Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Twin Houses

 

These blue and red houses were in a two video tutorial by Karen Campbell for her You Tube channels.

 Using my Graphgear 1000 Pentel I followed Karen's drawing lesson in the first of two videos. The second video showed the different techniques of adding color to the drawing. I used Jane Davenport Watercolors, Prismacolor Pencils, a graphite  pencil and several Molotow fine line pens.

Karen plans more drawing tutorials on You Tube for 2026. These are free and so fun, I can't wait to see what's next!

Challenges: 

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Wonky House in Watercolor Pens

 

One of my gifts that I received at Christmas was a set of Gen Crafts Watercolor Brush Tip Pens. I was very anxious to try them out.

I have a wonderful file by Shelley Plum (Plum Loved Art) called Wonky Walls and Tilted Tops. I decided to use my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil to draw #3 onto my Fabriono hot press paper. I colored and patterned with the new pens. I outlined and detailed the patterns in the house using a Micron Pen. I am delighted with the results. The watercolor pens have great color and blend nicely with water.

I have a lot of nice houses to use these great pens on!

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-2026-anything-goes-w-optional.html 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/classic-design-challenge-12-2025-decjan.html 

https://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2026/01/269-january-4-patties-creations.html 

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2026/01/challenge202601-january-anything-goes.html

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Snow Globe in Watercolor

 

I get to paint the most unusual things, because I am a student at Awesome Art School. This "Snow Globe," is an example of something I never would have thought to do. It's a watercolor painting from a tutorial by Karen Campbell. I used her outline, so I could get to the painting quicker. The watercolors I used were Jane Davenport and Winsor Newton. For the additional snow I used Holbein gouache.

I loved working on this piece and learned so much!

Challenges:

https://creativeknockouts.blogspot.com/2025/12/561-december-18-tis-season-polkadoodles.html 

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

 https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/classic-design-challenge-12-2025-decjan.html 

https://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2025/12/268-december-21-polkadoodles.html 

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Rainbow Roost

 



 This "Rainbow Roost," is from Karen Campbell's book "Happy Hooses" and it is her 5th book in the Whimsical Watercolor and How to Draw Series.   

I drew that building on Fabriano 140 lb. hot press paper and outlined the house with a Molotow Blackliner.  I painted the house with Jane Davenport and Winsor Newton watercolors. In addition, I used a Prismacolor pencil to darken some areas and a Gelly Roll Pen for white highlights. I read and followed Karen's tutorial in the book, but used different paint sets than what she used. I love how mine came out!

I've learned so much by coping these wonderful house tutorials!

Challenges:

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 

 https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/challenge-839.html

 https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/classic-design-challenge-12-2025-decjan.html 

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Holiday Boy and Deer


 This "Holiday Boy and Deer" was a wonderful alcohol marker tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School. Karen recorded her live lesson on video for those not able to make the original date. I watched several portions of that video, but drew the scene freehand from the reference provided. I  used my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil in my Ohuhu Marker Pad.

I got ideas for the coloring of the piece from the video and used Ohuhu Alcohol Markers. After the coloring was complete, I used a Micron Pen for outlines, patterns and shading.

 Challenges: 

 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 

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/happy-holidays-from-creative-fingers.html 

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/challenge-839.html 

Sunday, December 21, 2025

More Houses


I recently found artist Shelley Plum, who has a wonderful file on Etsy called "Wonky Walls and Tilted Tops." Now I won't run out of houses to work on! I have lots of new buildings to inspire me to draw and paint. Shelley Plum (PlumLovedArt) is in collaboration with artist Karen Campbell.

I drew this towering building with my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil on Fabriono 140 lb. hot press paper. I outlined and patterned the house using Micron Pens and a couple of Staedtler Pigment liners. I painted it with Jane davenport and Winsor Newton watercolors. 

I love that I can draw and paint my own versions of Shelley's work.

Challenges: 

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/challenge-839.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 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/classic-design-challenge-12-2025-decjan.html 

 

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Tapered Townhouse

 

The challenge of working on the houses in Karen Campbell's book "Happy Hooses," from the "Whimsical Watercolor and How to Draw Series" is so fun." This "Tapered Townhouse," was a challenge, with more details. There are 13 lessons in this book and I'm nearly done!

 I drew this house onto my Fabriano 140 lb. hot press paper and outlined the house with a Molotow Blackliner.  I painted the house with Jane Davenport. In addition, I used a Prismacolor pencil to darken some areas. I read and followed Karen's tutorial in the book, but used a different paint set than what she used.  

I loved this tutorial!

Challenges: 

 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 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/12/classic-design-challenge-12-2025-decjan.html