Written by Hello, my name is Nesrine Ziadi and I am a self-taught artist and dentistry student from Tunisia. I have been into art for as long as I can remember. From preschool to high school, I’ve attempted different subjects and mediums. I’ve tried colored pencils, markers, gouache and I loved them all!
I usually copied illustrations from children’s books or other artists’ works for practice. I always enjoyed having quality “me-time” when I can be creative but unfortunately, I didn’t draw that often. My only audience were my parents, my younger brother and a very few friends of mine. They were always appreciative and extremely supportive and told me that I had potential. But that’s all it ever was for me, a mere potential that never got the chance to blossom.
Until one day last July 2018. I was on instagram and came across a Dutch artist named Tina van Dijk and I immediately fell in love! Some voice screamed in my head that I also wanted to do that. I never used watercolor in my life and knew nothing about the medium. I also had low self-esteem and confidence.
So, I bought the cheapest watercolors ever and regular paper. I painted my first portrait and posted it on my personal instagram. It was quite decent and I loved it! My friends were really encouraging which inspired me to paint more.
Then I decided that I wanted to buy professional materials so I got myself a Royal Talens Van Gogh watercolour pocket box, a single round brush size 12 and Canson watercolor papers. It was expensive, but I knew that if I wanted the best results, I needed the best products out there.
I then created an Instagram account for my art and posted my first real watercolor painting. I participated in the “one hundred days of watercolor” challenge and painted every day. I followed tutorials on YouTube and Instagram to sharpen my skills. And I got to know amazing people from all over the world who shared the same passion as me.
By the end of that summer, I had 800 followers and was very proud of myself. When I went back to college, I kept painting on and off and posted very little. However, I was always dreaming of watercolors and I kept watching other artists paint. When this year’s exams were over, I jumped to my pallet and paper and started painting right away.
There’s this artist that I like a lot named Maria Smirnova. I took some of her skillshare classes and practiced a lot from just looking at her works. I was having a lot of fun but I always felt that something was missing. I kept comparing my work to others’. Everyone seemed so talented and already had their style all figured out. And here I was, struggling and constantly running out of inspiration.
One day I challenged myself. I chose a very beautiful photograph and decided that I wanted to paint my own version of it, with no pressure. I just wanted to paint the colors I was seeing. And so I did. And magic happened! For once, I was satisfied with the results. But most importantly, it was completely mine. The response was HUGE. Everyone was so supportive! And it gave me the courage to try harder and take risks that I was long afraid to take.
I am currently painting every single day and I now have a very sweet family of followers. My biggest inspiration is nature and I try to capture its beauty in the best way that I possibly could. I love painting sceneries especially the ones that include sunrises/sunsets. I am also fascinated by trees and greenery.
Every day, I feel myself evolve and my art taking better shape than the day before. I am beginning to see bits of myself in my paintings. I feel like I’ve found my voice. I’ve always been more on the reserved side when it came to emotions and I feel like I’ve finally figured a way to convey my feelings through paint and paper.
Today, I am happier than I’ve ever been and I want to spread that happiness through my art. My advice for the person reading this is to follow your passion and to never fear failure or judgement. Just enjoy yourself and what you do. It’s all about having fun! Personally, I really like to watch colors flow on paper and bleed into one another. It’s very therapeutic and fascinating. There are just infinite possibilities and techniques in watercolor which makes every piece of work a unique learning experience.
We all need some sort of creative outlet in our lives, something to turn to when life becomes a bit tense. I’ve tried painting and it worked out for me. And I know something for sure: if I can do it, so can YOU!
Nesrine Ziadi
Instagram
Thank you for sharing your work and your story. Your paintings are beautiful!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!
Great painting, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Nice to meet you Nesrine! Thank you for sharing your beautiful art with us.
Thank you so much for your time! This means a lot.
Nesting, thanks for sharing your story and your beautiful artwork! It is great to get to know you a bit better.
Hi Karen! Thanks so much for reading this! I loved sharing my story with you.
Greetings Nesrine!!! So good to read your story and to see your glorious artwork. 🙂
Nice to meet you Lisa! Thank you for your support!
Your paintings are outstanding! I love your story! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Jean! I am very grateful you took the time to read this.
Your paintings are so serene and calming, soothing, to look at. Thank you for sharing your art and your story.
Hi Laura! Thanks so much for stopping by! This means the world.
Nesrine, your use of color and line is amazing! Thank you for sharing your artistic journey with us.
Thank you so much Sandra! I really appreciate that you took the time to read this.
This is indeed inspirational. I’ve been down lately. I paint and the thought of comparing my art to other artists tears me up inside. I recently came into this self love idea for my books. I write not because I have it all together but because I don’t. I need the very ideas and words I write. I keep working and sometimes I just don’t know. The voice can be powerful. I’ve been working hard and all I have is 405 subscribers and it’s taken me a while. I do recognize that I change ideas too much.
I totally understand this! When I used to compare my “beginning” to other artists’ “middles” it was very frustrating for me. Then I realized that the only comparison I should make is to myself! Comparing my work now to how it used to look a week, a month or a year ago And I can see change. And change means I’ve been working hard. I am so happy that you took this stance You are very strong and deserve all the best.
Thank you for sharing your powerful story, Nesrine, and your beautiful artwork.
Hi Sharon! Thank you for your support! This means a lot.
Thank you for sharing your story. Your work is beautiful. Good for you for going with your instincts and your heart. If we all painted the same, our world would be quite boring.
Exactly! We all have something to add to this world, because everyone is unique in his own special way.
I love them, very beautiful 😊
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for sharing this❤️. I totally recognize your journey, and your conclusion is so true.. it makes no sense to compare, there will always be someone who can do a skill better than you.. i always remember this: nobody makes the things like you do, and so if you won’t, it will never exist. How special is that!
I absolutely love the way you’ve put it out! Everyone is so unique and everytime we create a piece of art we are moving forward to becoming better versions of ourselves. And that’s the growth that we should be celebrating!
very nice painting
Thank you so much Vesna!
Thank you once more for sharing your story. I have lost my “mojo” for the time being. I think if I were to begin painting daily and continue to read stories like yours, I might find my place once more. Best wishes to you!
I totally understand this! Because I have been exactly where you are. And it’s totally okay to take some time off. Always surround yourself with inspiration and take baby steps towards your bigger goal. You’ll surprise yourself! Wish you the best of luck!
Both your story and your art are really great! Keep painting, I hope to see more of your art in the future.
Thank you so much Janneke! I really appreciate your support.
Wowww 😍i am in love with your paintings!!! Thank you for sharing with us your work and story… why don’t you make video tutorials of your work
Hey Musfirah! Thank you so much for reading! I would love to make videos but I am still studying. Once I am done with college I am planning to create a youtube channel or become a skillshare teacher. It is an absolute dream for me.