After making some distress oxide panels in the mini sketchbook earlier this week, I thought I’d try a two page spread in those ink refills. It’s very different to do a small piece vs large – so be careful when you generalize between sizes of art! (Lesson learned!)
Tutorial: Distress Oxide Painting
In the video you’ll see an unboxing of a Dryden Designs pen but don’t buy one! It had a myriad of issues, and when I emailed the company (givig them the chance to send a new working pen) they’ve never replied. So there’s that. I switched to my Peter Pen instead.
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
Tips
The biggest tip is to put as little moisture on this paper as you can! But on other papers you’ll have an easier time since you can use a heat gun to dry it. But in either case, if creating in a journal, having similar colors on opposite pages will lmit some damage.
Gratitude Junk Journal class
These are the samples seen in the video today; only the last one (grapes) will be taught in the class – but you’ll get to learn from lots of other instructors too. Last year was so fun and I hope this year you’ll join in the fun!
Before getting started with the painting today – I filmed a little clip of how I fold/cut/tear a full sheet of watercolor paper! I did that for Instagram recently, and even Arches asked if they could repost it, so, yeah – let’s do that here. I didn’t realize it was something folks didn’t know how to do.
Step 1: fold the sheet in half. Over and over. And over. You don’t need a bone folder or anything, the paper WILL tear easily once you get a good score going.
Then tear it – sideways, not upwards! That’ll give you the best deckled edge without the possibility of tearing into the paintable area. Do that again for each half and you end up with four quarter sheets! I’ll be painting in this lesson on an eighth of a sheet, so I folded one more time.
Tutorial: Watercoloring a peach rose (layering tips)
And now for the painting! This is part 1 of a 2 part series on layering vs glazing….and you can watch the layers develop. See photos below.
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
First pass
The first wash is a light one – very very wet! The lighter you want areas of your painting to remain, the lighter the wash. It’s ok to dab up excess color as needed. It’s even ok if there’s no white left. Here you can see the lightness of the first pass while adding the next one:
Second pass
Adding the next-to-the lightest colors happens in pass 2; below you see that work after it dries, with a few strokes of pass 3 for comparison:
Third (+fourth!) pass
When I’m adding the darker colors, I like to work in some extra-darks while the third pass is still wet. It gives the ability to blend nicely.
Darker details
Since I find contrast irresistable….I had to add some deeper darks with just a tidge the darkest shadows. Can you see the difference it makes in creating depth?
And voilá! All done. Layers are your friend – and can really make a painting stronger and more vibrant, as well as have a lot more depth and dimension!
What questions do you have about layering?
I know that was one of the things I watched closely when going to in-person classes….how different artists apply color into wet paint or over dry. What would you like to know?
Only $7. Seriously. For that amount, you’re not going to get a great firehose of info in one fell swoop from me anywhere else. (I’ll try to keep the firehose from getting you soaked!) Even if you don’t paint treescapes—there’ll be lots of discussion of decision making as you plan your painting, negative painting and how to think through it, and what I call “calligraphy” — adding your own signature to the finished layer of your art.
Can I do this class in another medium?
Sure! Mostly the same process will apply: you’ll create the same layer of lights, add midtones and create the negatively drawn space, and add detail on top. Don’t believe me? Try it. Really. I won’t have time to address what colors you should use, etc, but look at the resource photo in the handout linked below, and pick some out. (I’ll be lightening some of those really dark areas, so just have a variety handy.)
Do I have to watch live?
Nope! You can see it later. You can even register later!
Is this a paintalong?
Sure! Feel free to paint with me. While I’ll be painting a larger piece, you might try a sketchbook first. Try to get a quick representation of the technique, and keep a pen handy to write down what you were going for. I find that a lot easier than trying to paint something that a person who’s painted it before is just zipping along with.
Is there a handout?
Yep! Download it, and I recommend printing the photo in black and white, since we’ll be talking about value. Then use your ipad or computer for the color reference, since most of our printers don’t do a photo justice.
What do I need for supplies?
Bring paper, paints, brushes, and a pencil. Oh and water. Keep it simple! The class page lists supplies I do not use or endorse; if you’re looking for what I do like, feel free to check out the watercolor section of my FAQ page.
You do NOT have to have the colors I use – I’ll talk about a few alternates to mix, but you can totally use what you have. Some colors to think about if you did my swatching exercise below: A yellow-green (I’ll use green gold + phthalo blue turquoise but you can use a hansa yellow with other phthalo blues, or even yellows with other greens), some deeper cool greens (I’ll have cascade green, mixing it with a bit of sap and paynes blue gray maybe), and whatever your favorite grey mix is (mine is cobalt with transparent red oxide or burnt sienna, and sometimes paynes blue gray to darken it.)
This is the same recording of a live video, I just cleaned up the thumbnail from earlier.You can see the full blog post with handout etc here.
And the question that warmed my heart….I am so touched that some of you worry about how I’m doing:
Do YOU get the $7?
Nope. LOL! I receive a flat fee, which could be added to depending on the number of students who register for my class, and how many view it. So your participation could eventually help. But don’t worry about me; I’ll be dandy!
You can join in the fun – go bid on a piece, and if you win you’ll not only get some art in your hands but you’ll be helping Ukrainian refugees. And if you get outbid, please consider donating the amount you do bid to any of the many charities helping in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
Podcast
Recently I shared part 1 of the Etchr podcast….they uploaded part 2 this week too! You can just listen to them on your favorite podcast app (just look for “Make More Art”) or they’ve got a video version on YT. Here are both, fast forwarded to where my sections begin.
Today’s post is a bit different…..I’m heartbroken over what’s going on in our world right now, and this is my little way to help spread joy in the middle of it – and to help make at least a little impact.
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