them around a bit. It was to see how the colours interacted with each other and how they blended. 

All I see in this photo is my chubby cheeks.
We were then given a new sheet of watercolour paper, and our choice of stencils to trace onto the paper. I chose a Bambi shape and Tilly chose a Bunny! You could either colour on the inside or on the outside of the outline. I decided to actually paint my deer as a deer, and Tilly went with pretty colours surrounding it. 

I loved using the hard watercolour paints rather than the tube ones. I'm sure if I had more practice though I might change my mind. I did pretty poorly at painting in the lines but I'm not too bothered. I did my best to pick deer like colours, and paint Bambi in an at least slightly recognisable way. 
I added a nose and eyes too because it was looking very blank and 2D and I was trying to visualise the face, but it wasn't really working. 


I probably should have gone lighter on the features, but hey I'm no artist here.I was actually pretty happy with how my deer turned out in the end! Especially as I've never really painted at all before. 

Painting with watercolours was a lot of fun, and I would love to get some of my own, and the proper paper & paintbrushes and give watercolour painting a shot while i'm at home sometime. I would really like to paint some plants and cacti and hang them up or at least frame one or two that would be lovely!

We both had a lot of fun and it was definitely something I've never done before. I look forward to going to more crafty workshops in the future! 

You can find Melisah May & her Art Studio on Facebook and on Instagram. Just like or follow to keep up to date with when she has workshops on!
Cya! xx



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20 comments

  1. It sounds like so much fun! I used to do art a few years ago, but stopped due to the fact that I have no talent in the department at all, lol. Your deer is adorable, and it's great for a first try! I prefer painting with the tube watercolour instead of the hard ones just because I have no idea how the hard ones work, hahaha

    May | THE MAYDEN

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  2. Looks like a fun workshop, would love to give it a go too! Thanks for sharing, your deer looks so cute :) !

    Xo, Tara

    www.orinocoblue.com

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  3. That sounds like such a fun workshop! I love being creative, but I've never done something with watercolouring before. Also I love how your deer turned out! x

    http://esmeesophie.com/

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  4. your deer turned out good! It looks fun to play with watercolour. I wish I had the talent.

    Dice, '96 Wild Heart

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  5. Haha I'm so not artistic in any way, but this looks like fun!

    Lucy x- Yellowicing

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  6. This looks like so much fun! Great post!

    http://sarawritesadiary.blogspot.com/

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  7. This sounds so cute, and that deer is ADORABLE. I would love to do something like this, but I can't even draw decent stick figures...

    Meg | A Little Twist Of…

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  8. wow! you are talented, I can't even draw a stick man :p

    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  9. This sounds like so much fun! It makes me miss art lessons at school : (

    Kathryn | nimblenote.blogspot.com

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  10. What an interesting and inspiring post. It sounds like it was a fun night. I might have to try some of those techniques you practised, the results are so pretty! Thanks so much for sharing!! :-) xx

    Helen | Helens Fashion & Beauty Blog

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  11. This sounds like such a fun night! I've always loved the look of watercolours and would really like to give them a go. Your Bambi is super cute, you should be proud! x

    Josie’s Journal

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  12. I would love to take a water colour class! I (tried) to teach myself and did paint a few pieces that I was especially proud of. I'd love to learn new techniques. Your deer turned out adorable!

    Kate | themintedblog.com

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  13. This sounds like so much fun! Watercolor painting is definitely one of my weak points when it comes to anything artsy, I think it's a wonderful idea to be hands-on and see how the colors interact with each other. I kind of regret giving my paintbrushes away to a friend after I finished a required painting class for college!

    becky | star violet

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  14. This looks like so much fun! I'd love to do something like this too - I'll have to hunt around for something similar based in the UK. Your deer is absolutely adorable!

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  15. love this!!
    kisses from dubai ♥
    www.mahryska.com

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  16. I'm so jealous of your artistic skills! I'm absolute crap at anything with my hands, I love how the deer turned out! It's so cute and adorable! It sounds like you had an amazing time <3

    xx Bash | Bash Says Hey | bloglovin'

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  17. so cool that you went out and did something fun and simple like this. and i'd say that your deer turned out pretty well

    http://hellokuo.blogspot.com/

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  18. Wow this looks like so much fun! Lovely painting, I'd love to do a class like this!

    www.sophieslittlesecrets.blogspot.com

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  19. I love painting with watercolours! x
    fashionismyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie

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Thanks so much for commenting everyone! I read and appreciate every single one of your comments! xx