It’s GIVING TUESDAY! Ever since I ran Operation Write Home as a charity years ago, I’ve appreciated giving so much more than ever. I mean, I always knew organizations needed money. But the idea of running on a shoestring really hit me hard back then—and anything I can do to help other orgs become sustaining so they can focus on the work, not the money. Here’s a little blast from way back in the past:

Whatever your cause and passion, please do go give something today. Set up a regular giving plan with them….I’ve got plans for monthly giving – even tiny amounts – with 4 organizations, and I move heaven and earth to be sure I can cover those. (I even missed my cable bill earlier this year to help keep food going to Ukraine through World Central Kitchen!)

This year, Giving Tuesday’s on one of my YT days. AND it’s my final ful ltutorial for 2023! So I decided to make a bigger push toward getting something ready for today. Late last night I finished getting the files uploaded for a new class, and put the final touches on a page all about CHARITY at art-classes.com ! I hope you can find something to participate in, whether large or small.

Tutorial: Watercolor fiesta (my last video!)

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!

Green Thumb Watercolor: Poinsettia

Another in the Green Thumb series! It’s been added to the Green Thumb Watercolor Sketches class with the sketch – or you can try your hand at sketching your own! I used Indanthrone and Azo Yellow for this one – a bit of a wild combo since Indanthrone like to stay center-stage. Funds generated from this course will benefit the Nature Conservancy. 

Arctic Bear Watercolor

This level 4 Arctic Bear Watercolor class has sooooo many tips in it! I went back in my mind to so many troubles I had as a new watercolorist taking on more than I was ready for. If you have problems, I’ve been there! This isn’t an easy painting by any means, but for those who give it a try, I promise  you’ll learn a lot regardless of how your bear comes out. Funds from this course will support Polar Bears International..

Visit the charity page for more!

The courses launched over all these years are listed on the Charity page, as well as the printables. I’ve added some just for today, in case there’s a class that tugs at your heart too!

Supplies

Green Thumb painting:

1. 1. Saunders Waterford Rough White Sheets ||  High White Sheets 
   2. Azo Yellow
   3. Indanthrone Blue 
   4. Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round 4 
   5. Winsor Newton Kolinsky Sable Series 7 Round #8 
   6. Ampersand Hardbord

Arctic Bear painting:

1. 1. House of Hoffman Palette 
   2. Arches Rough sheets 
   3. Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round 4 
   4. Winsor Newton Kolinsky Sable Series 7 Round #8 
   5. Indanthrone Blue 
   6. Indigo 
   7. Lunar Blue
   8. Jane’s Black (Blue Orange) 
   9. Green Gold
   10. Sap Green
   11. Anthraquinoid Scarlet
   12. Transparent Red Oxide
   13. Cobalt Blue
   14. Incredible Art Board, Grafix 
   15. Artist tape 3/4″ 
   16. Daniel Smith White Gouache 

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Have you wondered how to watercolor a pile of fall leaves in this lovely season?

I’ve been wanting to get out to paint some fall trees — it’s been so pretty where I live! But every time I have time on my hands, it’s pouring rain. And when it’s sunny, I’m swamped and unable to go. So I’m satisfying my itch for fall color by painting some leaves in my sketchbook. Layer by layer!

This is how far I’ve gotten in my Sketchaday Sketchbook….Can I finish it in 2023!?!?!?!

Tutorial: How to watercolor a pile of leaves

The video is in realtime but with so many repetitive steps, a bunch were cut so you can go spend your day painting and not watching more leaves. 🙂

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!

Wet in wet first layer

I dropped color across my sketch in pretty much random order. I only barely targeted leaves, just a few here and there.

Carving with washes

Light washes allow for a slow buildup of layers. But don’t go too light; if you need to “match” a layer below, you’ll just have more and more layers to try to paint right up to an edge. But don’t go super thick either. Practicing in a sketchbook helps figure out how much paint will work, and how much will lead to mud.

Deeper layers

Darker colors — mixed from the very same colors in that first layer (New Gamboge, Anthraquinoid Scarlet, Lunar Blue). Each successive layer covers, typically, less than the layer above, so that smaller and smaller areas get richer and darker.

Final detail

I’ve chosen a few leaves to add a vein, a shadow, or a small detail to—and knocked some more leaves back into the depths with a wash atop them.

The inspiration

Go over to Paint My Photo and download the photo yourself if you like – and try my colors or others! Have fun practicing negative painting.

Supplies

1. Sketch a day by Lake Michigan Book Press 
2. House of Hoffman Palette 
3. Daniel Smith Watercolors:
   1. Hansa Yellow Light
   2. New Gamboge
   3. Anthraquinoid Scarlet
   4. Lunar Blue
4. Artist tape 1/2” 
5. Winsor Newton Kolinsky Sable Series 7 Round #10
6. Winsor Newton Kolinsky Sable Series 7 Round #8 
7. Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round 4 

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Have you heard of ATCs and thought, “Oh that’s just for THAT kind of person.” I’m about to prove you wrong! 

ATCs are Artist Trading Cards. Baseball-sized cards that you trade with someone else or give them away. No selling—and anyone who makes art can make and swap ATCs! Read on to find out a bit more.

Tutorial: What’s an ATC? (And would you like one?)

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!

How long have ATCs been around?

The artist trading card is thought to have started in 1997 when M. Vänçi Stirnemann hosted the first swap in Zurich, Switzerland. Since then these tiny art pieces have been traded all around the world!

ATC details

👍🏻 Each ATC should be exactly 3.5 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide – same as a baseball card. Most are rectangular but some artists do experiment with arched tops, folding flaps, pockets etc. ATCs should have a little weight to them – cardstock, not lightweight paper – but not so much that it couldn’t slip into a clear plastic sleeve made for this size card.

👍🏻 Some artists include interactive parts that fold or swing out of it (think flaps and doors, limbs on paper doll cards, tails on animal cards). 

👍🏻 ATCs can include text like quotes or journaling, stamping, painting, pencil, mixed media, basically anything goes. Make yours a reflection of YOU and your own style. If you do cute, cute is perfect! Grunge? Go for it! Just remember: these aren’t throwaway art. Put your heart into what you share with someone else!  ❤️

👍🏻 ATC cards are often traded inside card sleeves to keep the art safe inside, but the sleeves are not required. (I bought a pack of these because I think it’d be fun to use them as “business cards” when someone buys one of my paintings instead of a printed card.)

There are 3 types of ATCs

1️⃣ One-off – a one-of-a-kind card
2️⃣ Series – a few cards that are on one theme, usually numbered – 1 of 5, etc
3️⃣ Edition – two or more cards that were created to look identical

On the back of an ATC

Include the following, typed & attached or handwritten:

1. Name of the artist
2. Date it was created
3. Title (if it has one)
4. Email or website
5. Any notes like whether it’s part of a series or edition 

If you join a swap

Be sure to thoroughly read the instructions! Some swaps have themes, or require sleeves, or want more info sent with the card.

Our swap at Artventure is pretty straightforward. Fall theme (not halloween), due to the recipient during the week of Nov 12-18. All are welcome – no matter your artistic experience level!

Gratitude Junk Journal Class

Time is running out to get 20$ off in the Earlybird sale of Gratitude Junk Journal class! It runs out Oct 31 – use code HAPPY23 at checkout (ends October 31, 2023 at 11:59pm eastern)!

Supplies

1. Individual sleeves
2. 9-card page protectors
3. PH Martins Hydrus (liquid) watercolor 
4. Platinum Carbon Fountain Pen Ink
5. TWSBI Eco Fountain Pen M
6. Arches Cold Press sheets

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Is it too early to watercolor pumpkins??? I sure hope not; our weather feels like fall this week and I’m totally thrilled with it!

I’ve always been fascinated with the crazy varieties of pumpkins….there are so many colors, shapes, and patterns. The photo reference I found is of Lady Godiva pumpkins, a rare breed, taken by an Austrian photographer.

Tutorial: How to Watercolor Pumpkins

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!

Get a print

Visit Society6 to get a print, framed or not – or a little mini! I’m ordering one for my desk as fall decor.

Vacation starting

I’m heading out on a plane later today to go see mom! Please be patient as I’ll be a bit slow in replying to email and social. I’ve got content scheduled for next week so hang in and enjoy!

Supplies

1. Arches Cold Press sheets
2. House of Hoffman Palette 
3. Daniel Smith Watercolors
   1. New Gamboge
   2. Quinacridone Rose
   3. Cobalt Blue
   4. Lunar Blue
4. Winsor Newton Kolinsky Sable Series 7 Round #8
5. Da Vinci Maestro Kolinsky Sable Round 4
6. Da Vinci Mottler Flat Wash
7. Da Vinci Series 17 Maestro Long Needle, Size 9

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