Do you want to use Watercolor but don't think you can?

 

Do you think watercolor is too challenging to work with, can’t get the water ratio right, everything gets muddy? I have the solution!

Join me for a tutorial on painting with watercolor using watercolor brush pens. You will love the results!

Find the tutorial HERE.

Not familiar with Watercolor Brush Pens? I’ve used a few brands. They are all fun and have different aspects I like about them. Check my page janethilddesign/links-page for all the art supplies I love.

For this lesson, I’m using Arteza Brush Pens, Generals Chalk Pencils, and a random black brush marker. I bought mine in Japan but others are available in art and craft supply stores. You just need a sharp tip and dark black ink.

If you post about using brush pens or show the art you’ve made from this lesson, please tag me @janethilddesign. I’d love to see what you create!

 
 

Pattern Development - Cherry Blossoms

 

You really can’t go wrong with Cherry Blossoms. Their popularity is universal. It’s the flower that dreams are made of. The delicate petals, the infinite abundance, the exquisite beauty they embody—Cherry Blossoms captivate the heart and soul.

Cherry Blossoms represent happiness after a long winter, along with the beauty and fleeting nature of life itself.

I missed cherry blossom season when visiting Japan in 2023. It’s an event I would travel back to see. Anyone else feel the same?

The original artwork for my Cherry Blossoms pattern is very simple, and the fabric that followed retains that simplicity. I’ve created numerous color options for it, but the delicate pink remains quietly perfect. There’s a serene elegance in its subtlety, a quiet perfection that speaks volumes.

Check out the original painting above with the fabric pattern it inspired below.

The larger has 2.5 inch flowers and the smaller has .75 inch flowers. What would you use them for?

Find them here on Spoonflower: Cherry Blossoms / Hygge Collection

 

Are you struggling with your watercolor motifs? Check out my blog post HERE and get 5 tips to help you improve your work.

 
 

What's hot right now

 

besides the weather…

In April, I hired a VA to help me in my business. Learn more about Julia Krah below. It has been a great decision. She has been helping me with Spoonflower and I have seen increased interest in my designs since she started refining my tags and descriptions.

I asked Julia to give me an idea of important trends happening on Spoonflower for the summer 2024 season. I wanted to make sure I was uploading the most useful designs from my portfolio to meet customer interests. Spoonflower posts a huge amount of marketing to guide customers but it can get overwhelming scrolling and paging through all the images. Julia created a detailed report of trends and styles to narrow in on what Spoonflower is promoting.

I would love to share this research with you.

None of the artwork represented in this report is mine. It all comes from Spoonflower’s marketing. Anywhere she was able to, she included the designer’s name and has linked search results for the major themes. Check it out now!

Meet Julia!

Julia Krah is a textile designer and virtual assistant. She has years of experience in design and project management for a textile company. She knows the struggles of a designer and can help with business needs, social media, and more. Julia has been helping me with data entry and research and is open to taking on new clients (just don’t steal her from me!). Contact Julia at careofjulia@gmail.com. Let her know you learned about her here!