Winning Ways with Watercolor Markers!

Hi friends! Today we are going to take an in-depth look at water based markers. You probably have some in your stash already. Some common brands are Tombow, Momento, Marvy LePlume, Spectrum Aqua, and even Crayola! There are more brands coming out every day like these inexpensive ones I am using today and there honestly is not a lot of difference between them but depending on what you want to do with them you might want to take a look at the tips. Most dual tip pens have a felt brush tip on one end and finer tip on the other end.  Some markers have a hard plastic fine tip,some have a fineliner felt tip and others have a bigger bullet tip. How you like to use them will determine the right style for you. If you rely on your pens for writing letters, scrapbooking or art journaling you would want one of the pens with the finer tips. If you are mainly stamping and coloring you might prefer ones with the bullet tip. It is totally up to you and your preference.

If you are trying to determine whether or not your pens are water based you can smell them, water based markers will have no odor unless they are a Mr. Sketch marker and those will also work well for today’s techniques! Man, I used to love those markers when I was a kid! You can do the projects in today’s video with any water based markers. I am not talking about real brush markers today but you can use those too, the only thing the real brush pens are not great for is directly coloring on rubber but they will be fine for all of the other techniques. I hope you give these techniques a try!

Video!

The markers I am using are the 60 dual tip watercolor marker set from Ohuhu. I wanted to review these because they are very inexpensive (60 Ohuhu pens for $22 vs 10 pens for $20 for Tombow) I didn’t want to spend the entire video reviewing these pens so I decided to focus on techniques instead. Honestly these are comparable with the other dual tip markers I have used. They are a bit shorter than Tombow and the caps are a bit harder to remove. I made a swatch of the colors in the set and several of the colors are quite similar but that doesn’t bother me as you will eventually use those colors up so you have spares. I swatched all the colors out, waited 15 minutes and then tried to move the colors with water. I swatched in my Canson XL mixed media journal.

Ohuhu 60 Dual Tipped water-based Marker Review

Pros:

• Price: $22 for 60 pens
• High quality nibs: Felt brush on one end and felt fineliner on the other
• Blends well on watercolor paper using a waterbrush or clear blending marker
• Compact and comes in its own storage canister. *I recommend laying it on its side for long-term storage.

Cons:

• Markers do not have color names or numbers. The caps are the only thing that indicates color.
• Caps can be hard to remove
• Some colors are so similar they almost seem like duplicates

Technique Review:
1. Coloring directly with the markers and blending dark to light
2. Using a tile as a palette by scribbling swatches of marker then applying with a water brush or water based blending marker.
3. Coloring directly with the markers and then blending with the water brush or blending pen.
4. Use it like an inkpad: Coloring with markers directly on a rubber stamp, breathing on the stamp and stamping.
5. Dragging color with a wet brush (from step 4) and filling in the design for a painterly look.

Bonus tips!
*Use the fine tip end to add detail over colored image (after the image is dry)
* Scribble the marker on a tile and pick up the ink with a sopping wet brush and spatter on color

These techniques work best on watercolor paper or bristol but as always you can try with whatever you have. I used the smooth side of this watercolor paper by Arteza for today’s projects.
I have also had good luck with the following papers:

• Canson XL watercolor paper, it’s cold press but smooth enough for stamping!
• Strathmore XL Bristol
• Strathmore Bristol
• Fabriano Studio hot press, this is my favorite paper for stamping and watercoloring!

I use the above papers for watercolor stamping projects because they are inexpensive yet are high enough quality to give beautiful results. Those papers are not what I would use for paintings which require lifting and scrubbing or many layers by they are ideal for the techniques I showed in the video.

Here are the stamps and other supplies I used!

• Pretty poppies Stamps (Stampendous) Dies available!
• Stampendous feather stamps
• Waterbrushes
• Blender pen (make sure to get a water based one)
• Ohuhu Set of 60 Watercolor Markers for $22
• Archival ink pad and reinker
• *If you need glycerin to revive your clear blending pen you can get it here or at a health food store or pharmacy

I had a couple of people tell me after I posted this tutorial on YouTube last night that they tried out these techniques immediately! Yay! That makes me so happy to hear. I think sometimes we make creating “a big production” but all you need is a piece of paper, a stamp and a few markers to try out these tips and have a good time. So, what are you waiting for? Happy crafting!

A quick sketch with new alcohol pens

Hi friends! I have been waiting months to share a sketch I did with some new markers. I am fortunate to have to opportunity to occasionally test new products and offer feedback before they are released to the public for purchase. I get to share what’s great (or not so great) about a supply with a manufacturer so they can see if the product is ready for market or not and avoid disappointed customers or costly mistakes. I had no qualms with these markers, they were rich, juicy and comfy to use! Here is a sketch I did with the new pens, they are the Azure alcohol markers by Royal & Langnickel.

You can’t see it in the tutorial but they also come in plastic trays that stack and can be reused as storage. I haven’t seen the markers online for purchase yet but they are being shipped to stores as we speak so now I can show them to you!

Video!

I added a bit of white gel pen and colored pencil over the markers as shown in the video. Colored pencil does not like to grab to marker paper so the effect was subtle and sheer. That’s all I have for today, I just wanted to pop in quickly and share this sketch! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Stamping Succulents! (BTW I designed these stamps!)

Hi friends! I am so pleased and humbled by the response to my first line of rubber stamps with Rubber Stamp Tapestry. It is a wonderful feeling to know my artwork will inspire others to make their own art. Today I am going to share one of my new sets: Succulents.

I designed these stamps to be used together to make scenes and arrangements but I also want them to be big enough to be used on their own if you just want to do a quick & simple card. I also wanted you to be able to use them with other stamps you already have because in order for my stamps to earn a place on your craft table they need to make your other stamps and supplies more useful.

In today’s tutorial I am going to show you 3 different ways to create masked scenes with these stamps so you can use them on their own or with other plant pot stamps you have. I will also show you how to layer colored pencils to create rich images with depth and contrast.

Video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code FRUGALJANUARY18 for 20% off all stamps on orders over $10, expires 1/31/18. Become a Peg Stamp VIP here & get the deepest weekly discounts available

Supplies:

• Succulents unmounted stamp set
• Other new stamp sets! Budding Spring, Trees, Woodland Harvest, Woods in winter *Please note that these are unmounted stamps so you need to trim them out and either put cling foam on the back or you can spread a thin coating of Aleene’s Tack It Over and Over glue on the back, let dry and you have cling stamps on the cheap:) One bottle will mount thousands of stamps and you can use it to make DIY glue dots too!
• Containers from these sets: Country Lane, Just Add Flowers and Wrought Iron Planters would also work well!
• Ink: Archival black
• Kraft cardstock or toned tan mixed media paper
• Patterned paper
• Adhesive (double-sided tape)
• Bakers twine
• Buttons
• Colored Pencils (Prismacolor because they are more opaque than others and don’t need as much pressure to color)

Here is a look at the five new stamp sets!

Click here for a closer look!

Thanks again for all of your words of support and encouragement! Sales have been brisk and I am so thankful for that too:) I hope you try these techniques with the supplies you have on hand and til next time happy crafting!

LIVE! Still Life with Oranges in Gouache 12:30pm ET!

Hi friends! Today we are going to do something a little different! We are playing with gouache on a dark surface! I am going to work on matboard but if you like you can paint a sheet of watercolor paper (even an old failed painting) with ink to get a dark surface. I’ll also be trying a new brand of gouache that is really inexpensive!

I want to work with gouache more because the techniques can be transferred to other opaque mediums like Acrylics or oils, so, if you want to paint along with those mediums you can! The live stream or replay can be watched in the player below but if you want to chat with fellow painters or ask me questions be sure to watch on the YouTube watch page.

Supplies:

• Gouache paint: Arteza
• Black mat board
• Brushes: Any firmer watercolor brushes or synthetic brushes used for acrylic will work. I like the Zen, Aqualon, Majestic of Fusion lines of Royal and Langnickel for Gouache or this soft grip set by them will have what you need.
• White watercolor or pastel pencil for sketching *These generals pencils are high quality at a low price
• Other: Bucket of water, paper towel, plate or plastic palette *You can keep any unused paint and re-wet it later!
• Reference photo by Viacheslav on Paint my photo

ALSO….My shop is live!

Original watercolors for sale here! In addition to undertaking the arduous task of editing new videos and closed captioning older videos my husband has opened this shop on our website! I can’t explain what a difference it has been just in one week of having him on board! I hope you can join me for some live painting fun at 12:30pm ET!  Til then happy crafting!

Fun Techniques with Masking, Watercoloring with Markers, Distress Oxides and No-Template Envelopes!

Hi friends! Today we are going to explore our supplies and make a stack of fun Happy Birthday cards!

These are addictive and the thing I love about batch projects like this is how you can practise a new skill and end up with a practical stack of cards because who doesn’t need a stack of birthday cards on hand. The would make great craft fair items too! I know these cards look pretty simple but I have packed this tutorial full of real-time step-by-step techniques that I hope you will find useful for your next card project.

Video!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps! SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies from Top Flight Stamps:

• Katzelkraft Monsters Stamp Set
• Katzelcraft Torn Paper Stamp Set
• Katzelkraft Clouds stamp (used to look like aged plaster!)
• Carabelle Studio Stamping Mat
• Also Shown: Kazelkraft Cats, Katzelkraft Dogs
• *Note, all Katzelkraft stamps are sold unmounted. I used EZ Mount foam to mount them so they would cling to my stamp blocks. To use simply stick the rubber sheet to the sticky side of the foam and trim around the rubber design to make a cling mount stamp.

Other supplies:

• Watercolor paper (arteza-stamp on the smooth side)
• Kraft cardstock 
• Ranger Archival black inkpad 
• Distress Oxide inks in Abandoned Coral (or fired brick) and Spiced Marmalade
• Mini ink applicators
• Arteza real brush pens
• Small flat waterbrush (prima or arteza)
• Stitched/pierced dies Square and Circle
• Patterned scrapbook paper to match your ink and marker colors
• Post-it notes
• Gel Pens
• Acrylic stamping blocks 
• Crop a dial
• Eyelets 
• Adhesive ATG gun & foam squares
• Other: Spray bottle of water, paper towel

In this video you will learn the following techniques:
1. Stamp masking
2. Coloring and blending water-based markers
3. How to make an envelope for any size card without a template.
4. Distress Oxide techniques

Another thing I like about making batches of cards is that it is more efficient. You are getting the supplies out and making a mess anyway, might as well make it worthwhile. The first card takes the most time but the following card are made much quicker because you have figured out the design, colors and materials. I hope you give these techniques a try and til next time happy crafting!

 

 

Easy Watercolor Landscape! (Timelapse)

Hi friends! Today we are going to paint a lovely scene of a mountain, forest and lake in watercolor. I loosely based the painting on an image from The Artist Photo Reference: Landscapes book I bought last month. I love this book because there are so many photos of different lakes, mountains, trees and skies and you can adapt the photos to meet your needs. Unfortunately they are out of print so you just have to see what used bookstores ave for sale on Amazon. I was able to get all of the book in the series at an awesome price last month on Amazon. Good luck if you are hunting them down.

If you are a beginner I recommend you watch the video through once all the way before painting, then you can restart the video and pause as needed (or use the gear at the bottom of the player to slow down the video) so you can go at your own pace.

Supplies:

• Watercolor paint: Joiart  *Colors used: Ultramarine, Rose (Quin. Rose), sap green, yellow ochre, burnt umber
• Brushes: Mimik (faux) Kolinsky #8 round, Mimik faux squirrel value set
• Watercolor paper
• Ceramic palette: I have this one but consider this cute rose one too!

I hope you enjoyed this easy beginner tutorial! Painting does not need to be hard or complicated. Take a bit of time each day to practise and you will progress in no time! Happy crafting!

The Middle is the Worst!

Hi friends! I have a confession to make. I am procrastinating.  I am in the middle of a large freelance project. Actually, I am about 70% done. I am past all the good fun juicy creative parts and I am now slogging away at the minutiae. The editing, the writing, the fussing. In any long-term project we hit the plateau stage. Here are some examples:

• Getting ready for a craft fair, the products are made (that’s the fun juicy stuff) but then you need to price and package everything and figure out your displays (that’s the slog aka plateau) then you have the craft fair (that’s the payoff for all of your hard work.)
• Getting a project published in a magazine: You make something and it gets accepted to a magazine (yay!) you have to write and edit the article and wait for it to be published (slog) magazine arrives on newsstands (Payoff!)
• You are repainting your house: You pick colors (yay!) priming, taping, edging (slog) rolling on that juicy color (yay!) painting the trim, replacing outlet covers and hardware, cleaning up and putting supplies away (slog) awesome pretty new house (payoff!)
• Getting in shape….do you need me to explain this? sloggidy slog slog slog.

You are probably saying, “Great Lindsay, tell me something I don’t know, like how to get through it!” OK, then, here is my solution: quick wins! This blog post that I am writing isn’t just me procrastinating. I know taking a 30 minute break from my project will help me return refreshed to it and I will have completed something in the process.  It’s a quick win. It’s like taking 15 minutes to paint a small watercolor on a greeting card or jogging around the blog. It changes your perspective and gives you the satisfaction of completing something. When I used to “work for the man” I would do my workout on my lunch break or run an errand so I would feel like I got something done, the quick win.  Maybe you are decluttering your home and you feel like it is never going to be finished but hit that nightstand drawer, get that in ship-shape and you have completed something! The great thing about your “quick win” being art related is that it won’t get undone. I remember when my kids were small (I have 3 kids less than 2 years apart) I felt that nothing stayed done. My job of caring for them was the most important job I’d ever do but it was hard to feel good about myself when the cleaning, cooking and feeding was never done. Wash a load of laundry and there was another one waiting BUT if I made a scrapbook page it stayed done and could be enjoyed for years and years. It also gave me perspective if I was feeling irritable. Looking at the sweet photos of your precious children you forget about all the work and you appreciate the reward.

We all have long projects. We can either break them down into smaller tasks or plow ahead until we hit a wall and look for a quick win project to revive us. This is why I like to have several projects going at one time so I am constantly starting something new or enjoying the finishing payoff. It makes the middle feel like less of a slog.

What big projects are you in the middle of? Let me know in the comments below. I hope this helps you get unstuck with whatever you are in the middle of right now.  Happy crafting!

Playing with Pantone’s Color of the Year: Ultraviolet!

Hi friends! I was brainstorming some idea with REbecca over at Rubber Stamp Tapestry the other day and she suggested trying a project with the color of the year and I thought that was a great idea as purple is a color I don’t use very often.

Since it is not one of my go to colors I didn’t have any cardstock, pattern paper or ribbon that was that particular shade of blue-violet so I grabbed my media and got to work!

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that it took the course of 2 days to make the backgrounds, create the cards and clean up after myself (which, truth be told happened several days after the mass creation!) In fact I walked down to my studio yesterday forgetting the state I left it in and just about had a heart attack thinking someone came in and ransacked the place LOL! I didn’t use all of the supplies I grabbed but it did get me looking at and using stuff I had forgotten about. I am going to show you the process of making the backgrounds I used in these cards and I urge you to try something similar with the media you have on hand. Don’t feel like you must have the exact stuff I used, feel free to substitute, we are not making a souffle, substitutions will be just fine:) And, hey, if you mess up, keep adding more layers til you like it!

Video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code FRUGALJANUARY18 on all stamp orders over $10, expires 1/31/18

Supplies for Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

• Petit Poppies Peg Stamp Set
• Watercolor Garden Peg Stamp Set
• Dye ink in shades of Purple
• Clear embossing ink
• Silver embossing powder
• Embossing folder
• Blending brushes

Other Supplies

• 9″x12″ Bristol Board or Thick white cardstock
• Gel Press printing plate: You can use any size for this but I love how the 12″x14″ size keeps my space neater (and I need all the help I can get!) It is pricy tho so if you are not sure you want to invest you can always brayer your paint on a craft mat for a similar effect or make a gelatin plate with unflavored gelatin.
• Acrylic paint
• Gelatos, Gel Sticks or water soluble oil pastels
• Seam binding *Buy in white or natural and dye to match ANY project with spray inks, reinkers, watercolor or thinned acrylic
• Pigment powders like Colorburst
• Metallic acrylic paint and or Precious Alloys
• Square dies or you can use a punch or craft knife to make the windows
• Spray ink or make your own with liquid watercolor and water in a spray bottle
• Soft rubber brayer *I like the tan soft rubber Speedball brayer better than the red Gelli Arts one I used in today’s video as I get marks from the edge of that brayer.
• Manual die cutting machine:I recommend the Big Shot because I’ve been using the same one daily for 10+ years and it has never failed me!
• Stencils

The only rule here is to have fun! Don’t worry if your paper warps as you work because using it later in the die cutter will flatten it right out. Also make sure you cut your window before you emboss it so you don’t squash out the texture. You really can’t go wrong, just keep going until you like how it looks!

Exciting Announcement!!!!

I have a new line of stamps coming out with Rubber Stamp Tapestry! If you want to get your hands on them make sure you sign up for their VIP newsletter so you will be the first to know when they are available! My samples just came in the mail today and I can’t wait to play with them! I hope you like them:)

I hope this post inspired you to dig out that messy media and play! I have a couple of tutorials if you want to make your own gelatin printing plate. I have a traditional plate and a permanent plate. Make sure you refer to the recipes in the video descriptions of the videos for the most tried and true recipe. Either of the homemade plates can be remelted if you want a different size or if it gets scratched. Due to the expense of the glycerin needed for the permanent recipe I am not sure if you save much in making one over buying a gel plate so I’d probably recommend making a traditional plate and freezing it between uses so it doesn’t get moldy. Wow, that’s a lot of info! Don’t get overwhelmed, just grab supplies and play…yeah, I could have just said that from the start huh? Til next time happy crafting!

 

We are painting Live in 30 Minutes! Tea & Tulips 12:30pm ET!

Hi friends! Sorry for the late post but time escaped me as I worked on the practise for today’s live watercolor tutorial:

You can watch the live stream or replay in the player below but if you want to chat live and ask me questions be sure to watch on YouTube.

Tutorial Sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama! http://www.jerrysartarama.com/ Use coupon code: frugal20FS49 for 20% off $49 + Free Shipping (Excludes: Sale, Super Sale, Egift Cards, Buy It Try It’s and Vendor restricted items. Look for the green coupon eligible icon on the product listing.

Supplies:

• Turner Watercolors (Perm Lemon, Quin Magenta, Cerulean blue, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Phthalo Green)
• Brushes: Mimik (Faux) Kolinski and Mimik (Faux) Squirrel 
• *We may add colored pencils and I have my Prismacolor handy
• Paper: Winsor & Newton 140# CP Professional
• Reference Photo
• Printable pattern *sorry it’s light, I only had time to do a quick scan, I think you can see it well enough to trace:)

And here is a pic of the photo I’m working from! I hope to “see” you soon during the live stream! Happy Crafting!

PS…one more thing…if this tutorial moved a little fast for you and you want more comprehensive beginner instruction please consider checking out my online course. My Essential Tools and Techniques for Watercolor class will start you off on the right foot with everything you need to know to get painting right away (the right way!) You can go at your own pace and you get lifetime access so you can come back to the lessons at any time. Find out more here or join over 800 happy students and enroll today!