Mermaid in Copic Markers

 

Karen Campbell (of Awesome Art School) was inspired to design this lovely Mermaid tutorial by Jenny Manno, another noted artist.

I found this tutorial on Pinterest. I drew this mermaid on X-Press It Blending Card, instead of the Bristol paper and colored it with Copic Markers. I also replaced the black Sharpie with Micron Pens to go over the outlines.

I'm always happy to get to use my Copic Markers for colorful drawings!

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

 https://thefairyandtheunicornchallenge.blogspot.com/ 

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/076c5aa6f6694aefb4d5852a1d6d503d

Girl with Red Cap

 I found this girl on Pinterest. It was a line drawing by Cameron Mark. I used mostly Prismacolor Pencils and a bit of Faber-Castell Pitt Pen in my Strathmore Toned Tan sketch book.

I enjoy drawing in my book and using Cameron Mark's work for a reference.

Challenges:  

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

Magical Mind

 

After taking a quiz at Awesome Art School, I won this wonderful lesson "Magical Mind." It was a fabulous lesson by Karen Campbell, done in my Strathmore Toned Tan sketch book. I love working in that book on the tan paper.

I used several different types of pencils and pens in both black and white using the tan paper for the skin tone on this lovely fairy.

I hope to do more of these lovely fairies in my toned tan book.

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://thefairyandtheunicornchallenge.blogspot.com/ 

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/076c5aa6f6694aefb4d5852a1d6d503d

https://alessandrasangels.blogspot.com/2023/12/challenge-77-challenge-76-winner-top.html 

 

Rosetta Fairy in Watercolor

 

This is Rosetta Fairy from a tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School. I've always loved red hair. In the summers when I was a kid, the sun bleached my hair and years later, I dyed my hair on purpose.

I painted this fairy with Jane Davenport watercolor tubes on Canson 140 lb. watercolor paper. I used a Micron 01 pen for the lines and a Gelly Roll 08 for the highlights.

Rosetta was so fun to paint!

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://alessandrasangels.blogspot.com/2023/12/challenge-77-challenge-76-winner-top.html 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/12/classic-design-challenge-december-12.html 

https://thefairyandtheunicornchallenge.blogspot.com/ 

https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/076c5aa6f6694aefb4d5852a1d6d503d 

Whimsy Gnome and Owl

 I enjoy the stress relief, that I get from working on Diane Antone's tutorials. I painted this Whimsy Gnome and Owl with Winsor Newton Cotman tube watercolors. I used a Micron 01 Pen for outlines and a bit of detail. The additional white detail is from a Gelly Roll Pen and the dots on the red mushroom are from Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White.

Cooler temps are in in sunny Florida and here's this fall scene! I can feel it??

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/12/week-758.html 

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/12/morgans-artworld-challenge-12.html 

Sad Expression #100funfabfaces #18

 This Sad young lady is part of the #100funfabfaces challenge from Awesome Art School, a tutorial by Karen Campbell. I used Faber-Castell Pitt Brush Markers on Bristol paper. I used a bit of a Gelly Roll pen for the highlights.

I love the way this girl came out! Fun in Awesome Art School!

Challenge:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/12/week-758.html 

We are Stardust

 

This dreamy mixed media painting is from a tutorial by Tamara Laporte.

I used Jane Davenport watercolors on Fabriano hot press watercolor paper for "We are Stardust." I used a Gelly Roll pen for highlights and some stars and Master's Touch metallic watercolors for shinny yellow stars.

I enjoyed working on this piece, as I always do working on a tutorial by Tamara Laporte!

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html 

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/12/morgans-artworld-challenge-12.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/12/week-757.html 

Girl on Toned Paper

 

This girl came to be in my Strathmore Toned Sketch book, from a tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School.

I used a mixture of Prismacolor Pencils,  Chinese Markers and Posca Pens to shade her. I did the details in her face and hair with Faber-Castell Pitt Pens and a white Gelly Roll Pen.

I'm really happy with how this girl came out and I will continue to look for more projects like her!

Challenge:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/12/morgans-artworld-challenge-12.html 

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/12/week-757.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html 

Woodland Mushrooms

 I painted this beautiful woodland mushroom scene from a tutorial by Diane Antone. I used Winsor Newton Cotman tube watercolors on a piece of Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. It will be a lovely addition to my greeting card collection.

Challenges:

  https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/week-756.html 

https://outlawzchallenges.blogspot.com/2023/10/november-2023-linky.html 

How do I love thee?

I printed a script stamp over this page and then printed and colored some flower and butterfly stamps.

I added some small black dots and blue ones with liner pens.
 

Just a fun design leading to a small but lovely mini art journal page.

Join the challenge at Crafting from the Heart where anything goes!

https://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 

Challenges: 

https://outlawzchallenges.blogspot.com/2023/10/november-2023-linky.html

https://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/ch-117-anything-goes-positive-with-opt.html 

https://alessandrasangels.blogspot.com/2023/11/challenge-76-challenge-75-winner-top.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/week-756.html 

 

She's Worried #15 of #100funfabfaces

 

This Worried young lady is part of the #100funfabfaces challenge from Awesome Art School, a tutorial by Karen Campbell. I used Faber-Castell Pitt Brush Markers on Bristol paper. I used a bit of a Gelly Roll pen for the highlights.

I'm really happy with the way this girl came out! Fun in Awesome Art School!

Challenge:

  https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/classic-design-challenge-november-11.html 

https://theoutlawzchallenges-saturday.blogspot.com/2023/11/october-winner-and-top-picks.html 

https://outlawzchallenges.blogspot.com/2023/10/november-2023-linky.html 

Elf in the Wilderness

I

 I loved creating this profile in Copic Markers and look forward to working with these more often! This is Elf in the Wilderness from a tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School.

I used Micron Pens for the outlines. This piece came together so nicely on Bristol paper. 

Challenges:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://alessandrasangels.blogspot.com/2023/11/challenge-76-challenge-75-winner-top.html 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/classic-design-challenge-november-11.html 

Funky Mixed Media Portrait

 

Karen Campbell filmed this Funky Mixed Media Portrait for a tutorial on Youtube. She demonstrates how to use various supplies all in one piece of art. She refers to a picture taken from Pinterest.

 It was fun following Karen using Canson 140 lb. watercolor paper, Jane Davenport watercolors, assorted pens and Carand'ache Crayons. I don't have the green ink for a background, but the green crayon from the Carand'ach set works well blended with a wet brush.

Challenges:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/week-755.html 

https://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2023/11/218-beccys-place.html 

 

Marilyn in the Elegant Writer

 

This tutorial by Bryn Nguyen for Awesome Art school came out so cool! Marilyn Monroe is a favorite of my husband Sandy. He collects books and photos of her. I gave the piece to him early framed in gold for Xmas. I couldn't wait!

The whole bottom part of this picture was done with an Elegant Writer Pen and water. The rest of Marilyn was done using a variety of pens. I took the reference photo and put it in a program, which I found on line to change it into a line drawing. I used my light pad to transfer those lines onto Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper.

This was a fun project at Awesome Art School.

Challenges:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2023/11/217-mirtillamente.html 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/classic-design-challenge-november-11.html 

Woodland Scene

 

I enjoyed painting this Woodland Scene from a tutorial by Paul Clark.

I transferred the line drawing offered onto my Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, using my light pad. I painted this scenic beauty with Winsor Newton Cotman tube watercolors. I used the General's Pastel Chalk Pencil to add grass to the scene and a bit of Winsor Newton gouache for the highlights. I'm especially proud of how this Woodland Scene came out.

Challenges:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/11/morgans-artworld-challenge-11.html  

https://art-journal-journey.blogspot.com/2023/11/nature.html

In Honor of Veteran's Day!

I would like to share with you the two men I know and the experiences they had during WWII. This story was written sometime ago and some of it was printed in a national magazine.Here it is, the whole story!
Two Views of World War II
 by Carla Brooke

For just about as far back as I can remember the camera has always been an important element in any events occurring in my family.  Whether it be my first steps or simply a beautiful panoramic view, my father recorded it for all the world to see and admire.
Before I came along dad had plenty of resources for his camera work, for he was stationed in New Delhi, India, as an Army radioman during World War II.  He was considered quite a shutterbug around his base, always on the look out for that great photograph.  While looking dad acquired a good deal of knowledge of the area and was assigned to drive high-ranking officials throughout the provinces.  Many shots taken on these trips later became award-winning photographs in the years following the war.

I recently discovered that my father was not only a wonderfully talented photographer, but a skilled writer as well.  The evidence of this is in the original copy of a story he wrote while on board a ship returning from World war II and illustrated with his own black and white pictures of the soldiers returning home after 33 days at sea.
Here is the original story by my father, Jack Gutstein.



THE PICTURE THAT GOT AWAY
I and about 700 other G.I.’s, were passing our thirty-third day at sea.  Our ship, The General Bliss, was now steaming serenely through peaceful waters, heading for San Francisco.  The Far East was now but an unpleasant memory.  The dangerous passage through the mine-infested Makassar Straits had become a mere passing incident, as was our stop-over in Guam.  Perhaps, there still lingered some impressions of the havoc wrought by war on Manila and Manila Bay; Corregidor, and Bataan, where the marauding Huks hunted, and were hunted, in those far-off green hills.  Gone were those frustrating hours spent in seeking calmer waters so that an appendectomy might be performed upon one of us.  Fragments of the resentment we felt for the poor chow and the bilge in the water lockers were fast melting in the warmth of the sun.

An air of expectancy, an electrical tension seemed to have charged the atmosphere around us.  The hubbub of voices dwindled slowly into silence.  It was a profound silence, but it spoke volumes as faces turned to look upward toward the crow’s nest.  Feet shuffled, someone coughed, a bell sounded somewhere.  Then the silence closed in again.  Only the gentle lapping of the swells along the sides of the ship punctuated the silence.

Then, land ahead!  The cry crackled and whipped throughout the ship.  It was picked up, relayed and relayed again.  Land ahead!  It traveled from prow to stern and amidship faster than here I can possibly tell about it.
Seven hundred G.I.’s then tore away all restraint.  As if ordered by some prearranged command, we started to climb.  Up and over the forbidden top decks we went.  Over the bridge and into the rigging climbed an eager brown horde.  In minutes every high point of vantage held its’ quota of men.  Again faces turned in unison, this time to peer intently toward the eastern horizon toward land, toward home.

Callously, I brought my camera to bear upon some of the faces around me.  The first face I focused upon disturbed me.  With the second, I found myself lowering the camera gently to my side.  Guiltily I looked about me!  I felt as though I were a trespasser.  As though I were violating the innermost privacy of each of the men I chanced to scrutinize.  On these faces were painted pictures of joy such as I have never before witnessed.  All about me moistened eyes told the story.  Here, campaign-hardened veterans, from the fetid, stinking jungles of Burma, the desert of India and other black holes of the orient, were standing unmasked for all to see.
Gingerly I changed position.  Eagerly, I let my eyes strain forward, my being filled with an explosive mixture of emotions.  Spontaneously, I joined in the wild cheering when we sighted the Golden Gate Bridge.  We were home.

Photography isn’t just limited to my side of the family.  My father-in-law, Anthony Brooke Sr., who caught the camera bug from his father, Arthur Brooke (a photographer in World War I), was born in Los Angeles, but grew to his mid-teens on a farm owned by his grandparents in England.  His parents, British subjects, were separated.  The farm is where young Tony became “fascinated by motion pictures and always wanted to be a cameraman,” he told me.

In 1938 my father-in-law rejoined his mother in New York and in 1943 married Marjorie Sugerman.  By the time my husband Anthony Brooke Jr. was born the following year, Tony was in a foxhole in Normandy.  He had been drafted in 1943, just when film director George Stevens began assembling the Special Coverage Unit of the U.S. Army Signal Corps.  As part of  “the Stevens Unit” or “the Hollywood Irregulars,” Tony became part of the small camera teams who moved from army to army covering the major events of the war.   Tony’s unit was based in London and “assigned like any news team.”  On D-Day he recalled, “the roar of thousands of planes overhead, bound for French targets.”

He started shooting the Canadian units at Gold Beach in Normandy, who met with little resistance, compared with the fierce fighting on Omaha Beach.  From there he was on his way to Paris with Gen. George Patton.  Once there he had incurred Patton’s wrath, when Tony replaced a carbine he carried with a pearl-handled pistol.  Patton, a stickler for rules, spotted the pistol and glared at Tony.

On the way to Germany, Tony shot a documentary on the second battle of Dunkirk, where German troops had breached the sea wall, surrounding themselves with water.  Czech troops fighting in the Allied cause surrounded the Germans and Tony filmed the siege until the Germans surrendered.  For this Tony won the Czechoslovakian Medal of Merit.  He went on to film the horror of the Nazi concentration camps and his final assignment was covering the Potsdam Conference, where President Truman, British Prime Minister Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin were deciding the shape of the post war world.

My father-in-law Tony Brooke won a Bronze Star for having “moved forward with advanced elements of United States troops in order to obtain more spectacular photographic coverage.”  He also got a commendation from Gen. Eisenhower as a member of the Special Motion Picture Coverage Unit.


Back in the States Tony became a union member which won him work as a skilled cameraman.  He worked for many years shooting television commercials and also helped to shoot several major motion pictures, before retiring to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

My husband Anthony Brooke Jr., who was stationed in Alaska during the Vietnam War, is a retired motion picture cameraman, who also shot many, many commercials and movies, now takes pleasure in digital still photography.  Sandy’s photographs have found their way into many newspapers, magazines and several art shows.  Photography continues to be a major focus in my family.

Aqueduct in Watercolor

 This painting is from a tutorial by Paul Clark and inspired by John Sell Cotman. Clark painted the piece in Winsor Newton Cotman watercolors which were named after artist John Sell Cotman.Clark used a black and white photo in a book showing Cotman's work, but painted using those watercolor paints. I also used Winsor Newton Cotman watercolor tubes on an Arches 140 lb. cold press block to paint this piece.

Challenges:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html 

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/11/morgans-artworld-challenge-11.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/week-753.html 

Elizabeth - #100funfabface Challenge #1

 I am enjoying the #100funfabface challenge in the Awesome Art School. I went to look for more enjoyable tutorials and found Fun Fab Face # 1 for drawing and coloring using Copic Markers. I plan to do more Copic Marker work!

I used my Copic Markers and Micron Pens on X-Press it Blending Card, following Karen Campbell's fabulous tutorial. It was a pleasure. I named this piece Elizabeth, she looks like Elizabeth Taylor to me! Anyway it's so much nicer than naming her for a head of lettuce!

I am lovin what I get to do in these classes at Awesome Art School

 Challenges:

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/11/week-753.html

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2023/11/challenge-265.html 

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/11/morgans-artworld-challenge-11.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/11/november-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

Beauty in Simplicity Mini Page

 

This page came about with a simple leaf practice combining Jane Davenport watercolors with Finetec Pearlescent Colours.

I used a Tim Holtz idea-ology sticker comment at the top of the page. 

Just calm relaxing design lead to a small but lovely mini art journal page.

Try a simple design and join the challenge at Crafting from the Heart. https://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/challenge-7.html

 

Challenges: 

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/week-752.html

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/challenge-264.html 

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2023/10/216-leanns-world-101.html

Woodland Nymph

 This Woodland Nymph drawing is from  tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School.

I drew this image with a Graphgear 1000 Pentel mechanical pencil, following a wonderful tutorial by Karen Campbell, in my Toned Tan paper sketch book. I also had the printout of the finished image beside me to refer to.

I used a variety of drawing pens: Faber-Castell Bush Pitt Pens, Micron Pens, and a Sharpie white Medium Paint water based pen.

I really happy with this finished drawing and look forward to more.

Challenges:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

  https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/crafty-catz-challenge-655.html  

http://cck-digitalstamps-challenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/ching-chou-kuik-digital-stamps.html 

https://worldwidecrafterscoloristschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/worldwide-crafters-and-colorists_01825094718.html 

Lily and Grandfather Munster

 

I really enjoyed working on these two sketches of Lily and the Grandfather Munster from Karen Campell for Awesome Art School.

They were drawn using Faber-Castell Brush Pitt Pens, Micron Pens, and a Sharpie. There is a bit of Gelly Roll Pen for highlights.

I never would have thought I could sketch these, without the lessons I learn at Awesome Art School.

Pumpkin and Peonies

 

This watercolor painting is from a tutorial by Sarah Cray on Instagram. This is my second version, which is my best of the two. Usually when I try to paint something twice, it doesn't work out!

I used Jane Davenport watercolors, as well as Winsor Newton Cotman tubes on Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper,

I can't wait to frame this piece!

Challenges:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/classic-design-challenge-october-10_01315010832.html  

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/crafty-catz-challenge-655.html 

Uncle Fester

 This is Uncle Fester from a tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School.

I used Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens, Micron Pen and a bit of a Sharpie to color this guy!

I'm not so sure this drawing looks like Uncle Fester, but he does have a very interesting face!

Wednesday and Morticia Addams

 

For Wednesday and Morticia I followed the tutorial by Karen Campbell for Awesome Art School.

I used Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens and a bit of a Micron Pen.

Window Line and Wash

 

                                                                   

 This lovely window is from a tutorial by Karen Campbell for the Awesome Art School.

                

                                                            Reference Photograph
                                                                                

I used Kuretake Watercolors on New York Central Art Supply Watercolor Block of 140 lb. Hot Press paper.

I used a Micron (01, 05, 03) Pens for the drawing and put in highlights using a white Gelly Roll (10) Pen. 

Challenges:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/classic-design-challenge-october-10_01315010832.html  

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/crafty-catz-challenge-654.html 

Gather a Picnic

 

I really love this 5x7" painting, but at one point, I really hated it! It was painted around midnight!

This piece is from a tutorial by Sarah Cray for Let's Make Art. I loved the picture and wanted to paint it, but I am not a fan of stripes. So when I transferred the outline to my watercolor block, I left the stripes out. When I realized that I needed them, it was too late to trace. So I drew a few and painted the rest. As I followed the tutorial I began to enjoy it and couldn't put the paint brush down!

I painted those stripes too dark and made them lighter by wetting them and wiping them with a paper towel. I loved the piece later, but realized that wiping the stripes, also wiped the shadows. I painted the shows back in around the basket and still love the painting.

I used Jane Davenport watercolors on a New York Central Art Supply watercolor block  (140 lb.).

Challenge:

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/crafty-catz-challenge-654.html

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/classic-design-challenge-october-10_01315010832.html 

The Addams Family Begins!

 After drawing Lurch by eye, I drew the Addams Family house after watching the beginning of the tutorial. I drew it from memory. So cool to be able to leave the tutorials behind and draw on my own! The drawing skills I left in New York came back!

Blue/Green Door

 This charming door is from a tutorial by Karen Campbell for the Awesome Art School.

                                                                    Reference Photograph

I used Kuretake Watercolors on New York Central Art Supply Watercolor Block of 140 lb. Hot Press paper.

I used a Micron (01) Pen for the drawing and put in highlights using a white Gelly Roll (10) Pen. 

Challenges:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html 

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/crafty-catz-challenge-653.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/10/morgans-artworld-challenge-10.html 

Bearded Iris in Watercolor

 

This lovely Bearded Iris flower is from a tutorial by Sarah Cray for Let's Make Art.

I transferred the outline of the flower onto my Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper,  using my light pad. I painted this flower using Winsor Newton Cotman watercolor tubes. This lovely flower was a pleasure to paint, using my new Silver Black Velvet brushes! 

Challenges: 

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html 

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/crafty-catz-challenge-653.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/10/week-749-vintage.html 

 

Derby Hat Girl

 

I had to see if I could draw the Derby Hat Girl, after seeing her on Pinterest. I love hats! I drew her in my Strathmore Toned Tan sketch book, which I really enjoy working in!

I used a few different art supplies to do this piece. I used Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens for her face and flowers. I did her hair and hat with Prismacolor Pencils. I used a Gelly Roll (08) Pen for the highlights.

If I had not joined the drawing club at Awesome Art School, I would never have thought I could draw so well.

Be Like the Ocean

 I couldn't wait to begin this wonderful mix media tutorial by Natalie Mecham for Life Book 2024 Taster Session. I live 7 miles from the beach.

I loved working on the girls. The details took me awhile. I learned a lot and got to use techniques that I thought I forgot.

I used Jane Davenport watercolors on Fabriano 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper. I used several Prismacolor Pencils and a few Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens, as well as a fine line pen. I used a Gelly Roll Pen for a bit of highlights and a natural sponge with white acrylic paint for waves crashing on shore.

I am so happy with this finished piece, that I have already framed and put it on the wall!

I hope to find more of Natalie's tutorials to work on in the future!

Challenge:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html  

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/crafty-catz-challenge-652.html

https://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.com/2023/10/challenge-06.html 

Autumn Whispers Fairy

 

I was so happy to see Tamara Laporte's tutorial the first day of Life Book 2024 - Taster Sessions was Autumn Whispers.

I painted this lovely fairy with Jane Davenport watercolors on 140 lb. Fabriano hot press watercolor paper. I used Liquitex Acrylic Ink in her hair bringing out the red in it! The heavy black black in her hair and around her face is the Stabilo All pencil. I used Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White for highlights and a Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen for a bit of detail.

I also learned to print the leaves from my tree with watercolors. I used them over the watercolors on her top and in the background.

I learned a lot as I always do when I paint a tutorial from Tamara Laporte.

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html 

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/week-748.html 

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/crafty-catz-challenge-652.html 

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/10/october-2023-anything-goes.html 

Out of Limitations Comes Creativity

 To design this min page I played with a variety of watercolors and added some lines and patterns with fine line markers. I added metallic watercolor leaf shapes.

Challenges:

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-262.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/week-747.html 

Blue Heron in Watercolor

 

 

 

 While my husband Sandy was out of town with our sons, I chose to paint a Blue Heron. My husband is crazy about birds and it was a birthday surprise for him.

This piece is from a tutorial by Sarah Cray for Let's Make Art. I just knew, this would be the perfect gift for my husband. I used Jane Davenport watercolors on Canson 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Well he came home from the baseball game and saw the painting of the Blue Heron and loved it.

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html 

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-262.html

https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/week-747.html 

Boy on Beach a Watercolor Painting

 

As soon as I saw the tutorial by Paul Clark, "Boy on Beach," I knew, I had to paint it. I decided to make it into a birthday card, for my husband Sandy. We have two wonderful grown boys. Back in the day, we would often get up early and drive to the New Jersey shore. Our kids loved the water.

I transferred the template offered to Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper, using my light pad. I painted the youngster with Winsor Newton Cotman watercolor tubes and used a pastel white pencil for the white highlights.

My hubby Sandy was delighted with this card!

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html 

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-262.html 

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/crafty-catz-651-atg-watercolor.html 

The Sultry Face in Copic Markers

 

Several months ago, I joined the Awesome Art School's Fun Fab Drawing Club. I wanted to improve my drawing skills and learn about new art supplies and techniques. I haven't regretted it! Since joining I have learned so much and enhanced my skills.

Since June I have been participating in the Expression Sketchin Challenge, within the drawing club. This challenge has truly taught me so many new techniques and skills.

Here's the latest Face, the Sultry Expression. I learned to draw the face at a new angle and work on it using my Copic Markers on Bristol Paper.My Copic Markers are getting old and I don't have all the colors. I went with what I have. I'm really glad I did. I used a Faber-Castell black Pitt Artist Pen for lines and details and a Gell Roll Pen for highlights. It was an outstanding learning project, taught by Karen Campbell owner of the Awesome Art School.

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html 

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-543.html 

https://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-05.html 

Gold Hearts

I was so very happy with my last whimsical girl, that I had to have a try at another. I'm enjoying the wonderful line drawing, that I find on Pinterest to inspire me. I can draw a likeness of these girls and then make changes to them, making them my own. This girl was inspired by one done by Sophia Silva. I love populating my Strathmore Toned Tan Sketch Book with these lovely girls.

I draw the girls with my graphite pencil and use Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens for lines and color. I used a Gell Pen for highlights and her earrings are colored with a gold Posca Pen.

I hope you enjoy my newest whimsical girl, I know I do. I'll be enjoying more of these girls!

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html 

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-9-sep-2023-anything-goes.html 

https://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-05.html 

French Girl

 

I've really enjoyed copying the work by Cameron Mark. I decided to change her eyes and now my husband thinks she looks like Jackie Kennedy!

Here's Cameron Mark's original work: 

I love my version of this lovely girl done with Prismacolor Pencils. I used a Gelly Roll pen for a bit of white in her eyes and mouth. This fun portrait was done in my Stratmore Toned Tan sketch book.

Oh, I love hats!

 

 

 

3/4 Portrait in Watercolor

 This lovely girl is from a tutorial by Lucy Brydon for Awesome Art School!

The lesson began with learning to draw the girl on scrap paper and then using the lightpad to transfer the lines onto Canson 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. I painted the girl with Jane Davenport watercolors.

I had never done this type of portrait and I'm so happy with the result!

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html 

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

https://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-9-sep-2023-anything-goes.html 

https://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-05.html 

Braids and Blue Bowes

 
 Finally a completely successful drawing of a young whimsical girl, inspired by a line drawing by artist Tonmoy Sarker.

I drew this face in my Strathmore Toned Tan sketch book and colored it with Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens. I do find these pens hard to use, but worth making the effort to use them. Some highlights in the hair were done with a Gelly Roll pen.

I am delighted with this little girl!

I feel strongly, that if I had not decided to join the Fun Fab Drawing Club at Awesome Art School online, I would not be drawing at this level. As an art teacher, I felt I was born to teach art. I had some skills and enjoyed learning more. When I retired and moved to Florida, it seemed that some of my drawing skills were left behind. I eventually began taking painting lessons online and then discovered Awesome Art School, where I enjoy learning more and enhancing my skills. Thank you, Karen Campbell!

Challenges: 

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/09/morgans-artworld-challenge-9.html

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/classic-design-challenge-september-9.html  

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

Feelings in Mixed Media

 

This young lady is from a Youtube tutorial by Tamara Laporte. Being a bit down, it helps to use the down time to create. I know that very well. This girl is so beautiful, I love the style and hope Tamara feels better. She is an inspiration to so many!

I painted this girl using Jane Davenport watercolor, acrylics, India Ink, a gell pen, and some chalk panstel pencils and a Micron Pen.

Feel better Tam. I look forward to some more colorful tutorials!

Challenges:

 https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/09/morgans-artworld-challenge-9.html 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/classic-design-challenge-september-9.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html

Soulful Butterfly

 This is the second day of the Art Soul Gathering 2023, hosted by Ida Lang. I chose to work on this wonderful butterfly from a tutorial by Tamara Laporte.

My piece was a definite challenge. I decided to use my highly pigmented Jane Davenport watercolors. on Fabriano hot press 140 lb. watercolor paper. As a result the light wash effect was lost and I couldn't find the lines of the veins on the butterfly's wings. So I went with the flow telling myself it's just the ugly stage!

When I started using my white gell pen for the lines on the wings and the white Sharpie marker for the outline the butterfly began to show its beauty. I add more detail with the white gell pen and a black Faber-Castell brush pen.

I couldn't wait to work on this butterfly. I love all of Tamara's tutorials.

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-purely-anything-goes.html

https://morgansartworld.blogspot.com/2023/09/morgans-artworld-challenge-9.html 

https://classicdesignchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/classic-design-challenge-september-9.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html 

Adventure Awaits You, a Mini Journal Page

 To begin this page, I sprayed Ranger Distress Qxide over a stamped script and let the design dry. I followed that with two cactus stickers and a pair of boots.

I hope to see you in the just for fun challenge at Crafting from the Heart, which accepts anything except cards!

https://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 

Challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2023/08/august-2023-anything-goes-w-optional.html

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2023/08/august-2023-anything-goes-woptional.html 

https://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2023/08/challenge-8-aug-2023-anything-goes.html