2026: A Year of Pressing In (And Playing)

Photo by Kia & Co.

I’ve already claimed 2026 as the year I press in deeper with my creative practices — watercolor and bible journaling — but it’s also the year I give myself permission to play.

To explore.
To experiment.
And to try new things without needing them to become anything more than joyful.

For a long time, my creative rhythm has been rooted in familiar materials and trusted processes. There’s comfort there. But lately, I’ve felt a gentle nudge to loosen my grip a bit and allow curiosity to lead. Not to abandon what I love, but to let it grow.

That nudge showed up clearly after I took Illustrative People with @dearelaineco.

Surprisingly Falling in Love with Whimsy

In the class, we explored creating whimsical characters and scenes using a mix of watercolor, gouache, and colored pencils. Almost immediately, I felt that spark — the kind that reminds you why you started creating in the first place.

There was something so freeing about layering mediums, letting colors overlap, and allowing imperfection to stay. These little illustrated people didn’t need to be realistic or polished. They just needed to feel alive.

But I also quickly realized something important:
my go-to cold press watercolor paper — which I love dearly — was a little too textured for this kind of detailed, illustrative work. The roughness made it harder for colored pencils to glide and for fine details to feel crisp.

So, naturally… I got curious about paper. 😀

Enter: A Thoughtful Gift from Legion Paper

The gracious folks at Legion Paper were kind enough to send me a sample pack of both hot press and cold press papers to test. And since I’m already a longtime fan of Stonehenge Aqua Cold Press, I decided to focus my energy on exploring their hot press options — papers known for their smoother surfaces.

Here’s what I tested:

• Acquerello Portofino, White
  140 lb
  100% Cotton

• Coventry Rag, White (Smooth)
  335 gsm
  100% Cotton

• Stonehenge Aqua, Black
  140 lb / 300 gsm
  100% Cotton

• Coventry Rag, White (Vellum)
  290 gsm

• Lanaquarelle, White
  140 lb / 300 gsm
  100% Cotton

My Testing Process

To keep things consistent, I tested each paper using:

• Dots & Dust handmade watercolor paints

• Crayola colored pencils

• Derwent watercolor pencils (both dry and activated with water)

I wanted to see how each surface handled:

• smooth pencil application

• layering watercolor

• fine details

• flexibility and feel while working

And honestly? This process reminded me how much joy there is in slowing down and not rushing to a conclusion — just observing, noticing, and responding.

My Favorite Papers for Illustrative Work

After spending time with each one, three papers stood out immediately:

🤍 Acquerello Portofino, White

🤍 Coventry Rag, White (Vellum)

🤍 Lanaquarelle, White

All three were:

• lighter in weight

• flexible and pleasant to work on

• beautifully smooth for both colored pencils and watercolor

They allowed the pencils to glide effortlessly and gave the watercolor just enough hold without fighting the brush. For whimsical illustration, mixed media work, and gentle layering, these papers felt like an invitation instead of a resistance.

What This Season Is Teaching Me

This little paper experiment felt like more than just product testing.

It felt like a reminder that:

• growth doesn’t have to be loud

• exploration doesn’t mean abandoning your roots

• creativity can be faithful and playful

As I move into 2026, I’m holding space for both depth and delight — pressing in with intention, while also leaving room for whimsy and curiosity.

If you’ve been feeling that quiet pull to try something new — a different medium, a new paper, a playful class — consider this your gentle permission slip.

You don’t have to become someone new. You just have to allow yourself to explore.

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