Tiny Tutorial: Sketching and Painting exotic flowers.

I usually paint with regular watercolors, but today I tried using  Luminarte Twinkling H20s. They've got a wonderful sparkle (it's actually mica) in the paints that gives my pages some extra depth and zing.



This is my subject matter. A protea. 

I start, in pencil with a loose sketch.

I inked the 'pollen presenters and style' (see botanical reference here) first, since they are closest to the viewer.

I painted in the center, using a few colors of my twinks (that's what people who use em call them, I'm told). You can see the sparkle!




Here are my pots of color. and below is a video from Marah Johnson on how to prepare and use the paints.


Back to my painting..










This is another type of protea.

My journal pages are composed as I go along. Draw, ink and paint one thing--extra space on the page? Draw, ink and paint something more. Starting with a sketch..













I like it when the image goes off the page...

Look at that sparkle!!

I added the South African flag, because protea are from South Africa (you knew that of course) and finished the page with a little splatter of blue.

It starts with a drawing

Draw, paint, transfer, teabag, trace, color pencil, stitch.






You know, my new DVD could get your started...Just sayin...OR, you could save the $20, and just go to Orvieto, Italy with me in May 2012, and I'll teach you to draw and paint while we're there.  

It's here!

I'm simply thrilled to announce that my brand new DVD From Art Journaling to Art: Drawing, Watercolor, and More Techniques for the Mixed-Media Artist with Jane LaFazio
 is available to order now! You can see a clip of it here .  The DVD covers my approach to sketching & watercolor: journal style, the materials I use, the way I finish off the page with borders and journaling, plus a chapter on ways to use your own sketchbook images in your mixed media work.
I can't wait to hear what you think of it! Please let me know!

Everyday Objects Tell My Story

If you've been following along, you know I've been working on a series of sketchbook pages with the theme of everyday objects. And you know I started a fabric piece, in the way I work doing one piece at a time.

It's complete! It measures 34 x 15.5" and frankly, I'm quite pleased with it.
(I know you're going to ask, I got the giant safety pins here.)

Notice the teeny tiny buttons I sewed in the lace.















My art consultants, as I was working on the piece.

A Saturday afternoon well spent.

Did I mention my new favorite book? Yes, I did, it's Playing with Books by Jason Thompson.

Yes, that's my Collage Fabric Vase, it looks good with anything!
              


All these projects are from "Playing with Books". I tinted the paper buds with jasper red from Luminarte Twinkling H2Os. (You can get more ideas for Luminarte products here.)


  
I had some strips left over, so I made a bow.



More strips!



Found a home for my Kusudama flower. I'm going to make more of these.

Then I tackled the house. Now, I think I'm pretty good at folding, but this house was a bit of a coordination challenge--I resorted to glue at the end. My father taught me origami, so it seems appropriate that I'm using a cookbook of his to make these paper projects.

I love my spring flowers and do want to build a village of houses!
(That's a Cathy Cullis piece, in the frame, and a corner of a quilt by Cas Holmes.)

New Ipod

I got my very first Ipod the other day. They are so tiny, I was sure I was going to lose it. So, inspired by Kelli Nina Perkins, I made myself a little pouch to wear around my neck.

Rosehips

Remember my rosehips photos. I got over to the winery to paint them this week. But they were so high, I had to pick them. (my bad, I know)

Hope you enjoyed the Tutorial Spring from my friends and I. I've posted all my tutorials here, incase you need another learning opportunity!