Lessons in Frozen Watercolor

Poplars in Snow by Susan Abbott

We loved this blog post by Susan Abbott so much we asked her if we could repost it here:

What I learned painting in 17 degree temperatures today:

  • when it’s cold enough out, watercolor crystallizes on your palette, and then solidifies on your paper
  • these crystals make some interesting textures in your painting
  • when you bring this painting back into a warm studio, the crystals melt, merging all your nuanced brushwork into one big puddle
  • sometimes, if not always, getting very messed up improves a painting

— Susan Abbott

Susan Abbott is an artist and Art League instructor who blogs at A Painter’s Year. She left this week for the Bahamas, where she and her students will be painting in warmer temperatures this February. At the time of this blog post, the trip is waitlist only, but contact us if you’re interested! Find the details here.

Photo by Susan Abbott
Blue Sunday by Susan Abbott
Blue Sunday by Susan Abbott