#MondayMorningArtSchool
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Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Want to make better paintings? Learn five simple, practical tips to instantly improve your art, from simplifying values to limiting your palette.
#MondayMorningArtSchool #improveyourpaintings #learntopaint
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Monday Morning Art School: 5 simple things you can do to instantly improve your paintings | Carol L. Douglas
Want to make better paintings? Learn five simple, practical tips to instantly improve your art, from simplifying values to limiting your palette.
www.watch-me-paint.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:50 AM Everybody can reply
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3
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Color isn’t just decoration—it’s the emotional underpinning of a place. Traveling to paint teaches us not only new subjects but new ways of seeing. #fallcolor #pleinairpainting #MondayMorningArtSchool
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Monday Morning Art School: three very different color stories | Carol L. Douglas
Color isn’t just decoration—it’s the emotional underpinning of a place. Traveling to paint teaches us new ways of seeing.
www.watch-me-paint.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM Everybody can reply
9 likes
9
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Think you can’t paint because you’re ‘not talented’? Forget that. Painting is a skill you can learn. Here are three keys to success in learning how to paint. #MondayMorningArtSchool #learntopaint #keystosuccess
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Monday Morning Art School: how to learn to paint (three keys to success) | Carol L. Douglas
Think you can’t paint because you’re not talented? Forget that. Painting is a skill you can learn! Here are three keys to success in learning how to paint.
www.watch-me-paint.com
August 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM Everybody can reply
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3
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Heavy Weather (Ketch Angelique), 24X36, oil on canvas
Not everything in a painting should compete for attention. Focal points help establish a clear visual order, telling the viewer where to look first. #MondayMorningArtSchool #focalpoint #painting
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Monday Morning Art School: five ways to create focal points | Carol L. Douglas
Not everything in a painting should compete for attention. Focal points help establish a clear visual order, telling the viewer where to look first.
www.watch-me-paint.com
August 4, 2025 at 9:46 AM Everybody can reply
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carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Bracken fern, above, 9X12, is at Courageously Created Fine Art Show and Auction to benefit Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center.
The rookie error for summer is to paint all foliage using the same basic color. #MondayMorningArtSchool #mixinggreens #pleinair
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Monday Morning Art School: mixing beautiful greens | Carol L. Douglas
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April 14, 2025 at 6:06 AM Everybody can reply
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carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Adding fussy little marks feels productive, but if the big design isn’t solid, details can’t save a painting. It's like putting lipstick on a pig. #MondayMorningArtSchool #thedetailzone #expressivepainting
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Monday Morning Art School: break out of the detail zone | Carol L. Douglas
Adding fussy little marks feels productive, but if the big design isn’t solid, details can’t save a painting. It's like putting lipstick on a pig.
www.watch-me-paint.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:50 AM Everybody can reply
3 likes
3
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
While there are many lessons to be learned from JMW Turner and “The Fighting Temeraire,” here are two that stand out to me. #jmwturner #learntopaint #MondayMorningArtSchool

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Monday Morning Art School: what we can learn from JMW Turner | Carol L. Douglas
While there are many lessons to be learned from JMW Turner and “The Fighting Temeraire,” here are two that stand out to me.
www.watch-me-paint.com
May 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM Everybody can reply
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1 6
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Downtown Rockport [ME], 14X18, oil on archival canvasboard
Two- or three-day painting workshops are insufficient when it’s a question of really developing style, color fluency, composition and form
#MondayMorningArtSchool #paintingworkshop #learntopaint
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Why don’t I teach shorter painting workshops? | Carol L. Douglas
Two or three day painting workshops are insufficient when it’s a question of really developing style, color fluency, composition and form
www.watch-me-paint.com
July 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM Everybody can reply
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1
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
All plein air easels and pochade boxes are compromises, which is why I’ve ended up with so darn many of them. Here’s my best up-to-date guide to choosing one you’ll love.
#pleinaireasel #pleinair #MondayMorningArtSchool
www.watch-me-paint.com/monday-morni...
Monday Morning Art School: choosing a plein air easel or pochade box | Carol L. Douglas
All easels and pochade boxes are compromises, which is why I’ve ended up with so darn many of them. Here’s my best up-to-date guide to choosing one you’ll love.
www.watch-me-paint.com
July 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM Everybody can reply
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1
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Buying more art supplies can be fun, or it can be a form of flailing around. It can be displacement behavior; it’s easier than buckling down. #MondayMorningArtSchool #artsupplies #buyingpaint
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Monday Morning Art School: how to choose the right art supplies | Carol L. Douglas
Buying more art supplies can be fun, or it can be a form of flailing around. It can be displacement behavior; it’s easier than buckling down.
www.watch-me-paint.com
April 7, 2025 at 4:51 AM Everybody can reply
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Arrive prepared, and your plein air workshop will be smoother and more fun and productive. #MondayMorningArtSchool #learntopaint #pleinairworkshop
www.watch-me-paint.com/how-to-prepa...
Monday Morning Art School: how to prepare for a plein air painting workshop | Carol L. Douglas
Arrive prepared, and your plein air workshop will be smoother and more fun and productive.
www.watch-me-paint.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:57 AM Everybody can reply
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2
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
There are workarounds for solvent-free oil painting that can minimize or eliminate exposure.
#MondayMorningArtSchool #solventfreeoilpainting #oil painting
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Monday Morning Art School: solvent-free oil painting | Carol L. Douglas
Some people get headache from odorless mineral spirits. There are workarounds for solvent-free oil painting that can minimize or eliminate exposure.
www.watch-me-paint.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:25 AM Everybody can reply
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3
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Beach Toys, 9X12, oil on archival canvasboard
I have three different paths to learning painting available now. Isn’t it time to choose one and get started? #MondayMorningArtSchool #learntopaint #workshop #artclass
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Monday Morning Art School: why is instruction important when learning to paint? | Carol L. Douglas
Painting instruction provides structure, feedback, and foundational knowledge that self-teaching lacks.
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July 21, 2025 at 10:03 AM Everybody can reply
5 likes
5
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Here are some exercises you can try to loosen self-judgment’s death grip on your painting. #loosepainting #learntopaint #MondayMorningArtSchool
www.watch-me-paint.com/loosen-grip-...
Monday morning art school: loosen the grip of self-judgment | Carol L. Douglas
Here are some exercises you can try to loosen self-judgment’s death grip on your painting.
www.watch-me-paint.com
July 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM Everybody can reply
5 likes
5
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Eastern Manitoba Forest, 6X8, oil on archival canvasboard
When plagued by artist self-doubt, it’s helpful to reflect on how far you’ve come, not on how far you still have to go. #selfdoubt #MondayMorningArtSchool
www.watch-me-paint.com/monday-morni...
Monday Morning Art School: is artist self-doubt normal? | Carol L. Douglas
When plagued by artist self-doubt, it’s helpful to reflect on how far you’ve come, not on how far you still have to go.
www.watch-me-paint.com
June 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM Everybody can reply
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12
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
The Surf is Cranking Up, 8X16, oil on linenboard
The hardest thing for a painting workshop teacher is the student who says, “yes, but…” to everything one tells them. I should know; that used to be me. #MondayMorningArtSchool #paintingworkshop #learntopaint
www.watch-me-paint.com/monday-morni...
Monday Morning Art School: maximize your painting workshop | Carol L. Douglas
The hardest thing for a painting workshop teacher is the student who says, “yes, but…” to everything one tells them.
www.watch-me-paint.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:03 AM Everybody can reply
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3
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
The problem of infinite options can be a problem for even the most experienced painters, especially in a new environment. #MondayMorningArtSchool #pleinairworkshop #paintingproblems
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Monday Morning Art School: the overwhelming landscape | Carol L. Douglas
The problem of infinite options can be a problem for even the most experienced painters, especially in a new environment.
www.watch-me-paint.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:33 AM Everybody can reply
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2
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Forsythia at Three Chimneys, oil on archival canvasboard

There is no one ‘best’ medium to learn to paint. Every painting medium has its technical advantages, and every medium is equally expressive. #learntopaint #MondayMorningArtSchool #painting

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Monday Morning Art School: where do I start? | Carol L. Douglas
There is no one ‘best’ medium to learn to paint. Every painting medium has its technical advantages, and every medium is equally expressive.
www.watch-me-paint.com
June 30, 2025 at 10:14 AM Everybody can reply
1 reposts 11 likes
1 1 11
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Why do we make art? Our calling is not a niche; it’s a general direction. We don’t find it like Where’s Waldo. We grow into it by staying curious and constantly resetting our compass.

#artisticcalling #meaningofart #MondayMorningArtSchool
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Monday Morning Art School: why do you make art? | Carol L. Douglas
Why do you make art? Your artistic calling is not a niche; it’s a general direction. We don’t find it like “Where’s Waldo.”
www.watch-me-paint.com
May 26, 2025 at 10:03 AM Everybody can reply
2 reposts 44 likes
2 44
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
No matter whether you’re working through studio oil painting techniques, watercolor experiments or exploring plein air painting, master these essentials.
#MondayMorningArtSchool #paintingessentials #learntopaint
www.watch-me-paint.com/monday-morni...
Monday Morning Art School: six things that matter in painting | Carol L. Douglas
No matter whether you’re working through studio oil painting techniques, watercolor experiments or exploring plein air painting, master these essentials.
www.watch-me-paint.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:56 AM Everybody can reply
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carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Five trees, five days—this challenge is because autumn won’t wait, and neither should your paintbrush.
#MondayMorningArtSchool #FiveTreesChallenge #learntopaint
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Monday Morning Art School: five days, five trees | Carol L. Douglas
Five trees, five days—this challenge is because autumn won’t wait, and neither should your paintbrush.
www.watch-me-paint.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:57 AM Everybody can reply
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4
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Learning to draw non-figuratively frees you to start combining elements in striking new ways. Even if you never want to abandon realism, it will make you a better designer. #abstractdrawing #drawing #MondayMorningArtSchool
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Monday Morning Art School: Abstract Drawing | Carol L. Douglas
Learning abstract drawing frees you to start combining elements in striking new ways. It will make you a better designer.
www.watch-me-paint.com
March 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM Everybody can reply
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carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
If you understand a tree’s canopy, branching, and bark, you can paint it in any style. Get it right in the drawing, and the painting will follow.
#MondayMorningArtSchool #drawingtrees #fivedaytreechallenge
www.watch-me-paint.com/monday-morni...
Monday Morning Art School: how to draw trees | Carol L. Douglas
If you understand a tree’s canopy, branching, and bark, you can paint it in any style. Get it right in the drawing, and the painting will follow.
www.watch-me-paint.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:50 AM Everybody can reply
3 likes
3
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
The Wave, 9X12, oil on archival canvasboard (painted on the deck of American Eagle, Penobscot Bay)
While keeping your artistic practice alive through stressful times is challenging, it can also be healing. #artandanxiety #healingart #MondayMorningArtSchool
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Monday Morning Art School: art in times of stress | Carol L. Douglas
While keeping your artistic practice alive through stressful times is challenging, it can also be healing.
www.watch-me-paint.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:56 AM Everybody can reply
4 likes
4
carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Carol Douglas
@carol-l-douglas.bsky.social
Gridding is a fast and easy way to set our best drawings in paint.
www.watch-me-paint.com/monday-morni... #MondayMorningArtSchool #learntopaint #accuratepainting
Monday Morning Art School: transferring your drawing to canvas | Carol L. Douglas
Gridding is a fast and easy way to set our best drawings in paint.
www.watch-me-paint.com
March 17, 2025 at 10:23 AM Everybody can reply
3 likes
3