In Episode 28 of the Wet on Wet Podcast, Sunil Kalbandi sits down with internationally acclaimed Scottish watercolour artist Angus McEwan for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about drawing, observation, creativity, artistic growth, materials, technique, and the mindset required to build a meaningful life in art. Known for his extraordinary ability to transform ordinary subjects into compelling works of art, Angus has built an international reputation through paintings that celebrate texture, atmosphere, light, weathered surfaces, architecture, and the quiet beauty found in everyday objects. His work demonstrates an exceptional command of watercolour while remaining deeply rooted in drawing, observation, and visual storytelling. Angus shares the story of his artistic journey, beginning with a childhood passion for drawing, studying graphics and fine art, working in museums, teaching art for more than two decades, and eventually transitioning into full-time painting and online education. Along the way, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his artistic philosophy and helped him develop a distinctive voice as a painter. One of the most fascinating aspects of this conversation is Angus's perspective on watercolour itself. Rather than describing himself as a "watercolour artist," he explains why he sees himself as a painter who happens to use watercolour. This approach has allowed him to experiment freely with the medium, pushing beyond traditional methods and exploring techniques such as layering, lifting, stippling, spraying, collage, and texture-building. Throughout the episode, Angus discusses the importance of drawing as the foundation of successful painting. He shares how studying the work of great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt influenced his understanding of observation and draftsmanship. He also explains why strong drawing skills continue to play a central role in every painting he creates today. The conversation explores practical topics that artists of all levels struggle with. How do you improve your work? How do you stay motivated? How do you know when a painting is finished? What should you do when a painting starts going wrong? And is there any shortcut to becoming a better artist? For Angus, the answer often comes back to one simple principle: keep working, keep observing, and keep solving problems. Artists frequently want to start over whenever they encounter difficulties, but Angus argues that real growth happens when you work through those challenges. Mistakes become opportunities to learn, experiment, and discover new solutions that ultimately strengthen your artistic practice. We also dive into materials and process, discussing paper choices, framing, exhibition presentation, brushes, Daniel Smith watercolours, sketchbooks, composition studies, colour decisions, texture creation, and the role experimentation plays in maintaining excitement and growth throughout a long artistic career. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE • Why drawing is the foundation of strong painting • The importance of observation and learning to truly see • How Angus develops ideas and finds subjects to paint • Framing and presentation tips for exhibitions • Choosing watercolour paper, brushes, and materials • Why he prefers synthetic brushes over natural hair brushes • Creating texture and atmosphere in watercolour • The role of sketchbooks in the creative process • Learning from the Old Masters and studying great artists • Handling mistakes and difficult paintings • Motivation, consistency, and artistic growth • Watercolour techniques, layering, and experimentation • AI in art and the future of creativity • Practical advice for artists at every stage of their journey ABOUT ANGUS McEWAN Angus McEwan is an internationally acclaimed Scottish artist known for his highly detailed and atmospheric watercolour paintings. His work explores texture, light, weathered surfaces, architecture,
