June 2015 : 3 Things I Learned

June was a very creative month for me.  I had a few break throughs in my sketchbook and started using watercolors again (which I love).

Lesson #1:  Planning time to create is still my number one reason for successful art.  I made plans back in May for what I wanted to do in June and I tried my best to stick to it.  I'm happy to say it worked 100%. 

My June Journal Prompts was a success.  The sketch you are looking at today is a re-do of the summer moon girl because I wasn't feelin' the initial painting.  The sketch turned out much better. Click here to see my journey!

Lesson #2:  I need to give myself more time to play with one idea.  My last few sketches gave me so many more ideas.  I want to bring those to life before I move on to new projects.

Lesson #3:  Nature plays a big role in my subject matter.  I want to take note of that because often times I struggle with what to draw and paint.  I really enjoy blending animals and landscapes in my artwork.  What do you like to put in your artwork?

I'm currently reading...How to Show & Sell Your Crafts by Torie Jayne.  I'm trying to learn about more about marketing my work.  Hoping this helps.  If you've read this one please let me know.

Wish list for July: Dylusions Creative Journal (I know it's not new but it's the first time I've seen it at the craft store).  Watercolor Fairy Art is a book I flip through every time I visit the store.  Can't wait to order it!

Major Goals for July: Be more consistent with painting and drawing.   Post art to ETSY & Society6.

Be on the lookout for my new Artist Interview Series.  I have two interviews scheduled in July which will also include giveaways so stay tuned!  Click the link below to join my blog for weekly updates!

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I would like to hear from you...how was June?  Do you have any goals for July?

Sharing with Art Journal Everyday, Art It Friday, Paint Party Friday

June Visual Journal Prompt: Week 4 - Flower Child

Good morning friends, today I'm sharing the last installment of my June journal prompts series.  I feel like this process helped me come up with a bunch of new ideas.  I've had some of these girls in my mind for a long time and it's nice to get them on paper.  

When I think of flower child it kinda reminds me of the 70's but I wanted to go a different direction and place her in a field of flowers.  I chose flowers I love and know how to draw which made it fun.

I didn't follow my mood board exactly but it defiantly gave me inspiration through out the drawing.

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Although I struggled in a few places and wanted to ball it up and throw it away I kept going and decided to let it be.  I'm going to redo the first girl I started on.  Next month, I plan to add watercolor to some of these so you will see these girls again!

We have so many snails all over the place from the rain so I had to add one in her hair.  If you are new to my blog thank you for stopping by!  I post here weekly so please join if you would like to see more.  Thank you all for your awesome comments and words of encouragement!  I appreciate cha!

Sharing with Mix It Monthly, Art It Friday, Paint Party Friday

How To Draw a Rose Bud

A few weeks back when my mom's garden first started to bloom I was able to get out and do a few sketches.  Here is a quick and easy process share on how I like to draw rose buds.

Start with two lines for the stem.  Add a tear drop shape on top.  Draw lines to indicate the petals. Open the tear drop shape by erasing the line connecting the bud to the stem.

That's pretty much it!  You can now add shading and more details.  Shading is kinda like coloring with a pencil.  Use a light hand and shade or color in where you see dark areas on the flower.  I drew another example with different petals.  Break it down to the stem, bud, petals, and shading.

I straightened up the stems and used curved lines on the bud to show shadows.  Don't forget to use your eraser to open the form and give a realistic look.  I drew small triangle shapes for the leafy bits hanging off the bud.  Flick your pencil up and away to get a nice tip on the top of the bud.  Have a reference photo or the real thing close for observation.

I'd love to hear from you.  Let me know if this was helpful!

My other drawing tutorials.

Did you miss my last post?  Mermaid sketch!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday,& Welcome to the Weekend

June Visual Journal Prompt: Week 3 - Ocean Waves

I'm in week 3 of my journal prompts and pleased with the progress.  She is pretty much what I had in my mind.  I've wanted to paint a few mermaids this summer and here is my first!  My favorite part is her hair.  I would like to use this one to create a series.  I don't have a ton planned for July so that's what I'll be working on.

I'm now realizing how nice it is to create a mood board.  It really kept me focused.  Pinterest inspires me to organize my ideas.  Have you ever used a mood board to create a project?

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She's done for right now.  Eventually, I will transfer this sketch to watercolor paper and add paint.

Thanks for stopping by.  See ya later!

Click to see more of my sketchbook. 

Sharing with Art it Friday, Paint Party Friday & Mix it Monthly

June Visual Journal Prompt: Week 2 - Tribal

I'm here with week 2 of my June journal prompts.  My pages may look a bit different because I'm using limited supplies since we are in the middle of a big move.  I'm using watercolors and a Faber-Castell PITT pen.

Whenever I doodle I start off with a bunch of shapes and it grows from there.  Drawing with pen makes me nervous because you can't erase but I'm tired of avoiding it so I just went for it!

I chose tribal for this prompt because I love the colors, shapes and details found in tribal patterns.

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This page has given me so many ideas.  I can't wait to do more based on this theme.

What are you working on this week?

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Mixed Media ATC Swap & WOYWW

Do you swap your artwork with other artists?  I've been doing swaps for a long time and always get exciting to create for someone else.  I joined a FB group called Artists' Lounge.  You are able to sign up for a theme you like, make something, and swap it!  For this exchange, the theme was feathers.

The background is modeling paste with my fav doily stencil from Prima.  I painted the feathers, cut, and mounted them.  I was going for something with a relaxed vibe.  Hope she likes them.

This is my very first WOYWW (what's on your work desk Wednesday).  Earlier this week I was working on a new journal.  When I paint faces I like to use other paintings for reference.  I have a random light bulb and freshly gessoed journal page ready go!

Also sharing with Paint Party Friday/Frilly & Funkie.  P.S Don't forget to stop by Kristin's blog for SOC (summer of color).  This will be my first year joining in on the creative color prompt challenge but I'm looking forward to it!  Have a great weekend!

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June Visual Journal Prompts: Summer Moon

Are you feeling the heat yet?  It's just straight humid down south.  Summer is not officially here yet but I wanted to kick off June with something new.

So, here I am with a Visual Journal Prompt Series.  My journal needs some fresh ideas and I hope these prompts will get it the charge it needs.

I will post my journal pages here every Wednesday along with a mood board to add to the weekly inspiration.

Updated: I made some changes to the initial project.  I am happy with the new drawing.  My sister said she reminds her of mother nature.  I've never drawn dreads before and now I can't wait to draw them again.  I see this as a large painting, so hopefully after the move I can make it happen.

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Of course I planned to have this page complete by today but it just didn't happen.  I'm at peace with my progress and will post the finished page next week.  (BTW - Can I just say how much I love owls!)

So, I would like to hear your summer plans down in the comments.  I hope you play along.  If you do please leave me a comment with your links!

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Link Love - 5 Inspiring Visual Artists

Blogging has really changed my creative path....for the better of course.  I never thought I would be this open online and share my artwork (even when I've felt insecure).  There are tons of artists out there that I love but I wanted to share a few with you today who continue to inspire me to create.

1.  Alisa Burke - Alisa does a little bit of everything.  She's an artist, teacher, wife, and mom.  Her style is eclectic and bold.  I've taken a few of her online classes and highly recommend them.  Visit her blog if you need artist blogging tips or fun DIY's.

2.  Finnabair - Anna Dabrowska is a mixed media artist from Poland.  I was on the Prima site and was drawn to her altered projects.  She also designs her own mixed media and paper crafting supplies.

3. Sue Brown Printmaker - I found Sue Brown via Pinterest.  She is a printmaker and works in enamel and collagraph.  I don't know a lot about her process and I like that.  Her blog will expose you to a few things about printmaking you might not know.

4.  Mystele - Mystele is a self-taught folk art painter.  She creates from the heart and you can see that in her work and the message she teaches.  Her style is whimsical and she is an uplifting artist.

5. Jane Davies - Jane is an abstract collage painter from Rupert, Vermont.  I believe I came across her Youtube channel before I started following her blog.  She has strong mark making skills and loves to experiment.  I'm always ready to jump in the studio after watching a video.

I'd love to hear from you.  Let me know what artists you love and why!

In the coming months I will have weekly Link Love posts and Artist Interviews will start in July. Follow me on Bloglovin for updates!


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