Doris Joa

Christmas Gift Ideas for Art Lovers – Give Something Truly Personal

Dolores188 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:25:37 +0000

Christmas Gift? – A Little Early for Christmas?

Already thinking about a Christmas gift? I know – summer is not quite over yet, and somehow the first Christmas treats and decorations are already appearing in the shops. It always feels a little too early. And yet, when it comes to finding a truly personal Christmas gift, perhaps starting early is not such a bad idea after all.

I have always loved gifts that feel as though they were chosen for one particular person. Not simply something bought because a present was needed, but something that says: I saw this and thought of you.

That is one of the reasons I created my Little Floral Poems – small original watercolor paintings, each one painted individually by hand. Roses, tulips, daisies, poppies and little pieces of nature become tiny works of art that can find their own special place in a home.

And perhaps that is what makes an original painting such a lovely christmas gift. There is only one. The brushstrokes, the transparent watercolor washes, the tiny irregularities and unexpected mixtures of color belong to that one painting alone. No second piece will ever be exactly the same.

A Christmas Gift – or Simply a Little Thank You

Of course, a small original painting does not need Christmas as a reason. It can be a birthday gift, a little thank you for someone who is always there when you need them, a gift for a mother or grandmother, a dear friend – or simply something beautiful you choose for yourself.

Sometimes the smallest gifts are the ones that feel the most personal. And I love the thought that one of my little paintings might be given to someone who will unwrap it, find a place for it in their home and enjoy it for many years.

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Small Treasures – and Something a Little Bigger

My Little Floral Poems are wonderful when you are looking for a small, personal gift, but original art does not have to be tiny. Sometimes a very special person – or a very special occasion – calls for something a little bigger.

In my collection you will also find larger original watercolor paintings in different sizes. A flower someone particularly loves, colors that remind you of their home, or simply a painting that immediately makes you think of that person can turn an original artwork into a wonderfully individual christmas gift or other gift.

And there are so many ways to live with small paintings, too. One Little Floral Poem can stand beautifully on its own, while two or three can be combined to create a little collection. They can be placed on a shelf or small easel, hung individually, or arranged together on a wall. I love how completely different combinations can develop simply by bringing different flowers, colors and formats together.

What If You Cannot Find Exactly the Right Christmas Gift?

Perhaps you are looking for a particular flower. Maybe you have a certain color in mind because you know it would be perfect for someone’s home. Or perhaps you simply have an idea for something a little more personal.

If you cannot find exactly what you are looking for among my available originals, please feel free to get in touch with me.
Tell me what you have in mind – a favorite flower, a color, a size or perhaps the person you would like the painting to be for. If it is possible, I may be able to create something especially for you.

For me, this is one of the loveliest things about giving art: it does not have to be chosen from a shelf at the last minute. It can begin with a thought about the person who will receive it – what they love, what makes them smile and what might find a lasting place in their home.

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A Christmas Gift Chosen with Time and Thought

Perhaps that is the nicest reason to start thinking about Christmas and a special christmas gift a little earlier. A personal christmas gift does not have to be found in a hurry during the last busy weeks before the holidays. You can take your time, look around and wait until something simply feels right.

Whether it is one of my Little Floral Poems, a larger original painting or perhaps something created especially with a certain person in mind, I believe art can be a wonderfully personal Christmas gift – something chosen not only for the moment it is unwrapped, but to be enjoyed long afterwards.

And of course, you do not have to wait for Christmas. Original art can be a birthday present, a thank you, a surprise for someone you love – or simply a gift to yourself. Sometimes we do not need a special occasion to bring something beautiful into our lives.

Find Something Special

If you would like to have a look around, you can discover my currently available original paintings. And if you have something particular in mind, you are always welcome to contact me and tell me about your idea.

New paintings are always appearing in my studio, too. If you would like to hear about new originals, works in progress and other little glimpses behind the scenes, you can
join my newsletter.

Because sometimes the most memorable gifts are the ones that were chosen with one particular person in mind.

Explore Original Art

Contact Me

Join the Newsletter

The post Christmas Gift Ideas for Art Lovers – Give Something Truly Personal first appeared on Doris Joa.

Peony in Oil – An Excursion into a Different Way of Painting

Dolores188 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:11:49 +0000

Peony in Oil – An Excursion into a Different Way of Painting

After a long time, I have picked up my oil paints again. Not because I want to leave watercolor behind – quite the opposite. But sometimes it feels wonderful to work with another medium and rediscover just how differently paint can behave.

While working on this peony in oil, I have become very aware of how much watercolor has shaped the way I paint. Again and again, I catch myself expecting oil paint to give me the same soft transitions, transparent layers and flowing movements of color that have become so natural to me in watercolor.

But oil paint has its own language. I have to remind myself to use more paint, simplify shapes and allow individual brushstrokes to remain visible. A flower petal does not always need many delicate transparent layers. Sometimes just a few carefully chosen areas of color, a light side, a darker shadow and a confident brushstroke are enough to create form and depth.

And that is exactly what makes this little excursion into oil painting so interesting for me. I am learning to look again without automatically painting in the way I would with watercolor. This peony in oil is still very much a work in progress, but little by little I am finding my way back into the completely different feeling of working with oils.

Will I paint more often in oils again? We will see. Perhaps the most exciting part is simply having the freedom to move between both mediums – choosing watercolor or oil depending on the subject, the mood and the kind of painting experience I am looking for.

If you would like to see some of my finished paintings, you can discover a selection of original artwork in
my collection of original paintings.

And if you would like to follow new paintings, works in progress and other news from my studio, you are very welcome to join my newsletter.

Sometimes a different medium is all it takes to see painting with fresh eyes again.

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Hydrangea Watercolor Painting – Layers, Color and Light

Dolores188 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:05:39 +0000

Hydrangea Watercolor Painting – Layers, Color and Light

Hydrangeas have always fascinated me because there is never just one color to paint.
A single flower head can contain soft greens, dusty pinks, mauve, violet and almost white petals – all flowing gently into one another. This hydrangea watercolor painting gave me the opportunity to explore exactly these subtle transitions and the wonderful variety hidden within one single bloom.

What I especially love about this hydrangea is the contrast between the fresh green petals and the older blossoms that have already begun to change into warmer shades of rose and burgundy. These changing colors give the flower so much character. Rather than painting every small blossom in exactly the same way, I wanted each area to feel slightly different while still belonging to the whole.

The beauty of transparent watercolor layers

In the detail photographs you can see much more clearly how the painting is built up.
Transparent watercolor allows one layer of color to shine through another. Soft greens can remain visible beneath pink and violet washes, while darker accents gradually create depth between the individual petals.

This is one of the reasons why I love watercolor so much. The painting develops slowly through many transparent layers rather than through one solid application of color. Some areas remain light and delicate, while others become deeper and richer as more color is added. The white of the paper also becomes part of the painting and helps to create the feeling of light within the hydrangea.

From tiny blossoms to one complete painting

Seen from a distance, all these individual shapes and transparent layers come together again to form one large hydrangea bloom.
That is something I particularly enjoy when painting flowers: working closely on the smallest changes of color and light, and then stepping back to see how all those details become part of the whole.

This original hydrangea painting measures 56 × 76 cm and is currently available.
If you would like to see more photographs and details of the painting, you can discover the original here:

View the Original Hydrangea Painting

Would you like to paint a hydrangea in watercolor yourself?

If you love the transparency of watercolor and would like to learn more about building flowers with layers of color, you can also visit my watercolor tutorials and online courses.
There you can paint along with me and explore my approach to watercolor, flowers, leaves and transparent color.

And if you would like to hear about new original paintings, works in progress and news from my studio, you are warmly invited to join my newsletter.

Thank you for visiting my studio and taking a closer look at this hydrangea with me.

The post Hydrangea Watercolor Painting – Layers, Color and Light first appeared on Doris Joa.

Gift Ideas for Art Lovers- Little Floral Poems – Original Paintings

Dolores188 — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:04:19 +0000

SMALL ORIGINAL PAINTINGS – PERSONAL GIFT IDEAS FROM THE STUDIO

Finding meaningful gift ideas is not always easy. We often want to give something that feels special – something chosen with care rather than simply picked from a shelf. If you are searching for gift ideas for art lovers, a small original painting can be a beautiful and lasting choice.

My Little Floral Poems are small original watercolor paintings, each painted individually by hand. At just 10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 inches), they are small enough to find a place almost anywhere, yet every one of them is a genuine piece of original art. Flowers, grasses, delicate leaves and tiny details from nature make each painting completely individual.

I love the idea that such a small painting can hold something very personal. Perhaps it reminds you of a favorite flower, a garden, a season, a color someone loves, or simply of a person who would smile when opening it. That is what makes original art one of those gift ideas that can carry a meaning far beyond the occasion itself.

That is one of the things I find so lovely about giving original art. You are not simply choosing an image – you are giving a small piece that was painted by hand and exists only once.

FINDING THE RIGHT LITTLE FLORAL POEM

The Little Floral Poems include many different flowers, colors and moods, so choosing one can become part of the gift itself. You might be drawn to cheerful poppies, delicate daisies, tulips or simply to a painting whose colors remind you of someone special. For anyone looking for thoughtful gift ideas, choosing a flower or color with a personal connection can make a small original especially meaningful.

You can see the currently available original paintings in my online collection.

And a gift of original art does not have to be small. If you are looking for something more substantial, you will also find larger original watercolor and oil paintings in the collection. These can be wonderful gift ideas for art lovers and are prepared and packaged with just as much care.

GIFT IDEAS THAT FEEL PERSONAL

If you choose a Little Floral Poem as a gift, I want the experience of receiving it to feel just as special as the painting itself. Each original is carefully and lovingly packaged, ready to be given to someone you care about.

If you wish, the painting can also be sent directly to the recipient. You can add a personal message with your order, making these little originals particularly lovely gift ideas when you would like to send something personal even if you cannot hand it over yourself.

You can also take a look at how the Little Floral Poems are packaged.
There you will find more details and two short videos showing how these small originals are prepared before they begin their journey to their new home.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING PARTICULAR?

Because every painting is an original, the selection is always changing. Some paintings find new homes while new Little Floral Poems are created in my studio.

If you are searching for a particular flower, color or simply have a question before choosing a painting, please get in touch with me.
I will be happy to let you know what is currently available and help you find an original that feels right for the person you have in mind.

And if you would like to hear when new paintings become available, you can join my newsletter.
You can choose what interests you most – including Little Floral Poems and new original artwork – so you receive the studio news that is most relevant to you.

A LITTLE PIECE OF ART TO KEEP

Flowers themselves are fleeting. Perhaps that is part of the reason we love them so much. A painting allows a little of that beauty to remain.

Whether you are looking for gift ideas for an art lover, a flower lover or simply someone who appreciates something made by hand, a Little Floral Poem can become a very personal gift – an original artwork that can be framed, displayed and enjoyed long after the occasion itself has passed.

Sometimes the most memorable gifts are not the biggest ones. They are the ones that make us think of one particular person and say: this is just for you.

The post Gift Ideas for Art Lovers- Little Floral Poems – Original Paintings first appeared on Doris Joa.

Pink Peony Painting – Inspired by the Beauty of Summer Flowers

Dolores188 — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:41:58 +0000

Pink Peony Painting – Inspired by the Beauty of a Single Flower

Peonies are among the flowers that fascinate me most. Their generous blossoms, countless overlapping petals and wonderful variations of color make every flower completely individual. This pink peony painting was inspired by a single blossom whose combination of softness, fullness and beautiful pink tones immediately caught my attention.

Flowers have always been at the heart of my work, and I love turning these fleeting moments in nature into paintings that remain. If you enjoy living with original floral art, you can discover more of my available original paintings in my shop, including roses, flowers and other subjects from nature.

Painting the Colors and Layers of a Peony

What makes a peony so fascinating to paint is also what makes it challenging. At first glance we simply see a beautiful pink flower, but when we look more closely there is an extraordinary variety within the blossom. Some petals catch the light and appear almost pale pink, while others turn towards deeper rose, warm red-pink or cooler violet-pink tones. Between them are small areas of shadow that give the flower its depth and volume.

The petals themselves are just as varied. Some open broadly towards the light, others curl, fold or disappear behind neighboring petals. Rather than treating every petal in the same way, I look for these changes in shape, direction, light and color. They are what gradually transform a collection of painted shapes into a flower that feels alive.

For me, painting flowers is always a combination of close observation and interpretation. I don’t want to copy every tiny detail simply because it is there. I want to understand what gives the flower its character and then decide which shapes, colors and details are important to the finished painting.

Would You Like to Paint Flowers Yourself?

If you enjoy looking more closely at flowers and would like to explore how I approach color, light, petals and leaves in watercolor, you can also visit my watercolor tutorials. There you will find free watercolor lessons as well as more detailed watercolor masterclasses for artists who would like to develop their painting skills further.

The post Pink Peony Painting – Inspired by the Beauty of Summer Flowers first appeared on Doris Joa.

Little Floral Poems – A New Series of Small Original Watercolor Paintings

Dolores188 — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:26:03 +0000

Little Floral Poems – Small Original Watercolor Paintings

I’m happy to introduce Little Floral Poems, my new series of
small original watercolor paintings. Each watercolor measures just
10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 inches) and captures a little moment from nature – a flower in bloom,
delicate grasses, a ladybug or another small detail that caught my eye.

I love painting these small original watercolor paintings because their
intimate size allows me to concentrate on one simple subject and the beauty of a fleeting moment.
Each one is painted individually by hand, making every Little Floral Poem a unique original –
no two are ever exactly alike.

The paintings are available framed or unframed. Framed, they become charming
little pieces of art for a shelf, desk or a small space on the wall; unframed, they can easily
be displayed in your own favourite frame.

Discover the available Little Floral Poems and other original watercolor paintings in my online shop →

The post Little Floral Poems – A New Series of Small Original Watercolor Paintings first appeared on Doris Joa.

Yesterday’s Beauty – Rose Painting in watercolor

Doris Joa — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 18:03:13 +0000

Another rose painting in watercolor is finished. This time I chose a white background. I just love this rose and especially how the colour changes.
The painting is available, just click on the link below.

https://www.dorisjoa.com/product/yesterdays-beauty-pink-rose-painting-watercolor/

The post Yesterday’s Beauty – Rose Painting in watercolor first appeared on Doris Joa.

How to create a beautiful dark background – Free Watercolour Video Lesson

Doris Joa — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 01:32:50 +0000

Currently I am working on a beautiful pink rose bud painting in watercolor. When I was planning the painting I played around with it in Photoshop to see how it would look with a dark background. And I immediately loved it. I often use Photoshop to see the possibilities in the composition, to emphasize the colours when needed or to cut the painting etc.

This post will be a free watercolor lesson on creating a beautiful dark background to support a rose.

Here is a photo of the rose with still the white of the paper. I won’t talk about the colours on the rose in this post – I will do this in a separate post.

Pink Rose Bud painting – watercolor by Doris Joa (work in progress)

I am using 340 Lb watercolor paper from Arches. My technique is most wet on dry – which means wet paint on dry paper. To learn more about this just check this lesson about Watercolor Technique

The first image shows the pink rose bud in progress. The rose isn’t finished yet but I decide always at a special point to start with the background. Because when the background is added I already know that I have to darken colours, to soften edges, to maybe lift some colours on the rose.

Step 1 – adding a yellow underwash

Art-Photo 1: Pink Rose Bud painting with first yellow underwash – watercolor by Doris Joa (work in progress)

On the white background I added a wash of yellow. I used Aureolin Modern (a transparent yellow). I love this clean yellow. Let it dry.

Why do I add at first a yellow underwash?

When creating my backgrund I want to have a very rich coloured background. I also want that at some points the yellow shines through my next layers of colours, which will also be transparent colours. This adds more depth to the painting. For this painting I don’t like a plein dark background. I want the feeling that there is more in the background – some atmosphere. And the first yellow underwash helps me to achieve this.

In the next photo you can see that I added a first dark wash over the yellow underwash.

I used the following colours:

Anthraquinoid Red
Winsor Green (blue shade) OR Phthalo Green
Sap Green mixed with the colours above or use it alone in some areas
Indigo

Indigo is a very dark and rich deep blue colour. So if you use this dark blue over the yellow underwash you know what will happen, right? It creates a dark greenish colour. As I want to have a very dark background this works perfect.

For a beautiful black you can mix Anthraquinoid Red with Winsor Green. You also can add some blue to this mix. If you vary these mixes you can decide if you want to have your dark color warmer (using more red) or cooler (using more blue or green).

Art-Photo 2: Pink Rose Bud painting with first yellow underwash – watercolor by Doris Joa (work in progress)

Let this wash dry completely before you add another layer of color.

In the next photo you can see another wash of the same colours used as before. The painting is still wet and it needs to dry.

Art-Photo 3: Pink Rose Bud painting with first yellow underwash – watercolor by Doris Joa (work in progress)

Is there an alternative?

Yes, there is. If you don’t like to work in this way you also can apply your colours as you go and let them mix on the paper. But then make sure that you add a lot of yellow, also some sap green and also your dark mix. If there are areas which are too dark you always can get warmth and lighter areas back when you add cadmium yellow light. This is an opaque colour. Opaque colours sit on the paper and if these washes are not too strong the underlayers will show through. This means you have also a wonderful effect in your background.

Art-Photo 4: Pink Rose Bud painting in watercolor – finished painting by Doris Joa

Free Video lesson on how to create beautiful dark backgrounds

I made a short video and showed on a piece of paper how I did the background on my new watercolor painting. Enjoy!

Make your darks and blacks colourful in your paintings

The post How to create a beautiful dark background – Free Watercolour Video Lesson first appeared on Doris Joa.

Red Rose Painting on dark background in watercolor

Doris Joa — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:48:07 +0000

Another Rose Painting is finished.

https://www.dorisjoa.com/product/rose-bud-painting-original/

The post Red Rose Painting on dark background in watercolor first appeared on Doris Joa.

New Rose Bud Painting

Doris Joa — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:40:07 +0000

I finished a new rose painting. It is a painting of a beautiful rose bud of the Rose Honoré de Balzac.
In real life this rose is very light in colour, but I wanted to have it colourful and in strong colours. I also wanted a dark background so that the bud really comes forward and created drama to the painting.
Many layers were needed in the background and in the end I added the dew drops.
This painting is available. Just click on the link below:

SOLD

https://www.dorisjoa.com/product/pink-rose-bud/

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