From control to flow: What painting with my niece revealed about watercolor washes
I always insisted on meticulous, controlled watercolor washes, believing that was the key to clean results. This led me to dismiss painting sessions with my energetic niece, fearing her chaotic approach would mess up my art. Last month, during a family visit, she begged me to paint together, and I finally gave in. As she joyfully splattered paint, I noticed the colors merging into stunning, unintended gradients and blooms. This experience convinced me that spontaneous techniques can yield beautiful, dynamic textures that rigid control never could. Now, I often start my paintings with a loose, intuitive wash inspired by that day. Your mileage may vary, but for me, learning from family playtime has enriched my technical repertoire.