EP #27 – Michael Gatlin | Drawing Fundamentals, Artistic Vision, Creativity & Overcoming Self-Doubt

In Episode 27 of the Wet on Wet Podcast, Sunil Kalbandi sits down with acclaimed watercolor artist, educator, author, and workshop instructor Michael Gatlin for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about drawing, watercolor, artistic growth, creativity, observation, and the mindset required to build a meaningful artistic life.

Michael’s journey into art began at a very young age. As a child, he was more interested in creating drawings than coloring someone else’s. That early fascination with drawing eventually led him to watercolor, where he discovered a medium that felt alive, unpredictable, and endlessly exciting.

Unlike mediums that stay exactly where you place them, watercolor challenged him with movement, spontaneity, and uncertainty — qualities that continue to inspire his work decades later.

Throughout the conversation, Michael shares stories from every stage of his artistic journey: selling his first paintings while working at his father’s gas station, traveling across America in a Volkswagen bus and funding his adventures through art sales, studying watercolor in art school, working as an art director, spending years in ministry as a pastor, and ultimately returning to art full-time.

But more importantly, this episode explores the deeper questions many artists wrestle with:

How do you improve?

How do you develop confidence?

How do you handle criticism?

How do you stay motivated?

And what role does art play in an increasingly technological world?

For Michael, the answer often comes back to one simple principle:

Draw from life. Every day.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for beginners, experienced painters, watercolor enthusiasts, and anyone interested in living a more creative life.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Michael Gatlin’s Artistic Journey

• Growing up with a passion for drawing from childhood
• Discovering watercolor during his early artistic development
• Studying watercolor and drawing in college and art school
• Learning from master watercolor instructors
• Selling his first paintings while working at his father’s gas station
• Traveling across the United States while supporting himself through art sales
• Working professionally as an artist and illustrator
• Experience as an art director for a major newspaper
• Spending years in ministry before returning to art full-time
• Building a lifelong career around creativity and artistic growth

Why Watercolor Captured His Attention

• The unique unpredictability of watercolor
• Why watercolor feels alive compared to other mediums
• Embracing spontaneity rather than controlling every outcome
• Finding excitement in the unexpected behavior of water and pigment
• Learning to work with the medium instead of against it
• Why watercolor remains endlessly fascinating even after decades of painting

Drawing Fundamentals & Observation

• Why drawing is the foundation of all strong painting
• Learning to truly observe rather than assume
• The importance of training your eye to see accurately
• Understanding gesture, contour, and structural drawing
• Developing observational skills through repetition
• Breaking complex subjects into simple shapes and relationships
• Practical exercises for improving drawing ability
• Why realistic drawing strengthens every artistic style
• Building visual awareness through daily sketching

The Power of Sketchbooks

• Why sketchbooks are one of the most important tools for artists
• Carrying sketchbooks everywhere you go
• Capturing ideas before they disappear
• Developing paintings through sketches and thumbnails
• Using sketchbooks as a visual thinking process
• Experimenting freely without pressure or expectations
• Building consistency through daily practice
• Why improvement happens in sketchbooks long before it appears in finished paintings

Plein Air Painting & Painting from Life

• Why painting outdoors improves artistic observation
• The challenges of working in changing conditions
• Weather, light, temperature, and environmental obstacles
• Learning to see landscapes differently when painting on location
• The limitations of relying solely on photographs
• Using plein air studies as a foundation for studio work
• Developing stronger visual memory through observation

Composition, Values & Design

• Why great paintings begin with strong design
• Simplifying complex scenes into large value shapes
• Creating visual impact through composition
• Understanding the relationship between value and color
• Building paintings through structure rather than detail
• Finding abstract patterns within realistic subjects
• Organizing visual information effectively
• Creating paintings that immediately capture attention

Artistic Vision & Finding Inspiration

• Discovering beauty in everyday subjects
• Why ordinary objects can become extraordinary paintings
• Looking beyond subject matter to shape, value, and design
• Painting from curiosity rather than trends
• Developing a personal artistic voice
• Learning to trust your creative instincts
• Finding inspiration in places others often overlook
• Why meaningful art comes from genuine fascination and observation

Building Confidence & Overcoming Self-Doubt

• Why every artist experiences self-doubt
• Learning to challenge negative internal conversations
• Comparing yourself to master artists in a healthy way
• Focusing on growth instead of perfection
• Developing confidence through consistent practice
• Why artistic confidence comes from doing the work
• Accepting that improvement takes time
• Continuing to create even when motivation is low

Criticism, Feedback & Growth

• How to separate useful criticism from unhelpful opinions
• Listening for truth within feedback
• Learning from constructive critique
• Trusting your artistic vision while remaining teachable
• Why honest artistic friends are valuable
• Understanding that not every painting is for every viewer
• Using criticism as a tool for improvement rather than discouragement

Creativity, Journaling & Mindset

• How journaling supports creativity
• Beginning each day with reflection and personal writing
• Developing a creative mindset through daily habits
• Creating space for original thinking before consuming outside influences
• The connection between awareness and artistic growth
• Building routines that support long-term creativity
• Staying connected to your own voice and ideas

AI, Technology & The Future of Art

• Thoughts on artificial intelligence and creative work
• Why human creativity remains irreplaceable
• The value of personal vision and lived experience
• Handmade art in an increasingly digital world
• What technology can and cannot replicate
• Why authentic artistic expression matters more than ever
• The future of traditional art in the age of AI
• Celebrating the uniquely human side of creativity

Teaching & Helping Artists Grow

• Lessons learned from decades of teaching artists
• Common mistakes beginners make
• Helping students learn to see more accurately
• Encouraging artists to embrace lifelong learning
• The importance of fundamentals before style
• Building confidence through small consistent improvements
• Why every artist should remain a student

Life Lessons Through Art

• Learning patience through creative practice
• The importance of curiosity and wonder
• Appreciating beauty in everyday life
• Why growth often comes through challenges
• Finding meaning through creativity
• Staying true to what resonates deeply within you
• Creating work that reflects both observation and personal experience

ABOUT MICHAEL GATLIN

Michael Gatlin is an American watercolor artist, educator, workshop instructor, author, and lifelong advocate for drawing and observational art.

Known for his strong emphasis on fundamentals, sketchbooks, painting from life, and artistic vision, Michael has spent decades helping artists develop stronger skills while encouraging them to discover their own creative voice.

His work ranges from landscapes and portraits to large-scale paintings of everyday objects, always guided by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for beauty.

EXPLORE MICHAEL GATLIN

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jmichaelgatlin/

Website:
https://www.jmichaelgatlin.com/

ABOUT WET ON WET PODCAST

Hosted by Sunil Kalbandi, the Wet on Wet Podcast features in-depth conversations with world-class watercolor artists, exploring their journeys, techniques, creative philosophies, and lessons learned throughout their careers.

The goal is simple:

To help artists grow beyond tutorials and gain practical insights they can apply to their own creative journey.

HOST — SUNIL KALBANDI

Sunil Kalbandi is a watercolor artist, educator, and content creator passionate about helping artists learn through practical experience, observation, and meaningful conversations.

Through the Wet on Wet Podcast, he connects with some of the world’s leading watercolor artists to explore their journeys, creative philosophies, artistic struggles, and lessons that can help both beginners and experienced artists grow.

His goal with the podcast is simple:

To go beyond tutorials and uncover the mindset, experiences, and real-world insights that shape an artist’s creative life.

Website:
https://kalbandi.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sunilkalbandi/