HOT TIP:  When painting miniatures always use a totally smooth surface.  Hot Pressed Arches water-colour paper is a cheap and cheerful way to start your first works.  The paper is 'kind' and will allow many alterations of colour and line.  Always use the very best quality artist's watercolour paints and brushes that you can afford (Phillippa uses Winsor & Newton paints and kolinsky sable brushes). Make your rough 'draft' on cheap 'bank' paper - no matter how good your final choice of paper, constant alterations of drawn lines will ruin the surface. Start with simple ideas and as your confidence grows, you can be more adventurous!  Try joining the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists as Phillippa did.  Members of the society are always very willing to share their expertise, and even give personal encouragement.    All artist's of miniature societies display their work at annual exhibitions.  Here you will see the artwork at its very best, and do remember to take a magnifying glass!  A really good miniature takes scrutiny under a strong glass.  A small watercolour is not the same thing at all!