A Few of My Favorite Things

When  I  was  reading  the  comments  from  my  giveaway  post (directly  below  this  one,  if  you  haven't  entered  your  name  yet),  Sue  from  Scribble-n-Paint  had  asked  me  to  post  photos  of  the  pitt  pens  and  neocolor  crayons  that  I  like  to  use.  So  I  decided  to  show  you  some  other  supplies  that  I  have  that  I  would  want  with  me  if  I  happened  to  be  deserted  on   an  island.   Keep  in  my  mind--these  are  my  favorites--but  there are  many  many  more  that  I  have  and  use.

So  I'll  start  with  the  pitt  pens  and  Caran d'Ache  neocolor  crayons--

I  also  want  to  mention  that  everything  that  I  show  you here,  I  purchased  from  Dick  Blick  online--they  really  do  have  the  best  prices--even  better  than  their  own  store.  I  compared  prices  when  I  was there,  and  it's  cheaper  to order  online  even  with  the shipping.   The  crayons  I  usually  order  individually--there  are SO  many  colors  to  choose  from,   and  they  come  in  the  soluble  and  non-soluble.  I  love  these.  When  you  combine  the  non-soluble  crayons  with   acrylics  you  get  such  a  cool  effect.

And  these  are  the  Faber-Castell  brush  tip  pitt pens--I'm  telling you--every  color  of  the  rainbow  and  then  some.  These  are  permanent  when  dry,  but  I  like  them  because  they'll   smudge with  your  finger  or wet  brush  when  you  first  apply them,  which  I  like.  I  don't  like  a  clean  line  when  I  outline--I  like  that  imperfect  look,  but  if  you  like  the clean  line,  then  they're  great  for  that  too.

These  are  the  prisma  pencils--I  have  to  admit  that  I  don't  use  these  that  much.  This  is  how  I  first  learned  to  color  faces  from  my  Suzi  Blu  class,  and  the  way  I  like  to  use  them  is  by using  many  LIGHT  layers of them, which   takes  time (something  that  I  don't  have  right  now),  but  I'm  planning  on  playing  with  them  when  I  DO  have  the  time.  And  also,  do  you  see that  brush  in  with  them?  Well  that's  a  Loew-Cornell scrub  brush.  I  found  it  in  the  fabric  paint  dept.  at  Michael's.  When  you  dry  brush  over  your  colored  pencil  art--it  gives   a  very  soft  effect  to  the  piece--try  it--you'll see what  I  mean.

The  one  thing  that  I've  had  a  problem  with  concerning  these  pencils,  is  that  I  can  never  get  them  sharp  enough  without  breaking  them--but  no  more--  thanks  to  Katherine  from  Sleep  and  Her  Sisters.  She  showed  this  sharpener  on  her  blog--

It  really  works!!  It  opens  in  the  middle,  and  it  has  a  universal  sharpener (big  and  small  hole)  on  the  bottom  part,  and  the  top  part  has  a  color  grip  sharpener,  and  that's  the  one  that  I  use  for  the prisma  pencils--works  like  a  charm!

And  here  are  my  absolute  favorite  paints--

I  know,  I  know--the  Golden  paints  are expensive-and  worth  every  penny.  You  really don't  need  a lot  of  colors   though--you  can  mix  them  to  make  your  own   unique  color  palette.  I  get  a  few  at  a  time,  because  they  last  forever.  The  fluid  acrylics  are  my  favorite.  And  of  course  there  are  the  metallic  paints  there  too--wonderful!

Some  of  the  mediums  that  I  like  to  use--

and  some  tools  other  than  paintbrushes--my  latest  discovery--the  woodless graphite  pencil  blended  with  a  paper stump--LOVE  it!!  I use an 8B pencil--it's very dark, almost like charcoal, but not as messy.

And  I  never  make  art  without  some  kind  of  paper  involved--anywhere  from  my  own  painted  papers,  handmade   speciality  papers,  ephemera,   old   book   pages  and  sheet  music,  and  without  a  doubt--scrapbook  paper.  This  is  my  latest  purchase  from  Scrapbook.com--Graphic  45  Steampunk  Debutante  paper pad--I  know  this  post  is  long,  but  I'm  so  excited  about  these  papers.  I'll   just  show  you  some  of  the  pages,  and  I'll  shut up.

And  they're  double--sided  too--just  to  add  to  the  confusion,  and  the  last  2  pages  have  these  die-cut  punch  out  tags  and  images--

These  are  all  so  gorgeous  I  don't  even  want  to  use  them--I  just  like  to  look  at  them...but  I  have  some  ideas  going  around  in  my  head..... 

So  sorry  this post  was  so long--but  when  I  get  going  about  art  supplies,  I  just  can't  stop.  So  you  might  want  to  think  twice  when  you  ask  me  to  show  you  something  ; )  (but  ask  anyway!!!)

More Faces

So  these  two  are  a  work  in  progress--

I'll  post  this  when  I'm  finished,  but  I'm  liking these two  so  far.

And  this next one  was  just  a fooling  around  one.  I  was  in   the  process of  cleaning up  a  pile  of  stuff  in  my  room--I  always end  up  with  these  piles.  I  can't  understand  why  I  just  can't  put  away  things  when  I'm  finished  with  them!  Well  anyway,  in  the  pile,  I  found  my  moleskine  journal  from  my  Suzi  Blu  class--and  you  can  probably  guess the  rest  of  the  story--

I'm  so  glad  that  I  decided  to  take  this  class way  back  in  January (wow--did this  year  fly  by!).  I  completely  enjoy  sketching  and  painting  faces,  and  I'm  still  eager  to  learn  more--just  like I  was in  the  beginning  of  January.   BTW-the  pile  of  stuff  is  still   laying  on  the  floor  in  my  artroom.

And  this  next  one  isn't  a  face--

(reanactment)

How  about  cleaning  your  very  dirty  paintbrush  in  a  full,  freshly  ground  and  brewed,  not  so  cheap  cup  of  coffee.    Ooooh!!.......I   get  SO  mad  when  I  do  this!

Me and My Sketchbook

A year ago  that would have sounded so funny to me, because I never sketched anything.  I've always had a sketchbook, but more for jotting down ideas, and just little scribbles of ideas that I had.  But since I took Suzi Blu's class, I discovered that I really enjoying sketching--anything.  It doesn't matter what it is--it's just very relaxing to me.  Alot of artists don't really enjoy this part of their art--they just like to get to the color part, but I love it.

And when we were driving to New York, I brought my book with me and just started sketching. I did a few pages, but I really liked this one and wanted to use it  for an art piece.

Well actually, it was the face that I liked.  So I scanned and copied  it, and then just cut out her image to put on a canvas.

For  the  background  I collaged my painted papers that I showed you on this post,  although you can't really see them--I pretty much pushed them back with an acrylic wash.  And I mostly used the Caran d'Ache soluble and non-soluble crayons mixed with a little acrylics and my new happy discovery--a woodless graphite pencil--love it!!

I'm leaving again on Thursday for a 3 day art show, and I'm starting to get a little stressed--not sure if I have enough.  This is the show that I've been looking forward to all year--I've never been in it before, but I've heard alot of good things.  It's just outside of Cleveland, Ohio in a very nice area,

And I hope  everyone  had  a  great  4th  of  July--we did--it's pretty toasty here, but no rain, so I'm not complaining!

Kelly is Kool!

Okay, so here's the deal---I met Kelly (Kelly Berkey Designs) in Suzi  Blu's class.  She makes wonderful jewelry, and she took Suzi's   class to learn more about creating faces, and then putting them into charms to make very unique jewelry pieces.  Well as an added bonus, she discovered that she loves the world of mixed media, but is fairly new to it.  So I've been helping her out with questions that's she has about different techniques and art supplies. 

Her art has really started to blossom  and now she is starting to sell her art pieces as well as her jewelry on Etsy. So  she wanted to thank me, which was so sweet of her.  Do you remember these two?

Well, will you just look at what she sent me for helping her out--

Are these beautiful or what?  I wish that you could all see them and touch them in person--they are gorgeous!   And you know she really didn't have to do this--I love helping anyone who wants it........but  I'm glad she did : )

She will do this for anyone who wants--your art in a pendant, and by the way--these are 2-sided.   When you reverse them, there's an image on the other side too--whatever you want it to be.  This is also a great way to get your art out there in a subtle way.   Ladies always love to admire each other's jewelry, and this would be a great lead-in of your own art.   PLUS, she does sell wholesale AND she will also do personal photos too.   So hop on over to Kelly's blog--http://kellyberkeydesigns.blogspot.com/  and from there, you can go to her Etsy store and also her email is on her sidebar on her blog.   Thank you dear Kelly--this means so much to me!

Playing Around With My Art

I have been trying very hard to build up my stock for my upcoming shows, and I like the fact that when people purchase my art, I can tell them that it is one of a kind, but it's HARD to do this.  So  I've been making prints of my art.  But I don't just want to have matted prints in a browse bin like alot of the artists do,  plus I still want to offer one of a kind  artwork.

And in the meantime, Suzi put up the last lesson in her Piety & Passion class.  It's all about making praintings--mixed media collage/ paintings using your art prints--perfect timing.  And let me tell you, this lesson is filled to the brim with ideas and techniques.  I think this lesson alone is worth  the price of the class.  Alot of the techniques that she shows us involves supplies that I already have, and would have never thought of doing--so Thank You to Suzi!

So a few weeks ago, I showed you these 3 collage/paintings that I did--

And this is what I did with them--

I reduced these 2 and put them on 8 x 8 canvases, and collaged on  some of my painted papers that I had left over, and I now have 2 new pieces of art to offer, and if I want,  I can do the same thing  with these two--print them and make another new piece of art!

And on the third one, I decided to use one of my many wood cigar boxes that I have --

So I can still continue to offer one of a kind artwork.

So if you've ever considered participating in an art/craft show, but a little leary, I found a great post on Heather's blog  Audrey Eclectic about why she loves doing shows and all the advice you could need.  I couldn't have written it better, and it's exactly  how I feel.  Just click on her blog name, and it will take to you that post.  But if this isn't your cup of tea, and you have never visited this blog-- THEN  STILL GO--you will love her art!!

 I'm leaving later on today for my show near Rochester, NY.  I'll be able to visit everyone this weekend.  I like having the internet with me, because it gives me something to do in my motel room other than go to sleep at 7:00 at night--these shows are exhausting, especially when you have to set up the morning of , like this one. I'm hoping to bring home photos---the weather isn't looking too great, though--one of the gambles of doing outdoor shows.

One more thing-- Sharon at All Norah's Art picked a winner for a free spot in her new online class, and it was Sharon Pendergraft--congrats to her  : )  but wait......... what about us  : (    Well, she's doing it again!! So click on this for ANOTHER  chance to win a free spot--good luck--it looks like a great class!

Two New Girls

I call these my Garden Girls--

I really love creating these faces and a BIG Thank You to Suzi and Sharon for being my face teachers.  I can't believe how much they've taught me and how I continue to learn.  And it always amazes me how all of the student art is so unique from one another's .  Suzi tells us to copy her, and her videos and pdf's are very detailed, explaining that this is how we learn--to copy.  And even though we do "copy" her, it's always our own style, because it's coming from us. Makes sense, everyone is one of a kind--so they're art will be too--it's part of us.  This is why we're so protective of it, I think, and probably so overly critical too.

BTW, Sharon is having a new online class, and she is giving a free one away to someone.  Just go to this post to enter the giveaway.  Hope everyone here in the U.S. is enjoying their Memorial Day holiday.  The last 3 day's weather here has been exceptional--I'm loving it!

Work In Progress--Taking What I've Learned

I've had to put my online classes on hold for a while so I can get ready for my show next week.  However, I'm taking what I've learned so far and putting them in my art pieces.  I started this box--

First thing I did was take this old box (you know how I like to take the old and make it new again)

The front of it is perfect--it  has a textured design right in the wood already, so all I did was layer some paint on it.  And then I made a background from what I learned in Sharon's class--All Norah's Art.

 

 Then I transfered the inkjet copy of this castle, which is another technique that I learned from her class.  I actually like to do inkjet transfers better than the toner copies. I seem to get less of the fuzzies. I found this free image on Artefacts blog.  Actually, it wasn't the main image--it was in the background, but it's what I was looking for. This is a great blog with alot of vintage free images--just click on the name.  The reason, I wanted to use this castle-like image, is that I wanted to keep up with the Tudor theme that I'm learning in Suzi's class.

When I was creating this face, I was also watching the lesson of Suzi's, and she was well into her painting when she decided to change the features of her face, because she knew they weren't right--so she fixed them.  Well, I wasn't liking my nose (I'm having SO much problems with these noses at this angle!) I watched how she did her corrections, and I followed along, and now I'm happier with the nose.  Normally, I would have been afraid to do this, but I just watched her and I was able to do it! 

So this is Mother's Day weekend in the U.S., and I hope everyone has a wonderful day on Sunday.  Our weather isn't looking too promising, but it's Spring, and that's all that matters!  So happy Mother's Day everyone!!

My Classes and Some Sunshine From Bobbi

Before I start,  I want to tell you about a new tutorial being offered by grittyjane.  If you're not familiar with her work, then you're in for a treat.  She is an amazing , and I mean amazing artist.  So just click on her  name for her explanation in her own words.--

Okay, I'm still working on my "quilts", but I thought I should spend some time on my classes, since I was so excited about them.  So in Suzi's new class, I'm feeling a little more confident with  the 3/4 view, and I think I'm ready to put some color in this Elizabeth--

I think she seems a little more regal than my other one  that I posted. I'm just tired of sketching and I want some color now.

 And I also signed up for Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen's Complex Collage class just last week, so I'm just getting started in that one. Right now they're going over the principals of collage, and they're covering everything  right down to the  different mediums that you can use. They're going to teach us how to make interesting collages with layers and color and also texture as opposed to just gluing an image to a surface. This is what I want to learn. I want to make a collage that will be interpreted differently from each person that views it---one with depth and meaning. I hope I can achieve this.

And I also want to thank Bobbi  for giving me this--

 I love her blog Bobbi's Art.  She is a multi-talented artist, and she  also likes to go thrift store shopping--my kind of girl.  And I love her humor too and check out the beautiful way she photographs what she's posting.  So--thank you Bobbi--it's so nice to get these awards--I will always appreciate them!!  And she really did send me some sunshine--it's actually sunny here today!  It's been raining since Tuesday, and hey, we even had a little snow yesterday : )

My New Class With Suzi & I'm In Her Book!!!

I've started Suzi's new class, and she's teaching us the 3/4 view and also the side view.  She's only put the first lesson up, and it's teaching us the 3/4 view--a bit tricky to say the least.  I must say that her videos are very detailed--there's 4 of them, and they're each about 30 min.--give or take.  She's fashioning these faces after the Tudor era.  Now, I have no idea what this era was like, and she recommends in her class for us to watch the Showtime series The Tudors to get the feel of the era.

And if you have Netflix, the first 2 seasons are down-loadable on your computer.  So I started watching the first season.  The Tudors is basically about the reign of King Henry VIII, and let me tell you--I'm hooked!  From what I've watched so far, I've learned that the role of women back then  was to serve the man in every way, and your only asset was your beauty.  Forget about your intelligence--women never even received an education.  This is the way it was, and this is the way women accepted it.  Now mind you, this show is the only information that  I'm relying on for this time in  history, but I have a feeling it was pretty true--remember this was the  1500's.

And King Henry, ah yes, King Henry--from what I read , he became king when he was 18--he went on to have 6 wives, but wives or not, he  was  quite  the  lady's man---And I'll just leave it at that ; )

So for our first drawing, Suzi wants us to sketch a younger version of Queen Elizabeth--

I'm going to say that this is a portrait of her before she retired for the night, because she doesn't look much like royalty.  And my Elizabeth  will proceed to have many daughters and grandaughters also named Elizabeth, because, I can assure you  she is the first of many of my 3/4 views practice.  And did you know that Elizabeth had a sister--she was the ugly one--I drew her too, but remember if you didn't have beauty back then , you had nothing--so she was always  pushed in the background.  Her name was Mabel. (poor Mabel--she never had a chance--she's in my sketch pad, and that's where she's staying for no one else to see)

So I didn't want to say anything until I had it my hands so I could believe it for myself--yes I'm in Suzi's book.  This came in the mail today!

I'm on page 2, and it's not a full-page spread, but I don't care.  I've been published--this is a first for me, and what a thrill to be in Suzi's first publication.  This journal girl is one of the first faces that I made, and I remember just a year ago watching her videos and just loving her funky art.  I've always  been afraid of faces, but I've always wanted to try them, and with Suzi's help--I'm learning.  Thank you Suzi Blu so much  for encouraging me like this!

My Finished Canvas & Starting 2 New Classes

Remember my canvas that I  started here--well I finished it--

I said that I had a plan for it, and this was the plan. I wanted to paint some faces (2 this time), but I always get a little nervous when I want to do these girls, because I'm  still fairly new at  it.   I just love creating them though-- they always seem to  tell me how to finish the piece. 

Now, my 2 new classes--well Suzi's is starting next week--it's the continuing Goddess and Poet class--

PIETY & PASSION (love it!).  And I was thinking of taking the graffiti art class with Traci Bautista, but I'm putting it on the back burner for now.  Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen are starting a new one April 1--Complex Collage.  She just put the video up on her website on Friday  (click on her name).  As soon as I saw what this class was all about, I knew that it was for me.  Everything that they talk about on what they will be teaching is exactly what I want to do.

So next week, after I come back from my show, I'm hoping to be a little richer : ) and I will be signing up for these 2--I'll probably be poorer, but I'm still signing up. 

A New Technique and My Finished Piece

First of all I want to thank everyone for giving me advice on my crackling dilemma, and also on the online classes.  Alot of you have recommended Julie's class. But I think I 've narrowed it down to either Alisa Burke or Traci Bautista--the graffiti art is more what I'm interested in--I just have to make up mind.  In  the meantime, Suzi is going to have a Goddess and Poet class part 2, and I know I'm taking that.  Although I haven't been showing many--faces are still my obsession.  And I also wanted to thank  Emelie  for giving other helpful tips about stencils and saran wrap.  You can find these tips on my comment section on my last post.

For my new technique, well actually it isn't new.  I've read it on a few blogs, and Wyanne has showed it on her videos.  She is another favorite  artist of mine  that also offers online workshops--aiiiii (that's a scream)--if only I had the money AND the time for all of these!!!  But anyway, it's the alcohol technique--

It's on the background of this paper--here's a closer view--

The best demonstration that I found for this technique is on this you tube video:

The trick is to do it when the paint is still wet, and to make sure that the alcohol is at least 91%

And I also put my paper from my last post on canvas--

This paper was 12 x 12, and I found a 12 x 12 canvas so it worked out perfectly.  I wanted to add a little embellishment--

I had this metal heart  that I found at Michaels actually (it was on clearance too!), and then I still wanted to add a little dimension, so I had these Stickles that I've had forever but never used them--so I  put Stickle dots  in places, but I discovered when they dry--they're very glittery--which made me discover that I am not a glitter girl, so I covered them with paint : )  HOWEVER I did like these Stickles--

Distress Stickles  -they are the glitter without the glitz.  It 's hard to describe and this photo doesn't show them well--

In case you're wondering--I put the Stickles in  the center of the flower.  They look more glittery in the picture  than  they really  are.  I just like the dimension that they give without all that glitz.

I also have a WIP going--

I have a plan for this one--but we all know how that goes.  When you have an idea, and it always ends up differently.  I can't just sit down with a blank canvas and just create--I've tried--I have to at least have a plan.  I know it's more "artistic" to let your muse or whatever take over, but I can't do it that way.  So we'll see how this actually turns out.

And this Friday, I am leaving to go to Columbus for a wholesale cash and carry  show on Saturday.  I'll be one of the shoppers---I usually don't mind crowds, but these wholesale shows are ridiculous--these lady shoppers are on a mission, and you don't want to get in their way.  It's mainly for crafts, but I can find supplies that I can use--when I come back  I'll show you what I find.  After going to these shows, I am amazed at how much retailers mark up these products!  What I'm really excited about, though, is that there is a D. Blick store there--I can't wait--I'll show you what I get there too.

And one more thing--I finally saw Alice yesterday--and I LOVED it!!  I don't care who you are or what your age is--I just can't see anyone not liking this movie! 

And one more thing--Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!! It's a BEAUTIFUL day here today, finally, and I'm going for a walk : D

Painting Papers

I am now going into my full-work mode, well I wouldn't really call it work, more like play.  My art show season is starting soon, so I've been  busy painting papers for collage--

I found a tablet of plain scrapbook papers, and there were a bunch of white ones, so I used them, and I've been experimenting with different techniques (some were so bad, that I trashed them), but most of them turned out pretty good.  This one technique that I really like to do is stamping on foam stamps with clear gesso on the white paper--

And then when it's completely dry, I just put an acrylic wash over it. The gesso acts as a resist--you could do it with regular gesso too, and you don't have to use stamps--you can do anything. I love the clear gesso--I was introduced to it by Suzi.

And there was this paper--

I just started doodling and playing around with acrylics, pitt pens, and mostly neocolor crayons I and II.  The more I use these crayons, the more addicted I get to them.  This one turned out so good that I decided to keep it whole and put it on canvas like this and finish it--I'll post it when I do.  And  I read a tip from Pam Carriker--instead of using water with the neocolor II crayons , use Matte Medium instead, and this will set the color.  I read it from an article from here--

I just got this, and I love it--what a great publication. I love Stampington!

And I'm also excited about my new stamp--

It's a crackle stamp--that produces results like this--

You know, I love the crackle look, and I have yet to master it.  I always have problems.  Can anyone help me?  The effect I like is the very tiny crackle look, but I'd be happy with any type of crackle.  What am I doing wrong?  (I'm just adding this in--what I mean by the crackle method--is the method where you apply the crackle medium  out of the bottle, and then when it's dry, you apply paint over it and supposedly cracks will occur, which never happens for me.)

 

I've also been looking around at online classes (remember in my last post, I said that I'm kind of obsessed?)  What I'm looking for now are workshops on backgrounds.  I've looked at Julie Prichard's, and there are a couple on the Creative Workshop ning site, but I'm thinking more of Traci Bautista's--I am really loving the graffiti style art out there, and hers is outstanding.  Has anyone taken any of her online workshops?

So, I'm really looking  forward to my first show of the season at the end of this month.  It's actually more of an art and craft show, which to me is no different--don't get me started about crafters vs. artists--there is no difference!!  We're all artists!! I get to see my fellow exhibitors that I haven't seen since last year, and also returning  customers  (I guess that's what you call returning buyers of your work), and it's fun just to get out and be with everyone who's all there for the same reason. It's in Pittsburgh, too--one of my favorite cities--it's such an eclectic place--I love it!!