Sugar Packets (Akvarell Gadnell 1985)

As a young artist, painting photorealistically was my ultimate goal. Everything had to look exactly like the photo—water, metallic reflections, flowers, anything. Then came the demand to have my own style, just like my idols did. I remember Philip von Schantz and his lingonberries on a plank, viewed from the side. I tried something similar, but painted everyday groceries like sugar packets and plastic-wrapped tomatoes instead. It was a fun idea—and, as usual, I quickly grew tired of it.

I don’t believe you should force yourself to develop a personal style. If you decide too early that “this is my style,” there’s a risk that your growth as an artist will stagnate. And it’s not fun to paint the same thing over and over again.

Eventually, I grew weary of painting, especially after we had children. But the real reason was probably the rise of computers. Creating video games was exciting, and work and family took up all my remaining time. Painting disappeared from my life for many years.

But something happened 20 years ago. My wife and I moved to Malta. Our children had moved out, and our parents had passed away. We bought a townhouse outside Valletta and renovated it into a guesthouse. We needed guests, and my wife said, “Why don’t you run some watercolor courses? Participants can stay here, and you can teach.” A great idea—so out came the palette, which I had, of course, brought with me.

It went wonderfully, and I also held courses in photography and drawing. Around this time, my wife showed me a DVD featuring John Hoar, a British watercolor artist in tweed and hat. I was fascinated by his way of painting—light, effortless dabs of the brush that brought his work to life. Stunning watercolors.

I discovered more artists with a similar approach: Castagnet, Zbukvic, Pekel. I bought all their DVDs. I painted and watched, because that was how I wanted to paint. But… it was much harder than I thought.

Painting loosely and freely requires thought, planning, and practice. When you copy a photo, you have the answers right in front of you. It demands a certain skill, but no difficult decisions. But painting loosely and freely—you have to make choices constantly. Simplify, remove, decide what to include and what to leave out. And you can’t overwork it, because then the watercolor somehow “dies” in a strange way. It was a much bigger challenge than I had imagined.

But I didn’t give up. Thousands of watercolors later, it started to come together. I showed my paintings to a few galleries in Stockholm and Uppsala, and they were interested right away. Today, I can call myself an artist with my own exhibitions and a style that has evolved naturally. And I’m still developing. Every new painting is a challenge, even if they might look similar to the viewer.

Paint what you feel. Don’t try to force a style—otherwise, you might paint yourself into a corner.

My New Image Library – A Resource for Watercolor Artists

For the past six years, I’ve been creating and sharing courses on YouTube, with varying quality and content. It’s been an incredible journey where I haven’t just taught others, but also grown as an artist myself. Reflecting on and sharing my knowledge has given me new perspectives and inspired me to constantly improve my craft.

To give my viewers the opportunity to support my work while gaining access to exclusive content, I introduced a membership for $3 per month. This has been greatly appreciated, and I’m grateful for the support and engagement my subscribers show.

Now, I’m taking the next step by expanding the membership with a new tier—for just $1 extra per month, members also gain access to my image library. Here, I’ve gathered photographs I’ve taken over the past 15 years, specifically selected to serve as references for watercolor paintings. The idea is to provide more people with inspiration and material for their own artistic projects. The library is continuously updated as I uncover more gems among my tens of thousands of photographs.

This is my way of sharing my passion for photography and watercolor art, and I hope the library will become a valuable resource for everyone who wants to explore and develop their artistic side.

Learn more here: https://www.youtube.com/@StefanGadnell

Watercolor Courses – A Unique Experience

Every year in May, I hold a limited number of watercolor painting courses. These courses are already fully booked, and I’ve started accepting applications for May 2027. It feels both honorable and humbling to see such great interest—it’s a privilege that so many want to learn and grow alongside me.

Despite many requests for additional course dates, I’ve chosen to keep the courses concentrated in May. The reason is simple: teaching requires an enormous amount of energy, preparation, and commitment—before, during, and after the course days. To give participants the attention and quality they deserve, I don’t want to spread myself too thin.

For those who can’t attend the courses, there are still plenty of opportunities to learn watercolor painting through my YouTube videos. There, I share techniques, tips, and inspiration that you can access anytime.

Painting is not about capturing reality

The camera does that so much better. When you paint, it’s about something else: capturing the feeling, the mood, the things only you see. Your watercolors become personal precisely because they are yours—with your choices, your simplifications, your brushstrokes.

Don’t forget that when you strive to make them look "real."

It’s not reality that makes a painting good. It’s you.

Keep painting! — Stefan