For all my Art Friends!

I thought of all my art friends as I painted this! Thought of how much we help each other! It is so great to be able to ask any of you for advice, your opinion, and you always give yourself freely! so...this is us working together! What fun it is!

Tree farm

When I was a kid I remember going and picking out a tree,but the problem was my Mother would wait until Christmas Eve to get one.  We always begged to get it sooner but they were cheaper the day before!  Now we just go to the closet and get it out. Times sure have changed.

The Campers

This is a new Snow Person for 2012.. The Camper!  I get ideas from the strangest things! I was putting up some old photos in my art room, when I found a photo of an old camper in Ruidoso. It was just the back of it, and this painting just came to mind! I had to do it as soon as I could! They are such fun. I love Watercolors and how they look on the paper! Christmas is coming fast!

Christmas Painting Steps

 I use 140lb cp arches or Kilimanjaro watercolor paper.

 

        

This is what I do from start to finish on my snow families:

1. Drawing in a permanent sketch book-11x14 or bigger
2. After drawing, outline it w/ a sharpie, and photo copy it. (So I wont tear it out of book)
3. Photocopy
4. Using a light box and a 2h pencil, I transfer my drawing
5. Using Manganese Blue, perm. Rose, and some ultramarine blue and turq. I shadow the whole painting..This is called disappearing purple. Learned this from Judy Tremaines book. I drop in colors into the shadow to give it some interest.
6. After it is dry, I start adding color.
7. You just keep painting until you get it dark enough. I try to use enough paint for it to work the first time.
8. For the sky, you have to mix your blues and pinks, and get the color/darkness you want. I normally paint it last but is ok to do it first if you want. You have to be careful around all the edges.
9. When finished, I take white gouache and make icicles, etc. then take an old toothbrush and put white on it, and then using your thumb flip the snow onto it.
10. Let dry. If you are ok w/ it. Then you photo it.
11. Take it outside in the shade…NEXT to where the sun is. Make sure your flash is off.  Lay it flat on the ground, or table whatever. I use the patio, stand over it as much as possible and take your photo. I always take several so I will have a good one in the bunch. Usually I have a blurry one.
12. Now you are ready to put it on your computer, crop it, enhance, etc. if need be. I always have to do the auto correct.  It brightens it up. Plus I use the eraser tool to make the lights bright, etc.
13. Now you are ready to make your card!

You will need some sort of print shop, unless you know how to make them in Word.

Christmas Card Workshop

 This past week end I had a one day class for painting Christmas paintings, then turning it into a card.
I did two fences. One with just one color, the rest black, and then one in color.  Some did the fence and some did their own painting.
We did the painting, then they learned how to take a good photo,
and put in the computer, to crop, enhance, and then turn it into a card.
It was a lot of fun.Or I had fun anyway! I love sharing what I have learned.
a friend, Paige Lollar is taking photography classes and she ask if she could photo us during the class.  I really like the black and white photo!


Fence
Suzy Pal

Fence
Suzy Pal

Wadonna's Cat and Fence

 

Karen's Snow Man

Marcea's Fence

Walt's 2 paintings

Christmas Purses

" The Shopper"

"Merry Christmas"

I know it is too early for Christmas paintings, but I was in Hobby Lobby the other day, and they already have their Christmas decorations out! It was shocking to me, that time has gone by so fast this summer. I decided I would post a couple of my Christmas purses, since one of the main things I paint in November and December happens to be Christmas Snow Families.

I have them listed on Etsy.com . If you haven't heard of Etsy, it is like EBay but everything has to be hand made. You don't bid, you just buy outright.

These are canvas purses that I buy and paint the Christmas scenes with acrylic paint, and I use fringe with glass beads. They are also sprayed with glitter.

The backs are painted with a Christmas scenes too-Christmas tree, ornaments, church, etc.

75 Day Sketch Challenge-Day 21

 Brenda Swenson, A sketch artist does this 75 day Sketch Challenge, and I decided to join in.
I started it Oct.14th, Using ink and pen only. No pencil or erasers. That is hard for me because I love my pencil! AND eraser!  Starting with just pen is very intimidating, but I am on day 21 and have enjoyed it, after the first week!
The cotton and pens were sketched from life. The flowers and pumpkins were drawn from photos.
I did the fountain pens when I saw that it was National Fountain Pen day! What a funny thing to have.
These are not in exact order because this blog thing doesn't put them on in the order you pick them! and I haven't figured out how to move them.