See What is Hiding in this Watercolor Sketchbook!

Watch as I flip through my (almost complete!) Watercolor for Relaxation journal. I paint in my journal for a few reasons. First off, it completely relaxes my nervous system while I am painting and for some time after. Second, I just adore the way these pages in my handmade art journals look. I find them to be satisfying on every level!
Painting in this style is pretty easy once you learn the basics of how to watercolor and all of the little tips and tricks for how to paint repetitive patterns. I love creating this way so much, that I made an online course about it for my platform, Willa Workshops. You can check out the course here: willa-workshop....
This journal has been through so much with me. Its contents are full of happiness and grief and everything in between. So much learning and growing and healing. Always learning.
I hope you enjoy!
All instructional content is available at willawanders.com
#willawatercolors #watercolorforrelaxation #loveyourimperfectletters #willaworkshops #artjournaling

[@willawanders]

For information about the full course, click here: willa-workshops.teachable.com/p/watercolor-for-relaxation

[@Nurthecat]

This was so calming and inspiring to watch ❤ not adding music and just hearing the sound of paper was the best!

[@sooper109]

AGREE!!! Love hearing the sound of the paper!!!

[@lisafries1715]

Your artwork is so gorgeous.

[@willawanders]

Thank you so much!

[@millanahorner3942]

Really beautiful, every page.

[@willawanders]

oh thank you so much!

[@lyndasmith593]

What a touch you have. You have such a wonderful sense of color and design and composition. I could sit with that book all day long and just slowly slowly turn the pages with the deckled edges and get in my Zen's face and do some head clearing. Thank you for showing us this journal. I'm assuming it was handmade such a treasure.

[@willawanders]

Thank you and yes, I love making my own books as well.

[@celieaguayo9000]

I also love the crinkle crunch, scrape sound of the paper pages turning❤

[@221b-Maker-Street]

This really is a feast for the eyes, and so relaxing to watch. I'm slightly ashamed to say _so_ relaxing, that I fell asleep half-way through - but came back again to watch a second time! 🤍

[@willawanders]

I hope you had a good nap!

[@221b-Maker-Street]

@@willawanders It was bedtime, tbf! 😂🤗

[@oliveappleby8672]

Love this🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@mousepudding]

Gorgeous. Thanks for not adding a tacky YT soundtrack.

[@kristinenoonan2191]

So inspiring....may thanks!

[@Lindaheal]

LOVED this journal, and the peaceful flip through without music behind it. I was surprised to see how much I enjoyed the pages with spaces left blank. Somehow that blank space sparked a kind of invitation for me that left me feeling included in the fun. As someone who often hung out on the sidelines as a kid, this was an unexpected little piece of healing for me..... Sitting with the question of why this is, all I can figure is that the open space seems to symbolize a kind of doorway into the painting/process, and I find myself curious to go in and explore. Find the deeper meaning , getting my hands and feet a little dirty with the paint, and above all playing! The lovely colors, the pops of contrast, the variety of shapes and themes feel soothing/deeply nourishing and intriguing at the same time. This is absolutely my favorite kind of experience with art!

[@willawanders]

I’ve never thought of it that way, but you are right, those empty spaces are like a doorway!

[@luannfischer747]

This is one of the most inspiring journals I’ve ever seen. Thank you for the flip thru

[@willawanders]

you are too kind Luann!

[@luannfischer747]

@@willawanders I really mean it. All too often I see things that are so far beyond what I want to be doing, and this one is soooo me! Color galore and journaling as desired. My little creative group has grown to 6, and we are all into our own creative adventure but enjoy the sharing 🥰

[@willawanders]

I totally get it. We all have different creative needs! @@luannfischer747

[@skullingtonfly]

Your journal is a real masterpiece 👍🏼🥰

[@ultraviolet734]

Truly inspiring and yes, beautiful 🎨✨️💖 That quote in the middle with black paint and white lettering definitely hits for me.

[@willawanders]

I'm so glad that it resonated with you!

[@Jogange59]

This was so lovely to look at and so inspiring! Thank you for sharing this.

[@kriswachter6637]

Wendy, thank you so much for sharing, your water color journal is beautiful and this was a very calming video. ❤

[@craftedbymaia-cg4jj]

I found it! Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous ❤❤❤❤

[@CynsibleCreations]

Okay Wendy! ❤❤❤ You just gonna flip through and not say anything? I am checking my blood pressure now. The colors and designs has me overstimulated. It was like a rollercoaster thrill ride. And yes……. I am watching it again.

[@willawanders]

You are hilarious! What should I have done? Gone into gory detail about each page and why I created it? That would turn into a Soap Opera. HAHAHAHHA

[@debragroth1553]

Very cool! So many wonderful designs patterns and paintings

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

beautiful and inspiring. thanks for sharing.

[@susanstemmet607]

Love this watercolour journal so much. I could almost feel your emotions as I watched each page. One of the best art journals I have seen in a long time.

[@willawanders]

You're so right. There are tons of emotions in there.

[@kittencreates2785]

This is such a wonderful journal. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[@willawanders]

glad you enjoy looking at it!

[@lindaraffaele4116]

So beautiful! A delight to watch and hear the paper turning, the patterns, colors, a pleasure. Thank you

[@kimberleebrooks-trakis9563]

Love your lettering

[@elizabethk2009]

This is such a beautifully done journal. So much patience and peace in it❤ a work of love

[@sueoakley2603]

So calming,and eye watering. Never get tired of looking at your watercolours!

[@JinniHarley]

I am in awe of your creativity and natural instinct for colour. Found my new happy, calm place. ❤ may you have many blessings. Thanking you.

[@sooper109]

I love this! Thanks for sharing! 😍😍😍 Now I must go binge watch all of your other videos! 😁

[@magistra137]

Awesome, awesome, awesome! And very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your art!

[@Jane-Sunstoneyoga]

What a beautiful journal ❤

[@celieaguayo9000]

The floral ones are my favorite as the little squares. Also gorgeous work so beautiful.❤

[@brittaandersen8786]

What a beautiful artjournal 🥳🥳🥳👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@HopefulMathGirl]

I hit gold mine, this is exactly my thing

[@jeanieferretti4203]

Thank you ❤️🙏🏻

[@willawanders]

You are so welcome

[@jeanieferretti4203]

@ Now that I’m hooked I have decided to do the same thing with all my other watercolors. Just finished one, I’m so in love with this technique ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you ❤️🙏🏻

[@karendejarnette7633]

This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring watercolor journals I’ve ever seen! ❤️Thank you for sharing it!

[@lynnegillis8910]

I absolutely love this journal... and I love the watercolor for relaxation practice. I started the class and realized how woefully out of practice I am... and almost wanted to just give up. But I've decided that the sketchbook I'm using will simply be a place to play and to practice... that it doesn't have to be perfect. And I love that there are some stunning pages in your journal (most of them!), and there are also ones that are less finished - and that gives me so much inspiration! Thank you for sharing this in its entirety... and thank you for creating the class! I am absolutely LOVING it!

[@willawanders]

If you look closely at my book, I think you will find that it is a lot more imperfect than we can see in a video!!!

[@michellemitchell5112]

Ohhhhh I loved every turn of every page and I think I took a screenshot of more than 75% of them. How I long to have a completed journal like this full of my creations, thank you for this class 🤩

[@trillianlocke1088]

WOW!! This book is amazing. I’m going to watch it again and probably again. I have found it hard to make friends with water colour paints but this video is wetting my appetite to try again. Cheers, Trills.

[@willawanders]

At the risk of soundy salesy, you might want to consider my course Watercolor for Relaxation. It is a big hit and loads of people who struggled with Watercolor are finding a lot of success and confidence with it now!

[@tripstaholic]

​@@willawandersHi, is this course still available? if so, can you post the link here? Thank you :)

[@MissRockerfeller]

Wendy zzz, your journal is amazing!

[@willawanders]

awwww, thanks!!!!

[@ireneurban3599]

just wonderful🤩🤩🤩

[@louloufabrique]

Beautiful!!! And so peaceful to watch and we do need peace so much... Merci Wendy.

[@cathywatson8401]

Simply stunning Wendy 💕

[@annieboismoreau4152]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 tellement beau ! Merci 😍

[@annettenorman8173]

I love this idea and your journal is wonderful! Where do you get the ruffled pages? I would love to just watch you working on a page and chatting. Your quotes are fabulous, your writing and color palette are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

[@willawanders]

I used to tell people who asked what the paper was. But now I realize that just telling people what the paper is is actually totally misleading because there is a lot more information about what is going on here that people really want to know. So I went ahead and created an entire course all about how I work in these journals. The class is called Watercolor for Relaxation and you can get more info about it at willawanders.com. Sorry that probably isn't the answer that you were looking for, but it is the truth and if you just bought the paper that I use, you would be horribly disappointed!

[@JoDunn-i4f]

Wendy this journal is gorgeous in every way! I’ve signed up for the class as I’ve taken others you’ve offered and know how much “bang for the buck” is involved. Can’t wait to get started but am in the middle of a move to another area and will have to wait until I’m in and can find my art supplies😂. Thanks so much for your beautiful work and contribution to the art community as well as your willingness to teach us your beautiful techniques!

[@jenco1268]

So beautiful! Your work would make great repeat patterns for fabric and paper!

[@marie8642]

Wow, thank you for sharing your journal. Watching this video felt like prayer to me. Absolutely beautiful. So much inspiration for expressing myself (heart and soul) artistically…

[@AntyPam4250]

Absolutely gorgeous! ❤

[@meganarline]

Beautiful. And much nicer to watch it slowly on you tube. 😀🎨

[@ElderberrySprout]

Oh My Gosh! this was so inspiring, lovely and peaceful to watch. I love the quotes and thoughts you feature in this book, and thank you for giving peace a chance ;)

[@JessicaKolasinski]

So inspired to go paint. Thank you! Your sketchbook is gorgeous ❤️

[@claudiacooper1934]

This is just lovely!!

[@annieboismoreau4152]

Je peux regarder cette vidéo en boucle 😍💖💖💖💖

[@willawanders]

quelle douce chose à dire

[@machelleshappyhobbies4977]

This watercolor sketchbook is beautiful inside and out. Did you bind it yourself?😊

[@willawanders]

yes, I make my sketchbooks myself. I teach how to do this in my online class called Willa Journals. willa-workshops.teachable.com/p/willa-journals

[@sherryedwards5978]

Love your journal.

[@willawanders]

thanks Sherry!

[@magiedefee2957]

magnifique merci infiniment !!!!

[@julia_l-c]

I'm waiting for some paint to dry so I can turn the page and keep working on the watercolor for relaxation lessons - thanks for doing this course, it's been amazing so far! 💜💜

[@willawanders]

so glad to hear that you are feeling it too!

[@kimhardee1892]

I have watched this over and over, it is so relaxing and inspiring. Is this a handmade journal?

[@willawanders]

yes it is! I call them Willa Journals. If you are curious about them, willa-workshops.teachable.com/p/willa-journals

[@amberscott2638]

❤❤❤❤

[@jeanieferretti4203]

I’m loving what I see ❤

[@christineboone2850]

Wonderful colors and patterns!

[@Barbara4ox]

😍

[@territasker4650]

I have just "found you" and am so moved by your work! What paper or material are yiu using for the pages?

[@willawanders]

Hi Terri! It's not a simple answer. I have a course called Watercolor for Relaxation where everything is revealed! willa-workshops.teachable.com/p/watercolor-for-relaxation

[@barbaracimini1447]

Wow👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😁 Is this all watercolor? The hot pink looks like gouache.

[@willawanders]

The hot pink is watercolor!

[@susanmcdonough3902]

This is beautiful! What kind of magical paper did you use for your journal?

[@willawanders]

Hi Susan, I used to tell people who asked what the paper was. But now I realize that just telling people what the paper is is actually totally misleading because there is a lot more information about what is going on here that people really want to know. So I went ahead and created an entire course all about how I work in these journals. The class is called Watercolor for Relaxation and you can get more info about it at willawanders.com. Sorry that probably isn't the answer that you were looking for, but it is the truth and if you just bought the paper that I use, you would be horribly disappointed!

[@susanorban3059]

Saved this video in my KZbin and like others will rewatch. I loved EVERYTHING about your journal the colors the patterns the love that went into it. Subbed to your KZbin and will be watching your past videos and all your new ones. Thank you for sharing. This is just what I needed today! Susan in AZ❤️🏜️

[@susanmcdonough3902]

@@willawanders Thank you for responding! I just found you through insta so I will for sure check out your classes.

[@ultramarinetoo]

Love these! Do you draw lines first or is this happy-go-lucky? Please do some demos/tutorials!

[@willawanders]

All of my secrets are revealed in my new course, "Watercolor for Relaxation." You can find it at willawanders.com

[@Brieswan7185]

Omg I love your work sooo much this is what I hope to express in my watercolor but don’t have the patience how do I fix that?

[@willawanders]

Shameless self promotion about to happen. LOL I HIGHLY recommend taking my class. ;)

[@artfulinspirationsbysue126]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! Do you paint the pages before or after putting the book together?

[@wendysolganik8823]

definitely after

[@christinamoscato8142]

I love this journal!! Beautiful work! What kind of paper is it that you used?

[@willawanders]

I used to tell people who asked what the paper was. But now I realize that just telling people what the paper is is actually totally misleading because there is a lot more information about what is going on here that people really want to know. So I went ahead and created an entire course all about how I work in these journals. The class is called Watercolor for Relaxation and you can get more info about it at willawanders.com. Sorry that probably isn't the answer that you were looking for, but it is the truth and if you just bought the paper that I use, you would be horribly disappointed!

[@christinamoscato8142]

@@willawanders no it is useful! Thank you so much!!

[@willawanders]

Sorry if I mislead you. I won't share the name of the paper anymore with people who don't have the full experience of the course because it is not useful or helpful information in the slightest. @@christinamoscato8142

[@christinamoscato8142]

@@willawanders I understand and you gave me a way to find out through your course! I really appreciate it and completely understand! Thank you!!😁

[@mymindness]

I think this is my favorite journal of all time, and I will happily watch any time you flip through it. I’m loving your Watercolor for Relaxation class!

[@willawanders]

oh my gosh . . . that is saying A LOT!!!!

[@LynnLBE]

I feel so blessed to be taking your class. In just 3 weeks, I feel I have learned A LOT.🩵. I can’t imagine where we’ll all be at the end. I could keep learning from you because you are really an excellent teacher❗️. I came into it only knowing how to push it around abstractly. I’m so grateful to be learning your method. This journal, of course, is something so full of beauty❣️. I loved the page crowded with flowers and writing everywhere. Thanks Wendy✌🏼🩵🩵✌🏼