30 Days of Watercolour - Japanese Summer Collection

My Japanese Summer Collection

Yesterday was a big day for me, I completed the 30 Days of Watercolour challenge!
I've been blown away by the amazing support and encouragement I've received throughout this project. I can't express how thankful I am for that. I've absolutely loved sharing my watercolours everyday and I thank everyone who was kind enough to join me on this 30 day journey!

I encourage you to keep an eye out, I have more plans and ideas that I wish to explore and can't wait to get start on them. In the mean time I've compiled all 30 watercolours in one image, feel free to select the days which interest you on the side bar for more information.

I've learned so much on this project! I have amazing friends who were kind enough to share their experiences and knowledge with me. Jessica, Desirae and Chris, thank you!

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 30

Day 30 - Daruma Doll

I did it! _(_  ^  _)/  We've reached day 30 and I'm beyond happy.
Before I started this 30 day challenge my good friend gave me a small daruma doll. I coloured in one of the eyes with the goal in mind, to complete this 30 day challenge. Today I can finally colour-in the other eye as I have achieved what I set out to do! That's why I've painted a completed daruma doll.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 29

Day 29 - Peacock Blue Holbein Paint 

Seeing as watercolours have been a huge part of my summer I feel it's only fitting to paint a watercolour paint tube. This striking colour is Peacock Blue and comes from a special Holbein artist collaboration colour set by Yuko Higuchi. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 28

Day 28 - Melon Pan

Melon pan is a simple sweet bread bun with a thin crisp layer of cookie dough, topped off with a sprinkle of sugar. Melon pan is without a doubt my greatest weakness.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 27

Day 27 - Hiroshima Carp Baseball Cap

Baseball is a big sport in Japan and Hiroshima loves their Carp baseball team. Today I painted my Carp baseball cap.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days pf Watercolour - Day 26

Day 26 - Kumamon

The quirky Kumamoto mascot's fame reaches all prefectures in Japan. His face can be seen on fresh produce packaging in most supermarkets. Kumamon is my spirit animal. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 25

Day 25 - Asahi Beer

It's day 25 and there are five more paintings to go! I'm having a great time painting everyday and sharing them with everyone but man, I need a drink!>___<


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 24

Day 24 - Ice Cream

When it comes to ice cream, it takes me ages to eat it. This is a very common ice cream here in Japan called Gari Gari Kun ice cream. It's soda flavoured.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour -Day 23

Day 23 - Black Eyed Susan Flowers

These Black Eyed Susan flowers line the street that leads to one of my schools. They are so striking and make my Tuesday mornings pleasant.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 22

Day 22 - Gashapon Neko Atsume Toy

So, yesterday I painted a mystery gashapon and today I've painted it's contents! This gashapon was from a Neko Atsume themed machine. Neko Atsume loosely means collecting cats. After three tries and 300 yen later, I finally got the cat I wanted!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 21

Day 21 - Gashapon

Oh, how I love gashapon! Gashapon are capsules that are dispensed randomly. The prizes are usually little toys, keychains or figurines and in Japan you can gets some really cute and arb things.
Tomorrow I'll be painting the mystery contents of this gashapon! 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 20

Day 20 - Ebi Nigiri

What would a Japanese summer be without some sushi?! I painted ebi nigiri which is prawn that's been placed on a small bed of sticky rice with a bit of wasabi.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 19

Day 19 - Watermelon

 

When I think of watermelon, Christmas by the pool side comes to mind. Watermelon in Japan is rather pricey, so I only buy it for a special treat.    

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 18

Day 18 - 50 Yen Coin

A friend pointed out that I should perhaps paint some Japanese money. Seeing that it's pay day, what better day to paint my favorite Japanese coin? I painted the back of a 50 yen coin.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 17

Day 17  - Cup of Coffee

I'm the kind of girl who likes her hot cup of coffee even in summer. I really don't think I could get through the day without one.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

GIVEAWAY - 30 Days of Watercolour Postcards

My 30 Days of Watercolour GIVEAWAY has just launched!

Enter to stand a chance to win a full set of my 30 days of watercolour postcard series! It's open to everybody and ends August 31st! It's quick and easy to enter, all you have to do is like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter. Doing both increases your chance to win.;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 Days of Watercolour - Day16

Day 16 - Wind Chime

Wind chimes are considered to have a refreshing effect during the Japanese summer time. Hearing a wind chime in the height of summer is a truly welcomed sound. I like to think of it as a friendly reminder that there is in fact a breeze somewhere out there. 


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Holbein Waterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein 350R Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 15

Day 15  - Japanese Energy Drink

We have reached the half way point!

Juggling work and everyday life with painting one watercolour everyday defiantly keeps you on your toes. For me, it's already been worth it. I'm happy that I see some progress in my paintings and it motivates me to keep going.

I do feel the grind a bit and that's where the Japanese energy drink come into play. I swear that my Japanese coworkers live off this stuff. I don't make the habit of drinking these often but from my personal experience these small energy drinks are legit. I haven't experienced any negative side effects and usually feel energized through out the day.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 14

Day 14  - Uchiwa

During the summer time, it's very common to see people walking around with a hand fan. There are plenty of pleasing designs and styles to choose from, I myself have three. I find that hand fans and even parasols are far more commonplace here in Japan compared to South Africa.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 13

Day 13  - Watermelon Fanta

Japan is the land of glorious limited edition treats. This summer there is a watermelon flavored Fanta drink which is absolutely divine.  Once the summer season ends I'll have to sadly wait a full year to get to try it again. Fanta isn't the only product to do limited editions, Kit Kat and Pringles are also full of surprises.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 12

Day 12  - Berry Tart

Gosh, where do I begin. The cakes and tarts in Japan are absolutely gorgeous to look and they are of really high quality. I'm always looking to see what adorable animal shaped baked goods my local supermarkets often put out. I got this mixed berry tart at a cafe called Stick Sweet Factory, where all their cakes and tarts are usually in the shape of a rectangle. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 11

Day 11 - Gatsby

Summer time in Japan is super hot! Luckily there is this item to help you survive the heat. Gatsby facial wipes leave a tingling sensation which can be very refreshing. I decided to paint this today seeing that I always have a pack in my bag during the summer time, they come in different scents too. 


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 10

Day 10 - Transportation Cards

We've hit the double digits! Today's watercolour is all to do with the transportation cards which I use on a daily basis. The ICOCA is usually used on the trains, trams and some buses and the PASPY is used on the buses and trams. I absolutely love the platypus mascot for the  ICOCA card!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 9

Day 9 - Onigiri

My favorite "grab and go" kind of food in Japan has to be onigiri. Onigiri is made of sticky white rice shaped into a triangle or ball, it's usually wrapped in nori seaweed. you can get a variety of fillings.  My recommendations are ebi mayo onigiri (prawn) and tuna mayo onigiri which is also sometimes labeled as sea chicken!😂

You have to love the genius packaging here in Japan. There is a simple three step process to opening the onigiri which keeps the seaweed fresh. It's really awesome.   

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 8

Day 8 - Japanese Green Gum

Green is a pleasant colour to look at.:) Those who know me know well that I have a strong liking for the colour green. Sap Green, Kelly green and Hooker's Green. The name doesn't matter, I love them all. Much to my delight, my favorite gum in Japan just so happens to be called Green Gum! I really liked looking at my watercolour pallet once I was done painting.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 7

Day 7 - Origami Paper Crane

Yesterday on August 6th, marked the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing.

Living in Hiroshima and seeing the A-bomb dome regularly can really put things into perspective. In the peace park near the A-bomb dome there is a statue of Sasaki Sadako. Paper cranes from all over the world are placed in showcases next to her. They are place there to remember the tragedy and represent peace. Today I painted a paper crane.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 6

Day 6 -  Anpan

Today's watercolour is dedicated to Chris, my husband. I'm not really a fan but he loves anpan and most red bean flavored treats. I got pretty hungry painting this one.:)

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 5 + Progress Photo

Day 5 - Kure City's Station Sign

Update 08/06Here's the final watercolour for the Kure train station sign.

______

Today we welcomed a few new Kure ALTs to the family with a tour of the city and treat to a Hiroshima style party! Despite the busy day, I managed to squeeze some painting of the Kure city's train station sign. Tomorrow I'll finish this up and update this post with the finished version. Tomorrow will still have it's own watercolour as planned. Hope you have a great evening!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 4

Day 4-  The sound of summer in Japan, Cicadas

Day4

During the summer time the sound of these noisy critters is thick in the air. Often I wake up to their special sound. In swarms, the sound can be quite overwhelming but I find that I've become accustomed to it and actually like it now.  So, I though that a cicada would be a fitting subject to paint today.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and making ink
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour pape
Holbein Para Resable 350 brush series

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 3

Day 3 -  Wedding Rings

Day 3

This is a special day for Chris and me, so it deserves a special watercolour.

It's our first wedding anniversary! So painting our wedding rings seemed like the thing to do.:)
Coming to Naoshima and being surrounded by art is the perfect way to spend our anniversary, art is what brough us together. I'll leave art island inspired and thankful for the love and support from my husband. Looking forward to all the wonderful years ahead.

p.s Traveling and painting is tricky especially when editing illustrations without a charger for the tablet!>___<

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 2

Day 2 -  Yellow pumpkin

Today Chris an I have traveled to Okayama for two days to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary (August 3rd) on Naoshima. This island is also known as art island which is home to my all time favorite art piece the yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama. I still can't believe I got the chance to paint this today.

p.s Traveling and painting is tricky especially in 30 plus degree weather.>.<

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 1

Day 1 - Store Packaged Octopus Tentacle

I've always been particularly fascinated by octopus tentacles and thought it would make an interesting subject to paint. My husband always thinks it's funny when he catches me in the fish section at our local supermarket, staring at all the strange creatures I've never seen before. Am I the only one captivated by them?

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.