When Friendship Blooms Into Art: Inside Altenew & The Mint Gardener Watercolor Collab

When two passionate floral artists meet, magic happens. That's exactly what came to be when Altenew co-founder Tasnim Ahmed and the beloved watercolor artist Sarah Simon (aka The Mint Gardener) joined creative forces. What started as shared admiration through Sarah’s flower painting club turned into a joyful friendship and, now, an amazing collaboration that’s sure to spark your inner artist.

Together, Tasnim and Sarah dreamed up the Watercolor Compacts — curated palettes that they narrowed down from hundreds of shades into two stunning compacts that make it easier than ever to create watercolor masterpieces, whether you’re at your desk or even painting on a plane. 

“Tasnim understands the aesthetic behind my brand, and it has been a joy to get to know her and the aesthetic behind Altenew and what drives her for all of these beautiful products.” — Sarah Simon

In developing this collaboration, Tasnim and Sarah wanted to create a muted palette and a more vivid palette, hence the creation of the Deep Muse and Moody Brights Watercolor Compacts. The former is going to help you create works of art with more moody, deep, matted vibes within the color combinations. 

Watercolor Compact - Deep Muse

Moody Brights, on the other hand, was created with primary colors like red, blue, and yellow in mind, but elevated with gorgeous tones. That way, you can create with colors that seem a bit more on the basic side, but there’s so much to do with them, too! 

Watercolor Compact - Moody Brights

Both these palettes were designed to work by themselves and in conjunction with the other. The experience is truly up to you! Choose to use them as is or mix them to create different shades. 

“Each color really is a standalone beauty on its own, but when mixed with its friends in the palette or friends outside the palette, the delight just continues to grow.” — Sarah Simon

“The creamy vivacity of these watercolors is next level. Not only are they smooth, but they are super bright to work with.” — Sarah Simon

Some watercolors can sometimes lose their sparkle and vibrancy when they dry, fading a bit into the background, especially on cards and sketchbook pages. But not these. Even after you’re done painting and crafting with these compacts, they boast wonderful, bright, vivid shades. 

The selection of shades in each compact makes for a flexible watercoloring experience. If you’re not into a lot of guesswork or mixing, all you have to do is use the six curated colors in the palette and that’s that! On the other hand, those who feel a bit more adventurous and better understand color mixing can do so with ease. 

Creating something beautiful on the go? These compacts are your best friends! They look just like little makeup palettes with their beautiful design and portable packaging. It even comes with a built-in mixing palette so you can paint and bring it with you on the go, wherever, whenever! 

If you’re looking for basic but essential advice to get you started in your watercolor journey with these compacts, Sarah has some pro tips to share with you! 

1. Swatching Is Key!

When working with a palette you’ve never tried before, the first thing you should do is swatch them! Take a page out of your watercoloring journal or some watercolor paper and make small swatches in gradient shades to see how the colors reflect on the paper. This’ll give you a better idea of the finish and how you’ll want to incorporate them in your next project. 

2. Change up Your Subject

Based on some of the inspiration and product packaging you’ll see for these watercolor compacts, there’s no doubt that they are wonderful for florals and botanicals. Let’s face it, they’re timeless subjects, but feel free to change it up now and then to create something different, like portraits, landscapes, or even abstract art. 

3. Create Your Own Palettes

These compact watercolors may be small and contain 6 colors each, but the possibilities are truly endless! You have free rein over what shades to use and create, depending on what you envision for your project. All of that creative potential is tucked into that one beautiful, tiny watercolor compact!

This collection wasn’t just a product release — it was a labor of love. It’s about connection, creativity, and the joy that comes from creating something with your own hands. Whether you’re mixing on the go or setting up your weekend art session, these palettes are designed to support and elevate your creativity.

Sarah leaves us with a quote from Maya Angelou: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” and that’s certainly something worth remembering for your future projects. 

So, what will you paint first?