"Happy Easter"

                 May your day be filled with chocolates and Easter bunnies!

IF -- Bicycle

Katie trying out her new Trikke.

I think I'm in love....

with my Rubicoil binding machine.  I just got it yesterday and it is so easy to use and bind books.  Once I got it out of the box, I immediately used it to create a small sample booklet of all my watercolor paints, colored pencils, and oil pastels.  What so cool about this binding machine is that it punches up to 12" at a time.  I just love it, love it, love it!!!!!!

I also have a Bind-it-all machine and that's what I've been using, up until today.  The only problem with the bind-it-all is that you can only punch 6 wholes at a time and it's really hard on my arms. 

The best part is that I got my Rubicoil on sale....you know a girl can't miss a sale!!!!!

Make it Graphic by Linda Blinn

 In my quest to learn something new, I've been buying and downloading DVDs from Interweave.  My latest DVD is "Make It Graphic" by Linda Blinn.

Linda shows you how to use stencils and silhouettes.  She tells you about paints, spray paints, ink pads, pre cut stencils, and finally how to make and cut your own stencils.

So with the information, decided to try to make my own stencil.  In the DVD she uses a plastic sheet made for creating your own stencils.  But before I start cutting my own stencil out of plastic, I thought I'd try doing a simple contour drawing of a tulip on heavy white card stock.  I repeated the pattern across the page.  I used my x-acto knife to cut around the tulip.  With my new stencil, I taped the stencil onto watercolor paper.  Then I used Adirondack acrylic paint dabbers to apply the paint.  I used green for the stem and leaves, and orange and yellow for the flower.  When I was finished I removed the stencil to reveal my new design.  It was an easy process and I'm surprised that I hadn't done this before.

Daisy's and Pansies with Dr. Ph Martin

These paintings were quick 10 minute paintings using Dr. Ph Martin watercolors and a round brush and finishing with a black sharpie fine tip.

Tulips with Dr. PH Martin

This was a quick painting using Dr. PH. Martin watercolor paints.  I just love the richness of the straight color.

Poppies and more

I don't think I'm tired of painting poppies.  Each painting seems to take it's own life.  I'm playing around with different size of watercolor paper, different brand of watercolor paint,different sizes of watercolor brushes, and finally drawing my image with a watercolor brush, instead of my usual H pencil.

What I've learned:  Watercolor cold press paper 140lb, 5 1/2 by 7 inch paper is the perfect size; I still love my Daniel Smith watercolors, but I also like using Dr. PH Martin watercolors.  As for the brush size, a # 8 round seems to be my favorite at the moment.   I've also have used 1/2 inch angle brush and a #6 flat brush.  I've also have been using those watercolor brushes that hold water,but I find I use way too much water; they are good for quick, small paintings, but for a little larger painting, I need a brush that can hold a lot of water and cover a large area.  I'm also trying to use larger brushes...from a 12 to a 36.

Interweave videos

This past week I bought a couple of DVDs from Interweave.    From art journaling to art by Jane LaFazio.  I really love her blog, so when I saw that she had recently made this video, I know I had to buy it.  I did a few of the exercises...and this is what I came up with.  Each painting is a postcard size  4.5 by 6.  They were fun and easy to do.

butterflies

I was on YouTube the other day and came across a demo by Susan Schewee painting an easy butterfly. About 12 years ago I had taken a week long watercolor workshop with Susan up in Portland, Oregon.  She made painting look so easy.  It was a wonderful week of painting and meeting new people.  I came away with the attitude that I could paint and a new set of tools.  So it was a pleasant surprise to find her YouTube videos.

So I thought I'd give it a try.  It took several attempts but I finally was satisfied with this blue and orange butterfly.

bowl full of Easter eggs

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I've been busy painting.  I hate to scan things because it's so time consuming.  So after looking at my rather large pile of watercolor paintings, I decided it was time to scan and it get it over with. 

I was trying to decide what kind of Easter card I was going to make.  Either using rubber stamps or a small watercolor.  I wanted to send a small original watercolor on each of my Easter cards.  The idea of having to paint this image for 16 cards seemed a little overwhelming.  So back to the drawing board.

5 minute watercolor flowers

I've discovered this fabulous blog    Art Du Jour by Martha Lever.  She offers online Calligraphy classes which I plan to sign up today.  While looking through her wonderful blog, I notices that she has some YouTube videos and one of them is "How to paint 5 minute flowers."    The technique is so simple...just dropping in colors to create flower pots of flowers.  The technique is so easy that it would lend itself to doing all types of 5 minute watercolors.  So if you have a moment go visit her blog...it's worth the visit.

IF -- toys

When I think of toys, I always remember the wonderful afternoons I spent flying my kite.

Poppies and calligraphy

I'm still painting poppies.  I wanted to add calligraphy under the poppies, but on my first painting the calligraphy ink was not waterproof so it bleed.  Then I did same poppies picture this time using blue waterproof calligraphy pen on top of the poppies.  Next painting I'll attempt to paint over the calligraphy, hopefully it won't bleed.

Poppies and more poppies

For the last couple of days I've been painting poppies.  I can't tell you the number of poppies I've painted, but it must be at least 25,if not more.  I'm taking an online watercolor class with Michelle Brown.   Michelle packs a whole lot of valuable information, showing materials to use and how she uses them.  One video was on back grounds, another on supplies, another on using the supplies, and finally painting poppies.

This is the first time that I've actually had all my painting supplies in front of my computer and painted along with the videos.  I could get use to painting this way.

IF -- warning

Dark clouds warning for rain and thunder storms.

Poppies

I'm taking another online watercolor class with michelle brown.  Trying to paint loose using

wet-on-wet technique.  I have a feeling I'll probably paint a lot of poppies before I get a painting I like.

Early Tulips

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers, along with, peony, and roses.   I did this painting using wet-on-wet technique.  I used my paint brush to draw the bud and stems.  Then I went back in with watercolor pencils to give more definition.

wet on wet leaves

I'm taking another online  class with Michelle Brown...Loosing up March...learning to paint wet-on-wet very loose.  This is my first attempt at painting these leaves.  Instead of drawing an outline of the leaves I used my paint brush loaded with color to define the leaf shapes.   Then I dropped in color, after color, until I got a desired color I could live with.  I was using my water brush and a small travel palette on non-watercolor paper.  There was some buckling.  When the painting was dry, I turned it over and on a low setting applied a warm iron to flatten out the paper.  I think in order for me to paint wet-on-wet I need to use a regular watercolor brush and my regular size watercolor palette.

working with lines

This week in Alisa's class were working on line drawings, minus color.  I rarely work in black and white and this a good exercise in trying to capture the subject.

Sophie my muse

Sophie is my love of my life and muse.  She is my last Cavalier King Charles Spaniel I have.  Each day she brings me love, joy, and devotion.
Sophie is by my side all day and night.  She keeps me company when I paint.