During the last week, I participated in a fun challenge with Ohn Mar Win.
The prompts were identified to challenge creators to see how extraordinary the ordinary can be. She encouraged us to find items from our homes to inspire our daily artwork - jars of food, worn-down shoes, or that tube of toothpaste that’s almost run out, as well as share stories about them.
She encouraged us to think about how we may feel like we just live ordinary lives, but actually, we all live very extraordinary lives if we practice a little gratitude.
The prompts and my artwork are below. To see all the lovely artwork and interesting stories, you can check out #ohnmar7 on Instagram.
BOTTLES & JARS
COOKIES & BISCUITS
KETTLES & JUGS
CLOTHES
TUBES
SHOES
LAMPS
Shout Out: to Ohn Mar for being a lovely host and creating a fun and engaging challenge!
My StencilGirl® stencils are going on sale for Cyber Monday! This is the biggest sale of the year and the savings are huge. Fill your cart up at stencilgirlproducts.com. Start, or update, your wishlist now! I updated mine. :).
Below is some artwork I created from my latest collection West African Symbols ATC Mixup - a collaboration with the fabulous Wendy Featherston.
Hello Beautiful and welcome! You have arrived at the StencilGirl® Creative Team’s Spectacular Squared-Off Swap Hop.
My piece of art work incorporates beautiful design papers created by some of my StencilGirl® creative sisters: Tina, Claudia, Katie, and Sunila&Aditi!
Before sharing the tutorial, let's talk about your chance to win!!
The more blogs you comment on the more chances you have a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates for stencils from StencilGirl® Products. Comment by May 3, 2019. Winner notified by email May 6th.
Here are the original lovely design pieces I received.
I painted the piece in an art journal that I transformed form a large paperback booklet. I created the journal for a Jane Davenport workshop - Express Yourself. I've been doing my workshop homework in this journal, as well as my homework for another workshop I'm taking - Ady Almanza's Dark is beautiful painting workshop. Below is a painting I did on the cover (inspired by Ady).
This particular face started our as home work for Ady's class. I had previously created the outline.
As I thought about how to use the papers, her hair came to mind - a collage of the papers would give her hair texture, fabulous color and volume. I tore the four designs into smaller pieces and adhered them to my page. I love how the designs add interest and depth to her big hair.
After everything dried, I used color pencils to fill in gaps and used the background paint to remove the black outline.
Next, I sketched in her face with a white pencil and used acrylic paint to add in some highlights, fill in a base coat for her flower and clothing... and here we have "the ugly" stage - or should I say "one of."
After that, it was all about the details - buildings layers, adding highlights and shadows, and of course covering up what I didn't like and re-painting. 🙂So easy to do with acrylic/mixed media supplies.
There's just something about putting color on a page that makes my heart smile and I find a sense of peacefulness. Sometimes I find there's just too much noise coming at me - news, new information, old information, chattiness, my own thoughts, etc... I need to make time to allow my senses to rest...
I am so drawn to faces - big eyes... luscious lips. What makes your heart smile?
Today I'm doing a little drawing therapy. I woke up early to my pencil calling me. :)
Shout Out: Artist who share on YouTube - sharing their ideas, tips, artwork and tutorials AND encouragement to practice. Book Reference: That's All Folks: The Art of Warner Bros. Animation(I just added this to my Christmas list!).
To celebrate, I'm giving away stencils with my new designs!
For a chance to win:
Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you would use the stencils in your artwork.
Leave the comment before June 21st noon USA Eastern time.
I'll pick 3 comments at random (2 USA, 1 outside USA) to receive one large and one small stencil.
Please be sure to include your email address.
I'll post the winners on my blog on June 22nd and also send email.
Enjoy reading through the comments to see all the creativity from around the world!
Now to tell you about the stencils and my artwork today!
I was inspired to create a brush alphabet and fun/positive words stencils because of how versatile letters are. Brush letters add flavor and style to any piece of art work. Letters can be used soft and subtle in the background, they can be used as elements in a focal point - they can be THE focal point! You can use the same letter over and over, or a group of letters that do not even spell a word, yet add interest to your art work. Plus, letters are just plain fun and part of our every day life!
Below is a two-page spread I created - can you feel her confidence!?
Before I get into the step-out tutorial, a video is available for you to see ideas and projects using the stencils.
Now for the step-out tutorial! In my Strathmore 400 Series mixed media journal I started with scribble writing using a Sakura clear gel pen. After it dried, I colored the two page layout with Distress Oxide Inks - direct to paper and also using a round blending tool. Since it was my first layer, I was not too concerned about how smooth or blended it was - just getting down some color.
Next I spritzed water to get that very cool effect that the Oxide inks make. I also used a baby wipe over my Brush Alphabet stencil (L645) to remove color and allow the letters to show through - this technique works best on darker colors.
For the next layer, I used Kristie's Diamond Dot stencil (L539) and a stencil brush to start adding depth and interest with the same three Oxide ink colors.
Added splatters with watered down Silks shimmer acrylic paint - staying with the same color choice.
At this point, I wanted to add some contrast. Using a darker shade in same color family that I already have on the background, I laid down some color. I chose Golden Turquois... so pretty! Before I added color, I added texture. I spritzed Distress Resist Spray in a couple areas through the Diamond Dot stencil (L539). I knew where I wanted my focal point, so I sprayed away from that area. NOTE: Be sure to spray inside a box or contained area and wash your stencil and any tools the spray touches with soap and water right away. The spray is a glue and will stick to everything it touches.
After the spray dried, I lightly stippled and swirled Turquois with a stencil brush over the resist spray. I also added color in other areas through the stencil. I brought in Golden Titan Buff and add a little more color with Oxide inks. I'm still following along in my color scheme.
Now to rough in my focal point - a face, Karen's Cool Attitude Large L613. I think she is fabulous - so confident! I used Golden Burnt Sienna - a darker color so I could easily see the image over my light backgroud. Since I had a lot of area to cover, I broke out my Smudgee to to apply the paint. I drew in a little face detail with a color pencil to envisioning her features and thinking about how I wanted to paint them in.
I started with her hair. To give it some texture, I combined Dylusions (thicker paint) black marble and Tourquois and used a paintbrush, picking up lots of paint and applied over the stenciled area. I filled in the gaps with Turquois. I added highlighted curls of black, Tourquois and Titan Buff with a little wooden stick.
Next I blocked in color in her face - not adding much detail yet, just getting mid tones and shadows in. I used Golden Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna for her skin tone.
I know what you're thinking...I covered up all the beautiful features of her face! No worries - one of the wonderful benefits of stencils is that you can lay the stencil back down in place and add back in her features. Please stay with me through the ugly stage! I'm trusting the process of building layers and imaging what could be...
After that layer dried, I smoothed out the color in her face with a mixture of the Yellow Orchre and Burnt Sienna , and also added some highlights and shadows. At this point, I thought she should have a scarf and I also decided to color her whole head of hair with texture. I'm just going with the flow of my mojo.
I also added words to melt into the background. Placement is so easy with stencils because you can see thorough the stencil to align!
For the impact words, I added a phrase from my These Jeans stencil (L647), coloring in with a Sharpie. I believe this is how we all should feel!
TIPS/Suggestions on using Alphabet/word stencils:
when applying paint, use a dry brush or dry sponge and dab off most of the paint to get crisp lines. If you want a different, more painterly look, use a slightly damp brush or sponge - totally up to you, go for the look you want.
press the stencil firmly to the surface and follow along the letters just as you would if you were writing the words with your handwriting - as with all stencils, be mindful of the tiny bridges that make the connections for the stencil.
use a thin paint brush or same color marker to connect the letters to each other to make them look seamless
if needed, smooth the letters with a thin paint brush or the same color marker
for words/phrases "in the center of an area," count the letters and start in the middle. I actually write them down so I don't get lost along the way. hehehe
for words ending at a specific place, start at the end of the word
I encourage you to take your time, just like with hand brush lettering
have fun!
Here's a photo of the supplies I used during my detail stage, in addition to the supplies I listed above:
Shout Outs: Sending a big THANK YOU and hug to Carol at StencilGirl® Products who is awesome! The background techniques were inspired by one of Vickki's wonderful videos.
I admit I am a LLL - Life Long Learner! I love to take workshops, on-line classes, self-study courses, etc... - all in the spirit of getting better and better. That's one of the reasons I subscribe to Skillshare. They offer so many different types of classes! This week I'm focusing on my face drawing skills and I created a journal just for that. I used spray inks and stencils to create the cover on Bristol smooth. The March StencilClub set designed by MaryBeth helped me create a lovely background. I really dig the thick and thin lines in this design!
To assemble the journal I used discs. This method allows me to easily take the pages out and work on them flat, the journal opens flat, AND it's so easy to add pages and move them around within the journal. For years I've been using the Levenger Circa solution for my day job organization and found them to be a great solution for adding various papers/cardstock (plus the benefits I mentioned above) for journaling. Office Depot now offers a similar solution.
After the ink dried completely, I added a face and one of my favorites words to the front cover, punched holes, and added the discs to complete the journal.
Sharing a couple practice pages from the inside (I also sprayed the inside cover - both back and front).
Shout Out:Gabrielle Brickey does a great job of breaking down the face for drawing!
Playing with faces today! Inspired by James Luke Burke. James and Steve did an awesome video on youtube talking about creativity. I'm using one of James' Face Base stamps and adding my drawing, coloring, and painting.
Today I'm sharing what's on my desk - more sketching, urban style. I cannot help myself... I am learning the techniques, enjoying the colors and growing artistically!
Today I'm sharing my love of good coffee in an illustration. I like my coffee 'like cake' (as Pastor Miller says) - let's put some real cream and some real sugar in it! But then... my blood pressure says, hey you better put some Stevia and almond milk in there instead - and I say, ok. It still tastes good and I enjoy it!
Shout Out: Jane Davenports' neutrals palette is great for coffee! AND her new travel paint brush is fabulous! SkillShare class with Mariya Popandopulo.😀☕🎨
#trenabrannonart #skillshare class with Jane Davenport lovely products. #jdmm #watercolor #coffee #strathmore journal #artjournaling #creamwithmycoffee #lattee #heart #art #drawing #delicious #coffeelover #coffeetime #janedavenportmixedmedia #fabercastell #pittpens #copicmultiliner #copicmultiliners #velvetouch #paintbrush
Have you heard of it?! There's a book and I have a copy! I am so inspired by looking at all the drawings from around the world. Recently, I joined SkillShare and found a class on it and of course I had to take it. :) This is my homework!
Lately, I've been hooked on watercoloring! I had a coupon and picked up Jane's watercolors and ohhhhh ... such luciousness (which I do not think is a 'word,' but fits)! I drew the images with a Copic multiliner and then filled in with color - my favorite part!
I recently saw that ColourArte's Twinkling H2Os will be available in a new formula packaged in watercolor pans. I thought that is a great way to organize them and decided to put all my current small pots into full pans. Well, first I tried half pans - they didn't fit, so I had to go full size. :) I spirtzed them with water and let them sit until they softened and I could transfer them to the pans. Some took longer to soften than others. I put the pans in the tin that I my QOR watercolors came in. The tin fits 63 full pans perfectly. A small piece of self-adhesive magnet on the bottom of each one helps to hold it in place. Saw that tip on one of the many, many... many helpful youtube videos I've seen.
The color chart I made has a thin line of black gesso. I wanted to capture how the H2Os look over black as well as show opacity. On the front of the tin, I dabbed white gesso. After it dried completely, I added the letters with Pitt Pens.
There's a new Community in town - Alcohol Ink Art Community!! I have the honor and pleasure of being a contributor!! I'm so excited to create with such talented artists! When you join the Alcohol Ink Art Community , you get ACCESS to exclusive alcohol ink art resources. The library includes hours of alcohol ink painting lessons, projects, templates, guides and resources for learning to create, share, promote and sell your artwork online! All levels of artist are welcome and encouraged to join!
Here, I'm sharing a piece I did by dripping, tilting, dripping and tilting. Fun, fun, fun!
I used shades of blue (Ranger Indigo, Stream; Pinata Sapphire Blue), a little gold, a little white, a little black (Ranger Pitch Black; Pinata Mantilla Black [the shy one] and two types of blending solution on a piece of translucent Yupo paper.
Whenever I get new supplies, I like to get to know it. The first thing I do with new colors is create a color chart. For my alcohol inks (AIs), I actually dedicated a journal to getting to know my colors and practice techniques. I started with a 9x12" mixed media size journal, and had it cut in half at my local office store - economical nice size pages to work with (learned that from MaryBeth!).
I used a circle die cut and ruler to figure out how many circles I could get on a page, allowing space to write in the colors.
Next, I added a layer of clear gesso over the page. After it dried, I filled the page with circles using an alcohol friendly ink pens - I did not want the ink to smear.
I set up the bottles in color wheel order. I wrote the names, leaving some spaces - room for new colors. :) I used A and P to note the brand. For my Copic and Spectrum Noir ink refills, I use the marker chart I created as a color reference so no need to add them here.
I dripped color, not minding if it blended with the color next to it - actually I encouraged it, as it's one of favorite things about creating with AIs - the blending! NOTES and TIPS: (1) start at the top and work your way down :) (2) you can see how the different colors spread (3) do not open the cap over your color chart :) (4) have a side paper/journal to drip on before you drip on your chart to see how fast it drips (5) because you are working over gesso, you can blot color out while wet (6) have fun and embrace going outside the lines!
On another page I tested various pens and markers from my stash over the ink.
Over the years I have collected many pens and markers - thanks to all the wonderful artists and crafters who post their favorite pens and markers. :) I started with a layer of white gesso. After it dried completely, I dripped, dropped, and blended with finger (which was in a glove). I wrote with a variety of pens and markers. Now, I have reference of how they look over the AIs.
Sharing one last photo of the day - my desk space...this is what happens when I have blank paper and pens/pencils. hehehe
Shout Out: I have learned techniques from and been inspired by some awesome artists: Cathy Taylor, Alexis Bonavitacola, June Rollins, MaryBeth Shaw and many wonderful artist who share their talents via youtube videos. Thank you all!!
I started with a background that already had color laid down from when I cleaned paint brushes off from other projects. I used a variety of stencils, paint, and gesso to create layers of color and design. I printed the digi face I made in Procreate onto regular printer paper, cut it out and adhered it on the page with gel medium.
After it dried, I painted her hair a base color of dark blue, gray and purple. After that, dried I painted her face. I'll just mention, at this point I poured a glass of wine - nothing like wine and journaling. :) I used variety of art supplies for the details in her face. To add dimension to her curls, I used high flow black paint in a Fineline applicator and a paint pen.
One of the reasons I love designing with digis is that you can make the image any size you want - well any size your printer will print out. :) I used one image in different sizes on greeting cards and in my art journal page.
I drew this lovely woman in Procreate on my iPad, inspired by beautiful photos and images I saw on the internet. I just googled head wraps and found hundreds of images.
I inserted the image into Microsoft Power Point, softened her lines, sized her and printed smaller images on cardstock for the greeting cards and a larger image on copy paper for the art journal page. I colored the smaller images with markers.
The greeting card backgrounds are from a variety - purchased design paper, alcohol ink backgrounds I made (click here to see my post for making the one included here), and gelli prints I made (click here to see how I make my gelli prints).
I used matte medium to adhere the larger image on a page in my journal. The background was created using layers of paint and Stencilgirl stencils...
All the Images and Text on this site are owned by the original creator, Trena Brannon. Please do not copy or use anything without asking permission. These projects and stories are shared for inspirational use only. Designs may not be copied for the purpose of publication or contest submissions. Thank you for your support!
