I’m often asked how I learned to paint . . .
When I first moved to Martha’s Vineyard, Norman Rockwell was alive and well and living in his beloved Stockbridge, Massachusetts home. It occurred to me that I should probably try and go see him; I could picture myself walking up his driveway to shake his hand so clearly that it still seems it might have really happened. The 
sensibilities behind his art were so wonderful, and exactly how I felt. His paintings made me fall in love with his understanding and view of the human heart. But of course, I never went there, I didn’t want to bother him. Joe and I have now been to Stockbridge many times, have visited his museum and studio; I picked this stick up from the front yard of his studio to save. One of my prized possessions. My Norman Rockwell Stick. I photographed it where it lives, on my art table, hopefully osmosing genius out into my studio (in my “House of Creativity”) like gamma rays. The paper it’s sitting on is one of the throw-away scraps I use to check colors on my brush and test my pen to make sure it isn’t going to drop a clump of ink on the watercolor I’m working on. I like to think Norman Rockwell had one of these too. ♥
So I thought today, I might give you a tour of my watercolor world. And you don’t have to come all the way to Martha’s Vineyard to do it, I’m only as far away as your computer! Above, is a photo I took when I was working on the page I did to honor Tasha Tudor — this sweet corgi (hopefully like one of hers) and one of her lovely quotes I did for my December 2011 calendar page. ♥ I’d never painted a corgi before, but now I would like to stop everything and ONLY paint corgi’s, he was so fun to do; his colors are beautiful, but my favorite is his nose! Have you noticed that Corgis are like little tea tables? They have such wide flat backs, they could be like a hassock or an end table. ♥
After I finish doing a page for a book or calendar, it gets scanned into the computer, which allows me future access to it (another computer miracle), and the original art goes into these acid-free boxes, and then into this huge old bank safe Joe found for me. All the original pages for my books, along with everything I’ve ever painted, is stored here.
You know I only started doing watercolors just after I turned thirty? (You must, by now 
) Even though I paint almost every day, it’s still a surprise to see my art table covered with paintboxes and brushes and know they’re mine. I think it’s because I didn’t grow up with them. Needles, thread, and embroidery hoops make more sense to me than brushes and paint! Sometimes I walk into the studio early in the morning, before the sun has come up…all quiet, birds singing in the rhododendren outside the window, or in the winter, when I paint to the hum of the furnace, with Girl Kitty and Jack on their pillows keeping me company, and a blank piece of paper in front of me, waiting for my brush and that first drop of color, and wonder how this all came about.
This was my first painting. It was a plant sitting on my kitchen table; I filled a little pot with water, squeezed some watercolors from tubes into a plastic dish I’d bought with a birthday gift certificate to an art store, sharpened a pencil, sat down in front of it and started drawing. I had no idea what I was doing. I just looked at the plant and tried to put what I saw on the paper. Everyone was shocked that it looked like a geranium! I was shocked! Because it was a geranium! This was one of those life-changing moments that are sometimes only visible in the rear-view mirror. One of the reasons I want to encourage people to “just try it” when it comes to watercolor is because I’m sure that this must have been inside me my whole life, and I had no idea, I had to turn thirty first. I doodled just like anyone else, random squiggles; drawings of stick people; not the slightest inclination that there could be more. If this ability could be hiding inside me, it might be inside you. ♥
My mother put this crayon drawing in my baby book. I was a star to her no matter what I drew. Would you have looked at this and thought you should start saving to send the child to art school? No. More likely you would wonder what was going on with her right brain!
Over the years, I found out that what really matters is practice! In my 7th grade art class, the only art class I ever took, we spent the entire semester drawing our thumbs! Seriously, that’s what we did, left thumb stuck up in front of me, pencil in right hand; the teacher went over and over it, showing us how to really look at things, the curve, the edge, the shadows, the lines. I can still draw a good thumb if I want to. That’s what I mean about practice. If you look at the art in my first book, Heart of the Home, and compare it to later work, like my newest calendar or the Autumn Book, you can see what a big help practice can be.
I’ve always painted the things around me. Before I moved to the island and began to write books, I did little scenes of flower pots, baskets with apples, bowls of fruit, 
quilts, straw hats, my old stove, and my kitty; I hung them all over my kitchen, called them “Kitchen Art,” and gave them away as Christmas presents. Soon my friends were asking to buy them, giving me confidence to do more and more. My first painting sold to the outside world in a gallery on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills; after that I began to have local art shows. I took Polaroid’s of the paintings as I did them, which is a good thing, because the paintings themselves are almost all gone. I still have a few of my favorites. These framed apples came with me from California to Martha’s Vineyard and hang in my kitchen now.
I still love using the things around me as my subjects, although you might not know it to look at this — probably a little hard to believe that these “birds” might be “around me.” (BTW, see that real feather lying on the paper? Inspiration! And I know he’s not a real partridge, I just called him that, he’s actually a made-up bird!) Here’s a 20 second video I took that explains . . . (they aren’t really my children )
I have worked a little from old photos too, especially for my mom.
This one became a greeting card, which I framed for my mom along with the original photo.
I’m often asked what kind of art supplies I use, so I thought I’d tell you. These are my brushes, but I almost always use the smallest one, there in the middle. It’s a # 1 Windsor Newton University Series 233. I was shocked the first time my brush wore out — who knew paintbrushes wore out?! Now I buy them by the fistfuls.
The paint comes from everywhere, including children’s paint boxes. Actually I love any kind of paint box; Prang and Pelikan have been my favorites. I use watercolor paint tubes, like Holbein, Rowney or Grumbacher, I’m not particular about the brand, I just want as many colors as possible. This is my collection of reds → and pinks. . . I never met a red paint I didn’t love. I keep them in separate baskets, by color. To use them, you just squeeze out a little paint, mix it with water and voila! So easy.
The jar is Daler Rowney Pro White which I use when I make a mistake with the pen; I get it and lots of my other supplies at Blick. I use two sizes of Rapidograph India ink pens to write with, a refillable Koh-i-noor drafting pencil to draw with, and then, the most important item in my arsenal, the eraser! A soft white Staedtler. A metal ruler is important too.
I hope this helps someone out there who might be thinking of giving it a try. Watercolors are one of my dearest passions. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t paint. When I heard that song, ♫ Raven hair, ruby lips, sparks fly from her fingertips ♪, I said, hey, that’s me. (Except for the hair and lips and the witchy woman part )
I’ve loved lettering forever, always got perfect marks for handwriting! This quote, one of my favorites, is for the new book I’m working on.
I hope if you are thinking about trying watercolors, you might feel encouraged to give it a try. Worse-case scenario is that you have special gifts to give, little watercolor notes to tuck into letters, or art that matches your house to hang on your wall; it’s really a win-win; making something beautiful is within reach of everyone. I hope you enjoyed our walk in watercolor world. I can’t keep you on my blog all day, but I sure like to try! ♥ xoxo
I was ecstatic when I found this ‘tutorial’ by accident! Will you think about doing a little booklet on how you go about doing your artwork and writing?
Yes, I should do that! Thank you Suzanne!
Please, please publish something like this. Your work is what inspired me to go to school for illustration. You’re absolutely amazing!
What a nice thing to say! Thanks so much Cat — I put the little book on my to-do list!
Thanks so much for this post. You have always been my favorite designer ever since I found your stickers a few years back. I just recently discovered the art store blick and have been interested in watercolors. So excited to see this post. I have been a bit discouraged that all I could do was copy things around me instead of out of my head. Reading how you started watercolors inspires me to keep going. Your my Norman Rockwell.
OH! That is so nice Rebekah! I copied things in the beginning too, its how you learn, so enjoy!!
Thank you so much for sharing…once again….. you definitely have inspired and encouraged me…..I have always tried sketching things even as a teenager, but not until the last few years did I even think maybe I was really sketching something….
Last year, no the year before I think…yes, I bought myself your calendar for Christmas…loved it by the way…..because of it I was able to see and touch watercolor and actually think maybe I could try it.
So for the past couple of Christmas’ I have given calendars of my watercolors……I love painting…{{{Yeah!!!!}}}
So, again I thank you for sharing your gift….and your how to’s….
be blessed,
Cindy♥
I came across this page on your website a few months back and you inspired me! I’m nearing thirty and have always wanted to take a painting class, but was worried that I was too old to start. After reading your site I signed up for a local watercolor class and am in my second week. I love it! Thanks for the inspiration!
How wonderful! Enjoy Emily!
I love your lettering styles. Do you have any suggestions on sources for practice?
Because I’m not formally trained, I’m sorry, but I really don’t. I would think you could start with calligraphy books — and while you’re looking for them, you’ll probably happen upon other lettering books. I do love it myself, so I can understand your interest!
Hello Susan and Michelle – I’m not formally-trained either but have taken several university-level calligraphy classes and would like to offer a recommendation based on my experience. There are tons of resources available but Google or search “hand-lettering” if you are more interested in plainer, clearer styles, easy to read etc – and “calligraphy” if you prefer the heavily-ornate styles like medieval monks used to “illuminate” books and Bibles during the Middle Ages etc. I want to be able to letter as Susan does – not bloody likely – but have had much better luck when I looked for “hand-lettering” books and guides. Good luck and have fun! If you’re like me you will be shocked at the creativity that’s been inside you all this time – that you never dreamed was there…
Thank you Janet! I think your last sentence is so true!
Hi Susan,
Which of your 2011 calendars does the Tasha Tudor page appear? The wall calendar? I’ll have to hunt that one down!
Yes, that’s December 2011.
Susan, I admire you and your work, I just love to watercolor on cards that I make and have to say that you inspire me every time I read your emails. Thank you.
Thank you back Lynda, sweet of you to say that!
Thank you for sharing your life, talent, and spirit with us. I too am an artist, I have been to Rockwell’s studio and take inspiration from You and Norman! How do you find the time to get all that you do- done? I have projects waiting….
I have them waiting too Diane, I am one of the few people I know who actually looks forward to cloning!
Actually Susan, you are already cloning yourself! When you inspire us to be creative, to keep on keeping on, to care….the list is endless!
What a sweet thought, and nice thing to say!
Dear Susan, I love the way you have links sprinkled throughout your August 2012 Williard. I was so delighted to find this one!
I raised eight wonderful children, the final one leaving the “nest” last September (2011). I have been dabbling in watercolor for a few years now, and have talked a friend into trying to watercolor paint, though we are both in our 60′s now! She is amazed at what talent and creativity she had inside
I have admired your work since discovering your first book, and I have searched for your products through the years; I love having your website and blog available now, and I look forward with happy anticipation to your Willard!
I appreciate you sharing how you learned to paint; it is VERY encouraging. I had a drawing instructor tell me the same thing about needing to copy things in the beginning. Now I am proud of myself when I can copy something to look similar to the “model.” I am also happy when my very young, barely talking grand children, can recognize a cat or horse or flower or pig or turtle, etc. that I draw from memory!
Thank you for the encouragement to practice.
Blessings and joy to you!
Mom of eight children, there is a special place for you in heaven . . . just like my mom! xoxo Thank you Pauli!
Thank you SOOO much for the info on the supplies you use to paint. I’ve been in a 5 or 6 year drought from my watercolors and didn’t know how much I miss it til I read your piece. Just looking at all the paints and brushes and pens, and especially the “paintings in progress” you showed made me smile and want to get started again using the fun things you use. I love, love, love your art and the wonderful quotes you use-I have journals filled with quotes (lots from your books and calendars). Thanks for Willard and your blog, and for all the sweetness and inspiration. Wish I could come over for tea and cookies, say hi to the kitties and paint a little. I hope to be just like you “when I grow up” (I’m 62, but who’s counting?)
No one’s counting around here!!!
I want to share a wonderful little book I just discovered–Julia Cameron’s 2004 “Answered Prayers — Love Letters from the Divine”. This morning when I read, “Hope is an unmet friend, a source of strength” I immediately thought of you and imagined you lovingly watercoloring it.
Thank you Cathy!
SOOO glad you put a link to this, I am so fascinated by your inspirations, your drawings, colors, just…YOU! I admire you so very much, you live so close in my heart to Beatrix Potter! (So glad you also liked my “little Potter books” too on Twitter
) I was just looking at the old “Snail Mail” Willards the other day, and was wondering if you still had your little house next door that was your studio (“House of Creativity”) b/c I keep thinking you work out of your “Music Room” art studio in your house? I keep that in mind for my own inspiration for when my husband and I get to purchase our first little house one day, I want one of my “must haves” to be a room for MY art studio! You are just so inspirational, and I just adore you! Thank you for your lovely gifts of art, cherished by not only me, I know, but all of us “girlfriends!”
Thank you so much Lisa! Getting a “room of my own” didn’t happen for me overnight, it was gradual … first I had to believe I deserved one! When we moved out to California in 2000, we sold the house next door, but the house of creativity turns out to be any house I’m in! Sold the house, kept the creativity!
You of all people most certainly deserve it!! And am I ever grateful that you do have one so that you can keep on inspiring us, wowing us, and making US feel deserving and special! I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since you moved to California…seems like such a short time ago! Wow, time does fly! I am so glad your back “home” though on MV. It just seems to suit you and Joe
I, like you, have always had this yearning to paint..Finally did and just love it. In my later years I am a little sloer doing it but I still have most of my supplies. Your art has made me a collector of all you sell. Love your outlook on life and the fact that we so love the same things..You are just wonderful. Thank you for sharing. You and Willard.
Your site brings so much joy. Your sharing of loving, detailed memories then tweaks our rush of memories. I’ll be retiring soon and your words, drawings and paintings, have inspired me to pick up a brush that I relinquished long ago. Thank you so much, Susan. You are such a creative treasure!
Hi Susan,
I have loved your artwork for years and thank you for following your heart. I used to cook some your recipes but have been put on a very strict diet similar to Bill Clinton’s by my doctor. Anyway…I thought I was all alone but discovered there is a large community of us herbivores out there. But…the cookbooks publish recipes that aren’t that great. The books themselves are sort of plain and ugly. Inspired by you, I am learning to draw and paint and handletter so I can write a plant-strong, dairy, egg, soy, gluten, and oil-free cookbook although it might take years to finish. Thank you again for sharing your passion and inspiring so many of us to follow you.
Well if what happens to you is the same as what Happened to Bill Clinton, where do I go to sign up? Right now, even as we speak, I have a gluten-free Polenta Cake in the oven! So it sounds like I’m off to a good start. I love your passion! Go for it Ginger! We need it!
I have checked out the art supply situation my self. If you have any suggestions please do include i love the blue like the one around the blog and the pretty pink, im a pink girl. Are u ever moving back to CAlifornia or are u in MV for good now. I love all your things and i would love to get some china like the tea pot and the cups so will be going back to work then i can shop for my self. Love to you and kisses for Joe and the fur babies. God Bless you, im going to try my hand at Watercolor but will probley have to copy at first until i can do it my self.Thank you for the blog and all your time involved in it. I want to write you and i still have ur letters from a few years ago, since i was also mentioned in the Willard newsletter i show every one who knows about you im a willardette star and loving it , love to you post some more pictures of your trip and the fur babies at play and having fun they make me smile i showed others how darn cute the fur babies are and to go to your blog and if they would like to purchase a gift for any one to go to the store on line. if i show at least one a week that should add up again Thank you I want some of the recipes from your books that i dont have help ? if there is any way to post some of the dererts so i can make them with out the book i do have your books probley 4 but gonna change that also. Hello to Joe and hope he is having a great Birth month its his month to shine seriously What day is your BD i have April 13th i feel that is off please let me know ok God Bless you and yours
I was looking myself up and found you. Funny. I was an English teacher. My boss said that I was to be part of an Annanberg Program and get an artist to work with my 10 th grade class once a week. We got a water colorist, Kim Ng, to teach us to water color for ten weeks. That was 12 years ago. I’ve been painting ever since (though not as we’ll as you).
She now comes to my temple and teaches mini lessons to us old timers ( we’re 60 to about 85). People say it must be relaxing. I disagree. I think it’ s stimulating. When we finish our paintings, Kim photographs them and we give the cd to the printer to make cards. They’re colorful and we make some money.
Hi Suzanne! Nice to see you here!
Hi Susan,
I’ve been reading your past blog about watercolor, loved all the comments.
I have to share. Went on a cruise & they had an art class, watercolor, every other day.
What a wonderful time we had. Great teacher, lots of laughs and how great it was to be mixed in with others that had never done watercolor & by the end of the cruise we were all so proud of our accomplishments and future fun with a new love for art in our lives.
There were some that did beautiful work and some (Me) not so visually beautiful but certainly brought beauty into my heart & soul.
My home now has an array of brushes & paints to enlighten my life my new found energy & enjoyment. On with brush-to-paint-to paper, Cheri
I have loved your art and books and you since your very first book! I’m about to turn 40 and can’t wait to start painting! <3
Perfect timing!