After a year-long hiatus, I finally set up my studio lights and recorded one of my art journaling sessions last weekend! I'm not sure why I've been reluctant to record my process lately, but now that shaken the cobwebs and relearned my editing process, I'm hoping to do this more often :)
Here is one of my projects from the #100DayProject I've been participating in on Instagram. The art journal I'm using is the large Dylusions journal (my fav!) with a coating of gesso applied/dried beforehand. The paints used are mostly Golden Acrylics (fluid and heavy body).
One of the things I love to do is fast, intuitive painting. These are SUPER QUICK sketches in ink and watercolor. They only take a few minutes, and often end up being some of my favorite pieces since I didn't over think things.
I love doing them to loosen up in my sketchbook, and warm up with my supplies. They are also something that I dive into just before I go to bed on days when I didn't have the time to be creative.
Taking 5 min to loosen up helps keep my daily practice fresh and satisfies that urge to make something. (If I don't, the ideas running around my head can keep me up at night! hehe)
Give it a try, just put pen to paper and see what you create! You may surprise yourself :-)
One of the latest tools I've been using to outline my paintings is a Fineliner filled with Golden Fluid Acrylics. It's not quite as messy and unpredictable as using my ink+bamboo pen, so depending on my mood, it's a great alternative!
It can still give me an imperfect look though if I outline quickly (and I prefer this). I get nervous when I'm about to outline something, mainly because it's the last step in my process, and I can wreck something completely if I'm not paying attention. There have been a few pieces scrapped after an outline gone awry!
The Fineliner gives me a bit more control, and I really like the look. Since I'm using acrylic paint, it always has a different (and raised) texture against my watercolor paint, and that can be a nice detail depending on the look you're going for.
Here is my latest mixed media painting: The Cat of Many Faces (or a Bajillion faces to be exact!)
Last winter I bought a floor easel so I could work comfortably in my studio with larger canvas pieces. I set the easel up, and plopped a 24x36 canvas on it.... and left it like that for months. Seriously. Months!
One night before going to bed, I decided I was tired of looking at a blank canvas and quickly spread some paint on it. Fifteen minutes later, after making a bit of a mess, I immediately felt better and went to bed. At least I wouldn't be staring at a blank canvas anymore!
However, I couldn't decide if I should continue and use it as my underpainting, or leave it as is (I kind of liked the abstract look it had, but knew it needed more work (since I know absolutely nothing of abstract art).
Last month I finally decided to just go with it and have some fun. I painted, and repainted a cat face on this canvas so many times, I lost count. I'm not sure why I struggled so much, it isn't a very complicated piece... pretty basic cat cartoony face LOL I just was never happy with it until now!
He is finished, with top coat and wax coat, ready to hang.... let's just hope it doesn't take me another year to get it up on the wall. ha!
Steph
xo
Here are a few of the process shots from the last month and a quick video of the shading I did at the very end
This painting was so much fun to make! It was just more of an exercise on Bristol Paper, but I love how it turned out! I'd like to explore simple backgrounds a bit more, bringing my subject in as the focus and see where that takes me.
Here is the process video if you're interested!
Music by Minnutes (used with permission)
Ahhh yes, another kitty watercolor! I just can't seem to get enough of drawing these cats! I used Twinkling H20 watercolors again, my absolute favorite paints. They are so creamy, bright and shimmery!
The pen that I use is a discontinued Pilot Permaball Pen, when I found them on sale a few years ago at the local art store, I was so thrilled I bought the entire lot. I'm not sure what I'll do when they are all used up, but hopefully I won't have to worry about that for some time.
The watercolor pooled here and there on my paper, but that's all part of the learning process. When I do these sketches and paint them with various watercolors, I really try not to over think things, just do what feels right and let the water do most of the work. I am not seeking perfection, thank goodness!
The scribbles with ink really help me let go and get over the perfection angle as well. I know some may look at my work and think "why the heck does she do that?!"... it's just my way of letting go.
Some days I let go a little too much, and that's ok... a few of my favorite pieces (and my best sellers in my shop) are the paintings that I did on a whim with no thought of the end result.
Here's the Process Video for this watercolor, hope you enjoy! (and yes, next time I paint a bunch of tiny flowers, I will speed up that section of video a bit more LOL)
Here's another new media for me: Gouache paint! It's essentially an opaque watercolor, and there are some pretty amazing colors out there! I picked up a cheap set of 12 at Winners, and splurged on my one tube of Windsor Newton Opera Pink. This one tiny tube of pink cost more then the entire color set from Winners, but I couldn't resist. It's such a beautiful pink!
What I love about gouache is that it reacts to water, but has more coverage like an acrylic paint. It's a change from a transparent watercolor palette, and I like having the variety in my studio depending on my mood. (although I think I'll stick to my cheapo paints for now, I'm not ready to invest in better quality paints just yet)
I recorded a process video since it was my first kick at the can, hope you enjoy!
Steph
I love adding context/scenery to my kitty characters! Here is a little Bengal kitty taking a stroll in a valley. One day I'd love to draw a mini story/adventure, with a sequence of watercolor kitties.... but I need to learn how to draw different body poses for variation and interest.
I've been reading a book on perspective drawing this week, so hopefully this will get the ball rolling on that skill set.
Here is the process video for my little spotted Bengal kitty... and you can see that I'm keeping it real!
I messed up when adding my ink, and I included my "fix" in the video.
Making mistakes is all part of the learning curve, and for the first time in my life, I am embracing them. The more mistakes I make along the way, the more interesting this adventure becomes for me and the more progress I make with my artwork.
Enjoy!
Steph
xo
*Supplies used: Twinkling H20s, Ink and Canson 140 Lbs watercolor paper
Some days you just need to get it down on paper. No thought about your end result, just pick up that pencil, pen, paint or whatever you need to express yourself.
I've been trying to sketch or paint something every day. It isn't always easy to squeeze in, and some nights I'm scrambling during the last few minutes before bed to put a doodle to paper.
However these quick drawings feel wonderful, even if the sketch is crap. (and many of them ARE crap!) This aspect of practicing my creativity surprised me; these bedtime sketches calm my mind, sate that need to "make something" and helps me improve every day!
A concept so simple, and so obvious! I know it sounds so corny, but I feel like this is such a lovely new chapter of my creative self.
Here is the latest kitty doodle! A 9x12 cute Tortie, inspired by our beautiful cat Summer Girl.
(aka Summer Lovin', Summer Breeze and Miss CrankyPants...LOL)
This was my first time using Watercolor Paper: Fabriano 140lb Hot Press, and I really enjoyed it!
If you are unfamiliar with the difference between Hot and Cold pressed Watercolor paper, it's very simple: Cold=Textured Hot=Smooth (I'm sure there are other variables that distinguish them, but I'm still learning)
The paint and water flow differently when you're working on a smooth surface, so I'm sure there will be a bit of a learning curve while I work through the paper pad.
Along with the Fabriano paper, I used my lovely Twinkling H20s and favorite Pilot pen. I still can't seem to leave the dark pen marks off my page. I love the soft watercolor look on other artists work, but I never feel like my pieces are finished until I messy mark them up with black!
You know that feeling that you get after you've made something, and you aren't really sure if it's any good or not? You *kind of like* how it turned out, but then you take a step back and you end up hating it... and then loving it, and then back to hate. So you turn your back to it for a few seconds, and then hope that the next time your eyes fall upon it, you'll be able to look at it objectively. (which NEVER happens)
I'm not sure if I love this cat painting, or hate it. All I know at this point is that I'm so happy I recorded it! I can pinpoint the EXACT moment when I strayed from what I wanted to create. I sat down with an idea in my head, of the "look" I was hoping for, and I went in a completely different direction at around the 5 minute mark in the video. That's when I stopped liking it, but figured I'd just go with it. Let go and enjoy getting messy.
I'm still very new to creating Process Videos and uploading them on YouTube. I love the idea of documenting my projects as I explore different ideas and figure out what technique, medium or products I prefer. I love how recording my process helps me push forward and not over think my every action. So refreshing!
I won't always love what I create, but I will always love each moment spent in the process! Moving forward, exploring and having fun!
Steph
xo
It was just by chance that I was visiting my local Scrapbook Store a few weeks ago and stumbled upon these lovely watercolor paints. How is it that I had never heard of them until now? I'm so far behind, that I'm scrambling to purchase all their discontinued colors before they are no longer available! (I had read somewhere there were issues with their 200+ colors and they are now only going to make 50 or so going forward - unconfirmed)
If you've never tried these paints, and you enjoy watercolors, then I recommend giving these a go! I love the look of soft watercolor, but sometimes I just want my pieces to POP! and these really do the trick! They are gorgeous, full of pigment and have a lovely iridescent quality to them... I'm hooked!
Here are a few of the kitties I've painted these past few weeks, and I also created a YouTube process Video using these yummy paints! (scroll to the bottom)
I have been absolutely enamoured with watercolours lately. Well, perhaps a little obsessed would be a better description.
I've always loved the soft look and feel of watercolours, and after taking a few online classes that touched on the medium, I've been practicing up as storm!
I have to admit, the class appealed to me due to the subject matter (naturally...), but the lessons and paradigm shift that I experienced after I watched the lessons and then completed all of the homework were incredible.
I've always been stuck in my own head when it came to painting/sketching/drawing and Carla's class really helped me figure out how to let go and work on my hand/eye coordination.
My big revelation: Your work will improve if you practice!!! Not all artists are natural born talents that can whip something up in a heartbeat. Most artists spend countless hours working in sketchbooks and finding their "style".
I'm not certain why this concept never occurred to me before, I'm just thankful I had my "lightbulb" moment and I've been working in my sketchbook non-stop ever since :-)
This class has been my starting point, and since I love the subject matter so much, I figured I would just continue on trying to figure out "my style". I started trying create watercolor cats based on work from Surfing Sloth, and I think I'm starting to figure out what appeals to me.
Many artists have said that if you keep using colors, mediums and techniques that inspire you and make you happy, you will eventually find your own voice... it just takes time.
I thought I'd try posting a short video of my cats playing "Cat Paint" on my iPad... Not sure if this will work, but it's only a short clip... fingers crossed!
This app is like crack to Ralphie and Roxy, every time they see my iPad in hand they come running, asking to play a "canvas" or two ;-)
Here are a few of those "canvases" the kittens have created:
Lots of fun to be had with this app! You will have a few good laughs at your cat trying to chase the mouse under your tablet, I know we sure did! :-)
