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watercolor notes by Vinita Pappas

"It's a tough old sport"

Published 6 months ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,
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Today I have a quote to share from artist David Curtis.
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"The idea that watercolor is a pleasant little pastime; that logic defies me, I'm afraid. It's a tough old sport.
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I think it's that the highs are incredibly high and the lows can be very disheartening, especially when you get a run of substandard work.
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You begin to wonder if whatever abilities you've got are on a knife-edge and that you're beginning to lose them. You think 'that's just me', but then you talk to your peers, and everybody's the same. Everybody is full of their own self-doubts."

David Curtis is a well-known UK artist, a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Marine Artists. If he, of all people, experiences self-doubt from time to time, it's no wonder we would too.

The next time you find yourself wondering about your abilities, remember this quote and keep going. The next high point is up ahead, which is why we keep showing up.

Last night, the clouds were moody, so I wasn't sure about painting. It sprinkled for a few minutes, then the light went soft and golden, like someone had turned on a lamp. Some evenings on the Oregon Coast feel like you're living in a painting.

Have a great week!

P.S. Watercolor in Flow, my new online program, is open. It's designed to help you paint with more confidence and less second-guessing. → Click here to learn more. ​

Watercolor Notes, a newsletter by Vinita Pappas

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watercolor notes by Vinita Pappas

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