My Favorite Posts from 2014

Clockwise: 5 way to complete your art journal; 30 Day Painting Challenge -  Week 4; 29 Faces Day 1;
12 Tags of 2014; 30 Day Doodle Challenge

I would like to make my blog better for the upcoming year.  Can you please take a few minutes to take a quick survey I created to give me some feedback?  It would be much appreciated!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GH75BFG

I have had a very creative year and I am so thankful you have decided to take time out to share it with me.  I wish nothing but the best for you in 2015!

30 Day Painting Challenge - Week 4

Hi friends, this week took me back to art school.  I remember it would take me forever to finish one painting.  On the weekends you could find me in the studios late at night.  I wouldn't even get up to eat or use the bathroom.

I'm better about taking breaks now (maybe too many) and I definitely took my sweet time this week.  #13 - Ocean landscape with dry-brushed clouds.

#14 - Where do all the lonely socks go?  If anyone knows please tell me!  Sadly, after this page was done I threw the sock right back in the drawer :)

Did you all make something this week or did you just relax?

Sharing with Paint Party Friday & Creative Every Day.  To see weeks 1, 2 & 3 click here.  The 30 day list is in the side bar.  If you decide to do the challenge please let me know and join me on my FB group I would love to have all of you.

30 Day Painting Challenge - Week 3

I will call week 3 of my 30 day painting challenge a success!  At this point I will have to spill into January but who cares.  I'll be painting for the rest of my life anyway :)

#9 - Stargazing.  I made up the color palette as I went along.  I didn't use straight white.  I watered it down and gradually built it up in glazes.

#10 - Abstract finger painting.  If you are feeling stressed or uninspired please do a finger painting!   It was so relaxing and came together very quickly.

#11 - Fox.  Whatever doesn't kill you makes you want to scream!?! I had the hardest time with the fur and felt like abandoning this one.  I found a YouTube video that helped 

with adding the fur, click here.

#12 - Purple rose garden.  I couldn't make up my mind about the background so I changed it a few times.  I love the texture of thick paint.

To see weeks 1 & 2 click here.  The 30 day list is in the side bar.  If you decide to do the challenge please let me know and join me on my FB group I would love to have all of you.  Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Friday Sketches, Art Journal Everyday & Creative Every Day. 

30 Day Painting Challenge - Week 2

I only have three paintings to share this week.  It seems as though the more I paint the longer I spend on each one (part of the reason I'm running behind).  I use reference photos and a bit of my own imagination.

Note:  I clean my workspace after each session so it's easier to come back and paint the next day.  

#6 - Snow scene with birch trees.  The right side is how I keep track of my colors.

#7 - Pink Jellyfish.  I had a question on Facebook about the brushes I used on this painting.

Background - 3/4 in flat brush - 1/2 angled shader brush (to blend colors)

Top of jellyfish - #6 round - 1/2 angled shader brush (for clean edges)

Tentacles - #5 round brush  - #3 liner brush

I use both synthetic and sable hair brushes. 

#8 - Driftwood

The 30 Day Painting Challenge list is in the side bar if you would like to take a go at it.  Click here to see Week 1.  I post everyday on my Tumblr & Instagram.  Use #30daypaintingchallenge if you decide to paint!  If you love to paint please leave my your link down in the comments!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Every Day & Creative Every Day

30 Day Painting Challenge - Week 1

Good Morning,
I'm here with week 1 of my 30 day painting challenge (the full list is in the side bar) and it was not exactly a smooth ride.  The days I work late are the hardest but I want painting to eventually be my full-time job so determined to put in the work.

I'm just working in my journal right now because I want to start small.  Whenever I start a work on canvas I have no idea what to do.  At the end of 30 days I won't have everything figured out but I will be more comfortable in my own space.

Now on to the paintings....

Day #2 - My typical breakfast.

Day #3 - Fall leaves from my backyard.

Day #4 - My favorite insect.

Day #5 - Playing with black drips.  Watercolor and acrylic.

Please take a look at the list and see if its something you would like to try.  You could even do a painting a week.  I have a Facebook group where I post everyday and hope to see you all there to post your own work.  I also post daily in my Instagram and Tumblr!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Every Day & Creative Every Day

30 Day Painting Challenge - Day 1

Happy December!  I hope everyone had a great holiday, I know I did!  Today is day one of the 30 day painting challenge for me and I wanted start off on the right foot.  You can start anytime you want in any medium of your choosing.  If you would like to see my initial post for the challenge please click here.  The 30 day list will always be in the side bar. 

I have received such positive feedback that I decided to start a Facebook group where we can all post our daily paintings.  Day 28 is missing :( but you can choose whatever you want to do for that day.

I will be posting at the end of each week here on my blog and daily on Facebook.  If you post on Instagram or Twitter use #30daypaintingchallenge so we can find each other.

I'm working in a 5.5 x 8in Strathmore watercolor Visual Journal.  The pages are small and manageable for everyday painting.

You are looking at my 2nd attempt since my first try was not so great.  I'm not going for perfection just progress.  I couldn't sleep last night so I finished about 2am.

TIP: Ultramarine blue and raw umber make a nice black (or shadow color).

If you are joining the challenge please leave me a comment and let me know.  I'm thrilled to have you and good luck!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday - Art Journal Every Day

30 Day Painting Challenge

I loved the 30 day doodle challenge so much that I wanted to create a challenge of my own.  I haven't consistently painted for about 5 years now and it's about time to get to work.  I sat down and came up with this 30 day painting challenge and decided to share it with all of you!

Now, my plan is to start December 1st but I know the holidays are here and it might be tough.  I'm gonna take it day by day to see how it goes.  I plan to post my progress weekly.  I would like to invite you to take on this challenge with me!  I don't want to do it alone :)  I've never done anything like this so I'm excited!

Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

30 Day Doodle Challenge - Final Week

Yay!!! I made it! I actually finished something I started.  It wasn't easy but it was worth it.  Instead of talking about each page I wanted to share what I learned from this challenge.

Click here to see all four weeks. 

1.  I waste way too much time on the internet and playing with 

my phone (this time will now be spent making art).

2.  With time and patience I can draw just about anything I want.  

I noticed after the first week I give up on projects way too soon.

3.  Making a weekly plan each Sunday allowed me to spread out the work load.  I was then able tackle each day as opposed to trying to figure things out last minute.

I feel like I'm ready to move on to my next project whatever that may be.

Linking up to Paint Party Friday - Art Journal Everyday - Friday Sketches

You can find more of my drawings here.

Until next time...stay warm!

30 Day Doodle Challenge - Week 3

It's week three of my 30 Day Doodle Challenge ya'll!  Please see week 1 & week 2 if you haven't already.  I fell behind a bit but I am determined to complete the 30 days.  It seems like I have different styles of drawing depending on the subject matter.

If I draw from my imagination the lines tend to be more organic and flowing but when I draw from life (or something new) my line work is kinda stiff.  If I can find a way to marry the two and I think I will be INVINCIBLE! LOL, just kidding.  But seriously, this challenge is really opening my eyes about my personal drawing style and its a good thing.

Do you have different drawing styles?

#15 - Tree of Life drawing sat for two days because I wasn't sure what to do.  It took me 3hrs to finish and it one of my favorites.

#16 - Oak leaf...can't believe it's fall already.

#17 - This page is dedicated to Georgia O'keeffe 

#18 - I was drained during this session but I kept pushing myself.

#19 - I love antlers!

#20 - Hand traced drawing with lace texture.

#21 - My first shot at a Mandala - yeah, I need more practice.

Linking to - PaintPartyFriday - Art Journal Every Day 

Thanks for spending a bit of your day with me!

How To Draw A Mug

5.  Draw a square for the mug.  Keep your straight lines for the next step.

6.  Add two curved lines above and below the straight line at the top.  

Draw a curved line below the line at the bottom.

7. Go back and erase some of the shaded areas on the handle to indicate where the light hits.

I wanted to share a short how-to-draw with you.  I need your opinion.  Should this post have written instructions? (I have updated this post with a few written instructions - thanks for your feedback).  

I want to start a drawing series so please let me know!

Sharing with Creative Every Day

 Have a great Monday!

30 Day Doodle Challenge - Week 2

It's my second week of the 30 Day Doodle Challenge I started last week.  If you didn't see my first post please click here.  I'm finding it a bit easier to sketch each day.  Having my drawing pad out and open all the time reminds me to get at least 20 mins in.

Top left #8 - This drawing is a mix of my imagination and real objects.

Top right #9 - My fav type of shoes are flats.  This sketch was inspired by a blogger I follow.  

Click here to find her (The Ivory Lane).

Bottom left #10 - To be honest I was having a creative block so I just doodled my fav flower - poppies.

#11 - Yeah, so I don't normally draw celebs but this is supposed to be Kerry Washington.  I struggled with this one but I still like the face (even though it doesn't look like her)!

#12 - I don't think I've ever drawn fairy wings but now I want to draw them all the time.

#13 - Fun exercise for layering my drawings.

#14 - I guess dandelions are considered weeds but I love them.

Linking to - Paint Party Friday - Art Journal Every Day - Dion Dior Friday Sketches

Next month I will start sending out a monthly newsletter!  To be added to my mailing list please sign up in the sidebar.  My newsletters will include extra mixed media tips, a heads up on future posts, and exclusive tutorials.  I would love it if you joined me!

Novembers topic:  Visual Journaling for Fall

Have a great day!

30 Day Doodle Challenge - Week 1 Results

Have you seen this challenge?  I found it over on Pinterest.  This 30 day doodle challenge was created by Cate Edwards.  Click her name to visit her flickr page and see her amazing works.

I'm a week in and I wanted to share my progress.  Last month's challenge didn't go as well as I hoped but this month I have a weekly plan and I'm sticking to it.  I know I have at least 20 min to sketch so I turn off the TV and 20 mins quickly becomes and hour.

#1 - The drawing took me a lot longer than 20 mins because I used my large newsprint pad.  

#2 - I had fun with the steam.  I wasn't even sure how to draw it but the more I experimented the closer I got to this organic shape.

#3 - This girl is based off of a Picasso drawing.  

#4 - I can't say that I've ever drawn a cat in detail but I LOVE how she came out!

#5 - The cubes are a good way to warm up if you haven't drawn in a while.

#6 - Seashell from summer vacation.

#7 - Much like the cubes, the loops are good for loosening up.

 If you have done this challenge or plan to do it please let me know in the comments.

Linking to...PaintPartyFriday
Dion Dior Sketches

Art Journal EveryDay

Have a great Friday...the weekend is almost here!

29 Faces Day 20 - Slow and Steady

Slow and steady wins the race.  I didn't think I would be working on one face for most of the month but I realized that taking short cuts was not a good look.  In college, I was never the first one done with a painting.  My nights and weekends were spent fussing over the details.  There is about 20 layers of paint on her face!  But it's all good.  I'm still going to tweak her lips, ears, shadows, and hair.

Have a great Sunday!  Click here to see my other faces.

Sharing with PaintPartyFriday

29 Faces Day 15 - Masculine Face

I quickly brushed in the background.  This face started female but ended up more masculine.  I might change the lips before I paint...

Hello to all my new followers! Thank you so much for your positive feedback on my last few faces.  I plan to continue with my drawings after September is over.

Click here to see more from this journal.