Remember, it's good to experiment, as that is one way to learn about your supplies. Also, experimenting with art supplies is a great way to unwind. Do you need a little joy today? Allow yourself to play. There is absolutely nothing wrong with playing with art supplies as an adult.
Years ago, I attempted to blog three days/week. The topics I chose were: Mark Making Monday, Watercolor Wednesday, and Freedom through Painting Friday.
I am feeling called to return to those themes, but this time through time-lapse video form.
Lately, I have been creating videos that are 1 minute or less, and they are silent. I feel like there is so much noise in the outer world right now, we could all use a little silence. If this doesn't jive for you, feel free to put on your own background music.
Today's Mark Making Monday video features the idea of using colored pencils to make some messy marks, then go over it with watercolor. It is a quick and satisfying process, and I hope you'll give it a try.
It's Watercolor Wednesday here on Orange Spiral Arts.
I thought I might just do one video a week, but as it turns out, I have been making several more.
Today is the fourth video, and it's called Abstract Watercolor 4.
I hope you enjoy a minute of silence and colorful art inspiration.
The watercolor you see in my palette is a mix of Prima Marketing watercolors, Jane Davenport watercolors, and handmade watercolors. The handmade watercolors are by the following people on Etsy: Rusee, RivervaleWatercolor, and JazperStardust.
Thank you for supporting independent artists and small businesses!
I created another one-minute time-lapse video for you. This is to encourage you to paint freely and for the fun of it. Most of my work has that intention.
I hope you find some part of this inspiring. Have a great day!
I made a quick video for you all, as I did a color swatch of some new ink and watercolor I purchased from my favorite local art supply store, Wet Paint. They ship, and shipping is free with orders over $99.
Wet Paint has the best staff for the following reasons:
They care about getting to know their customers
They are well trained on the art supplies they sell
The staff is friendly and fun
They have excellent communication if there is a problem with your order
Without further ado, here is a 35 second silent video for your viewing pleasure!
Thank you so much for visiting Orange Spiral Arts, the place for Creativity + Inspiration + Personal Expression.
With 2020 being how it's been, I have neglected my blog. I would like to change that, so I am making an effort in that direction!
I would like to offer content that inspires you to create imperfectly and expressively. I love to play with mixed media art supplies, and perhaps you do, too?
Please let me know in the comments below if you have a preference for YouTube or Vimeo.
The first art video I am releasing is for Watercolor Wednesday, which is a feature I have here on my Orange Spiral Arts blog. (You can search Watercolor Wednesday in the sidebar).
This first video is imperfect, as I cut off the bottom of my workspace, however, I think you may still get something good from it. I am using Golden QoR watercolors, which are vibrant and wonderful to use! My go to watercolor paper is often the Canson XL 140 lb. cold press 9 x 12 pad.
Okay, here's the big platform test-Vimeo or YouTube. Thank you in advance for your feedback in the comments of this blog post (comments are disabled on the videos themselves).
Watercolor Wednesday 1 on Vimeo
Watercolor Wednesday 1 on YouTube
My videography will improve next time! Thank you for watching my imperfect video! I was using some new equipment, and obviously need to still make a few adjustments.
In Closing,
I am sending good energy out to you all, and prayers for your health and safety.
Please remember to let me know in the comments if you prefer YouTube or Vimeo. That will be helpful for me as I move forward with more art video content.
3 Class set includes: Ink and Oil Pastel, Magazine Mixed Media Collages, and Abstract Watercolor Patterns (save $10 if you bundle each $20 class as a set)
Do you ever go through phases where you become “semi-obsessed” with an art medium? Lately, I love watercolor paint. Oh, and stencils are pretty much always on my list so . . . I decided to try the two together. In the past, I did not have a lot of success with this combination, as the watercolor would seep underneath the stencil. Recently I saw an art tutorial by Josie Lewis on YouTube, which showed how she used a stencil to trace the design, and then fill it in with color. Genius! I am not sure why I did not think of this (or maybe I have), but that’s beside the point. Something struck a chord when I saw Josie’s video, so I went with it. You can watch the video here, if you'd like.
I decided to give this idea a try, as I love how Josie’s art looks when she’s done.
I will share a tutorial of what I did, then share my reflection of my experience at the end of this post.
Flip through your stencils and choose the designs you like.
Step 2:
Use an H pencil (a hard pencil, which writes lightly), to trace your chosen designs from one or more stencils.
I used three different stencil designs.
Step 3:
Paint in your traced stencil patterns using a variety of watercolor paints.
Step 4:
Allow the watercolor paint to dry and soak in that beautiful color!
Reflection:
Oh my goodness, did I dislike this process, while I was doing it! That feeling certainly told me something about the style of art I like to create.
I don’t enjoy creating precise art, so I just had to roll with my paint going outside of my traced lines.
Now that it is finished, I do enjoy looking at the result. I had fun creating a lighter value of a color by adding water to my brush. I also enjoyed playing with color and making choices based what I was being called toward, versus following some sort of formula. If I try this again, I will keep in mind that my work will not be precise. I also will try a smaller brush (like the size 2 or 4 round brush I suggested for you).
I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial. Give it a try and see if you enjoy creating inside or outside of the lines!
Paint six loose rectangles on 9 x 12 inch watercolor paper.
Let dry.
Step 2:
Choose a rectangle and three of the Pocket Stencils by artistcellar.
Step 3:
Use a ballpoint pen to trace the word stencils.
Step 4:
Using Dina Wakley heavy body paint, or another acrylic paint and round brush, paint around the letters you traced.
Step 5:
Add any design details around your words.
Step 6 (Optional):
Cut out your card and give it as a gift to someone who could use some uplifting or encouraging words.
I hope that you enjoy painting your stripes, tracing your word stencils, and making art + words art for someone! (That someone could be you! These would make wonderful journaling cards, too.)
I've got to shout it from the rooftops, as I am about to release the third online class in the Winter 2017 Orange Spiral Arts Class Set. This series has been so fun. Students have been loving the classes. It fills me up each and every time I see someone share their art on Instagram or Twitter. Registration and information for ABSTRACT WATERCOLOR PATTERNS can be found right here.
Calm your nerves, enjoy the moment, and play with art supplies! I do hope you'll join me. It's only $20 USD for loads of inspiration via video lessons.
Let's play with watercolor paint and abstract patterns! Sound intriguing?
Register today! You have unlimited access, all for only $20 USD. Abstract Watercolor Patterns comes out on Friday, March 10th, 2017.
A NEW online class: Self-Care and Visual Journaling Click the image above to find out more.
Calm your mind, body, and spirit while playing with beautiful and bright liquid watercolor.
Learn how to use and experiment with alcohol inks! This is a three week class (or self-paced once released). 26 videos, resources, and more! ON SALE for $50 USD for a limited time. (Regular price $75 USD)
Come play with me in my workshop From Distress to De-stress.
Collage Paper Pies Online Class
Mixed Media ONLINE CLASS SET::Grab and Save $10 NOW, FOREVER ACCESS
A Monthly Meeting for Visual and Art Journal Keepers in the Twin Cities. Click button above for more information.
Vision Board the E-Course:: A Powerful Way to Gain Clarity and Manifest the Life You Want to Live -OPEN for REGISTRATION-FOREVER ONLINE ACCESS at one affordable price!!
At your core, you are a Beautiful BEing, full of love and light. This online e-course offers writing and expressive painting prompts to assist you in reconnecting to your true essence. Registration is ALWAYS OPEN. To find out more, click the image above. There is a Pay-What-You-Can option available.
