Rafael Pita from Brazil shared his favorite palette and watercolor techniques:

Here’s a Q&A with Rafael:

Why do you make art?
Because I need to express myself. Art is connected with my mood and my emotions. When I go a long time without it, I don’t feel good.

How long have you been painting?
I have been drawing since I was a child, but I started watercolor painting in 2006.

Did you have formal art training?
I studied drawing for comic books at a school called Quanta in São Paulo. The first class I had about colors was by chance – it was not in my plans, but it was something that found me. After that class, my learning process became self-taught.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
It was never a hobby, even in the beginning when I was still studying drawing, My goal was always to work with art. I started teaching art classes as soon as possible and took jobs as an illustrator.

What inspires you?
I like varied themes – but some flow more easily for me, like natural landscapes, seascapes and houses. Whatever the theme, I’m always looking for the most pleasing compositions.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
Light instrumental music like indie and folk, or sometimes Christian music. Sometimes I listen to lectures or sermons while painting.

Have you had a mentor?
Not as a teacher, but there is a Brazilian watercolorist named Antonio Giacomin who greatly inspires me.

Do you paint every day?
I wish I could, but I have too many administrative tasks. As a working artist, it’s not only about painting.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
Much of my painting lately has been for teaching classes, so I’m producing isolated pieces with a specific purpose. I would like to produce a more personal series of work, but I haven’t managed to start yet. It’s a very important project for me though – I will make the time!

Do you create a concept piece first?
Yes, I always use planning tools in my creative process, which is exactly the point I help my students explore in depth.

Do you prefer painting in studio or plein air?
Plein air is wonderful, but I need time, so the studio is more practical. It also depends a lot on the purpose of my work – if I am teaching or painting for commission. I am actually planning a plein air course now.

How many core colors do you use?
My basic palette has 12 colors:  Joseph Z’s Cool Grey, Quinacridone Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Carmine, Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Phthalo Green Blue Shade, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Phthalo Blue Green Shade, King’s Royal Blue, and Lavender.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
Tubes.

How do you know that your piece is complete?
When the piece is almost finished, I usually give it some time, then I look from a distance to see if there’s something undesired or that needs touch-ups. But when I start to make touch-ups that don’t add any quality to the piece, then I already know that it is passed time to stop!

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