Orange Spiral Arts

Little Handmade Watercolor Journal Flip Through Video

Hello, hello, to wonderful you!

I hope you are safe, and doing well.

I've got a journal flip video to share with you today.

I just recently finished this little watercolor journal, handmade by Emily of Fineberg Art Studio.

I hope you gain some inspiration from this wee little video.

I am really into watercolor, gouache, and ink lately. How about you? What are your go to supplies these days?

Let me know in the comments of this post, or reply via email.

I am working on some new offerings, which will likely be related to the above listed supplies. I am excited about this!!!! With Distance Learning this past year for my son, my time to create videos for online classes has been slim.

I am also thinking about offering some Live Zoom sessions. You can think of them as adult play dates with art supplies, or hangouts, or simply time to connect with other people!

If you'd like to keep informed about upcoming classes and events, be sure to sign up for the Orange Spiral Arts newsletter. On the sidebar of my site, look for my smiling face and enter your email address in the box! Thanks so much for your interest!

Thank you for being here.

You and your creativity matter!

-Briana of Orange Spiral Arts

 

Watercolor Wednesday-Experimenting

Greetings!

It's Watercolor Wednesday, and I have a new video for you.

Today, I am experimenting with a toilet paper tube, wrapped in plastic + watercolor. What do you think will happen?

Let's find out!

 

Don't you just love that shimmering watercolor?

Here are a couple of sources I have been happy with for buying handmade watercolors:

Rusee

Rivervale Watercolor

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.

May you be safe and well!

Mark Making Monday-Video 1

Greetings to you!

Thank you for being here.

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. 

Supplies Used:

140 lb. watercolor paper

Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 colored pencils 

Qor Watercolors by Golden

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

You and your creativity matter.

Watercolor Wednesday-Abstract Watercolor Stripes-Video

Greetings to you!

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!

May you be safe and well.

Abstract Watercolor 3-Video

Hello!

Thank you for stopping by or opening your email to view this post.

Here's the latest one-minute silent video. May it brighten your day!

Thanks for watching.

Art Supplies used:

Daniel Smith Watercolors from Wet Paint

140 lb. Canson XL watercolor paper

Bosobo Art Brushes

Abstract Watercolor 2-Video

Greetings, Everyone!

Thanks for being here.

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!

 

New Inks and Watercolor-Color Swatch Video

Greetings, Everyone!

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!

I am sending good energy out to you all!

Thanks for watching!

Watercolor Wednesday is Back

Greetings, Everyone!

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?

I am planning to start releasing some art videos on my Orange Spiral Arts YouTube channel. Or perhaps it's better to post to my Orange Spiral Arts Vimeo channel for an ad free experience? I will post both versions below.

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.

With Gratitude,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

You Might Also Like:

Winter Online Class Set for only $50 USD

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)

Using Watercolor with Stencils

Hello, Everyone!

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.

 

Supplies Used:

Japanese Geometric Series Stencils by Artistcellar

Derwent Graphic H pencil

140 lb. watercolor paper

Various watercolor

Small round watercolor brush (size 2 or 4)

Jar of water

 

Step 1:

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!

 

Sending all good wishes your way!

 

Blessings,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

Hope, Faith, Grace-Words + Art with Briana (DT member for artistcellar)

Hello Creative Ones,

 

I was recently reminded about how much I love the combination of words with art.

I am sharing a quick tutorial of how you can create a painted background, and then add the Virtues Words Pocket Stencils by artistcellar on top.

 

SUPPLIES USED

Watercolor

Gouache

Dina Wakley Acrylic Paint

140 lb. watercolor paper

Small round brush

Ballpoint pen

Water

Rag

 

Step 1:

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.)

 

Many Blessings to You,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com