Here's my very first attempt at a realistic (non cartoon-y) watercolor! I've always loved custom pet portraits, but never thought I'd be able to create one myself. I'm not sure if it's the #100dayproject keeping my limber and giving me courage, but last weekend I thought I'd give it a try.
This sweet dog Cooper belonged to one of my dear friends, and his unexpected passing broke all of our hearts. I wanted to do something to remind her that he was special and will be missed by all.
I will probably attempt a few more portraits before gifting her with the final piece, but I wanted to share my process to encourage others to try new things.
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).
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)
OK. Full disclaimer. I love dogs. I know, I know... my website and everything that I post here is usually all about cats. I understand your confusion.
Growing up, my Dad and Sister were allergic to cats, so we were never able to adopt any sweet kittens (no matter how many times my sister tried to sneak the neighbours cats into the house and hide them in her toy box. True story.)
So we always had dogs (and a cockatiel, 4 turtles, 3 hamsters, 2 salamanders) My entire childhood can be time lined by the dogs that were part of the memories, which is really quite lovely. Sox, Trousers, Elizabeth, Dino, Daisy and Michaela.
Here is my very first attempt at sketching and painting a dog. I see so many things I don't like about it, however I am so happy that it actually LOOKS like a dog and not a cat! Earlier last week, I tried a mixed media Fox, and it turned into cat instead! (I'll post about that in a few days).
Here's the process video, using Twinkling H20s. Hope you enjoy!
Steph
xo
The Studio Calico Color Theory Ink refills have been on my wish list for quite some time, and I finally managed to snag the collection during a sale last month! I had seen how others have used it on their scrapbook layouts instead of traditional watercolor washes, and wondered how they would fare if I used them for one of my cat watercolor sketches.
Whenever I want to test anything new, I always go to my default project: Cat sketching! I just can't help myself, and I've decided not to fight it.... it's what appeals to me, so why not!?
Similar to watercolors, the color vibrancy for the inks vary depending on how much water you add to the ink drops. Also, the working time is also very limited with these inks, you can't linger or over think anything.
I struggled a bit at first with the limited working time (in the video, you can see what happens when I'm adding color to the grey kitty's forehead), however it didn't take me long to gauge how fast I had to work. Although, I do need to be a bit more careful when I'm working that fast as things tend to splatter around if I don't pay attention. That's a Stephanie problem though, no fault of the ink ;-)
I was reluctant to even post this video, because you see... Luna the Bunny doesn't exist anymore. The day after filming, I just couldn't get over how her ears weren't right. She just wasn't what I had intended, and the following day I covered her in black gesso. Do I regret it? Maybe a little bit, because in hindsight, she is cute in her own way I suppose.
The biggest surprise and the most wonderfully unexpected result of filming my creative process, is seeing where I went wrong (for me... as there is no right or wrong way to create!). After editing the video, I re watched it, and I could almost pinpoint EXACTLY when I overworked the piece and turned it into something I didn't like anymore.
This is such a wonderful learning opportunity, and if I hadn't recorded the process, I would never have figured out: STOP IT WITH THE INK ALREADY!
There, I got it out of my system and put it out there... now only if I can remember this the next time I get messy and play in the studio :-)
Here is the process video, hope you enjoy it!
Products Used:
8x10 wooden board canvas
(I covered it in Black Gesso before the video)
Misc Acrylic Paints
Liquitex Matt Medium
Sharpie White Paint pen (fine point, water based)
Liquitex Modeling Paste
Hard Foam Stamps
(handmade with kids craft items at Dollarama... feels like mini pool noodles!)
Foam/Sponges
(recycled electronic packaging, instead of foam brushes)
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
I've been trying different types of watercolor paper to use with my Twinkling H20 paints, and I think I have found my favorite so far: Arches Cold Pressed 140lb 100% cotton. I think it may still be a student grade paper, as it was the least expensive of the Arches papers (mind you, it was a pad of only 12 sheets!)
I was really interested in trying out something that is 100% cotton, and was curious to see how the Twinkling H20s react to it. I was having "blooming" issues with my black Twink paint when using the Fabriano Hot press papers, and I thought perhaps it was a wonky reaction due to only being 25% cotton.
Here are the results, and I have to say I really enjoyed these papers! They were much rougher than I expected, but I didn't mind it... It's not like my work has super fine details that would be hindered by the texture :-) I loved how the paint dried without pooling too much, as I tend to be heavy handed with the water.
Here's a quick process video, hope you enjoy!
Steph
xo
This feathered friend was such fun to make! I struggled a bit with the background, but all in all I am pleased with how it turned out.
I bought some new supplies last week and wanted to give them a try, however I think I need to spend some time using them on a Bristol paper piece before using them on a canvas again.
The Golden Fluid Acrylic paints were lovely, but I need to get to know their properties and how best to use them. I have a few more colors on their way to me next week, so I will be sure to spend some time playing once they arrive.
The oil paint sticks were a bit tricky, and not at all what I expected. I think they would have done better on a smoother surface to begin with, rather than my textured star background... but again, I need to play and get to know their properties. I forgot to prepare them before recording the video, so my apologies for the struggle captured when I was trying to remove the "skin" before using it! LOL
I used a ton of ink on this fella, I just can't seem to help it these days! I love the messy, inky, scribbled look! Going between the bamboo and glass pens really gave me a variety in line definition, and I had so much fun!
Here is the process video, hope you enjoy it!
Steph
xo
Supplies used:
8x8 Gesso Canvas
Misc Paint brushes
Foam (recycled electronic packaging, instead of foam brushes)
Some days I just feel like getting my fingers full of paint. No plan, no clue of what I'm going to put to paper... but it doesn't matter. I just need to play! Bristol paper is wonderful when you're feeling like getting messy, but don't want to commit to an actual canvas.
I had never heard of it until recently, and I'm so happy I did! It's thick paper that can withstand a lot of heavy mediums like acrylic paint, modeling paste, decoupage glue and ink etc.
I pulled out my Bristol paper pad, turned the camera on and just went with it. Of course, my go to paintings are usually cats or owls these days....so I figured I'd stick with what I enjoyed. Here's another owl inspired by Juliette Crane (If you haven't taken any of her classes, I highly recommend them!)
If you watch the video below, you will notice toward the end I'm using a beautiful glass pen. I wanted to make special mention of it, as it is handmade by the lovely Janelle at Gypsy Road Canada located here in Halifax.
These glass pens are incredible! I'm using the thin width in the video, but I also have another with a thicker tip. They are wonderful with ink, and I've even used them with my Studio Calico Mr Hueys and other mists. I think they are the fanciest art supply I have!
Steph
xo
Here are the supplies used in the video:
11x14 Bristol Paper
Misc Paint brushes
Foam (recycled electronic packaging, instead of foam brushes)
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)
There have been a few changes in my creative adventures recently, and therefore I thought it would be nice to update my blog to reflect these different paths. (The site will be under construction as I learn more about the various settings.)
The biggest change since my last post, has to be my own YouTube channel!
I'm not even certain what specifically prompted me to start these videos, but I'm loving the unexpected influence the process has had on me creatively.
Normally, when I sit down to create on canvas, it can take a day or two to arrive at the final piece, as I tend to over think every single step. Having the camera recording helps me let go and just enjoy figuring things out on the fly! This freedom has helped me explore other mediums and even some sketching/drawing, which I've never done before! I'm so far outside of my comfort zone, but I'm loving every second of it. (Stay tuned for more videos in September)
I'm still learning all about video recording and editing, so hopefully as I continue to dive into this process documenting, the videos will improve in quality.
Here is the link to my first video, if you check out the channel link you will see all 5 videos uploaded so far.
