Painting Class

Recently I signed up for an online class called, "8 Great Paintings." 

Link: https://julie-prichard.squarespace.com/8-great-paintings

I want to learn new techniques and expand my knowledge of acrylic painting and I like that the paintings are small, no larger than 12 x 12 and somewhat abstract.  I'm currently on the second painting and they are far from masterpieces but I'm learning new techniques I will use in future projects.

#1 is 9 x 12 and all about layering techniques. Although it's suppose to be abstract, somehow, I made it into a grungy urban landscape. I grew up in a large city and have been a suburbanite for many years. So I guess I gave meaning to an otherwise meaningless painting.  I do like to give my work some sort of meaning, so it works for me!

#1 detail showing lots of layers.

#2 incorporates collage elements and black and white paint to start. I like it so far.

More layering so that almost all the collage elements are covered.  This one is not done yet.

#2 detail

I'm finding that the lack of color in these paintings is out of my comfort zone and making me not want to finish #2.  So I've decided to add lots of color to the following lessons.  I may come back to #1 and 2 and do the same.  I need to make them mine and not just copy my teacher!  

Twinkling H2Os

The other day something prompted me to get out my much neglected LuminArte Twinkling H2Os, which are watercolors with shimmer.

I made the following two Easter cards using those little pots of shimmery goodness!

I used nice sturdy watercolor paper. 

I sprayed the paper with water then added the H2Os and let them kind of bleed together. My paint brush barely touches the paper.

Mostly I let them air dry but sometimes I can direct the colors by using my heat tool.  I also use similar colors together, then dry them before I add complementary colors (orange and blue, red and green, yellow and violet) so as not to make a muddy mess.

I wish you could see the shimmer that they create!  

I wanted to contrast the bright colors with simple white die-cuts made using my Silhouette Cameo and stamped sentiments.  Here are a few more...........

Now go get your watercolors out and see what you can create!  I love comments so don't be shy!  Happy Easter!

Painted iPad Cover

I recently had to part with my iPad for a few weeks while it was repaired.  I've wanted to paint the cover and decided this was the time.  It's black leather so I started with a base of black gesso to give the paint something to stick to.  Then.....what color?  Well, of course, my favorite, blue and turquoise.  After I had the background the way I wanted it,  I used The Crafter's Workshop stencil, Corn Flowers (TClW375) and painted a layer of white gesso through the stencil before I painted the red flowers and green stems and leaves.  This made the flower colors really pop against the blue background.    

After I was all finished, I put 3 coats of Golden GAC-100  Multi-Purpose Acrylic Polymer so that it would create a durable finish.  It added a bit of shine too.  Now I just need my iPad back!! 

Click on the links for the stencil and the Golden acrylic polymer and it will take you to where you can purchase them. Hope you enjoyed this post and if you have any questions or comments, please enter them below!