This August marks one year since Watercolor Wisdom was released into the world.
Looking back, it's hard to believe how much has happened since then.
The idea for the book actually began much earlier.
At the time, I had already been teaching watercolor for several years. I had worked with students from around the world, created tutorials, answered countless questions, and spent a great deal of time thinking about how to make watercolor easier to understand.
Again and again, I received messages from students saying that they appreciated the way I explained things. They told me that watercolor felt less intimidating because the process was broken into simple, manageable steps.
Yet despite all of that, writing a book wasn't really on my mind.
Then one conversation changed everything.
Around Christmas of 2022, I was speaking with another watercolor teacher who had recently published a book in Germany. Curious about the experience, I asked her what the process had been like.
After listening to my questions, she simply said:
"Kristine, you should write a book. You have so much teaching experience and so many students."
I still remember my reaction.
My first thought was:
"Me? I'm still a beginner."
At the time, I couldn't quite see what she saw.
But her words stayed with me.
Months later, during the summer of 2023, I found myself returning to the idea again and again. What if I tried? What kind of book would I create?
The more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't want to make just another watercolor book.
There are already many beautiful watercolor books in the world.
If I was going to create one, it needed to solve a problem I had been seeing for years.
I wanted to create something that felt less like reading a book and more like learning alongside a teacher.
That's when the idea for the QR-code tutorials appeared.
People learn differently today. We're used to seeing movement, watching brushstrokes unfold, and observing the process in real time.
Suddenly, everything clicked.
What if every project came with a full video tutorial?
What if someone could open the book, scan a code, and paint alongside me step by step?
What if the book could become a creative companion rather than simply a collection of instructions?
That idea eventually became Watercolor Wisdom.
More Than a Book
From the very beginning, my goal was simple.
I wanted someone with absolutely no watercolor experience to be able to open the book and begin.
Not next week.
Not after buying twenty different supplies.
Right away.
Whether you're completely new to watercolor or coming from a different artistic medium, I wanted the book to guide you through every step.
Which materials to choose.
How to mix colors.
How to build confidence with each new project.
I wanted it to feel as though I was sitting beside you, gently guiding you through the process.
That's why every project includes not only step-by-step guidance and video tutorials, but also many of the small pieces of advice I often share during workshops.
Simple reminders that creativity doesn't need to be rushed.
And most importantly:
There is no perfect way to paint.
Mistakes are not a sign that something has gone wrong.
They are often a sign that learning is happening.
What You'll Find Inside Watercolor Wisdom
- 15 guided botanical projects
- 300gsm Artist-Grade Paper
- Full Video Tutorials via QR Codes
- Lessons on tonal values, layering, brush control and color mixing
- A learning path designed for beginners, hobbyists, nature lovers, artists and anyone seeking a calming, creative routine.
The Magic Was Never the Finished Painting
If there is one thing I hope readers take away from Watercolor Wisdom, it isn't a perfect painting.
It's the understanding that creativity isn't really about the outcome.
Of course, creating something beautiful feels wonderful.
But that feeling lasts only a moment.
The real gift is the process itself.
The moment you sit down with a brush.
The moment colors begin to mix on the palette.
The moment water starts carrying pigment across the paper.
The moment you stop worrying about whether the painting will be good enough and simply allow yourself to create.
That's where the magic lives.
I've often found that the less pressure we place on the final result, the better the result becomes.
When we're focused only on perfection, painting can feel stressful.
But when we become absorbed in the process, something changes.
We relax.
We enjoy ourselves.
And almost without noticing, our paintings improve too.
That philosophy became the heart of this book.
And it's still the message I hope every reader carries with them - Enjoy the Process.
One Year Later
It still feels unbelievable when someone recognizes me in the street and tells me they painted from the book.
Even after years of teaching and sharing online, those moments never feel ordinary.
They remind me how powerful creativity can be.
I truly believe that art and beauty can make our world a little gentler, a little calmer, and a little brighter.
Creativity isn't reserved for a talented few. I believe it lives inside all of us.
And I believe that when we allow ourselves time to create, we're giving ourselves something valuable that goes far beyond a finished painting.
What has touched me most over the past year has been hearing from readers who have painted through the projects, discovered a new love for watercolor, or found the confidence to pick up a brush again. Their messages, reviews, and shared paintings have become one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
This August, as Watercolor Wisdom celebrates its first anniversary, I feel nothing but gratitude.
Thank you for trusting me to be part of your creative journey.
Thank you for every painting you've shared, every kind message you've sent, and every brushstroke you've painted alongside me.
Seeing this book become part of so many creative journeys around the world has been one of the greatest joys of my career.
Let's continue to learn.
Let's continue to create.
And most importantly,
Let's continue to enjoy the process together.
With love,
Kristine 💚
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