Reader in Gouache

 

This painting in gouache was inspired by a tutorial by Arteza. I used my Arteza Gouache on my Arteza Gouache Pad. I added a bit of a Molotow liner pen in the red flowers and some white Gelly Roll pen for highlights.

I enjoy finding interesting challenging tutorials and making  small changes to make them mine.

Challenges: 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/11/classic-design-challenge-11-2025-novdec.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/challenge-838.html 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2025/12/december-2025-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/12/december-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html 

Houseplant Hull

 

 I've been working on houses in Karen Campbell's book "Happy Hooses," from the "Whimsical Watercolor and How to Draw Series." This "Houseplant Hull," was fun to work on. There are 13 lessons in Karen's book, I enjoy working on them out of order. I found that I had trouble doing boat reflections, but in time I worked it out for myself!

 I drew this house onto my Fabriano 140 lb. hot press paper and outlined the house with Molotow Blackliners.  I painted this piece using Jane Davenport watercolors. In addition, I used a Prismacolor pencil to darken some areas. I used a damp sea sponge for the plants on the lower deck. I used a red Micron pen for the bits of red on the boat and a Gelly Roll Pen for the white highlights. I read and followed Karen's tutorial in the book, but substituted other paint sets.  

I so enjoy doing these!

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2025/12/december-2025-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/11/classic-design-challenge-11-2025-novdec.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/12/december-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/challenge-838.html

Mabon Maiden

 This "Mabon Maiden," is from a tutorial by Lucy Brydon for Awesome Art School. Mabon is a pagan holiday celebrating the autumnal equinox. She was a challenge and took a long time to get out of the ugly stage!

I followed Lucy's video and drew this beauty using a Graphgear 1000 Pental Pencil in my Ohuhu Marker Book. I used Ohuhu Alcohol Markers, Micron and Staedter liners to color her. I also used a bit of Prismacolor Pencils on her face and a white Gell Pen for highlights.

 I really thought she wouldn't come out of the ugly stage, but I kept going. Boy, was I surprised when I held her up to get a good look!

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-w-optional.html

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2025/11/266-dr-digis-house-of-stamps.html 

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/11/challenge-837.html 

 

Mixed Media Wonky Witch

 

Yes, I'm late for Halloween, but I was busy working on my whimsical houses from Karen Campbell's book!

I didn't want to miss painting some wonderful witches, so here's Lucy Brydon's "Wonky Witch" from her tutorial for Awesome Art School. I followed Lucy's video using my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil in my Canson Watercolor Journal. After that I used a Blackwing Pencil and a blending stump for shadows. I painted this cute witch with Prima watercolors and used a Black Pentel Brush Pen and a Molotow Blackliner for detailed lines. I used a white Gell Pen for more details and highlights.

This was so much fun to work on. 

Challenges: 

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/challenge-312.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-w-optional.html

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/11/classic-design-challenge-11-2025-novdec.html 

https://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com/2025/11/welcome-to-creative-artiste-challenge.html 

 

Skinny Witch in Watercolor

 

I'm late for Halloween, but I was busy working on my whimsical houses from Karen Campbell's book!

I don't want to miss painting some wonderful witches, so here's Karen Campbell's "Skinny Witch" from her tutorial for Awesome Art School. I followed Karen's video using my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil in my Canson Watercolor Journal. I followed that with Jane Davenport watercolors and used a Molotow Blackliner for detailed lines.

This was so much fun to work on. I can't wait to work on Lucy Brydon's witch.

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html

 

Learning to Weave

 

It was Veteran's Day 2025, our granddaughter came to visit. She brought her metal potholder loom, a gift from last Christmas. She had made several potholders, using up all the loops that came with the loom. I surprised her with a large bag of pastel colored loops, enough to make 6 more potholders. She sat at the craft table sorting out the colors she wanted for the next potholder. She chose two shades of purple and started to set up her loom.

 While she worked I explained that I was working on a different type of loom and that clothes and other items she sees every day were made by weaving. Our sweetie liked my weaving, that I was practicing on.

 I mentioned that after I figure this piece out, I could make one for her room in the colors she likes, pinks and purple.

 My weaving is done! When I get yarn to work on hers, I will begin!

Veteran's Day was a good day for the Brooke Family, although our granddaughter and her dad had to leave early. My husband Sandy and I along with our older son Gordon enjoyed an early dinner at Olive Garden!

 

Fall Friend

  This "Fall Friend," is from a drawing tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School.

 I  watched Karen's drawing instructions and using my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil I drew this girl by eye on a New York Central hot press watercolor block. I drew her free hand referring to the reference photo and Karen's tutorial. I like to challenge my drawing skills.

I used Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils to color the girl and used a water-brush to spread the color. I used a Molotow Blackliner for details and outlines. I used a Blackwing pencil and paper stump to shade the girl.

She was a challenge, came out fine and is glued in my watercolor journal!

Challenges:

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/11/challenge-312.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2025/11/november-2025-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com/2025/11/welcome-to-creative-artiste-challenge.html