Susana Abundis from Mexico shared her favorite watercolor tips and techniques:

Here’s a Q&A with Susana:

Why do you make art?
For me, making art is the way in which I can express myself and where I only have to be true to myself. It is a space in which I am happy. When I paint, time does not pass, nothing hurts me – it is just me, my work tools and the paintings that result from that expression.

How long have you been painting?
I have been drawing since I was three years old, but it wasn’t until eight years ago that I learned to paint with watercolor.

Did you have formal art training?
I was self-taught, until I took my first formal watercolor classes with Patricia Guzmán eight years ago.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
Working artist.

What inspires you?
I have always liked the human figure, it has a lot of expression. I also love looking for textures.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
Contemporary Mexican music or 80’s music in either English or Spanish.

Have you had a mentor?
I consider my teacher Patricia Guzman to be my mentor.

Do you paint every day?
I try to paint every day.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
I paint one piece at a time… I like to give my work all my attention.

Do you create a concept piece first?
Before starting an artwork, I like to think about the image I want to express, then I make sketches and take photographs for reference.

Do you prefer painting in studio or plein air?
I like to work in my studio, but if there is an opportunity to do plein air, I take it.

How many core colors do you use?
About 8.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
I prefer tubes.

When do you know that your piece is finished?
It’s difficult to know.  Sometimes I look at it from afar and if I like it, I don’t do anything else – although there is always the temptation to continue polishing the work.

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Join us online each week via Zoom or Facebook for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with John Cogley (Daniel Smith Owner and CEO) along with guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John and some of our Brand Ambassadors highlight a group of colors and answer your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist shares a demo with their favorite tips and techniques. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

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