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Hi everyone! Last year I really loved painting many tiny watercolor paintings. I have a few friends who do 100 painting challenges, so I thought I would tweak the idea and make it my own.

The challenge is not consecutive, but for the entire year. So it ends up being 8-9 paintings each month. No pressure to paint one every day, just whenever inspiration strikes and at the end of the year you will have 100 tiny paintings.

I'm using arches 140 lb cotton 9X12" paper that I've cut into 3X3" pieces, giving me 12 pieces per page.

I posted a short snippet of the idea on Instagram and you tube, but the full length videos will be posted here on Patreon (for observation purposes, no commentary)

I hope you join me!

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Comments

Maria Rybaczyk

Yay! There's sound ! I cut all 100 squares and joined the Patreon group and I am ready to join the challenge!

Kristin Van Leuven

I'm so glad it's working! Thank you Lorrie, I can't wait to paint with you this year

Toni South

This is such a great idea. I think I hesitate painting every day because I'm thinking of 'big' projects.

Pam

Sound and video working! Now time to paint🙂🎨Thanks Kristin!

Susan C Terris

I just joined too - the tiny paintings do not feel intimidating. By the way I got into the 1st tiny painting video after all, now it's perfect.

Debra Rodriguez

i think this fantastic and i am joining in too. I used to make and trade ATCs artist trading cards 2X3 inches and i really enjoyed it.

Nektaria Zapata

Joined for the challenge 😊 After some major life changes, things are finally settling down. Time to slow down and get some painting in and this is perfect.

GG

Soooo excited for this challenge! This is exactly the size I want to master:). I love miniature (tiny) paintings and I am learning so much from your instruction. I joined your Patreon based on this challenge!

Karen W

Looking forward to 100 small achievements.

Kristin Bouvier

Finished my first tiny painting today! 1 down, 99 more to go!

JD

Joined today. The MINIs encouraged me! :) I loved today's first picture! You explained everything well. :)

Terri Klausner

I can’t wait to try these! Thank you Kristin!

Monica Sakellaridis

Joined today for the challenge and I've been watching your videos on YouTube over the last month and painted a few of your shorts, but this was so helpful to paint along with you in real time. I painted the nativity card and kept having to pause the short, LOL! Super excited for this challenge. I made a little leather watercolor journal, like you had in your year wrap up short, for the first couple of month's paintings. I can't get enough watercolor painting, so much so, I've been literally dreaming I'm painting. Thanks!

Sam

Oh this is going to be fun, I feel like I can manage this challenge! <3

Diane

Like so many others, I joined specifically for this challenge. Can't wait to start my "littles"!!

Diane

What size brush are you using? Not sure I have one that small

Kristin Van Leuven

This is a size 4 long round, but anything size 2-6 round should work!

Lise

Just joined …. I super excited to start this challenge. These “Mini’s” are going to be so much fun. Thank you !

Vivcreative

Love the first painting, thank you! What kind of brush are you using? Is it a Princeton velvetouch?

Laurie S

I watched the video on Facebook and painted this last night. So fun to take this challenge and a friend of mine is also doing it! Hoping to catch the next post soon!

Len_ Morris

I am in for this challenge, just wonder why you didn't paint the sky first, all in all, I am very happy with my tiny painting. Thank you

Kristin Van Leuven

I’m not sure, I’ve been doing it a lot more lately. I think if I had to put it into words, when I paint the sky it feels like I’ve been put in a box and the landscape can’t appear. When I let the landscape take over it’s easier for me to see what I want to do with the sky later. It also depends on the subject too. Since I wanted clouds and I wanted a tall tree, I wasn’t sure how they were going to interact. I hope that makes sense 😅

Kristin Van Leuven

I love that you made your own tiny book! Hooray for longer videos that are way easier to pause 😅

Kristin Van Leuven

So excited you’re here! Mini paintings really make everything so much better

Kristin Van Leuven

Same! It can be really overwhelming when you think it has to be big to be good

Terri Dunkel

hi just joined thanks to my friend sending me her finished day 1 painting. In the $5 upgrade do you list the paint colors your using and is this series included?

Jenn Clair

Can’t wait to try this! Just bought my first water coloring paint set and I found your video on TikTok last night!

Jemwife

Just joined in!! Day 1 complete! Will you be sharing all 100 of your tiny paintings?

monica

Love the idea of "tiny" painting as I am still "finding my way" with watercolor and smaller the better for me. I love this first one and am making several to find my liking...thank you. Can't wait for #2!

Jen Behrens

I just finished mine and I’m so happy with how it turned out! I’m really looking forward to the rest of this challenge.

Annie

Hello! I joined today from following you on Instagram…. you had me at “use the good paper, you’re worth it” 😊. I immediately committed by cutting my last sheet of Arches 22x30 and into 49 3” squares. I appreciate the limited palette, it will be great for learning color mixing. This first video has been so helpful. Light and shadow, water and saturation etc. Really excited to continue, thank you!

Pam

Thanks for your words. How uplifting!

Michelle W.

Good day! I'm going to join but had a question, are we painting what you paint or do we paint what we want to do? Wasn't too sure if the challenge was painting along with you or just do it! LOL!

CD

Is the cad yellow warm or cool? Daniel Smith lists cad yellow light as cool, but cad yellow medium and cad yellow deep are listed as warm.

CD

Is it possible for you to say the paint brands and full color names in the video?

Kristin Van Leuven

I'm using Cad yellow from winsor and newton and it's definitely more cool

Kristin Van Leuven

Yes sorry! We talk about it so often I forget to mention it sometimes. I'm using winsor and newton paints and I have a limited palette: Cad yellow, quin magenta, cerulean, indigo, sap green

Kate

Thank you for the experience! I loved creating tiny painting 01/100! I'd share my work but I don't see how to upload a photo.

Kristin Van Leuven

there's a community section where we have a chat group and can share pictures in there. Let me know if you can't find it!

Kristin Van Leuven

No worries! It's really whatever you want. You can follow along, or do your own thing. I figure some people might split off depending on what the subject is, but feel free to do it either way

Kate

🤷 the little pic icon next to the comment box doesn’t respond when I click on it, hmmm

Kate

No worries! (You’re not missing anything🤣) Can’t wait for tiny painting 02/100!!!

Michelle W.

I've decided to follow your prompts and do a second set of birds/lighthouses and whatever catches my fancy that day.

Jenn

Love this mini challenge! I started very impulsively not really paying much attention and mine turned out very differently- due to Chrismas I had pine trees on my brain and ended up with a pine. I also decided to use the palette of Beam paints I just received, so very different colors and a lot are granulating. I’m just so happy to sit down and paint, took a mental health afternoon off from work to just do whatever I want!

L Houston

I'm in! I ordered some paper and will be cutting up to make 3x3 squares ... Somehow small seems less intimidating to do!

Carla Strong

I had so much fun trying this tonight! I’m not crazy about my distant trees - but I love that it’s just the beginning and I’ll watch myself progress!

Cheryl Blessinger

Could you share a link for the community section/ chat group please?

Len_ Morris

Where do we find the other miniature pictures to paint?

Kristin Van Leuven

They will be posted here on the main page as I paint them throughout the year. I'm planning on Tuesdays and Fridays tentatively. A new one will be available this afternoon!

Ida

Hi Kristin, I just joined your patreon, but I can’t get the first painting to work. Can you help with that? Thanks.

Kristin Van Leuven

Hi Ida! You can’t get this video to play? Try refreshing your home page or accessing the video through the collections tab. If that doesn’t work I can send you a link in the messages section here on patreon

Kristin Van Leuven

I love that! And it can definitely be whatever you need it to be. I don’t want anyone to feel like it HAS to be like mine, just the habit of painting each week will be great!

Kristin Van Leuven

You don’t need to upgrade for the painting list. In my limited palette I have cerulean, cad yellow, magenta, indigo and sap green

Terri Dunkel

Thanks so much . I love a limited pallet.

Leah

Hi everyone I'm new and here for the painting challenge! I love mini paintings and love the idea of having 100 when we're done ✨

Denise

Hello, I’m new here, and so excited about this challenge!

Cindy Harper

I painted the 1/100 tree. I'm just going to go for it and have fun! The northern lights looks interesting and I hope to paint it as well...

Caroline Green

Hi - this looks like a really fun challenge! Would it be possible to list the colours you need in the initial post to make it a little easier to prepare? :)

Kimmy Connolly

hi! is there a material list for how to start this series?

Lynn Coleman

Can you swatch the colors prior to doing the painting so we can match them up if we have diff paints? Just quick shot of a swatch? Thanks

Lynne Merrick

Just joined also with a friend. We try to paint together weekly and this will work for us. Really like your limited pallet and mixing instructions!

Lisa Duvall

I have been painting for a while now, but am somewhere i the vicinity of early intermediate. I’m terrible at trees, and have steered clear of them. Your little painting challenge has inspired me to try since they are small and manageable. I love this little painting. Thank you.

Connie Harvey

Are you able to share the colours and size of brushes in the details?

Toni Allen

Is there a list of paint colors. I'm new here. Thx.

Taprobane4

Hello, excited to have just joined your Patron tier... it would be super helpful to have a list of paint colours you use and sizes of brushes if possible. I've got my 100 cards cut out :)

Megan

I absolutely loved this exercise! I am a beginner at watercolors and this was so easy to follow and I was very happy with how my mini piece turned out!

Toni South

I have gotten behind but it won't be hard to catch up. I just love this idea

Toni South

She does have a list of paint colors somewhere. If you don't have the exact colors don't worry.

Toni South

Under #3 she lists the paint colors

Renee

This was so fun! I am a beginner, so I had to pause and go back quite a bit. I love that this is small and doable in 1 hr. Thanks!

Joanne Tomlanovich

I am very much a beginner, but I can honestly say this is one of the better landscapes I've painted, even though it bears only a slight resemblance to yours. This is how we begin!

Valerie Beach

I do better when I see the palette and what you’re mixing. This was an awkward process trying to listen to what to mix and paint.

Kristin Van Leuven

I totally understand. I listened to feedback about this and my new videos show more of the colors/palette at the beginning and the mixing process as a whole

Patricia Kloenne

I used to do tole painting with acrylics years ago. I am now retired took two watercolor classes but I have been intimidated to start. I did my first painting on my own. I see my mistakes but I am looking forward to this challenge.

Mary Anne Gunter

I'd like to know what the $3 is for; one small painting or one month? I'm confused, but if I'm supposed to pay more, please cancel.

Kristin Van Leuven

Hi Mary Anne! Some people prefer to pay per post so they can choose which tutorials they want to see rather than pay a monthly subscription. You are not currently subscribed, but if you purchased this and want a refund, you'll need to contact patreon because I do not have access to any of the payment process.

Vicky Coverdale

Super fun. One down. Appreciate the suggestions listed above - starting with my pallet ready would be helpful. Love all the suggestions...and why to do it throughout!

Marcela

I just join the Patron and i am a little lost , Is there a list of the colors somewhere or do i have to take notes for this ? Any orientation or any kind of help would be very much appreciated Thank you

Marcela

Did you make your own orange or did you use the color orange out of the tube. ?

Mary A

The monthly subscription ($5) includes 8-9 tutorial posted each month, and access to previous videos posted this year, I believe. Pretty reasonable if you ask me. But you, of course, know your own priorities and budget. I just joined last week and am very pleased with the value for myself.

Priya Shukla

Super fun! Thank you for this opportunity to continue developing my skills!

Kristina

Me too. My daughter bought me a watercolor block that i have been hesitant to use. I'm ready to catch up!

Elizabeth

Thanks so much for this. I am a new Patron, I started watching you on YouTube after Emma Lefebvre linked your channel. I love how you explain things. It's interesting to me to see you start with the tree. In all the other tutorials I've followed the artists seem to do the foreground main feature at the end and I've always struggled with that because of course then the colours somehow or other don't work because I will not have left enough white space. This seems as if it may work for me and I'm so excited to give it a try. I'm a not very talented painter, but I LOVE watercolour.

April Lorraine Corey

I saw this video on Tik Tok first. I was inspired to try it because you mentioned what a great was this was to practice or create without that sense of waste. Whenever I would attempt something on a larger piece of paper, I would get to the point where I hated it and quit! This has been so rewarding to learn and create! My 10 and 11 year old sons are doing it with me too and we all have little magnetic albums to put our work in. My friends are all blown away at my paintings but they aren't half as shocked as I am with myself! Thank you for this challenge! I am constantly checking for the next one to be posted!

April Lorraine Corey

I should also mention that this video on YT "5 things I wish I knew before I started watercolor" was SUCH A GAMECHANGER~! The tip about using the opposite color to create shadows was incredible! Prior to seeing that I was on the struggle bus with my "black" shadows looking fake but now they are looking SO much better!

April Lorraine Corey

I am new to water color but I have just been mixing my colors using my eyes and what I feel is the best color. I always dab it on a scrap piece to make sure it's the color I want! I also watched this video from her Youtube Channel and it helped tremendously! "5 things I wish I knew before I started watercolor". Check it out - it's helpful!

April Lorraine Corey

I'm excited to see how I will improve in my skills in the next year! I'm 11 in and I already see a huge difference. The hardest part is that my eyes are a bit old and tired!

Marcela

Thank you April , I have watched that video as well and yes it has helped a lot.

Casey Rodefeld

I'm curious why we don't paint the sky first then let it dry before starting on the rest. Is it just a personal choice? Or is there a reason? Not critiquing... Genuinely asking to learn!

Lisa

My tree ended up a little blobby and blended in with the background green. I also didn’t let my ground dry before adding background trees so had some bleeding. All learning experiences for the future.

Burdlubber

When purchasing, are we paying $5.00 for each tiny painting video? What is the $3.00 cost?

Dana Kenyon

Great way to get started. I can't wait to see how my paintings improve over this challenge

Crystal Aberle-Crookshanks

I can't wait to start. Do you use cold or hot pressed paper? I am still learning, less than a year.

Claire

Hello Kristin, I read your post from January 22nd. In it you stated that you do not nave access to any of the payment process. The people on Patreon told me to contact you to check my account for double billing. I do not have an email account for you to contact. I told them this. It is possible that I have 2 accounts. I tried cancelling one of them,so that I would not be double billed. The process with Patreon is painfully slow. It is at least a week wait time. I am hoping you can contact me and help clear this up. Thank you

Gina

I am new to your Patreon ! Can’t wait to get started !!! 😊😊🤗

Mari Maynard

Thank you for making this challenge. My first time using watercolors.

Grace Castro

New here I like the paint along

Jennie graham

Ok my first time joining patron. Looking forward to following along. Will get everything ready tomorrow and start. Wish me luck. And thank you

Sandy

New here too! Saw your 100 tiny painting on YouTube and knew I had to join. Also fairly new to watercolors. Thank you for identifying your paper, and I see you started to identify the colors on your palette in the future tiny painting challenge videos. Thank you so much! Excitingly looking forward to painting along with you for 100 day and more!

Kristin Van Leuven

Welcome Sandy! Yes I have learned a little bit from this first video haha

Lyn

Hello - I just joined - you said the size of your brush but could you share what brand you are using? thanks!

Crystal Aberle-Crookshanks

Your letter sparrow paints... I can't find them. What would you suggest as a good alternative for the colors you use?

Marijke

I am new to Patreon and at 85 am not really computer literate. I was wondering how I can access all of the Tiny Painting videos on one page because they seem to be showing only one here and there. Is there a list and under what heading should I look???

Kristin Van Leuven

Hello! It's a little easier on the computer, but if you go to the collections tab at the top of the feed, there is a whole section entitled "tiny paintings 2025". Let me know if you can't find it and I can help you again

Suni

I am finding it hard to mix the colours. I thought you would explain how o get the first brown shade for the tree trunk

Ellen

I just found you on YouTube and now I'm a subscriber here. I'm excited to start the 100 tiny paintings (I'll have to "catch up" but that will be fun). I watched the 5 things to remember video and I love your teaching style. Looking forward to learning - and having fun!

Susan B

Arriving late to the party but excited to catch up over the next week or so - 1 done - thoroughly enjoyed it!

Jean Kelly

I joined your patreon specifically for the tiny paintings. I'm disappointed that it isn't more specific on which colors to use, brush techniques and not as detailed as I need to achieve a good result. That being said, you are a very talented painter.

Kristin Van Leuven

Hi Jean! I hope you give the rest of the series a chance. I was lacking in all those departments in this one because the popularity of the project surprised me and I wasn't prepared. If you watch some of my more recent tiny paintings I hope you will find I have fixed those issues. I'm so glad you're here!

Vicky

Hello, I just joined for the tiny painting challenge. I'm brand new to watercolor and art. I need inspiration but I also need instruction to learn and grow. You are very talented but I wish you offered more instruction in your tiny painting videos.

Leslie

I just came across you and your site by finding this 100 tiny painting challenge.in my email. I am a beginner and thought they looked beautiful and fun. My only complaint is that you talk too quickly for me. I watched it completely first, then tried to paint it. haha It's a hot mess. I'll try again and pause the video as I go. wish I could attach a picture of it. This is also my first Patreon subscription. 4/22 Tried again tonight, a little better. I will try again. I need more help with mixing colors.

Melanie Warren

Haha mine looks like a hot mess but I’ve got 100 to do so surely I’ll get better! Right?! Haha

Betsy

Just did my first tiny painting, and I love it! I did have to watch your video several times first to prepare my paints ahead. I’m hoping that in later videos you slow down a bit and give more upfront info on which colors you use, especially since you mix many of them yourself. I love how you create your own browns.

Kristin Van Leuven

Oh for sure! Try one of my more recent ones to get a better feel. Honestly the excitement over the series took me by surprise so it took me a couple videos to get into my groove with what people needed to see from me. I’m so glad you’re here!

Tammy

I have just started so have some catching up to do! I love the smallness of it!

Jan Dupont

it's the end of May and I'm just starting the tiny paintings challenge. What fun! When Kristin is getting ahead of me I just pause the video and catch up. BTW, my husband is quite impressed with my first tiny landscape. Yay!

Elizabeth

Just finished this and now can’t wait to do number 2

Sarah Blosser

Just finished my first of this series, wish there was a way to share final images

Kit

Lovely landscape! I will attempt to send you my attempts via my phone :)

Liz Wood

Starting halfway through the year and I'm going to try and do 2 each week. Wish me luck!

Irene @moorandgrace

I’m jumping fresh and looking forward to the challenge😃😍

SUE MCNAMARA

I am just joining. It would be a great help to have a list of your palette colors so I could prepare

Suzanne Fisher

I am very late joining and will not necessarily do them in order but am so excited to get started

Susie

I’m joining now and love knowing brush info and paint color names( and options if you don’t have it) before I start. Thanks!!!

Brenda Boor

Just started today. Love watercolors.

Donna Hennen

I’m curious too. I’ve painted a long time and and have always been a background, middle ground, foreground, and details last painter. I have never done a landscape front to back before. I found it a bit awkward and I’d like to know if there was a specific reason for this approach.

Laquita Norrington

Sooooo much fun. I’m a pencil artist and I needed a change. I still love my pencils but I may find lots of ways to incorporate the watercolor. Thanks.

AmyElizabeth

I just started my tiny paintings today. This is so much fun and less intimidating when they are only 3” 💙

Pearl

I just started with patreon because I love painting tiny and love the variety that Kristin has shared with us here. Just did day 71 and 73 and looking forward to much more!

Hester Thiart

I just started today. And did this painting 3 times as it was so much fun and i wanted to test different ways to paint the same picture.

Vicki

Just finished my first one! I can see where learning to control my water is paramount in being successful! Also, blending colors. Still trying to figure out how to post a pic? Maybe only in the chat???

Gocha

Hi everyone. I have just started painting with Kristin here on Patreon. I am so excited. I am totally beginner but with great desire and belief that with every brush stroke it will get better. Although I don't always get it right.

Beverley Ann Bailey

I just joined you on Patreon * my first time* and love this challenge ! Thank you and looking forward to more of your wonder .

Kathy

First time joining Patreon! Late start but looking forward to this challenge as a beginner!

Tracy LaMarca

Just joined! Going to try and catch up by the end of the year so I can start in with the new 100 paintings in 2026!

Heather

I am super excited! I'm in CO and hope to do BOTH the 2025 and 2026 mini painting challenge this year. So I'm going to 200 minis in 2026. Wish me luck!!

Sabine

I‘m in, too! 😃