Little Bird On Branch Watercolor Painting

 Hello friends!  It has been a while since I've been posting here.  It's a long story, but I will sum it up with one word..... LIFE.

But, I am back, and I've been making art.  Watercolor, pastels, pen and ink, line and wash, colored pencil, and drawing/sketching, along with Zentangle.  

This is my latest watercolor.  I created it in a paint-along/tutorial by Kathy with Sunset Peonies.  Here is a link to Kathy's blog/tutorial https://sunsetpeonies.com/spring-bird-on-pink-blossom-branch-watercolor-paint-along-tutorial-demo/

I found Kathy's style very relaxing, and her instructions were clear and very well conveyed.  She is an amazing teacher, and extremely talented artist.  I plant to take more of her tutorials.

I used Daniel Smith watercolors, on a Canson XL watercolor pad for my journal.

I will be painting more birds for a while, trying to build my technique.  Practice is the key, so the more birds I paint, the better I should get.

I will be posting here again, so if you are still with me, I hope you will come back. I will post some of the other work I have been creating.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings,

lynda joy 

Watercolor Poppies With Boku Undo ESumi Watercolor Palette

 Hello friends!  It is a lovely day today, so I am heading out to my garden shortly to start my 'fall garden pruning and cleanup.'  But first, I wanted to post this watercolor painting I did in my watercolor journal.

My watercolor journal is a Canson Montval watercolor pad, cold press, 5.5 x 8.5.  I used Boku-Undo E-Sumi watercolors to paint, in the Shadow Black palette. 

First, I created the background by taping the edges of the page with washi tape, then used a large brush to apply water inside the entire area.  This was rather wet, but not running off the page.  

When the background was entirely dry, I hand-drew the poppies and pods onto the background lightly with pencil.  I painted them in layers of color from the palette, gradually building up color to create shading and highlights.  

When dry, I added gold highlights in the stamen area and on some of the petals with a nib pen and gold paint.  

To finish, I spattered with gold paint onto the page.

I was really trying for a loose watercolor look, which I feel I achieved in the background.  However, for the flowers and pods I got a little carried away, and really wanted to see how well these new-to-me paints would work for shading and highlights.

I really like these paints.  They go on easily, and blend beautifully.  The colors are strong, yet not really too bright or too pastel.  They layer nicely, to build up color intensity.  I think I will be using this palette often!

And now to head outdoors, with a nice glass of iced tea to relax on the deck, then onto the garden work.  Or not.  Wherever the mood takes me.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  

Blessings,

Watercolor Azalea Duo With New Paints

Hello friends!  I'm stopping in with a quick post to share a card I made using a new-to-me type of watercolor paint.

I used watercolor paper, and stamped the C.14651.Q Azalea image from Magenta.  This is a lovely stamp image, and I thought it would be a good subject on which to try my new paints.

I painted the image with these Boku-Undo E-Sumi Watercolor Palette - Shadow Black Mei - 6 Color Set watercolors I purchased from JetPens.    The colors in this set are unique.  The shades are not bold and bright, nor are they typical pastel shades.  Rather, they are somewhat muted or subdued, as you can typically only get by mixing colors. 

I decided to paint the flowers in layers of glaze.  This is my first attempt at this, and my initial use of these paints.  I really love the way they blend and layer.  I used a mixture of the shadow purple and shadow green to create the grayish tones for the background.

I used Magenta images with distress inks for the background swirls, and for the verse.

I didn't like the stamens in black, so I went over the black with a white gel pen.  I wish I had left them be, as the pen didn't work well over the black ink, and I had to keep adding more, creating a bit of a smudgy look.  But, I am trying to let go of my perfectionist tendencies, and post it anyways.  Next time, I won't ink the stamens, rather I will draw them in with the gel pen afterwards.  Lesson learned.

I really enjoyed these paints, and I'm sure I will be reaching for them often.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings,

Watercolor Apple Blossom Bouquet

Hello friends!  Welcome to the cafe, where we have all things paper, and there's always a pot of coffee brewing.

Today I have a card using stamps from Magenta.  I used artistic license with the apple blossom bouquet, and painted it in shades of pink.  

I used Altenew watercolor paints and watercolor brushes to paint the background.  I stamped the flowers using my Misti and antique linen distress ink, so that I could do no-line painting with watercolor.  I added touches of colored pencil to create depth in the shadows, and some highlights.

I attached it to a green A2 card front. 

 

On the inside, I stamped the image with pink distress ink, and used a bit of water with light pink and green to softly add color to the image.

INSIDE

And a shout-out to my helpers, Daisy and Bella......

Thanks so much for visiting.  Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Blessings,

Birthday Hugs Floral Card

Hello friends!  It has been a while since my last post.  Life.  Summer.  Family.  Yadda-yadda.  All of the above.  But, I'm back.  All of the other is still going on, but I am carving out more me-time.  For my health and sanity!  So I hope to be on here a little more often now. 

My card today is for the Altenew Ultimate Challenge Blog Hop.   Several blogs are participating, and it sounded like fun.  

I used one of Altenew's Watercolor Coloring Book pages.  I LOVE this book.  Each flower is beautifully drawn, and each design has two flowers, one in regular black line, and one in very light gray for no-line coloring.  

I used Altenew pan watercolor paints to paint my image and background.  These watercolors are very high quality, and I found them a delight to paint with!  The Altenew watercolor brushes are artist quality also.   I have been using them for a while, and they are my go-to brushes now.  And they are reasonably priced for a this quality brush.  I used Polychromos colored pencils to add highlights and shading.

With a micron pen, I drew lines for borders along the top and bottom of the image, and along both sides.  I like the way they frame in the flower. 

I used the same pen to write the Happy Birthday, and drew in some black dots for texture and interest.

I attached the painting to a white A2 card front.  Inside, I used an image from the Wonderland and mask stencil, with some distress ink.  The inside verse is from the Altenew Beautiful Day set.

INSIDE

That's it for today.  The hubs and I are quarantining for 14 days, as we were with a friend Thursday who wasn't feeling well.  She took the Covid test the next day and was positive.  Thankfully, we are both well, and have tested negative for Covid, but the state mandates 14 days quarantine because of our exposure.  We have both been vaccinated, but apparently can be carrying the virus.  We are on day six.  Not fun.

So, I am brushing up on my watercoloring, taking a course that I am really enjoying.  I will post some of my work as we get a little further along.

Stay well.  Stay positive.  Be kind.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings,

Impression Obsession June 2021 New Release Blog Hop Celebration - Day One

 

Welcome to Day One of the Impression Obsession June 2021 Release Celebration!

The new stamps are available NOW! You can find them all HERE.

  

We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event - so the more you comment through our Release Celebration the more chances you have to win!

 

All comments for each of the event days will be open until June 14th, at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on June 15th, on the Impression Obsession blog.

  

I have two cards for your inspiration today. 

Card One: Be Blessed

 

IO Stamps Links:

Small Bloom 1  D20938

Small Bloom 2  D20939

Be Blessed D20937

Mid-Size Frame DIE930-Z

How I made it:

• 
  On a white A2 card front, I distressed the edges with distress ink, and added some spatters.
  
  
• I stamped the be Blessed and Small Bloom 1 and 2 onto bristol card, painted the flowers with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  I also painted the inside of the be Blessed.
• I cut a panel from the be Blessed, distressed the edges, and added it to the card front.
• I added a green die cut from the Mid-Size Frame Die, and added it, weaving one end of the verse panel under it.
• Added the flowers.
• INSIDE:  I used a stencil to create a distressed edge, and added a fussy-cut flower.

INSIDE

Card Two:

IO Stamps Links:

Greeting Card L20941

Love Is Patient SS-342-H

How I made it:

• On a white A2 card front, I stamped the Greeting Card, using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink for the card, and pink marker for the bow.
  
• I used blending brushes to add pink distress ink to the card, masking off the edges with washi tape.
• Finally, I stamped the Love Is Patient stamp inside the card front.
  

So, there you have my Day One cards.  I will be back tomorrow with two more cards for Day Two.  

Next on the hop is Vicky Garrett's blog.    Be sure to check out the team's inspiration:

Impression Obsession Blog 

Laura Fulcher 

Laura Williams

Lee Ann Barrett 

Lynda Pleckan 

Vicki Garrett 

Angela Bode

Anna Wight 

Dina Kowal 

Giovana Smith 

Ilina Crouse 

Jeanne Streiff 

Kia Gibson Clapper  

 

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chances to win one of three $25 gift certificates to the IO Store!

Blessings, 

Impression Obsession May Release Blog Hop Celebration Day One

  

Welcome to Day One of the Impression Obsession  

May New Release Celebration!

The new stamps are available NOW! You can find them all HERE.

 

If you came from Impression Obsession blog, you are in the correct place. 

  

We will be giving away THREE Impression
Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event - so the more you comment through our Release Celebration the more chances you have to win!

 

All comments for each of the event days will be open until May 10th, at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on May 11th, on the Impression Obsession blog.

  

I have two cards for your inspiration today. 

 

Card One: Palm Trees Sunset

IO Stamps links:

Hammock Time F21374

Celebrate C21381

Happy Retirement C21369 (inside)

 

How I made it:

• On a white A2 card, I stamped the Hammock Time with light colored ink in order to color it with no lines showing.
• I used Polychromos colored pencils to color the image.
• I created the background with distress inks and a blending brush, and added colored pencils details.
• I stamped the Celebrate verse in black. 
• INSIDE:  I stamped the Happy Retirement verse, and added distressing over it, and stamped the palm tree from the Hammock Time stamp. 

Inside

 

Card Two:  Adventure Awaits

IO stamps links:

Take A Break E21377

Adventure Awaits C21382

Hammock Time E21374 (inside)

Happy Retirement C21369 (inside

 

How I made it:

• With a piece of window screening, I used it as a 'stencil' and created the background on a natural A2 card front and inside, using distress ink with a blending brush.
• For the image panel, I created a subtle sky and background with distress inks and brush applicators.
• I stamped the Take A Break image.  I painted the image with Derwent Inktense pencils and water.
• I stamped the palm trees from the Hammock Time image and colored them with the Inktense, touching them up with colored pencil.
• I added the verse Adventure Awaits.
  
• INSIDE:  I stamped the Happy Retirement verse and pine tree from the Hammock Time stamp, coloring with Inktense.

Inside

So, there you have my Day One cards.  I will be back tomorrow with more cards from this fabulous release.

Next on the hop is  Vicky Garrett's blog.  You can find a list of all the participants for Day Two HERE.  Be sure to check out their inspiration.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chances to win one of three $25 gift certificates to the IO store!

Blessings, 

 

 

Kitties In Flowers With Art Impressions Watercolor Technique

 

Hello friends!  

One of my favorite techniques is the Art Impression Watercolor process.  I love how each piece comes out with it's own personality, and no two ever look exactly alike.  It seems daunting at first, but in very little time, you can master this technique.  You can find many tutorials in this method on YouTube.  You can find a wealth of tutorials on Bonnie Krebs' YouTube Channel HERE.

 

For my card, I used various stamps from the Art Impressions Watercolor series.  You can check them out HERE.

 

To 'ink' my stamps, I used Tombow markers.  I started with the basket, and filled it with some greens and flowers.  I left a space for the kitty, than stamped him.  I built up the ground with grass and flowers, and stamped another kitty there.  I added a watercolor ground and sky, and stamped the Thinking Of You.  The full process is explained in the above linked videos.  

 

INSIDE of card:

 

I am adding my card to the 30 Day Color Challenge at The Daily Marker.

I am also adding it to:

The Paper Funday Challenge - Spring has sprung

Sunday Stamps - Spring bloom

The Flower Challenge - Pretty pastels

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  This technique is so fun, and the options are limitless.  I hope you will give it a try.

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

Hydrangea Gift Card

Hello friends!  My card today features this gorgeous image of hydrangeas in a vase - Hydrangea Gift - from Impression Obsession's April release.

 

IO Stamps/Die links:

Hydrangea Gift L20927

Many Blessings C6231

Stitched Tag DIE1058

 

How I made it:

• On watercolor card, I stamped the Hydrangea Gift image.  I painted the image with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors.  
• For the background, I applied water to the card with a thick brush. While it was wet, I dropped in color.  When that was dry, I spattered some water droplets.
  
• For the base, I brushed on watercolor paint.
• I watercolored the Stitched Die cut, and stamped the Many Blessings verse.  I added this to the card front with foam tape. 

This stamp so so fun to paint.  I love my hydrangeas, and wish they were the blues and purples that I painted these.  But, alas, I have the wrong type of soil, so they stay pinkish.  But I still love them.

 

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the other fabulous images in this April release.  You can find them HERE.

I hope you are inspired by my card today.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

Blessings,

Impression Obsession April, 2021 Release Blog Celebration - Day 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Day Two of the Impression Obsession April 2021 Release Celebration!

The new stamps are available NOW! You can find them all HERE.

 

If you came from Impression Obsession blog, you are in the correct place. 

  

We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event - so the more you comment through our Release Celebration the more chances you have to win!

 

All comments for each of the event days will be open until April 12th, at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on April 13th, on the Impression Obsession blog.

  

I have two cards for your inspiration today. 

Card One: Missing You Flower Bud

IO Stamps Links:

Budding Bloom D20921

Hibiscus Bloom 1  D20923

Warm Fuzzies Sentiments CL492

In My Heart D13912

How I made it:

• On a bristol paper panel, I stamped the Budding Bloom image with VersaMark Clair Nocturne ink.  I hand-drew the stem longer.
  
• I stamped the verse from the Warm Fuzzies Sentiments set.
  
• I painted the image with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.
• I added some green distressing along the top and bottom of the panel with distress inks and an ink applicator brush. 
• Some layering and black pearls finish the card front.
• INSIDE:  I stamped the Hibiscus Bloom 1 and the In My Heart verse with the Clair Nocturne ink.

Inside

Card Two: Watercolor Flourish

IO Stamps/Dies Links:

Ornate Flourish 3240-XL

Warm Fuzzies Sentiments CL492

Blessings D20928

How I made it:

• On watercolor paper, and in my Misti, I added Arteza real brush markers to my Ornate Flourish stamp and stamped it.
  

• I added another color in like fashion, then misted the stamp and the paper with water.
• I repeated these steps for each color, creating a loose, watery look with the water spritz.
• On a lilac card stock strip, I white embossed the verse from the Warm Fuzzies Sentiments set.  After attaching the panel to an A2 card front, I added a silk bow, and some sequins. 
• INSIDE:  I stamped the Ornate Flourish stamp in white pigment ink.  Embossed the Blessings image in white on lilac cs and added it.

• 

  Inside

   
  So, there you have my Day Two cards.  I will be back throughout the month with more cards from this fabulous release.

Next on the hop is  Vicky Garrett's blog.  You can find a list of all the participants for Day Two HERE.  Be sure to check out their inspiration.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chances to win one of three $25 gift certificates to the IO Store!

Blessings,