art every day month: day 17

An Angel

Art Every Day Month at Creative Every Day.

I decided to try drawing another figure, this time an angel. I'm not really happy with the facial features, those are so tough! It is nice to be creating something entirely new for me. I am using the book Dreamscapes: Creating Magical Angel, Faery & Mermaid Worlds in Watercolor by Stephanie Pui-mun Law as a guide.

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 17 click here.

art every day month: day 16

A Mermaid

Art Every Day Month at Creative Every Day.

Last night I wasn't sure if I was going to create any art before bed but, at the last minute I pulled out my watercolor set and forced myself to paint something. A mermaid emerged. I don't paint figures often so I was surprised but, delighted that she showed up. xoxo

To view the posts of other AEDM members for Day 16 click here.

sketching feathers

sketching butterflies

Here's a peek inside my watercolor sketchbook, this time I created butterflies! We have more flowers in the yard in our new home then we did previously and I have been enjoying butterfly and hummingbird sightings in the mornings. It's magical to watch them flutter about.

sketching birch aspen trees

After driving past some beautiful birch aspen trees on our road trip through Flagstaff, Arizona last month I was inspired to sketch them. I had a little help on this sketch from a dreamy book I'm using as my watercolor muse right now titled Dreamscapes: Creating Magical Angel, Faery & Mermaid Worlds in Watercolor by Stephanie Pui-mun Law. Here is the photo I snapped while driving and my sketch.I decided to give the trees a bare winter feel with a monotone color palette. I let the paint do its own thing without trying to control it too much which resulted in a nice wispy feeling, I think.

watercolors and the color red

I picked up a watercolor sketchbook - yay! I have my book and watercolors in my bedroom so, that I can end my day with a little painting. This month's creative every day theme is red so, I have been using lots of red in my work.

I am trying to get a feel for how watercolors work exactly. As you see with this feather, I tried applying layers like I do with acrylic paint and it turned out really muddy (see the middle of the feather). I also tried mixing colors directly on the paper as I often do with acrylic instead of on a palette and found that it didn't really work out.

For my next sketch, I lightened up and tried not to have such a heavy hand. The red maple leaf I drew is much looser and I think it works well with the paints softer qualities.

And with this tree sketch, I felt a bit more in control. I had a nice calm feeling while painting, letting the paint lead me instead of me leading it.

exploring watercolors for the first time

I have wanted to play with watercolor paints for awhile so, when Alisa Burke (one of my favorite artists) recommended the Koi Watercolor Field Sketch Set on her blog I placed it on my wish list and last month I finally bought it! I don't have any watercolor paper yet so, I made do with my current sketchbook for now just to play.

Watercolors have always intimidated me a bit because I love to work up lots of layers of paint and watercolor doesn't quite work that way. After my first session I am a little more comfortable. I feel like I used the paints in a very "acrylic" way but, part of that is probably do to my paper. So, the next time I am art supply shopping I will have to pick up some watercolor paper to further explore. For me, trying something new is always a welcome challenge.

Have you tried any new materials or techniques lately? Please share or link in the comments, I'd love to see!