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

Fall Paintings + Etsy Updates

I had a craft festival this past Friday and wasn't able to sell anything.  I will be moving almost everything to ETSY so they are available there now!!!  I love painting so much.  Once a vision starts coming together I get so excited.

I have more of these mini wood block paintings coming.  They stand up on their own so you can set them right on a desk.  These two minis are on sale for $22 each.  Available Here!

The larger canvases are 8x8 and I am selling them for $80 each.  Available Here! If you are international please send me an email (msdaniellerenee2@gmail.com) letting me know you are interested and I can get you an estimate on shipping.

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend.  It's getting cold here already.  I'm sorry if you have problems leaving comments.  I'm thinking about switching over to Facebook comments or Disqus.

Stay warm friends and please feel free to share this post and pin photos!  Sharing with Paint Party Friday

29 Faces #2 | Stargazer

Face #2 didn't happen overnight.  There was actually another girl underneath her who frustrated me so I just smeared over a bunch of gesso.  I wanted her to be some type of galactic princess.  She is painted on a jumbo wooden tag I picked up from Jo-Anns.  

Drawing and painting hair is always my favorite part.  I wanted her to have dreadlocks.  

I used an old flat bristle brush in the following layers; 

dark gray (base) - black (in the creases or folds of the hair)  - gray (highlight) - light gray (highlight) - white (highlight).  

Dry brush in the direction of the hair and let each layer dry before adding the next.  You could also use a fan brush like painting grass.  I hope to demonstrate in an upcoming video.

I'm behind on responding to comments but I thank you so much for your support!!!

Linking to Paint Party Friday/Art It Friday

30 Day Painting Challenge - Week 6

Yes, week 6.  LOL!  

I only managed to get one painting done this week.  I took process photos along the way.

Painting 21 of 30.  The list for day 21 says to be inspired by fashion so I planned on painting a whole outfit.  Since, I don't have a ton of time I focused on one item.  I started with a pair a sunglasses and they were great but sorta boring.  But, I just kept painting and figured something would come up.

My inspiration was the butterfly I painted back on day 4.

I would have to say the hardest part of the painting was the glass.  I'm completely out of medium for glazing so I used a crappy old brush with a tiny bit of watered down white paint.  I was careful not to get too carried away and just let it be.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Sharing with Creative Every Day & Paint Party Friday

Creative Questions & Answers #1

I recently got a few questions on Google + and wanted to share them here on my blog.

How long does it take to finish a painting? 

Painting #19 Downtown San Antonio.  3 hr session.  My hands were hurting!

Honestly, it can take 2 to 3 hours to finish a page 

(in my visual journal).  

I know that may sound like to long time but I kinda get lost in the project I'm working on.  I've noticed that if it's not coming together by the second or third layer I might have to reconsider the direction of the painting.  My first idea for painting #19 ended up in the trash.  How long do you typically spend on a project?

What type of paints do you use?

#20 Abstract Sunset.  I plan to repaint this one on a large canvas.

I use Grumbacher Academy acrylic paints. 

I got a basic set from Michael's and they let me use a coupon.  The line has nice texture and great color payoff.  What are your favorite supplies?

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Have you joined the 30 Day Painting Challenge? Sharing with Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Every Day, Creative Every Day.  Click here to see my previous entries.

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!

29 Faces Day 5 - Sept 2014

Slow and steady progress.  Feels good to be blogging and painting again.  Pay no attention to the face and hair...I just have a thin layer of acrylic down.  The background color is too bright right now so I plan to gray it down.

I like the petals and flower but I will be adding more detail as I move along.  Have a great day!

Click here to see my previous entries. 

Sharing with Paint Party Friday & Creative Every Day

Painting Blue Skies

This is the painting I gave my mom for Mother's Day.  It's 11x14 acrylic on canvas.  One of my goals this year was to paint a painting for each one of my family members.  My mom is done - six more to go.  There was a lot of problem solving with this painting.  I wanted to keep it simple but not completely boring.  She hung it in the entry way and it looks great.  Every time I come in the house I'm inspired to paint.

I took it step by step and pushed myself to see it to completion 

and not give up like I often do.

Hope you all have a great week.

Linking to Paint Party Friday - Inspire Me Monday - Creative Every Day

Visual Journal Sneak Peek - Friday Morning

Here is a sneak peek of my first visual journal entry.  I'm trying to paint a bit everyday.  

Visit my Facebook page to see my process photos and full page.

Moleskine Monday - Up In the Clouds

I am on a quest to paint clouds.

My simple approach is to paint the background, let it dry and then use white for the clouds.

Paintings don't aways turn out the way I want but I learn something new each time.

The stars above were painted with a paint brush and the ones below were splattered with watered down acrylic paint.  I prefer the splatters.

I have pinned a bunch of clouds here. Take a look if you need reference photos!

I plan to do more very soon.  Click here to see more of my Moleskine.

Sharing with Paper Saturdays, Creative Every Day, Art Journal Every Day 

Paint Party Friday, Inspire Me Monday

Fly Away Birds

I've been working hard on a series of paintings for my ETSY shop (apaintedpage).  I honestly loved making them and I am pleased at how they came out.  They are a set of five small mixed media paintings.  I tried to treat them like my art journal so I wouldn't feel so intimidated.  I had spring in mind when I painted them.  

Since I opened my ETSY I feel rushed to get things in there.  I'm trying to remember it's a marathon not a sprint.  And once I start rushing I get frustrated and discouraged.  So, I plan to add more items to the shop gradually.

  

 Three Green Birds

Soar

The Early Bird

Hatching

 

Wings To Fly

If you have an online shop please leave the link below! I'd love to take a look.

Sharing with Paint Party Friday; Creative Every Day