Sketching With Watercolor

 

 Sketching With Watercolor

Using watercolor for sketching is joyful. It fosters a healthy habit of ease to get your subject on paper quick. Watercolor is more forgiving than many other options I’ve heard many a time. Yes, you can make changes most often. No, your picture is not a onetime hit or miss!

Certain colors are “tints” and yes, those are rather permanent. But when dry, you can paint a darker color over the offending area. There are cleaning sponges made by Mr. Clean that when wet will erase by rubbing areas of a painting.

Using “just-for-kids” Prange watercolor paints, sold in plastic container pallets, are a good way to start. I was an art facilitator for memory impaired seniors, and the seniors made wonderful paintings with the Prange paints!

Choose your “inspiration piece”, a subject sample photo or memory piece, watercolor paper, water bowl, brush and you’re set. Arches watercolor paper is the best grade and takes a good amount of water. Canson watercolor paper does not tolerate that much water, though it’s a good second.

More advantages for sketching with watercolor:
            1) Doesn’t need lots of time
            2) Helps to simplify the approach to the sketch
            3) It’s a study tool to develop a rendering of a subject
            4) It’s a great way to test different techniques
             5) It minimizes the fear of ‘beginning’

It may thrill you to loosen up your painting approach. Many watercolorists love to use it for a loose free flowing approach—myself included.
So, here are a few related tips:
            * Use larger brushes to avoid going for detailing
            * Let the watercolor flow—wonderful things can happen, even encourage it with water spray
            * Simplify your subject for an impression
            * Focus on darks and lights to shape your rendering
            * Leave some white spaces for highlights

 

Links & Supplies:

* Watercolor paper: for example “140lb Arches” is the best for lots of water. Canson is good though tolerates less water. Purchase what you can afford and test it.
* You also might pick up a small travel pallet of watercolor paints for outings, packing light.

Online class links will help you get started & energized:
https://cathyjohnson.info/art-classes/
https://sketchbookskool.com/
https://www.shopalisaburke.com/collections/online-classes 
And Craftsy classes

 

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author writing non-fiction articles, essays, and stories. She is an artist; crafting in textiles, fabric and watercolor.

Author’ Books site: https://healingthrucreativearts.blogspot.com/
Artist’s Blog: https://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Please follow me on Facebook, Pinterest & LinkedIn

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Creativity Grows With The Joys of Sketching!

Creativity Grows With The Joys of Sketching!

The wonder & simplicity of sketching and drawing is that there are no rules!  
Drawing is more detailed and not as free flowing as sketching. It is giving your sketch more form and definition.
Just start with pencil to paper.

Remember, No rules in sketching and drawing! Just add a topic, a subject, or an inspiration—a photo, a mental image, memory, or an idea you just want to try.
Do you have a memory with a mental image you can build upon?
Do you love barns, houses, or buildings? Draw them.
Have issues with perspective? Crooked or wavey is fine!

Do you love nature? Flowers, trees, bushes and ponds are plentiful subjects to attract your hand!
Be a collector of images from magazines, old books, or collage stuffs.
Pull images that motivate and attract you.

Go for it. Grab yourself a sketchbook and let the fun begin!

Some Tips Regarding Supplies:
* I prefer a little stronger/thicker paper for sketching: Try paper with a weight of 90-95lb, or heavier. That way, you can use more than pencils.

* I use mixed media paper because they tolerate a pinch of water, ink pens, markers or micro markers, and colored pencils.

* Purchase an extra sketchbook that is small enough to take with you to the park, on nature walks, or an outing for groceries—sketch a few minutes in the car. In fact, cars are fun shapes to sketch!

How are Sketching & Drawing Different?

So how are they are different when sketching and drawing are parts of the same process?

Many artists start with a sketch, then refine it in their drawing. A sketch captures gestures and proportions with light pencil lines. It is quick, loose, and helps the artist understand or visualize the subject. It’s usually freehand, and a fast capture. We overlook “mistakes” or “something off” in sketches—drawings call for more attention. Sketches are often smaller than a finished drawing.
It’s best to use graphite pencils for sketch shading and erasing.

Drawing is more defined, it is fine line art. It’s a method with details of form—Include shading, texture, color and value. A drawing is often larger than its sketch. Various weights or intensities for pencil shading are used. Colors and watercolors are part of the drawing toolbox.
Sketching Is Studying the subject. Drawing Is Representational.

I find the following pro-points interesting:

Sketching:
            *Assists in understanding the subject and remembering ideas
            *Encourages creativity and brainstorming
            *Teaches seeing your surroundings differently
            *Improves observation skills
            *Develops concepts more thoroughly
 
Drawing:
            *Aids memory improvement
            *Increases focus
            *Relieves stress and anxiety
            *Boosts creativity and problem-solving skills
           

It is interesting with these points of differences in mind to view various images online from the “Urban Sketchers: A Global Community of Artists”. https://urbansketchers.org/ 
Members travel the world “sketching” lots of landmark places together. They mostly start with a rough sketch, then draw and paint as they revise and fine tune their drawings.

I have been taught by several of the members: Mark Taro Holmes, Liz Steel, Stephanie Power. These are all on Craftsy (plus Shari Blanukopf) see: https://www.craftsy.com/my-account/   

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author writing non-fiction articles, essays, and stories. She is an artist; crafting in textiles, fabric and watercolor.

Author’ Books site: https://healingthrucreativearts.blogspot.com/
Artist’s Blog: https://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Please follow me on Facebook, Pinterest & LinkedIn

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www.pinterest.com/deborahlyn7913
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahlyn-stanley-971bb32b7/ 

Creativity and Mindfulness

 

Creativity and Mindfulness
What is it and How will it help me?

Mindfulness is being present, focusing on the here right now, with mental clarity that’s free of past worries, judgements and confusion. It is being ready to go forward, giving yourself time to settle and work things out. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself. We are often overloaded or overwhelmed. Mindfulness is a modifying choice for peace and calm.

Some of the benefits include:
Be encouraged. As you to see what fits add to the list!

1) To improve cognitive abilities
2) To reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
3) To foster a sense of well-being
4) To Help reduce chronic pain
5) To help reduce fatigue
6) To foster creativity (needlework, painting, drawing, journaling, storytelling, knitting, etc.)

Should you become anxious or upset during the day, you can always come back to that calm and peaceful place by focusing on your breathing. Or using some calm stretching exercises, or pray for calm and comfort.

When I am upset, overwhelmed, sad or weeping, I pray and ask God to send me calm and comfort. Believe in God, He is always ready to help.

 

Helpful links:
OhSewMindful is a wonderful way to stitch to calm!  https://ohsewmindful.weebly.com/
Stitch Meditations, Facebook Group

What is mindfulness?
https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/what-is-mindfulness#how-to-practice   
Mindfulness is the practice of gently focusing your awareness on the present moment

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author writing non-fiction articles, essays, and stories. She is an artist; crafting in textiles, fabric and watercolor.

Author’ Books site: https://healingthrucreativearts.blogspot.com/
Artist’s Blog: https://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Please follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn

 

What is an Art Journal?

A Treasure Chest of Fun for your art journal!

What is an Art Journal?

An Art Journal blends both art and journaling. It is your personal space for creative expression!
It is a stress reliever.
There are no rules. No requirements for you to fulfill as you express your ideas.
You can list goals, or what you want to do or learn.
You might choose to draw, doodle, paint or collage in the pages of your Art Journal.

My Art Journals begin as goal keepers and for planning ideas.
I work with fabric, watercolor or collage on paper (often with vintage papers). The fabric pieces, small or large, are called Art Quilts. I particularly love to create silhouettes.
My art buddy and I exhibited frequently.
My Art Journal is a valued place for exploration. A treasure chest of fun!

Make yourself a treasure box of fun, too!

Art journaling is a liberating way to express your creativity, to work through your dreams, and to experiment with new techniques. It can be your special place for exploring!

Your Art Journal is a dedicated place to:
*Work out your thoughts and feelings
*To dream, plan and set a goal path
*To Experiment with new ideas or techniques that inspire you
*To play
*To teach perfectionism freedom instead

 So, Let’s get our supplies together:

A Sketchbook with heavier paper, such as mixed media
A place to hold treasures from a nature walk: leaves, wildflower blossoms, a rock or bark
Acrylic and Watercolor paints
Gel Pens, Markers, Colored Pencils, Watercolor Pencils, Inks,
Magazines, decorative papers, glue sticks, ink pads and stamps

First: Prepare your special place to play and practice being in the moment!

We’ll start with preparing our page backgrounds:
Tear or cut paper pieces or pictures to glue inside the pages of your sketchbook, or
Watercolor paint the pages, (tip: I like to use watercolor paper for wet media), or
     Acrylic paints by applying different dabs of color then rolling across the paper with a brayer rubber roller.
Add Marker designs, notes & text from where you are in the process and ideas for next steps
When dry, add layer upon layer!

             

Helpful Links
I’ve enjoyed these online classes by Alicia Burke :

Online Classes: Alicia Burke:  https://alisaburke.blogspot.com/
https://www.shopalisaburke.com/collections/online-classes
-Ode to Nature
-Field Journal
-Watercolor Blooms
-Acrylic Blooms

Check out Margarete Miller, a grand collage artist:
https://www.margaretemiller.com/   Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MargareteMiller/videos

 

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author writing non-fiction articles, essays, and stories. She is an artist; crafting in textiles, fabric and watercolor.

Author’ Books site: https://healingthrucreativearts.blogspot.com/
Artist’s Blog: https://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Please follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn

Creativity Expands Imagination

 

What is imagination and how do we describe it?
Do we just have it or not? Not really.
Aren’t their different types or degrees of imagination a person uses?

Experts say: Imagination is uniquely human, and relies upon our memories. In addition, imagination is involved in a variety of cognitive processes, such as planning, considering related differences, recollections, and applications for creativity in art or engineering work.

I’m impressed that our memories, both good and bad ones, share a tremendous influence on our walk forward. My hard goal is facing the bad then endeavoring to make it good. Let’s find the positive and use it for healing from now on.

I was discussing imagination with a friend recently, and stated my usual opinion of my barrenness of imagination!
Through our conversation, we both discovered there are at least two classifications of imagination.
1) A practical, logical approach for planning, problem solving, and finding solutions, and
2) A dreamy, fantasy like futuristic or past.
Both investigate “What If's".

                         Everyone has imagination!
Some have careers that foster one type more than the other. Our imagination is on a sliding scale; more this way or that depending on the requirement or situation.

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author writing non-fiction articles, essays, and stories. She is an artist; crafting in textiles, fabric and watercolor.

Author’ Books site:
https://healingthrucreativearts.blogspot.com/
Artist’s Blog:
https://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

Please follow me on Facebook & Pinterest