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I cracked open the watercolour box again last night, just because I fancied mucking about a bit with colour, and, as usual, I was struck by how easy it is. It seems that the need to have a brush, paints and water make it seem so much more hassle than simply doodling with a pen (and maybe adding colour on the computer, which can take much longer if I’m not careful).

OK, so it’s clear that most of us doodle with whatever’s at hand, and at home or in the office, that’s likely to be a pen or pencil. If you’re keen to get to grips with watercolour, though, and you fit the Draw Anyway profile of having only limited time, then why not put your watercolours somewhere at hand, too?

The great thing about them is that a small set will fit easily into your bag, and contains its own palette and space for a brush.

The only other thing you have to worry about is water, and some sets even have a little pot for that, as well.

Otherwise, dip your brush into the nearest vase or a discarded glass of water. Too manky for you? Then carry around a small watertight container with water - film cannisters are great for this, though I guess they are a dying breed with the onslaught of digital cameras. Parents, of course, have a ready stock of ‘any-way-up cups’ and the like.

Oh, and you will need paper, of course - time to get a small sketchbook. Or pick up an extra napkin at lunch time. Newspaper is fine for just mucking about on. Even the sort of flimsy paper you wouldn’t normally use for watercolour, because it can’t bear much weight, is fine for a doodle. The only paper that really won’t work is shiny stuff, like the pages of a magazine - it just shrugs the paint off. For this reason it can also be used as an emergency palette.

If clearing up is the bit that seems like a real hassle, consider this: you can leave your paint box dirty indefinitely, and a rinse under the cold tap will always get it clean as new again, no matter how long it’s been sitting there. Fellow parents might even try the invaluable baby-wipe for a quick clean of the palette.

If your watercolours were on your desk at work, or next to the phone at home, would you play around with them more often?