Tag Archives: Portrait

Dick Blick Watercolor Contest

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Happy August!! I can’t believe that more than half the year has already flown by. With all of this summer heat, I’m definitely ready for the cooler weather this year.

Dick Blick Art Supplies was hosting a watercolor contest so I thought it was a good opportunity to practice my portrait painting skills. I worked on her for some time and this was my entry into the contest. I named her “Crystal” because of her crystal blue eyes.

I feel I’m getting better but the eyes are still a bit wonky. However, I recently found a better technique to get them more even so I’m working on that at the moment. I love how her hair turned out, it took lots of layers. Overall I was happy with the painting I entered into the contest. There are so many talented artists who entered and inspired me to keep going!

Hope this inspires you to create today, thanks for stopping by!!

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“If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.” ~Unknown

Courage Watercolor Art Journaling

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I thought I’d share with you today a painting I created a while ago in an online class with the very talented Andrea Gomoll of Cre8tive Cre8tion Designs. This was a different style for me but I loved it.

This is a pretty simply painting but it definitely pulls you in. The watercolors seem to run off the page creating a dreamy and magical feeling. She has intense green, piercing eyes filled with strength and courage. Plus the colors blended beautifully especially in her long flowing hair which is my favorite part. What draws you in?

Hope this inspires you in some way today!

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Flower Princess Watercolor Portrait

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I really enjoyed creating my Butterfly Girl in the online class hosted by the very talented Katrina Koltes. I created the sketch for this painting a while ago on 12×16″ watercolor paper but it just sat. I wanted to do something different and didn’t know what for the longest time.

After finishing my Butterfly Girl I thought it would be a good idea to practice using a similar color palette. It takes me out of my comfort zone but I love how these colors blend together to create a soft and dreamy look. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Watercolor Dreams Workshop

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I’m not sure if you read my Thoughtful Thursday post but it was about excuses and fear. I created this sketch and got stuck. I really wanted to paint her and bring her to life but I was convinced I was going to ruin the sketch that took me hours to complete.

Long story short, I finally silenced the negative nellies in my mind and painted her. It’s funny because after she was all done I was relieved and thrilled with how soft and dreamy she looks (see image below). There are a few things I’d change for the next one but overall I love her. What do you think?

This was part of an online workshop called Watercolor Dreams with the very talented Katrina Koltes who lives in Italy. I have to say, Katrina is an excellent teacher and amazing artist. I highly recommend you check out her site and everything she offers.

Hope this inspires you to create this weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!!

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“I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

April Mixed Media Girl

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Spring flowers are blossoming! I thought I’d share this fun painting I did a while ago because her name is April, and she has a quite dramatic spring time flair to her. I went a bit color crazy on this one but I loved how she turned out.

The flowers were made from a separate piece of watercolor paper that I punched and adhered onto the painting. I distressed the edges a bit and added glitter to the centers of the flowers for a little bling.

Hope she inspires you today. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Watercolor Dreams Workshop

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I’m working on a sketch which I’m getting ready to paint. This is part of an online workshop called Watercolor Dreams with the very talented Katrina Koltes who lives in Italy.

Katrina’s portrait paintings are more realistic and have a real dreamy vibe which I love and long to create. Getting this sketch just right seems to have taken me hours to complete. But that only means that I need more practice. So I’m showing up to learn more and improve my skills as an artist.

The portrait below was my first taste of Katrina’s surreal style of painting and I was hooked. I won’t even tell you how long this sketch took me to complete 😅 But it was one of the best realistic paintings I had ever done up to that point.

So I invite you to come along with me on this fantastic adventure of creating magical paintings. Wish me luck 🤞

Thanks for stopping by!!

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PS – I found this quote to be pretty funny because that’s kind of how I’m feeling right now 😂

“I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Sunday Afternoon Art Journal

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I recently came across a pencil sketch I did a while ago of this vintage 30’s girl. I really loved the styles back then so I thought it would be fun to create her in my 9×12 inch Strathmore Watercolor journal and bring her to life with some color.

I named this one A Sunday Afternoon because she gives off a vibe of being completely relaxed wearing her pretty Sunday dress and hat. Her eyes are closed as she takes in a deep breath and gives thanks for all the beauty that surrounds her 😊

How do you like to spend your Sunday afternoons?

Hope this inspires you in some way, thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Flowers are the music of the ground, from earth’s lips spoken without a sound.” ~ Edwin Curran

Fresh Start Art Journal

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I finally finished my art journal layout. I tried new techniques with this one but wasn’t so crazy about it. I had to keep switching out my ideas because things kept going sideways but that’s a part of the process. So I’ll have to rethink this a bit. But nevertheless, it was lots of fun experimenting.

Since it’s still just a few weeks into the new year, I found the words “Fresh Start” in a magazine and thought it went well. One thing I really like is how her blue hair turned out with the gold highlights.

Some of my supplies came in so I’m going to work on creating a few new paintings. How are you going to spend your weekend? Hope you have something fun planned 😊

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“I am open to the mystery and magic this new beginning brings.” ~Unknown

Dr Wayne Dyer Quote

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I’m taking a much needed break before the holidays so I’m sharing with you a very inspiring quote by the late Dr Wayne Dyer on my watercolor painting titled “Change.”

“If you change the way the look at things, the things you look at change.”

Hope this inspires you in some way. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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Make your own Magic – She Blooms in Ink

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I finished another segment in Tamara Laporte’s online course, “She Blooms in Ink.” This was my first dark skin girl and she was ever so challenging. Her skin kept coming out blotchy and the more I tried to fix it, the worse it got. So I cleaned it up the best I could and called it a day.

After everything was done, I thought she turned out pretty cool, even with her blotchy skin. I loved the color combination on this one, the green gave it that extra pop. I added the quote using a stencil which I just got on amazon. It’s part of a 20 pc set of inspirational quotes and was very reasonably priced. The stencils are perfect for journaling.

If you’re interested in learning more about the online courses offered by Tamara Laporte, please visit her at Willowing.org.

Thanks for stopping by!!

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