Cinnamon Pink

Abstract Art Painting Tips from Artists Network

"Visual Layers: Red and Black" Painting by Mark E. Mehaffey

I've been exploring techniques related to making Abstract Art and I discovered two interesting posts from the Artists Network:

• You May Ask Yourself, Just What is Abstract Art? written by artist Mark E. Mehaffey. In the article, he shares his abstract art techniques by presenting five examples of compelling compositions and solid designs for eye-catching paintings. There's a good deal of useful information in this post. Check it out.

• How to Make Abstract Art: A Tip for Beginners written by Jo Toye. Here's one of the tips that she shares: "Feather Your Lines with a Fine Mist Spray Bottle:  Use a Fine Line applicator to draw lines with paint. While the lines are still wet, use a fine mist spray bottle and spritz them with water. The effects will vary by how dry the line is, how thin the paint is and the mist pattern of your bottle." For more inspiration, read Jo's complete post.

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Make 2016 the Best for Your Art from Nicholas Wilton

I came across this inspiring post, Make 2016 the Best for Your Art written by Nicholas Wilton. He suggests that artists ask themselves the following question, “What is the best situation, the best conditions for me to make Art?"

Here are a few of the conditions that Wilton has integrated into his art practice that has helped him significantly:

• Schedule Your Studio Time Every Week -  "Treat your art practice as important as self care, because actually it is. We all know that when our art is going well we feel fantastic?"

• Show Up Little but Often - "Don’t worry about not having enough time to spend 5 hours making art every day or even one day....Come in for 30 minutes if that is all you have."

• Allow More, Not Less, to Come In - "In your life, gather anything that you see or find that resonates with you and bring that, in some form or another, into your studio. It could be a photo you have seen or a print from something online or just an object found....Inspiration comes from experiencing change and newness."

Make sure that you read the complete post for more details.

 

 

 

 

WORDS: Art Journal Page

Here's another page I just finished in my No Pressure Art Journal.

For the background, I used a scrap of manuscript-type wallpaper. I found a lengthy quote in a Restoration Hardware (RH) catalog. I cut out the words that I didn't need to re-create the above quote.

BTW, I just love RH catalogs. They feature the most unusual and really lovely items that make for good art journaling fodder. I also purchase items from their catalogs. I hope that atones for using their images in my mixed media art.

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A while back I picked up an inexpensive journal, with lined pages, in B&N. I liked the feel of the book and decided to turn it into a No Pressure Art Journal.

I enjoy working in the journal with no end goal in mind. Sometimes I paste in odds and ends of papers. Alternately, I will splash on paint with abandonment. For this page, I used catalog pages, Teesha Moore scraps and my own paper bits. I may hand letter some words on the page too.

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Cold Wax Painting Resources

Cathy Hegman, Medusa Complexities Fashionista VII,  

from Oil & Wax: Resources for Cold Wax Painting

This past December I was lucky to win three tubes of Daniel Smith Water Soluble Oil Colors: French Ultramarine, Permanent Alizarin Crimson and Hansa Yellow Medium. The prize also included a Vincent Pro Masterpiece Stretched Canvas, 20" x 24." The prize was offered by Dick Blick.

Well, I had not worked in oils for a long time and couldn't come up with any ideas. But then I kept seeing articles and sites on Cold Wax Painting. The art work that I saw, in this medium, really got me excited. (Isn't the above art work beautiful?)

Now I can't wait to begin experimenting with oil paints and Dorland's Wax Medium. Initially, I will probably work on small scale canvases. Here are a couple of resources if you're interested in trying out this medium:

• Oil & Wax: Resources for Cold Wax Painting - Lots of information here.

• Abstract Oil Painting with Dorland's Wax Medium - from Rebecca Crowell (PDF file).

• Oil & Cold Wax Painting - Pinterest Board

Somerset Home Magazine Spring 2016

I just received my issue of Somerset Home magazine. Devon Warren, Managing Editor, has gathered together a treasure trove of beautiful projects for your home.

I'm happy to report that my article, Frappuccino Bottles: Upcycled & Upscaled for Home Decor, is one of the features in the magazine.

As you flip through the pages, you'll find so many innovative ideas that you will want to adapt for your own little nest. Make sure you check out this lovely lifestyle issue.

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30 Paintings in 30 Days 2016: Day Twenty

Today is Day Twenty of 30 Paintings in 30 Days 2016.

This is another painting that I started in Wan Marsh's Abstract Painting class. And I finally finished it today. Later on, I may add some graphite to the collage images.

30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge: Day Nineteen

Oh dear! I am so behind in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Today is Day Nineteen. Well, I just need to keep making art.

I finished this art piece today. I began it in an Abstract Painting Class led by Wan Marsh at the Art & Soul Retreat in Virginia Beach. The painting somehow reminds me of the old buildings in Jerusalem.

Wan makes abstract painting look so easy. I plan to keep experimenting with the ideas that she mentioned in class. Wan suggests working on a few canvases at the same time. Great idea!

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Character Design References Pinterest Board

Image from Character Design References Pinterest Board

 

I came across a very useful Pinterest Board entitled Character Design References created by @Dublin.

 

The board is described as: "Galleries, art references, tutorials and interviews from established and young promising artists in animation, movies, games, comics and illustration." There is a wealth of information on the 341 boards with 57.2K pins.

 

One of the boards that I will first explore is Tutorials Composition. The description reads: "......Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art."

 

If you enjoy sketching, you may want to follow this board. You'll never run out of drawing ideas.

Mini Bucket List Ideas from Peri10k

Via the Peri10k site, I discovered this fun post, 52 Mini Bucket List Ideas for 2016 for Happiness  written by Katya Varbanova. Here are a few of the tips:

• "Meditate for five minutes a day for a week. Don’t worry about how you do it. You can relax, you can colour, you can listen to music. Whatever works for you." 

• "Go to an inspirational event such as a TED conference."

• "Buy a canvas, throw some paint on it and call it your Signature Painting...." 

• "Pretend to be a tourist in your own city/town. Take random photographs. Go out and buy souvenirs. Have a coffee in a local shop."

Make sure that you check out the complete list for more ideas.

Day Fourteen: 30 Paintings in 30 Days 2016

When we were on vacation, I had hoped to do some paintings for the 30 in 30 Challenge. But we were so busy touring Jacksonville, St Augustine and Charleston that I didn't get a chance to paint.

Well today I finally finished an Angel painting that I had been working on for a while. So this is my entry for Day Fourteen of 30 Paintings in 30 Days.

Leslie Saeta, founder of the 30 in 30 Challenge, says it's OK to miss some days. The important thing is to keep painting.

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Jumpstart Your Creativity from Huffington Post

Via the Huffington Post, here's a post from 2014 that is still relevant: Nine Art Techniques That Anyone Can Do To Jumpstart Creativity.

I especially like the technique suggested by Martin Abrahams, Instructor of Animation at the School of Visual Arts. Here's his thoughts in his own words:

Doodle like a Traditional Animator.

"I’m always encouraging my students to understand the basics of traditional animation and apply them to your personal concepts, style, story or abstract ideas.

"It all starts with drawing. The rough idea of drawings, doodles, enthusiasm and sketches plays such a major part in the process of animation. We begin by drawing on paper and creating a personal stylistic approach, making drawings that move, a flow of story, design, animation principles, expressionistic style and content. The computers are there to make the finished film look colored and composited."

"There is no such thing as good or bad in art …it’s making it better. That's important. Take the principals and most of all give it your signature of personal style. Create images you want to see."

Martin's ideas can be applied to all types of art making. Make sure you read the complete article for more inspiration.

 

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Baby Clothes: Raw Material for Art Making

We just came back from Jacksonville Florida. We were gone for about a week.

A large box of adorable baby clothes was waiting for me at the post office. Cindy McGinnis had seen my article, Playing Dress Up, in a recent Somerset Studio magazine.

She generously offered me her stash of vintage baby clothes to use in my art work. The dresses have the most delicate embroidery.

Aren't the bibs just darling? These are just a few samples of the items that she sent me. Thank You So Much Cindy. 

Day Four: 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Today is Day Four of 30 Paintings in 30 Days. I did this illustration with ink and watercolor paints.

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Here we are at Day Three of 30 Paintings in 30 Days 2016. I'm a little late in posting because we just came back from Sunday Brunch.

I used ink, graphite and acrylic paints for this painting. I added lots of water to the acrylics to achieve a watercolor effect. 

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Today is Day Two of 30 Paintings in 30 Days. 

Here is another watercolor painting of a Goth-Style Fashion Girl.

Day One - Thirty Paintings in 30 Days 2016

Happy New Year to All!

Well here we go again.....Today is Day One of 30 Paintings in 30 Days in 2016.

Here's a fashion girl done with watercolor paints and a vintage paper flower.. My scanner acted a little wonky today and this gray shadow showed up in the images of my scans. I've managed to blot out the gray shadow.

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