Doodlewash of two penguins in watercolor by Mette Laustsen
Featured Artists

GUEST ARTIST: “Cute Animals” by Mette Laustsen

Written by Charlie O'Shields
Doodlewash of Giraffe mom and baby in watercolor by Mette Laustsen

Hi, my name is Mette Laustsen, I am 35 years old and live in Denmark in a small town called Sorø. I’m so glad that Charlie invited me to show my paintings here at Doodlewash. Thank you so much! Ever since I was a child, I loved to draw funny little animals everywhere, and if you visit my school from my childhood, I’m sure you can find small doodles of animals drawn at all the school tables… haha! At that time I also decided, that once I became a grown up, I would have a creative job. Actually, I dreamed that I would be so good at drawing, that maybe I could make children’s books or sell my drawings.

So I took the education as a graphic designer, and today I am creative every day working on magazines, brochures etc., and I love it! But actually, I forgot to draw!!! Instead I was creative in Photoshop and made funny photomanipulations in my spare time (you can also see them at my website). Many years ago my mother in law gave me a small box of watercolors, which had been hers, when she was a child. Back then, I thought that “watercolors were boring and difficult” and I hid the box away in a closet.

Doodlewash of owl eyes in watercolor by Mette Laustsen

But then one summer there was a small course, where you could learn to paint flowers with watercolors, and I thought, “okay, I’ll give it a try.” And it was SO much fun!!! And ever since, I have been painting with watercolors and drawing again! What I like about watercolors is, that you can easily paint everywhere; in nature, travels and so on!

Doodlewash of deer antlers in watercolor with flowers by Mette Laustsen

All you need is your little box of colors, brushes and water! Just like when I was a child, I love to paint animals! It’s definitely my favorite motive. I still like to make the animals look “cute,” but they look a lot more realistic now. I also like to paint people, especially the eyes, so that’s why I only paint faces. I often use a very small brush for all the details, but I like to use a big brush and let “the colors run” in the bottom of my paintings, so I get a little bit of “watercolor effects”. I paint in size A3 and A2, and I get inspirations from my job as graphic designer, and from the Internet especially Instagram and Pinterest.

Doodlewash of two zebras touching noses in watercolor by Mette Laustsen

I am self taught and have been painting watercolors for 3 years now. At first I didn’t really like to show my paintings to anyone. But a colleague kept saying, that I should “show my watercolors to the world” and try to sell some of them.

Doodlewash of Panda face in watercolor by Mette Laustsen

So last year I created my Facebook page where I show and sell posters of my watercolors. And I’m so glad I did it, because it gives me a great pleasure, that people likes my paintings and even want to buy them. Often people send me a photo from their home, where they have hung up my paintings, and it makes me SO happy, and makes me want to paint even more! So my dream from my childhood actually came true!!!

Mette Laustsen
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Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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