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One of my students who attended art school many years ago was taught that working in a series is a "cheat" for artists. I disagree. A series, or a body of work, is important to artists - we create a body of research and reference, it does NOT make sense to use this for only one piece of work. Think of all the time and effort gathering all this information - could I add the hourly rate for all this time to the price of one painting? questionable. a scientist specialises in a particular field of research, a lawyers and doctors practice in their specialist field. They are continually referring back to their previous research and work and developing it - making it more and more relevant. And this is exactly the same process for artists. It is a pragmatic decision to work in series, your brain starts working in a certain way, and, even though you may have painted several, you’ll start to discover new ways to develop your subject, new ideas, different light, different angles, palette/season, mood etc. For example, I started my Glamping series some years ago, most years I revisit and create 5-6 new paintings that can be quite different from previous years. They obviously have the same source but each year they’re a little more developed, style wise and concept. Sometimes it’s a safe haven or confidence booster when you’ve had some success to work on a familiar series. I admire artists who paint only one subject – my friend Mo paints amazing clouds and cloudy skies, Shirley paints beach scenes and another (his name escapes me) paints WWII aircraft. To have a passion for a subject as deep as this is truly incredible. I, however, need more variety, I work on 2-3 series, adding a new subject/concept from time to time, some of which become series and some not. Some subjects may not work for you immediately they may need more development and/or skill, don't give up, good things take time. Whether you succeed or not at every new subject is irrelevant. What is more important is the effort to try and improve; the study of each subject helps you to get better in preparation for the next. what's your thoughts? 
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Some thoughts on drawing!
Drawing skills are essential. Your painting will improve out of sight just by spending 10-20 minutes observational drawing every day. Shapes must be good - note I didn't say "perfect". "Good" can also mean interesting, unique or beautiful. Design your artwork with design principles in mind. Accomplished drawers/designers/artists can and do paint without drawing on their paper BUT 99.9% will have mapped out their design idea as a sketch first and will have spent much time studying and researching and planning – they’ve possibly painted a similar subject 500 times before – they know it well but have found a new intriguing “thing”. Some watercolour tutors disagree with this, it shows in their work. Drawing can become a 5-minute exercise in order to create a good painting (oil, acrylic, watercolour, sculpture, pastel), it doesn't matter the medium, art is art. "Wrong" marks are full of character and shouldn't be erased (unless they're really annoying and stuck in your head then have at it!). It takes skill and practice - draw every day, start simple, start small. An eraser is not an essential tool but your sharpening device is. There are many different purposes for drawing, some for me are:
The word "perfect" must be stricken from your vocabulary - it is meaningless because it can't be articulated, is subjective and stops us from doing what we really want to do! Please comment and ask me questions and let me know how you're getting on!! 
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Poetry in watercolour is made in the freedom of the here and now. Amanda Brett Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working - Pablo Picasso 
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What my readers and viewers have to say
Your emails are so informative! I must confess I've watched a couple of your demos from beginning to end, and it makes me want to watercolor!!! I've only ever painted with oil or acrylics and haven't know how to begin with WC. Your content is excellent!
Susan VN Hi Amanda
Thank you for your tips. They inspired me to practise and I realised I haven’t been loading the brush properly. I learnt about adding more paint, and not water, to washes. In today’s tips I like the idea of painting with purpose. Your tips are very helpful. I very much appreciate receiving them. Elizabeth Hi Amanda I enjoyed your post and generous tips. Looked up Dan Burt I begin to see that you can colour any subject to give it pizazz so long as the tone and form is correct Certainly adding value now to my attempts Thanks heaps Annie
Yes very wise words. Agree with not fussing and agree with comments about good quality paint. Well written and inspirational as always. Cheers Janet xxxx Archives
February 2025
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