Dabbling in Watercolors

I’m a dabbler in many art forms, an expert in none. I’ve been doodling since childhood, and I once even took a class in oil-painting from a Russian expert.

For some reason, though, watercolors had always eluded. I think because I had always viewed it as a kindergarten artform akin to fingerpainting. I think I got that idea while working in a kindergarten.

Before traveling to Africa in 2023, though, I bought some watercolor pencils and decided to dabble once more. I first sketched sites and people in pen, and then later decided to color them from memory. Boy! what a page-turn that was for me!

From Sketches to Cards

I kept sketching and painting as I traveled, and soon my tiny postcard-sized books began to fill up. I was also traveling a lot, buying boxes of thank-you cards to share with host families and pastors.

As the months progressed, though, I realized that I could turn these ink-and-watercolor sketches into personalized “Thank You” cards—mixing something I loved with a kindness I wanted to share—with artwork on the front and a note on the back.

The following is a small gallery of some early favorites I’ve given away.

You’ll maybe notice that from the very beginning, I’ve chosen not to include faces in my cards. My “very good reason for that” is that I don’t want to mess up my sketches with poorly-detailed eyes, noses, and mouths!

Again, I’m no expert. Faces are like hands—so simple to recognize that the tiniest mistake in delivery will destroy an art project.

Two Favorites Involving Metal-Detecting

This past summer, I traveled back to the Midwest with my family for ministry and also decided to do some metal detecting along the way. Twice I was able to come away with memories worthy of art projects.

Detecting in Buhl, Minnesota

While traveling through the “Iron Range” of Northern Minnesota, my wife and I stayed with a couple also interested in history and detecting. They shared a fantastic Science and Mechanics article from February 1938 about “treasure hunting” by radio waves, so I used this cover as inspiration a thank-you card. I drew myself as the confused old prospector and my friend as the buff scientist using this new-fangled equipment.

Hunting Wedding Rings in Crandon, Wisconsin

Later that summer, my family visited Northern Wisconsin, where another friend told me that he had lost his wedding ring off a fishing dock two years prior. I’m not that experienced with underwater detecting, but I thought I’d give it a shot.

After about 5 separate dunks through the muck—with my son on my back, because I float now more than I used to—I came up with his gold band in my bucket, as the crowd that was watching cheered me on! As a thank you for the nice weekend we enjoyed together, I made this card, fit with a clever tagline thought up by a 9yo.

Now It’s Your Turn

While I don’t have the bandwidth to hand-craft every thank you card I give away, I still enjoy this hobby and highly recommend it. I think you’ll enjoy it too. The process is simple:

1. Get yourself two little postcard-sized watercolor books – While I love shopping in person at Hobby Lobby, you can get some good ones on Amazon.
2. Get a set of watercolor pencils – I began with a 24-pencil set but have been much happier with a fuller 48-pencil set.
3. Then dabble! Practice your own techniques and develop your own style in one book.
4. When you’re moderately confident, use the other book to create your cards—sketch on one side, thank you note on the back.
5. If you want to monitor your progress, photo the cards before you give them away.

Note: this post includes Amazon affiliate links.

Conclusion

People say that “such-and-such a hobby isn’t for everyone,” but I say that’s hogwash.

Anyone—including you!—can sketch and paint well enough to give something you’re proud of to a friend. All that’s needed is a little time, practice, and humility. And the gumption simply to try!

©2026 E.T.