I kept choosing architecture for my watercolors, apparently because I enjoy making things difficult.But giving it even more color, since references are meant to be interpreted, not reproduced.

Watercolor Journey: Furzy in Paris (13/20) Giving myself permission to add colors that weren't really there, if they helped the scene tell a better story. Like @furzywhitetiger.bsky.social riding a bicycle in Paris, heading to the vegetable shop... because tigers need their veggies too.

... first the heat wave, then the Paris vs Arsenal final filled the streets with people, and finally came the rain. Luckily, the golden hour afterward was worth the wait.

Watercolor Journey: Kazan in Paris (12/20) @kazanisfatzan.bsky.social , happily nomming a baguette all by himself in Paris, ohlalá! I always enjoy going to Paris, and I was going to find spots where to paint, but there were challenges...

That street had more interesting light. By then I had learned not to copy every detail, but to simplify the scene and keep what felt important. That included a trash bin. Maybe my inner raccoon had something to do with that.

Watercolor Journey: Flurrabell and Helios in Milan (11/20) @flurrabell.bsky.social and Helios exploring the streets of Milan. If the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele was challenging, the Duomo was on another level. Instead of painting the classic postcard view, I chose a side street.

Quickly realized I'd picked a ridiculously complicated scene! But I enjoyed the challenge! It made me learn a lot on simplifying structures on buildings, and after getting all the shapes figure out, then I can start adding all details.

Watercolor Journey: Mica and Porter in Milan (10/20) From Cinque Terre to Milan. Suddenly I went from painting nature to tackling grand architecture. I chose the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Mica was busy shopping while Porter carried all the bags. (For @treycat.bsky.social )

Finding shade to paint was the real challenge under that summer sun. But this became one of my favorite paintings from Cinque Terre. I had learned to simplify what mattered instead of copying every detail.

Watercolor Journey: Denali and Archer in Riomaggiore (9/20) After cooling off with a swim, Denali and @archeremberpelt.bsky.social playing. I couldn't stop thinking about Luca, the scenery made it feel like a sea monster could appear at any moment.

f I have a weakness, it would be for ice cream, and Italy is the best on it. Also Riomaggiore turned in my favorite village of Cinque Terre, that's why I had to return the next day.

Watercolor Journey: Repaki in Riomaggiore (8/20) @repaki.bsky.social , this red panda/fox, perfectly captured my mood for this day that I returned to Riomaggiore. After walking a lot during heat wave day, I had a gelato, and it turned out to be one of the best I've ever had.

I could get far, the owner of the house came out to see what I was doing. Our Italian-Spanish-English conversation wasn't getting us anywhere. He was not upset, tho, he seemed fine with it, but I'm shy and I got intimidated so I finished this painting later, not live.

Watercolor Journey: Dahan in Vernazza (7/20) Back in Vernazza, I found another perfect spot to paint. The afternoon light created beautiful shading. This scene features Dahan, appreciating the contemplative life, as cats tend to do.

While painting, a tour group surrounded me. People took photos of me and even held their phones in front of my face to photograph the painting without saying a word. It was so unexpected that I couldn't help but laugh.

Watercolor Journey: Zak in Corniglia (6/20) Corniglia is the only Cinque Terre village without direct beach access, so getting there means climbing hundreds of steps. And what a beautiful view! Zak, losing a sandal on a rooftop For @ffbacklash.bsky.social

I started sketching there, but decided to put the painting away and just enjoy the sunset. It became the first piece of this journey I didn't finish on location, but it was based on that exact moment.

Watercolor Studies: Cappy in Manarola (5/20) Cinque Terre gets very crowded during the day, but by sunset most tourists have left. One day I hiked into the hills around Manarola and found a spot completely to myself, with one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen For @cappytc.bsky.social

Of all five Cinque Terre villages, Riomaggiore was my absolute favorite. Labyrinthine, narrow and mysterious: turn a corner and find stairs, tunnels under the mountain, unexpected views, and suddenly, a beach.

Watercolor Studies: Koda in Riomaggiore (4/20) And here is @koda.wah.ninja , wandering through its narrow streets, with the ocean in the background. Probably wondering where all those stairs with ups and downs are taking him.

I found a beautiful spot to paint in Vernazza. What I didn't expect was becoming a tourist attraction myself. People stopped to watch, compliment me and ask questions. Very scary for a shy panda! I eventually got used to painting with an audience, and even had a lovely chat with another artist.

Watercolor Studies: Ronin and Traxus in Vernazza, Italy (3/20) In the scene, Ronin and Traxus enjoy a peaceful boat ride, moments before Traxus, very interested in all the fish, jumps into the water and flips the whole boat. For @rfoxtail.bsky.social

While standing on the same spot, the light kept changing, and I realized it wasn't about copying reality, but interpreting it. And no... Adam definitely wasn't sitting on top of that tree. His mom would've had a heart attack. (And I left the characters to add later)

Watercolor Studies: Adam in Via dell'Amore (2/20) While walking along the path that connects Manarola and Riomaggiore, in Italy, I painted this, spending almost two hours in the same spot. Traveling alone gave me time to slow down, paint, and reflect on life. This crazy fox on the tree is Adam Fox

During one of the late-night art jams at Anthrocon, while the rain was pouring outside, I had the chance to draw @snowybarks.bsky.social . Encouraging him to draw with us. Art jams are one of my favorite convention moments!

To make this trip possible, I took commissions for featuring characters within these studies, something I wanted to include anyway, but they helped fund the journey. This is the first of a series of many of these studies.

Watercolor Studies: Lufis in Manarola (1/20) One of my biggest dreams was to travel in solitary and paint live. I wanted to study light, color and composition directly in front of me. My first stop was Italy. This was in Manarola, featuring @lufisraccoon.bsky.social

My part of an art trade with the amazing @dingoroo.net during the Anthrocon's rainy evening of Friday, at a late art jam in the middle of the crowd, because the art corner room closed very early. Made on color pencils. He's my absolute favorite dingoroo!

I’m at Anthrocon!! I’m not going to be vending but I have ton of art at the Art Show!! Check it out! It is huge and there is a lot of amazing pieces by many talented artists!!! Remember it is only going to be open on Friday and Saturday!

And here a quick video of the process of this piece: