EP #06: Liz Chaderton – Embrace the Mistakes | A Watercolor Artist’s Best Advice

Welcome to Wet on Wet, the podcast where we explore inspiring artist journeys and creative breakthroughs. In this episode, host Sunil Kalbandi speaks with Liz Chaderton, a UK-based watercolor artist, author, and educator known for her joyful, expressive paintings of animals and nature. From purple cows to plein air sketches on the Ridgeway, Liz shares how motherhood, experimentation, and a deeply personal connection with nature led her to a thriving art career. Discover why she believes anyone can learn to draw, how paper beats brush every time, and why joy—not perfection—is at the heart of great painting.

Selected Quotes from Liz Chaderton:

• “Anyone can draw. You just need to be motivated.”
  
• “The real question to ask in watercolor is: what happens if?”
  
• “If you wait until you’re ‘good enough’ to use your best paper, that day may never come.”
  
• “A painting should have joy in it—even if it’s not perfect.”
  
• “I hope my paintings help people see the familiar with fresh eyes—and realize it’s worth protecting.”
  
• “Your brush doesn’t need to be perfect. But your paper really does.”
  
• “I’m a painter who loves to teach—not a teacher who paints to pay bills.”
  

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Liz Chaderton’s Books:
Painting Watercolours on Canvas: https://amzn.to/3zdD1hM
Painting Animals in Watercolour: https://amzn.to/3VmL1Si
Line and Wash: https://amzn.to/3VlI3Fe
Sketching for Watercolour Artists: https://amzn.to/4cPUYf9

Liz Chaderton’s Social Media:

Website: https://lizchaderton.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizchaderton
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lizchadertonstudio
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LizChadertonArtist
Watercolour Studio with Liz Chaderton (Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/watercolourstudiowithlizchaderton
Watercolour on Canvas (Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/watercolouroncanvas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizchaderton

Tools Liz Uses

Paper:
• Bockingford – https://jacksonsart.com/bockingford
• Saunders Waterford – https://jacksonsart.com/saunders
• Hahnemühle Bamboo/Agave – https://hahnemuehle.com
• Khadi Handmade – https://khadipapers.com
• Stone Paper – https://stonepaper.co.uk

Brushes:
• Da Vinci Synthetic – https://davinci-defet.com
• Escoda Versatil – https://escoda.com/versatil
• Flat Brushes – https://jacksonsart.com/flat-brushes

Paints:
• Daniel Smith Quinacridone Sienna – https://jacksonsart.com/quinacridone-sienna
• Rembrandt Gamboge – https://royaltalens.com
• Sennelier Dioxazine Purple – https://jacksonsart.com/sennelier
• Jackson’s Watercolours – https://jacksonsart.com
• Pyrrol Orange (Cass Art) – https://cassart.co.uk
• Viviva Watercolor Sheets – https://vivivacolors.com

Palettes & Sketchbooks:
• Ceramic Daisy Palettes – https://jacksonsart.com/ceramic-palettes
• Seawhite Sketchbooks – https://seawhite.co.uk
• Etchr Sketchbooks – https://etchrlab.com