Hi friends! I hit the end of year overstock sales pretty hard this year. I like to stock up on workshop, video and class staple supplies when prices are low. Everything I purchased was 55%-90% off.
Wanna see what I got? Watch the video!
More info for folks looking for the things I bought:
AC Moore is an east coast craft store and does not have a website where you can order but you can find stores and grab coupons on their website.
Jerry’s Artarama has the lowest prices on art supplies and had a massive overstock and clearance sale, it might still be on.
The Stampendouns stamps/stencils I showcased can be purchased for the lowest price at Hallmark Scrapbook *Their prices are lowest but they also sell out fast Simon Says Stamp also has them, a huge selection, and they are usually in stock
*Links to Hallmark Scrapbook and Simon Says Stamp are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission on any purchase you make after clicking the link without cost you more:) Thank you for your support!
Let me know what you would like to see me use first! Happy crafting!
Hi friends! A fun way to learn how to draw is to copy the drawing of the old masters. Trying out someone else’s style can help you develop your own!
This is a time-lapse, if you want real-time drawing tutorials let me know in the comments, meanwhile enjoy this quick video!
I am using the supplies that came in my Smart Art Box, it is so fun to challenge myself to use the supplies in the box each month! They also deliver to many countries. I also wanted to mention if you don’t like subscription boxes because you are afraid you will already have the stuff in the box they also sell past boxes (while supplies last) so you can buy a kit you are sure to use!
Supplies:
Canson Sketchbook
Creatacolor Artist Pencils (black, sepia, white)
Creatacolor NERO Charcoal sticks and pencils
Artist chamois
(Eraser if desired-does not come in kit)
Hi friends! Today’s video is a bit on the long side (shocker, I know) but I wanted to do both a review of my new set of 48 halfpan Lukas 1862 watercolors and do a tutorial of a pretty vintage postcard of a butterfly and pansies.
Here is the reference image:
Watch the video and paint along! The review is first so if you want to skip ahead 12 minutes to the tutorial you can:)
Supplies:
Watercolors (I used LUKAS 1862, you can use whatever you have, even thinned down acrylic!)
14-# watercolor Paper 6″x9″ (Aquabee)
Brushes #2 #8 round (Mimik Squirrel)
Lukas 1862 Watercolor 48 half pan review:
Pros:
Artist quality paint with tried and true pigments
35 out of 48 colors are single pigment colors
Price (half or less than other artist quality brands) The paints are available in sets as well as single half pans, with pans and 24ml tubes ranging from $2.50-$7.69 each currently on sale a Jerry’s Artarama. (I have not used the tubes)
Highly pigmented-strong colors
Unique characteristics between colors (some are smooth, some granulate, some transparent some semi opaque)
Glazes well
The palette that comes with the paint is an enameled metal (steel? it is magnetic) and the pan holder tray lifts out for easy cleaning and so you can have additional mixing area.
Cons:
I feel that the paint could use a bit of honey or more gum arabic to improve luminescence and transparency but that can be added and it is a nit-picky thing.
The palette stained with the pthalocyanne colors but it was minor and it probably will come off with a magic eraser (but I don’t have one right now)
When I bought my set the list of colors on the website was not accurate. Below is a picture I took of my swatch, hope you can read my handwriting.
Bottom line, if you are looking for an affordable artist grade watercolor set give them a try. A 12 half pan sets starts at $30 or grab a few tubes or pans and see what you think. I hope you enjoyed this review and tutorial! Happy crafting!
Hi friends! Today we are going to make a mess and make a card at the same time!
I will also share ways to get a messy spattered background without actually spattering with paint! We will also give your supplies a workout. Watch the video then make a card!
Sponsored by Tupelo Designs! Check out their amazing selection, some of which was used on today’s project!
I am using Lukas Berlin Water mixable oils but you can use traditional oils, pastels, gouache or acrylics with slow drying medium to paint along! We are going to be sketching and painting together in this real-time class with lots of beginner tips and tricks! Feel free to pause the video as you master a technique, this is not a race, take as much time and you need and most importantly, have fun!
Video!
Video tutorial sponsored by Gloves in a Bottle! Save 20% on a 3.4oz tube on Gloves in a bottle with coupon code: CRAFTER1 (it is case-sensitive.) purchased on Amazon *Coupon good through January 31st 2017. If you want to find a store that sells Gloves in a Bottle near you visit their store locator. *Thanks to our sponsors that keep these videos tutorials free on YouTube! They are also giving away some Gloves in a bottle, leave a comment for a chance to win, I will randomly draw a winner in one week!
Supplies:
Oil Paint (Vermilion Hue OR Cad red Hue, Primary/Lemon Yellow, Yellow Ocher, Cad Yellow Hue, Viridian Hue, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue Hue, Titanium White, Burnt Umber) I used Lukas Water Mixable Oils but you can also use traditional oils or even acrylics.
9″x12″ Senseo Linen (canvas) Panel
Assortment of brushes, filberts and rounds are very handy!
Oil pastels for sketching on design. *If using acrylics or gouache use watercolor pencils to sketch.
This was so enjoyable to paint. I want to thank you for encouraging me to keep my tutorials in real-time. I am so happy that you want to spend the time to learn and not just have the instant gratification of watching a painting that took an hour be boiled down to 5 minutes which seems to be the trend on YouTube. You guys are the best! Happy crafting!
Hi friends! We all have our favorite type of paint to use right? I get asked a lot to make acrylic painting tutorials and I do occasionally but honestly I like to use acrylics to base-coat things or for more crafty purposes rather than doing a full on painting with them. If I am going to paint a picture I am more likely to use watercolors, oils, pastels or (what I am going to demo today) gouache!
That might leave someone kinda bummed out waiting for their favorite medium to be used but don’t fret, you can adapt a tutorial to fit your needs. Let’s say you loved today’s tutorial and you think it would be pretty on a planter. Gouache would not be durable enough for exterior use nor would it be good in a moist environment such as a clay pot but you can totally use acrylics for this. You can use oils too, even pastel. I consider materials like that to be layering mediums. Those are paints (or pastels) that can be built up in opaque layers following the same steps. If you are an acrylic painter and you feel your paint is drying too quickly you can use a slow-dry or retarding medium to keep your paints wetter longer to make blends possible. That is a great medium to have because it makes it possible to do all of the oil painting tutorials out there. Go ahead, grab those acrylics and follow along with Bob Ross oil painting tutorials! One thing I have realized over the years is that I make better tutorials when I enjoy the products I am using. We all have different favorites because we all have different personalities. The important thing to realize is that you should use your favorite brand and your favorite medium and not feel pressured to use what I do. I have had acrylic painters say that they feel “snubbed” by my tutorials focusing on other media and I never intended anyone to feel that way. If you prefer acrylics you can paint with them when I do a gouache or oil tutorial, mediums were created so you can use the paint you love to get different effects. The most important thing is that we create with the materials we love to use, I think we can all agree to that!
Video Tutorial!
I am so happy I rediscovered Gouache! I have the convenience of laying my paint in a palette and if I don’t use it all up I can let it dry and spritz it with water and use it again. If you are purchasing gouache and you want to be able to rewet it as I did avoid “Acrylic Gouache” which is a matte, opaque acrylic paint. I actually like acrylic gouache but I make sure not to put out more than I can use up. That is a durable paint though so you could use it on any surface that you would use regular acrylic paint on but it does not rewet.
Supplies:
Small synthetic brushes (flats, filberts, rounds)
Gouache (I am using the LUKAS brand set of 12 I got at Jerry’s Artarama for $6.99 and I use red and yellow M Gram Gouache but use whatever paint you like, even watercolor crayons will work well)
Surface: I am using a scrap of mat board (left over from picture framing) but stiff paper will work too
Tips:
Unused paint can be reused, simply spray your palette about 10 minutes before you start painting and it will work great!
You can rework an area even after the paint is dry, simply use a clean damp flat brush to smooth and blend an area.
Gouache can be used over watercolor paintings to correct mistakes or add dimension.
The other thing I like about traditional designers gouache is that it is a great bridge for watercolor painters wanting to branch out as regular gouache is simply an opaque watercolor. I love that I can squeeze it on my palette and keep using it until it is gone, or as Ron Ronco would say “set it and forget it!” LOL 🙂 We all have quirks and roadblocks when we create, I hate waste and fiddling with tubes. Once I am in the zone I don’t want to stop and squeeze out more paint. My friend Kathy laughs at me because I remove lids and latches from drawers can caddys because I want super quick access to all of my supplies. You might like everything neat and tidy and out of sight and enjoy putting out fresh paint every time you sit down to create and that is totally fine and valid too. I think the path to creating regularly is identifying these traits and working with our personalities and not against them. That is why we have so many choices when it comes to art making, it’s not so we become overwhelmed, it is so we can find just the right fit for us. Use what you have and use what you like, that’s what I’m gonna do and I hope you do too:) Happy crafting!
Hi friends! I missed doing last weeks show so much (snow storm power and internet outage) but I am back this week and I hope you will join me today at 12:30pm ET for a fun live painting class! I found this lovely vintage moth advertisement that is in the public domain and I painted a loose sketch on an ATC and shared it last week and many folks asked for a tutorial so I decided to do one larger with more detail today. Here is the reference image:
Here is a PDF pattern you can print and trace on your watercolor paper. You can watch the live stream or the replay in the player below but if you want to chat live be sure to watch on the youtube watch page. Also if you are using a tablet make sure you don’t have it in full screen mode if you want to see the chat.
Watercolor paper: Strathmore Aquarius 80# cotton/synthetic mix (or your favorite paper that is on the smoother side)
Brushes: Mimik Squirrel, an assortment of sizes, mostly rounds
Other: water buckets, paper towels and I grabbed some rubber stamps and stencils in case I want to add to the background!
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Hi friends! Today we are going to tackle a few frustrating subjects in Stamp School. First we are going to work on blending alcohol markers. There is a learning curve to this and it does take a bit of time to get the result you are after sometimes. The other important thing to note with alcohol pens is that they are not for everyone. We are also going to dig into the crafty archives and breathe new life into some old stash that has been forgotten.
Watch the video and then try combining some old supplies with the new for a fun and unique card! We all have different stuff so all of our cards will be unique!
Video!
Tutorial sponsored by Art Neko *Save 10% off your next order of any size or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!
Smooth white cardstock (Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth in Solar White is great)
Memento Rich Cocoa ink (or whatever color you want by memento or another brand that works with alcohol pens)
Alcohol markers (I used Blick Studio markers, Premier by Nicole (AC Moore store brand I think) and Spectrum Noir, other brands are Copic, Promarker, Prismacolor, Chameleon, Touch, Tria, Bic Markits and Sharpie)
Decorative Paper: The Gathering Collection from Authentique
Assorted ribbons, trims, flowers, stickers, labels, brands or embellishments that you want to use up!
Tips and Directions!
1. Get prepared! Pick your patterned paper first, it is easier to match everything to the paper you want to use than it is to color an image and then find things to match (trust me, I know!) Then look in your stash for any ribbons or embellishments that match the paper. Finally test out your markers on a scrap of paper until you find about 3 shades of each color you want to use.
2. Stamp butterfly with memento ink, feel free to stamp another one to practice on if you want:) Color the butterfly using the techniques I shared in the video. I like to generally work dark to light but if you have trouble bending color the whole area you want to color with the lightest marker and then go dark to light. Remember you can repeat the process as many times as you want until you get the look you desire.
3. Make a 5″x7″ card base from cardstock, later papers, trims, embellishments and your stamped image. Look at your awesome card! Woohoo!
Have fun digging through your ribbons and old embellishments, I bet you will find a treasure or two. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and if you know anyone who would like this video please share it with them:) There are handy sharing buttons below:) Thanks! Happy crafting!
Hi friends! I took it easy work-wise last week, it was the funny time between Christmas and New Years Day when you just feel relaxed, lazy and are totally fine with it. One of those days I had a hankering to splash paint about and this was the result:
I also turned on the camera when I did it so here is a fun and loose beginner tutorial. It is also helpful for folks wanting to loosen up I think.
Video!
Grab your paint, paper and brushes and paint along!
Supplies:
Watercolor paint: Gamboge (warm yellow), permanent rose, Alizerain Crimson, Green gold, Prussian blue (LUKAS 1862 brand used)
140# watercolor paper cold press
A variety of round brushes
I will have a full review on the LUKAS paints this weekend. So far I am liking them:) So, are you going to paint this? I hope you give it try! Happy crafting!
Hi friends! I missed doing last weeks show so much (snow storm power and internet outage) but I am back this week and I hope you will join me today at
