I've never considered painting as a way to de-stress, but Jessica Alba looks so relaxed with this beginner-friendly watercolour workbook – I'm sold

(Image credit: Amazon / Getty Images / Theo Wargo)

published 11 August 2024

In a world where technology touches almost every part of our lives, it's easy to forget the power of traditional creative mediums. But Jessica Alba just offered a brilliant reminder of how beneficial they can be, with a holiday snap that's convinced me to dust off my (very old) paintbrush.

In a series of photos from her family in holiday in Greece, the fourth in the slideshow below is a picture of her painting some flowers in author Sarah Simon's Cafe In Bloom watercolour workbook, and it totally captivated me. Whilst you can only get a glimpse of the actress enjoying the pastime, the entire scene looks so calm and relaxing, I'm sold on the new (old) way to unwind.

I'm a big fan of exercise as a way to de-stress, but am always looking for how to reduce cortisol levels in less stimulating ways. The combination of topic – cosy cafés and blooming gardens – and beautiful design and layout of this workbook makes it instantly appealing. Add to that it being beginner-friendly, highly portable (to take away on holiday) and inexpensive, it's a no-brainer way to de-stress.

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Shop watercolour workbooks

Café in Bloom: 25 Beginner-Friendly Projects

Jessica Alba's workbook of choice, Sarah Simon's Cafe In Bloom features 25 beginner-friendly projects on premium watercolour paper. The step-by-step guides, which features beautiful illustrations of flowers, nature and café scenes, help you confidently paint each project and create stunning artwork - with no drawing skills required.

Flowers, Feathers, and Animal Friends: 25 Beginner-Friendly Projects

There's nothing quite like getting to the end of an amazing book and not having another lined-up. Thankfully that's not the case here – Sarah Simon has a number of watercolour workbooks to choose from. If you're a fan of the animal kingdom, this one is filled with beautiful botanical and animal sketches, ready for you to watercolour.

Watercolor Workbook: 30-Minute Beginner Botanical Projects

Another of Simon's masterclasses, this Watercolour Workbook is the third in this series, and has 25 projects on thick 200 gsm premium watercolour paper, so there's no chance of bleed through. Each project can be completed in 30-minutes or less, so you'll get the satisfaction of finishing each time.

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Transon Round Watercolor Brushes

For watercolour marking, a round brush, Sarah Simon says, is the most 'versatile'. The shape, she says, 'makes them suitable for small details and delicate lines, but also for broader strokes and washes'. This set includes a range of popular sizes – 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 – and is a great price on Amazon.

Reeves Watercolour Paint Tin

Read any of Sarah Simon's books, and you read her recommend Reeves as a brand for watercolour paints for beginners. If you want to dip a toe into watercolours without spending too much, this brilliant little beginner set is under £10 and comes with a brush too.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Travel Tin

If you want a wider selection of paints, this travel tin from Winsor & Newton is a great option. With 24 colours to choose from and a paintbrush included, this tin also includes a space to mix colours. And when you're done, simply wipe clean and pack up the small, portable case. Perfect for taking the hobby on your travels.

One of the best things about these books is the short-style projects that feature in each - they are all doable in 30-mins or less. And so hopefully you can finish a project each time, and get that sense of satisfaction at completing one each time. The bite-sized lessons also mean your brain isn't overloaded.

watercolour book — Cafe In Bloom workbook project examples

Kerrie is the editor of woman&home (digital). For seven years previously she was editor of Future’s world-leading design title Creative Bloq, and has written for titles including T3, Coach and Fit&Well on a wide range of lifestyle topics.

After a decade of working in retail, Kerrie went back to education at the ripe old age of 27, graduating with a first-class honours degree in creative writing three years later. Her career in journalism began soon after, when she secured a job as a staff writer at Future Plc. In the 14 years since, she has worked her way up to editor level, gaining a wealth of digital experience along the way.

As a woman&home reader and a senior digital editor, Kerrie’s main purpose is to ensure the brand delivers high-quality, relevant content to help enrich and improve women’s lives – a responsibility she feels hugely passionate about.

Outside of work, if she manages to find a spare minute around her three young children, geriatric dog and activity-obsessed fiance, you’ll find her either throwing a barbell about at Crossfit, with her head in a good thriller novel or building one of the latest Lego ideas sets.