In which I learn how much I don't know!
I want to share something that happened this week—a little reminder that even someone with years of experience isn't immune to the stumbles that come with learning something new. But also a reminder of how wonderful it can be to be a beginner.
So, here’s the story: I decided to take a break from my trusty acrylics and try my hand at watercolours. I'm between studios a lot of the time and acrylics are so messy to use at the kitchen table. I used to use watercolours, but I wasn't very good with them. But surely it would be different this time - I now have more years of experience. Surely, that counts for something?
Um, no :)
I could see the vision so clearly in my head—soft washes, delicate blends, dreamy transitions of colour—but what happened on paper was something else entirely. The colours soaked into the paper and then when I tried different paper, the watery paint just sat on the surface. Instead of those soft layers I imagined, I ended up with muddy puddles.
So there I was, staring at this mess, feeling exactly how many of my beginner students must feel when something just doesn’t click: defeated, a bit embarrassed, and wondering, Why can’t I do this?! I caught myself spiraling into frustration, tempted to stamp my feet and give up altogether.
But of course, I know better. failure like this is always an opportunity—a gift in disguise. It's a chance to reconnect with what it feels like to be at the beginning of something, to feel unsure, to fumble. This is exactly what I tell my students. Yes, you’re frustrated right now. But let that frustration fuel your curiosity!
So, I shifted my mindset. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, I asked, How can I do better? What was it about watercolours that was so different from acrylics? Why weren't they working the way I wanted? I dove into research, watched a few tutorials, and played around with some techniques. In short, I started to explore rather than expect immediate perfection.
Amd just like that, my art-making joy returned. I LOVE learning new things. I love trying things out. And I love the little discoveries that come when I stop trying.
I’m still nowhere near mastering watercolours—but that’s okay. What I’ve gained from this experience is far more valuable than a polished painting. I’ve found something new to learn, something new to challenge myself with, and that makes me happy.
See, failure is not the enemy—it’s a stepping stone. It’s a chance to ask better questions, to push ourselves, to see things from a fresh perspective. Without it, we would never grow. In fact, failure is often the fastest route to finding our way, because it points out exactly what we need to work on.
Art isn’t about perfection—it’s about exploration, expression, and evolution. Every brushstroke, every “mistake,” brings you closer to understanding your craft. And sometimes, it’s the things that don’t go right that teach us the most.
If you’re in a place where things aren’t going as planned, whether you’re new to painting or trying a new medium, don’t let frustration paralyze you. Instead, shift your focus from perfection to curiosity. Ask yourself: What can I learn from this? What is this trying to teach me?
In other words, allow yourself to be a beginner, even if just for a little while. It's so much more fun!
And maybe one day I'll have a decent watercolour painting to show you - until then I will keep experimenting :)