A Painter's Still Life in Oil and Watercolor

  As a fun experiment, I did the same still life scene in oil and then I did one in watercolor.  My oil painting palette and my watercolor palette are pretty much the same and I used a few touches of white gouache for the watercolor.  I think the watercolor turned out better, but I also did that one a few days after the oil so I had the practice going into it.
  I painted this still life because I was really inspired by the light hitting the linseed oil bottle and the back light creating a shadow on the brushes.  Some have asked me if I prefer watercolor or oils and I really can't choose; both media have certain qualities that are beautiful.  I like the thickness of oil paint, but I will say that when a watercolor goes right, there's a certain feeling and luminosity to it that really is magical.
  Although I prefer painting, I also do a lot of drawing and sketching.  Remember that drawing is really the key to being a better painter; if you can draw well then you will be able to paint well.