LMA (Let’s Make Art)’s March 2023 Digital Watercolor Subscription Box* landed in my mailbox on February 18th, and it is my favourite one so far! The theme–Wabi Sabi–is one that I need, and the colour scheme is also one of my favourites. Though the video tutorials will not be available until March 1, I was able to complete all four projects just by following Sarah Cray’s step-by-step instructions alone.
LMA March 2023 Watercolor Box Theme
As I have noted, March’s theme is Wabi-Sabi 侘寂, which is Japanese for the acceptance of transience and imperfection. If you look it up on Wikipedia, it will tell you not to confuse it with wasabi. 😛
For someone like me, who tends to overwork her paintings, this theme hits a nerve. Since I am also very fond of anything Japanese, the Wabi Sabi box sold me.
In addition, this is the first box from LMA with no outlines that I know of. You won’t need them. 😉
I Started A Sketchbook!
By the way, I decided to start a watercolour sketchbook for my LMA watercolour subscription box projects. I bought the Handbook Journal but it is not cotton, so it creates all kinds of blooms because the paper dries too fast. Anyhow, I still want to use it to do the projects so I can have a record for the whole year.
Paints used in the projects: Meiliang Watercolour, Derwent Metallic Paint Set, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White, Zebra waterproof twin marker in black (fine and extra fine).
Project 1: Make Your Mark
As a matter of fact, I painted this one three times because I completely missed the whole point of Wabi Sabi! 😛 I just wasn’t able to let the imperfections go. Indeed, this was my 3rd painting and it turned out better than the other two. I was more mindful after this project to stop fussing with my paintings and leave them be.
Project 2: Queen Anne’s Lace
This project has a stunning colour scheme: I love the dark blue, white and the gold together. Not surprisingly, I did try to even out the background though it was supposed to be an uneven wash. 😛 Again, I reminded myself what the theme is and became more mindful not to overwork the painting.
Project 3: Atmospheric Birch Trees
This one is fun! Birch trees are probably some of the easiest trees to paint or to draw. You will need washi tape for this project to tape the trees but the rest is all about painting in layers.
Project 4: Ink & Wash Building
The fourth project is inspired by urban sketching in ink and wash style. I have never done urban sketching before, but I liked it. In case you are wondering, the reference photo is the Hiroshima Castle. I love Japanese architecture so I will be sure to apply what I have learned here to do another castle later.
By the way, I scaled down the project to fit my A5 watercolour journal. This project took the longest time, mostly because of the sketching of the castle. You can, however, just trace it, if you want to. I will definitely do this on cotton paper later.
The Sketchbook…
By the way, I don’t recommend this watercolour journal by Hand Book Journal Co. The paper ripped when I lifted a low-tack washi tape. Moreover, it dries too fast and leaves blooms. Once you use Arches or 100% cotton paper, you can never go back to cellulose paper!
Anyhow, this concludes the review of LMA March 2023 Digital Watercolor Subscription Box. I will definitely repaint the Queen Anne’s Lace and the Ink & Wash Building on cotton paper. All in all, I can’t recommend this box enough! I look forward to April’s box, which will be revealed March 1.
*UPDATE
Let’s Make Art has changed the digital watercolour subscription box to quarterly. You can only purchase a 3-month digital subscription at a time from this point on. The first quarterly digital box will cover April, May and June. For more changes to the subscription boxes, read here.
