Wish Upon a Star

 I recently joined "A Year of Magic and Fairy Tales," a new magical, creative adventure. This mixed media journey is hosted by Tamara Laporte. There are over 30 guest artists offering a variety of tutorials. I couldn't stop myself, so now I belong to this year long program as well as Awesome Art School with Karen Campbell. I'm going to be so busy! I'm lovin it!

Here's  my first piece "Wish Upon a Star," done with a tutorial by Tamara Laporte. I traced the star and the small figure onto Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper and sketched the trees freehand. I used a Pebeo Masking Fluid Marker over the star to save the white of the paper, while I painted in watercolor. I used the masking fluid for the larger dots and used Holbein Artists' gouache and a Uni-ball Signo Pen for the smaller dots. I painted using three sets of watercolors: Winsor Newton, Jane Davenport and Prima. I tried to use my Liquitex acrylic ink, but I don't have the right colors (I used a couple). I had to substitute my Winsor Newton indigo watercolor for that color in ink. The two local art stores didn't have that color. 

I'm really happy that this piece came out as well as it did.

Challenges: 

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

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

https://cinspirations.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-challenge-anything-goes.html 

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2026/01/morgans-artworld-challenge-96.html 

Bauble Babe

 

This mixed media painting (Bauble Babe) started out as a collage tutorial from Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School. Since, I'm not into collages, but loved this image, I went off on my own.

I used the outline offered, but made a couple of changes to make her my own. I traced her using my Graphgear 1000 Pentel Pencil and Molotow outliners. She is painted with Prima and Jane Davenport watercolors and Holbein Artists' gouache. I used a Uni-ball white pen for highlights and a bit of Posca Pen for earrings. A Prismacolor Pencil helped with her complexion. 

I'm really happy with how this girl came out. It seems like a lot of her was done with what I have learned as a student at Karen Cambell's Awesome Art School. That makes me very happy.

 Challenges: 

https://cinspirations.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-challenge-anything-goes.html 

https://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-2026-happy-new-year.html 

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

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

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: 

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

https://cinspirations.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-challenge-anything-goes.html 

https://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/01/january-2026-happy-new-year.html

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

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

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 

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 

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