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).
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)
I don't know about you, but sometimes my insecurities regarding the art I make can be very annoying. It gets in the way of so much that I want to do, and by George, 2016 is my year for kicking that shit those negative thoughts to the curb.
I'm tired of feeling like what I make isn't worthy of appreciation, or admiration. As artists, why do we let those negative voices in our head take over? The ability to create something beautiful and bright from a blank piece of paper should be enough to feel confident! It may not suit every one's tastes, and that's OK. All art is beautiful to someone in the world, especially if it comes from the heart.
I strayed a bit with where I wanted to take this blog post, but I just had to get it out there. We all have insecurities about the work we create. Some of it can help us grow as artists, but we can't live in that headspace, or it will hinder the entire creative process. I need to get better at getting past it and continue to make things that I love. Bright colors, crazy cats and messy splatters all the way!
Over the last few months, I had been thinking about contacting a few of the local animal shelters here in Nova Scotia about donating art prints and original watercolors. Most of them have monthly Facebook auctions to raise funds, but was always hesitant and doubtful that they would be well received. See? Stupid insecurities are like the devil on my back.
Last month, I contacted two of the shelters and was met with a lovely and excited response!! One of my art prints auctioned at almost double the retail amount and I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. (I in turn contacted the winning bid and will be sending them an original 5x7 as well!)
Here is my first original watercolor that will be auctioned off at the end of the month for H.A.R.T (Homeless Animal Rescue Team) Please visit their Facebook page for more information on the wonderful work they do!
This piece was created with the yummy QoR & Gansai Tambi watercolors.
A few weeks ago, a lovely friend sent me a set of Golden's QoR Watercolors, and I knew I had to get messy and test them out!
When I sat down at my desk, I knew I had to just go for it. There was no room for doubt or hesitation to get in the way. I hadn't picked up a paint brush for months and I knew I needed to loosen up and get messy to break out of my rut... and this is what happened.
She's not the prettiest of kitties, but she was SO FUN to make!! These QoR watercolors are so dreamy and bright, I need to buy more!
Here is my quick process video... you can even tell with the poor resolution that these watercolors stand out and make you take notice! That teal.... *sigh*... so lovely!
I've been on a bit of a creative hiatus these past few months, and this is my first scrapbook layout of 2016! I've had this photo printed since the fall, but I just hadn't gotten around to pulling my supplies out for ages.
Do you ever feel like you just need to reset? Go back to 0, and declutter your mojo? That is how I'd been feeling lately, a bit overwhelmed; and it was interfering with my ability to create. So I just stopped trying for a little while to see what happened.
I knew my desire to create would come back to me, it always does. I just didn't want to be caught up in all the expectations that surround us in the virtual world re: Instagram, Pinterest etc. They say that comparison is the thief of joy, and this rang true for me. There is a fine line between inspiration and inundation, and I found myself spending more time online than actually being creative myself!
This weekend, for the first time in months, I wanted to sit at my desk and make something. And two watercolor paintings, a mixed media painting and a scrapbook layout later, I feel like I just woke up from a long winter's nap. I've stretched a bit, and now I'm ready to get back into the groove.
Don't be scared to give yourself the space your mojo needs, it happens to us all.
OK. So I gave it a try. I've uploaded my first scrapbook process video. Disclosure: I am not doing anything mind blowing or new. It's a layered mixed media layout using Studio Calico inks.
After I posted a few layouts using this ink technique a couple of months ago, I had a few folks ask for details on the punchinella dots. The layout is random, messy and full of hesitation... but that's how I roll! I'm such a SLOW scrapbooker! I tend to spend more time pushing paper around my table then gluing anything down... and in the end, they always look same.
It is what it is, and I'm just going with it <grin>
Had lots of fun with this... and the only thing that was left out of the video what the bit of pen that I used to outline the page title and underline the inked journaling.
Have a look, let me know what you think!
Cheers,
Steph
xo
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
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
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)
3 weeks. That's all it takes for me to be out of practice. I need to remember this, to help me stay focused and maintain my motivation! Life just got busy this fall and I spent more time in Photoshop then creating and getting messy. I must remember to find that balance!
I'm not sure how to explain it, but my spirit feels so much better, sated even, when I find the time to create something. My mind is always thinking of things to do next, things to create, that if I don't try and make one of these ideas a reality every now and again, I feel antsy.
Here is my latest mixed media piece, BlueBelle the Bird.... she just makes me giggle! I love this cartoony style, and I hope to make a few more characters (non bird like) with the same googly eyes soon!
Here is the process video, and the Original painting is for sale in my shop!
Thanks so much for visiting!
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)
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'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
