The 1920s—known as the Roaring Twenties—was a time of exuberant creativity and radical change. The art of the era was bold and daring, blending elegance with innovation. Movements like Art Deco, Art Nouveau, the Harlem Renaissance, and the rise of modernism shaped a magical and experimental visual world that still captivates us today.

I drew inspiration from this vibrant decade for my recent winter workshop, where we stepped back in time to reimagine 1920s aesthetics through the lens of contemporary watercolour.

Our projects included everything from hand-crafted ‘z’ books to trinket boxes and faux stained-glass panels—all brought to life with DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors and Watercolor Grounds.

We explored how watercolour can be pushed beyond paper by introducing new surfaces like plexiglass and wood, enhanced with DANIEL SMITH Transparent Watercolour Ground. Students were encouraged to experiment with textures, layering techniques, and surface preparation—all while embracing the spirit of 1920s artistry.

One of the standout projects was creating stained-glass-inspired pieces using Transparent Watercolour Ground applied directly to plexiglass. Students created “lead lines” using a mixture of PVA and dark grey acrylic paint, giving the illusion of soldered glass. The final artworks were sealed with a spray lacquer, preserving their luminous colour and depth.

It was fascinating to see each participant interpret their own version of the 1920s style—from geometric Deco patterns to flowing Art Nouveau curves—all in a medium not typically associated with glasswork: watercolour.

Each student received a personalized mini plein air palette, featuring curated selections from four of our DANIEL SMITH Ambassador 10-Color Sets:

• Stella Canfield’s Master Artist Sets

• Angus McEwan – Master Artist Watercolor Set

• Alvaro Castagnet – Master Artist Set

• Jean Haines – Master Artist Watercolor Set

These mini palettes also included a few of the latest additions to the DANIEL SMITH watercolor range, offering students the opportunity to expand their color vocabulary. Each palette came with a Watercolour Ground–coated lid, which became a tiny canvas for a personalized artwork—a fun and meaningful way to connect with new materials and express their creativity.

As always, it was such a joy to watch everyone experiment, learn, and take creative risks. Exploring new colours beyond my workshop’s dot card is always a highlight—there’s something special about seeing someone fall in love with a color they’ve never tried before.