EP #04: Laurin McCracken – Precision in Every Drop

Welcome to Wet on Wet, the podcast where we explore inspiring artist journeys and share valuable insights to fuel your creative path. In this episode, join host Sunil Kalbandi as he interviews hyper-realistic watercolor master Laurin McCracken, a former architect turned full-time still life painter.

From his roots in Mississippi to being one of the most exhibited American watercolorists worldwide, Laurin brings a unique perspective on drawing, discipline, and the business of art. Discover how he transitioned from architectural design to luminous paintings of glass, silver, and magnolias—and why observation, patience, and paper quality matter more than most artists think.

Learn how Laurin built his brand, developed his signature paint color (McCracken Black), and why great artists should also learn to sell.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Laurin McCracken’s Website – http://www.lauringallery.com
Daniel Smith Artist Page – https://danielsmith.com/laurin-mccracken
McCracken Black (Daniel Smith) – https://danielsmith.com/?s=McCracken+...
Instagram –   / laurinmccracken  
Facebook –   / laurin.mccracken  
LinkedIn –   / laurin-mccracken-9a387ab  
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurin_...

PRODUCTS / BRANDS / SERVICES
Brushes
Escoda Versatil – https://www.escoda.com/en/versatil-se...
Escoda Reserva Kolinsky – https://www.escoda.com/en/optimo-series/

Paints
Daniel Smith – https://danielsmith.com
M. Graham – https://mgraham.com
Winsor & Newton – https://www.winsornewton.com

Paper
Fabriano Artistico 300lb Soft Press – https://www.fabriano.com/en/brand/art...
Buy at Blick – https://www.dickblick.com/products/fa...

Masking & Tape
Daniel Smith Masking Fluid – https://danielsmith.com/?s=masking+fluid
Nichiban Tape (Japan) – https://www.nichiban.com/english/prod...

Gear
Canon 5D + 100mm Macro Lens – https://www.canon-europe.com/lenses/e...
Nikon Coolpix Zoom – https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-pro...
American Frame (prints/framing) – https://www.americanframe.com

QUOTES FROM LAURIN MCCRACKEN
🖌️ “So all of my professional career, I wanted to know how to watercolor because I always said that architects should be watercolorists. So at age 60, I took a watercolor class and found out that I could do it… and it has been a great second career for me.”
🌍 “The watercolor world… is the friendliest, nicest, most sharing group of people in the world.”
🗣️ “You stop any watercolorist and ask, ‘I really admire your backgrounds,’ and they’ll stop and say, ‘Let me show you how.’”
🎨 “There’s a misconception that watercolor is so difficult. But if you get some instruction, you’ll know how to do it.”
🧠 (Quoting his nephew, a neurosurgeon): “No, Uncle Loren, it’s not difficult… It’s because I know what I’m doing.”
✏️ “If you can’t draw, you can’t paint.”
🎯 “The more you take risks and the more you paint, the more you’ll learn. Paint a thousand paintings—and then paint a real painting.”
🔍 “The closer you get, the more detail you get to see and enjoy. And that’s the joy of painting the way I do it.”
💡 “My view is that if I’m gonna take the time to do anything, I’m gonna take the time to do it well.”
🖌️ “Buy better quality products. Don’t buy a $2 brush if you really want to paint a $1,000 painting.”
📦 “Paper, pigment, and brush—they’re all equal. You can’t have a great brush and great paint and try to paint on terrible paper.”

INSTITUTIONS/LOCATIONS
Rice University – https://www.rice.edu
Princeton University – https://www.princeton.edu
Torpedo Factory Art Center – https://torpedofactory.org
American Watercolor Society – https://americanwatercolorsociety.org
National Watercolor Society – https://www.nationalwatercolorsociety...
Transparent Watercolor Society – https://transparentwatercolorsocietyo...
Watercolor USA Honor Society – https://www.sgfmuseum.org
Fabriano in Acquarello – https://www.inartefabriano.it

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Meet Laurin McCracken
02:00 - Why Watercolor after Architecture
06:00 - Drawing is Everything
10:45 - First Watercolor Lessons
15:00 - From Flowers to Glassware
21:00 - Composition Secrets
27:00 - Painting vs. Photographing
33:00 - What Makes Paper Great
39:00 - Commission Strategy
44:30 - How to Sell High-End Art
52:00 - The Gallery Game
58:00 - Advice to New Artists
01:05:00 - The Power of Positioning

PEOPLE
Dean Mitchell – https://deanmitchellstudio.com
Angus McEwan – https://www.angusmcewan.com
Alvaro Castagnet – https://alvarocastagnet.net
Carolyn Brady – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn...
Joseph Raffael – https://josephraffael.com



watercolor art, watercolor podcast, watercolor realism, still life watercolor, hyper-realistic watercolor, drawing for painters

#LaurinMcCracken #WatercolorPodcast #WatercolorArtist