In 1998 Colin enrolled in a watercolour class with Leona Moriarty in California and was introduced to the work of artists such as John Singer Sergent, Winslow Homer, and John Sell Cotman.
On returning to Australia he attended classes with Greg Allen, Giselle Bolotin-Maynard, and Ron Muller. In 2001, Colin commenced showing and selling his work at Melbourne art shows. From 2002 to 2005 Colin held various watercolour exhibitions whilst obtaining his Graduate Diploma of Visual Arts.