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.
New Surfaces, New Colors, New Ideas
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.
Faux Stained Glass Panels with a Modern Twist
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.
Plein Air Palettes Inspired by Our Ambassadors
Each student received a personalized mini plein air palette, featuring curated selections from four of our DANIEL SMITH Ambassador 10-Color Sets:
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.
作为一名自学成才的艺术家，, 卡罗琳·迪布尔 屡获殊荣的艺术作品不断演变，可概括为“当代自然”。她独特的风格源于三十余年的艺术探索，她不断探索色彩与光影的层次，捕捉自由流淌的水、自然栖息地和现代笔触的精髓。卡罗琳深信艺术在我们生活中扮演着重要的角色。她从事美术教育工作二十余年，面向成人和青少年，并在本地、全国乃至国际展览中展出自己的作品。.
