My New Site | apaintedpage.com

Please head over to my new blog and check it out!  I've been working really hard on it lately and it's been a long time goal of mine.  All of my blogging will be posted there from now on!  I would love to have you visit and follow for updates!

APAINTEDPAGE.COM

 

How to Sketch a Sunflower

It doesn't take much to get inspired but I did have to push myself to squeeze out some time for sketching. Here are a few loose sketches from the other night.  If you have any requests or questions please let me know!

Have a great weekend!

Junk Journal Update #2

"I don't think about art when I'm working, 

I think about life." - Basquiat

Happy Spring from me to you!

I have updated my current classes - click here.

Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Show Your Face

[Tutorial] Watercolor Art Journaling with Stencils

Watercolor art journaling has been a real stress reliever lately.  There's just something soothing about letting the color flow around the page.  These pages are pretty simple and take no time at all.  In this tutorial, I want to share with you how to use stencils in your art journaling process.

Note: Using a pen to outline the stencil gives it a hand drawn look.  Outlining can also help you draw attention to your focal point.

Here's the step-by-step:

1. Tape the stencil down to your work surface.  You can see in the photo I only covered the very edges of the watercolor paper.
2. Wet the open areas with clean water first.  Then add in your colors of choice.
3. Next, walk away.  The trick is to let the stencil sit in place while the paint dries for a while. About two mins is long enough then remove the stencil.
4. Once dry - add more layers and outline if you want.

Here is a list of the stencils I used by DecoArt (affiliate links): Branching Out, Indian Ikat, Mandala, Feathered Friends.  I love the feathered friends stencil so much - I used it three times in three different ways.  

My paint palette is Art Minds from Michael's.  If you have any questions or try this out please tag me on social media I'd love to see it!  (Facebook)  (Instagram)

Do you struggle with drawing faces?  If so...  Click Here.

How to Draw Faces Workbook (+Free Sample)

Today, I'm happy to launch my How to Draw Faces Workbook!

Major benefits of this class?

1. You will learn how to draw faces step-by-step.
2. Get printable worksheets for up to 4 weeks of learning and practice.
3. Learn how to draw each of the features including hair!
4. Get tips on how to shade the face to create depth.
5. Join our Facebook group to post, chat, and ask questions.
6. Finally create, share, and sell any of the artwork you create in this class! (Hit the box below to learn more!)

I've put together a free sample of what the 40 page ebook has to offer.

GRAB YOUR FREE HOW TO DRAW FACES WORKBOOK

Junk Journal Update #1

I've been playing a lot with black lines and color.  When I get up early in the morning my mind is still half sleep - it's the best time to just paint because I'm not thinking too hard.

I will keep you updated on my progress.  Thanks for all of your awesome comments from last week's watercolor painting.  Have a great weekend!

I made a video on How to Make a Junk Journal if you would like to check it out.

Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Show Your Face

How to Create Watercolor Butterfly Embellishments

I've been playing a lot with watercolors lately.  Between work, Netflix, putting a face drawing E-course together and not exercising out I've managed to finish this lovely girl.

Learning not to overwork the paint is my biggest struggle.  I have found that wetting the face area with clean water and slowly dropping in color has the best results for me.  I also let it dry naturally (and try not to hover). 

1. Stamp butterflies onto watercolor paper.  I recommend paper at least 140lbs and up.  You want something strong enough to stand on it's own.  My go-to ink is STAZON black ink. It's waterproof and will not move once you start painting.  
2. Spray the page with water and mix in different colors.  Do at least 3 layers of paint if you want a vibrant look.  Let each layer dry before adding another.  
3. Cut them out and play around!

I don't use fancy watercolors, I still have the $4.99 set from Michael's.  I think the brand is Art Minds. I'm hoping to upgrade soon though.

I quickly wanted to talk about my How to Draw Faces Workbook.  Right now it's about 40 pages long and it will be a E-Course workbook on how to draw the face in frontal view.  We will go over placement, drawing the features, shading, and my fav part - drawing hair!

I'm really excited about this class and over the last few weeks I've added a lot more techniques that I hope you will like.  I will open the class later this month.  So, if you are interested drawing girls for yourself, please sign up for my newsletter for the release.  

Join Our Creative Circle

Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Show Your Face, Try it on Tuesday

Roses In Bloom - Online Art Class

Spring is in the air....well not yet, but a girl can dream right?  I'm excited to share the first of many new online creative classes.  Each month I will release a few art classes to the ETSY shop.  As the new ones come in the old ones move out.  

I don't have registration dates with my classes.  They will all be self-paced for your convenience. The reason why they are only available for a month is because I want to provide you new and fresh lessons on a regular basis.  If you see a class you like, jump on it because after it's gone it might not return until later in the year (or the following year). 

Roses In Bloom is a painting inspired by my mom's rose garden.  Each year her red roses would grow so full and bright. This PDF based class will walk you step by step through the painting.  It's perfect a weekend project or after work stress reliever.  At the end, you will have a dreamy mixed media painting to hang in your space and a few new creative tips take away.  

   

Have a great weekend!

Sharing with Paint Party Friday

Watercolor Art Journal Share - My Process

How do you feel about your painting process?  Do you have a routine?  I've noticed a few new habits in my painting process and want to share them today.

The reason why this is coming up now has to do with me trying to take more risks with my art. Instead of pushing away my weird ideas I just work with them.  Here are a few things I've noticed....

1. I keep a small journal by my bed to sketch ideas late at night (before I go to bed I usually get a flood of ideas!).  I know some people get great ideas in the shower or at the gym.  I try to write it down even if I never use it.  
2. I make a larger sketch to see if I even like the idea.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
3. If I do, I move on to painting...I go dark to light (even with acrylics).  Not the darkest dark.  I will build up shadows keeping track of highlights and fuss with it until I'm done.

I'm really liking watercolor journaling.  The medium is going to take me a while to get used to since at first I tried to use it like acrylics.  The more I experiment the more I learn....

Thanks for stopping by!  Sign up for my newsletter for behind the scenes artwork!

What are some of your creative habits? Comment below!

[Video] Paint With Me: Art Collab

Hey Friends,
Late last year, Martha aka Ayala Art and I decided to do an art collab.  If you visit her YouTube channel you will see that she's been doing them for a while now.  We each start a painting and then mail it to one another to finish (and then send it back).

I painted on top her her background and now this painting is ready to go back to Ayala.

I really hope she likes it.

It was relaxing painting her.  Lately, I'm trying my best to go with the flow and not panic when I run into an issue.  I was able to finish the portrait in one afternoon with drying times which is not normal for me.   

Please enjoy my process video.  The process portion got cut a little short because it started to get late but I hope you are inspired.  I talk about what colors I used for her skin and hair.

Click to see part 1

Book mentioned: http://amzn.to/23i48Mx

Paint mentioned:
Americana Jack-o-lantern
Antique White
Titanium White
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Ceramcoat - Butter Cream
Grumbacher - Raw Umber & Ultramarine Blue

I don't normally use all craft paints but again...I'm just going with the flow!

Hello to my new followers!  I love all the comments and interactions I got from last weeks post.  It feels like we are all on the same wavelength.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

P.S. I want to switch over my comments plug-in to Disqus or Facebook comments so let me know what you think.

Sharing with Paint Party Friday/Show Your Face

Mixed Media Room Sign - Let Go

Lately, I've been on a quest to "find my artistic style".  I don't really even know what that means.  I was on the internet reading about why artists should have a cohesive body of work.  UGH!  After reading the article was so depressed.  I think it's cause I like to jump all over the place.  And you know what.  It makes me happy.

Since college I've been trying to fit into this imaginary mold.  I'm over it.  Trying to create in a mold stops my progress.  I mean over the past week I've barely painted anything because I'm so busy analyzing.  I wonder sometimes if I secretly want to impress people as opposed to doing art that makes me fulfilled.

So, I made this sign which is hanging by my painting area so I can remember to stop judging so harshly and just create.  How about you?  Do you feel the pressure to impress?

Sharing with Simon Says Stamp DT Call & Paint Party Friday

Supplies: Art Minds wooden plaque (no longer sold); StazOn Black Ink; Ranger Foil Sheets; 

Handmade stamps; Super Vintage Prima stamps (no longer sold)

Thank you for a Supportive Year!

I just wanted to say Happy New Year and thanks for all of your support this past year!  2015 was tough.  Thank the Lord for his guidance.  Moving house is hard enough but moving to a new state is crazy.  My art journal was a safe place to express myself. I'm getting better at figuring out when I should push through a hard painting and when it's time to cover it up with gesso!

In the new year, I want to waste less time worrying about what everybody else is doing and just do me!  I've already started planning a lot more (and I mean setting realistic goals).

The other day I showed up 1 hour early to work by accident.  Can you believe I missed out on 30 more minutes of painting?!?  I was so wrapped up in my projects I must have mistook the time.  I thought to myself in a few years I won't have this problem because I'll be a full-time artist LOL!!!

My goals for the new year: 

• Create more online classes.  I have a painting class in development right now.
• Cut back on french fries (not completely though are you crazy)!
• Make a Facebook page for my artwork. 
• Post more YouTube videos.
• Find a local art group to join.
• Take a photography class downtown.

Here are a few of my fav art journal pages from 2015.

Dec 2015 - Waiting Room - Sometimes I'm not going or coming, I'm just here. Waiting for the next step.

Jan 2015 - Jar Study

 Jan 2015 - Seeing Beauty

Apr 2015 - Hummingbird

Aug 2015 - Journal Girls

Nov 2015 - Art is Home for Me

Nov 2015 - Awakening

What are your goals for 2016?  Are there any painting or art journaling techniques you would like to learn from me in 2016?  I'm still coming up with classes and I'd love your feedback in the comments below!  

Sharing with Paint Party Friday/Art It Friday