Masterpiece or Mess?
my wins & fails in sketching, watercolor, and gouache painting
My online journal of what worked, what didn’t –
and why I keep painting anyway…
What Worked
A celebration of the moments when everything just clicked
From happy accidents to honest wins, this is where the good stuff lives — no disclaimers needed.
What Absolutely Didn’t
Not everything goes to plan — and that’s half the fun.
Here’s a loving collection of oopsies, flops, and “what was I thinking?” moments.
Things I Learned
Reflections, realizations, and lessons that stuck (sometimes more than the paint did).
This is where the mess turns into momentum.
Welcome to my messy middle.
This is where I document my journey through my watercolor and gouache painting journey.
Some pieces turned out great. Others… not so much. But each one taught me something.
This site is part art log, part confessional, and part encouragement for anyone who’s ever asked, “Should I just throw this in the bin?”
I’m no expert — but I document what I’m learning in case it helps someone else. If you’re starting your own journey with watercolor and gouache painting, these posts might be helpful:
Hello there!
I’m Louee an experimental painter and full time web developer and content specialist (aka tech nerd) who fell in love with wet media for years.
I created Masterpiece or Mess to celebrate my growth and remind myself that mistakes are part of the process — and usually more fun to share anyway.
Join My Journey
This blog is a personal look into the unpredictable world of sketching, watercolor, and gouache painting.
I’m sharing my journey one brushstroke at a time — from radiant washes that made me proud, to overworked layers that went straight into the “what was I thinking?” pile.
This isn’t just a portfolio. It’s a growing collection of wins, fails, and the very real learning moments in between.
If you’ve ever:
- Scrubbed out a sky only to ruin the paper
- Mixed the perfect color and forgot how you did it
- Loved a painting halfway through… and hated the final result
…then you’re in good company.
This site is to honor the journey and the process…
– not the perfection.
