Agustina Fernandez from Argentina shared her favorite watercolor palette and techniques:

Here’s a Q&A with Agustina:

Why do you make art?
Mainly as a form of expression. I have always been involved in art in different ways. Art has always been my grounding, what connects me with myself. Now when I pick up a brush, I feel like the clock stops and the moment is pure present. That is priceless to me.

How long have you been painting?
I feel like I have been painting forever. As a child I liked to write and draw. I also danced all my life and studied piano for a few years. My mother is a painter, so there have always been acrylics and colored pencils in my house to play with and explore. As for watercolor in particular, I started painting in 2020 during the pandemic  and it was love at first sight. Since then I have not stopped taking classes and learning everything I can – it is a challenging technique that captivates me.

Did you have formal art training?
Not really, but I always consider it an ongoing subject of study.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
Right now, art is a hobby for me. But since I love teaching and watercolors are my passion, I occasionally give online workshops. It is something that I enjoy a lot and I would like to continue growing in it.

What inspires you?
I look for artists who convey something to me, who surprise me. When I see an Instagram profile that leaves me speechless, I don’t hesitate to follow it, because it motivates me to challenge myself and explore different ways of doing things. Currently I am inspired by realism and contrasts.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
I listen to a variety, but mainly jazz, pop and French music.

Have you had a mentor?
Two of my watercolor teachers from whom I have learned a lot are Diego Eguinlian (Argentine) and Paz Sotomonte (Chilean).

Do you paint every day?
No, unfortunately there are days when I work a lot and I don’t get to pick up a brush. But when I have time, I paint for long hours.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
Sometimes I am working on two or three pieces at a time, but there is always a main one that I focus on.

Do you create a concept piece first?
Not really, I have done it a couple of times but I still don’t dare to compose. I feel like I am still exploring my technique and looking to improve it.

Do you prefer painting in studio or plein air?
I prefer to paint in the studio with music and some good friends.

How many core colors do you use?
Judging by my most worn-out watercolors, I would say no more than 7 colors.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
I mostly use tubes that I have transferred to palettes to let dry.

When do you know that your piece is finished?
When I examine each space of my work over and over again and feel that I could not add, correct, or darken anything else. Also, when I start to feel bored, that is a very reliable internal clock that the artwork is definitely done.

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