A Personal Brush with Creativity: Review of Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults
As I flipped through the pages of Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults by Kristy Rice, I was immediately struck by a wave of nostalgia. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with art. Although I adore the beauty of watercolor paintings, my experiences with brushes and paints rarely led to anything I’d eagerly display. But Rice’s book, with its promise of artistic experimentation, invited me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace my inner artist.
The moment I picked up a brush, I felt the stress of the day dissolve. The book features 25 meticulously crafted floral sketches, each offering double-sided pages of high-quality watercolor paper. This thoughtful design means you can explore your creativity without the fear of ruining the next page—an essential feature for anyone, like me, who tends to go a bit overboard with water and color!
Rice’s approachable yet inspiring style shines throughout the pages. She doesn’t just provide sketches; she offers advice and painting tips tailored to each illustration. From exploring color theory with a handy color wheel to encouraging experimentation, she nudges you gently towards discovery. I found myself smiling while mixing colors, feeling the thrill of spontaneity as I layered hues onto the paper. “Art is a gift you give to yourself,” Rice reminds us, and her words resonated deeply as I lost myself in the process.
What I appreciated most was how Painterly Days invites artists of all skill levels to consult their own instincts. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or a complete novice—or, like me, somewhere in between—there’s an unmistakable freedom in taking a brush to paper without the expectation of perfection. I loved one particular sketch of blooming peonies; I gave it a burst of color that was both vibrant and chaotic. Looking at my creation, I realized it captured more than just a flower—it encapsulated my mood, my enjoyment, and my journey back to artistry.
One moment that stood out was a quote in Rice’s tutorial: “Don’t think about what you should make; think about what you want to make.” This simple yet profound advice shifted my mindset from self-judgment to exploration. It’s like she handed me permission to simply be and create.
In conclusion, Painterly Days is not just a watercolor book—it’s a passport to creativity for anyone seeking joy in art. If you’re looking for a therapeutic escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, or if you want to rekindle a forgotten passion for painting, this book is for you. Kristy Rice has opened a gateway to artistic expression that I didn’t know I needed, and I’m grateful to have this vibrant resource in my collection.
I urge you to dive into Painterly Days. You might just find that painting can be a delightful journey of self-discovery, one brushstroke at a time.
You can find Painterly Days: The Flower Watercoloring Book for Adults (Painterly Days, 1) here >>
