Posted on October 12, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Today I have a lovely still life to share with you!
I found an old block of watercolor paper I bought about 20 years ago. The sizing has gone bad on this paper but that’s OK, it will work fine for gouache (an opaque watercolor)so that’s what I used it for today! A 2 hour live narrated version of this tutorial is available at Critique Club. There are 42 other long format tutorials in Critique Club right now with 2 new tutorials added each month. These in depth lesson help you stay inspired and build your skills as an artist and you have access to them all as long as you area member. Critique Club membership is $5 a month and in addition to all of the lessons you can submit up to 2 painting for a critique from me. The lessons in Critique Club are in a variety of media making it wonderfully educational to artists curious about different supplies. Click here to learn more about Critique Club or join today!
This is the gouache set (affiliate link) I used. I will be posting a comparison between the jelly cup gouache sets in a few days in case you were wondering about them. Thanks for visiting with me today and til next time happy crafting!
Posted on October 9, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Today I want to share my favorite technique for combing Pen & Ink and Watercolor!
We will use fine-liner pens, these are especially useful because not only are the waterproof when used under watercolor they can also be used with alcohol markers without smearing if you enjoy using both types of media. You can use then to draw a detailed picture and then paint over it or you can add refinement and details to ho-hum paintings.
We will also play with metallic watercolors. They are really fun for adding glitz, glamour and special effects especially this time of year as we get ready for holiday crafting!
If you are ready to learn a bit more about combing pen & ink and watercolor watch the video!
This video is sponsored by Prestigify, you can see their art products here. Use the coupon code FRUGALCRAFTER to save 15% on your order!
Keep in mind you can take little elements I showed here and there and apply them to your projects. I hope this inspires you and til next time happy crafting!
Posted on October 4, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! I was planning on doing Inktober this year but decided that I would just do my own thing. I wanted to improve my figure drawing skills so I am drawing people every day this month.
This was day 2 of my personal art challenge. If you want to see the daily artwork you can follow me on Instagram. You can see the time-lapse of this painting below!
Supplies: (Affiliate links used)
Sketchbook 9″x12″ Arteza Watercolor book *(“x12″ is sold out so I linked my other most useful size, the 8″x8”
That’s all for today! Are you doing an art challenge this month? I might try to work in the 6 Drawtober prompts this month as well. I think personal art goals are really great for growing your skills. I am looking forward to working on this! Happy crafting!
Posted on September 28, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Have you ever looked at the mess on your craft table after a stamping session and wondered if there was a quicker way? Well, I did so today I am going to see if I can stamp or paint a card faster!
To be fair I chose my ink and cut masks before I started stamping because if I had used these stamps before I would have already cut the masks and have a good idea on what inks work well. I wanted to put hands on time against hands on time.
What do you think will be faster? Have a guess and then watch the video!
So, were you surprised? I still like both methods for creating card and this was a fun experiment! I hope you liked this bit of fun and til next time Happy crafting!
Posted on September 25, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Wow, it is so gorgeous outside! We have unseasonably warm weather and the trees are all shades of red, green, gold and orange contrasted with bright cerulean blue skies! It’s a great time to live in Maine (do me a favor and remind me of this in January, OK.) I was keen to do some fall decorating so I bought some gourds and pumpkins and I thought I would do a simple still life for you!
And here is the photo I snapped.
Just to be clear, simple doesn’t mean fast LOL! This is a longer video but I didn’t want to skimp on technique or cut out portions that would be useful. I have had a lot of viewers ask about how I would paint a white object so I wanted to how that as well.
One more note, my YouTube tutorials have outpaced my blog posts so if you are looking for something new I have a couple new cardmaking tutorials up on YouTube that haven’t been posted here yet. I didn’t want anyone to miss out:) Happy crafting!
Posted on August 23, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! If you were waiting with bated breath for the real-time version of this project to be up in Critique Club it is up now! I usually post it the Saturday before it’s due but it completely slipped my mind.
And if you prefer the time lapse version, here it is!
You have a week left to save 50% on my Watercolor Glass Class! *Use coupon code SHINE is the discount doesn’t appear automatically. Offer good through August 2020.
That’s all for today, we went hiking by the coast today and the salt air and exercise wiped me out. I’ll sleep well tonight! Till next time happy crafting!
Posted on August 20, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Need help and courage for painting those fiery sunsets? You can use this sky technique ad then paint any kinds of silhouette item in front, today we will do an windmill but you could do trees, people or buildings in silhouette, it;s a fun and versatile technique. Watch the video and paint along!
Supplies: Affilate links used
For this project, you will need a strong transparent red, yellow, and blue watercolor! I used Rensans Paints for this (not sponsored)
I also used a #6 Princeton Neptune Quill for the background and a #8 round for the silhouette
I worked in an Arteza sketchbook*I used the 9″x12″ size but it seems to be sold out, I also love the 8×8 size
Posted on August 16, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! I’m not usually inspired to paint architecture but when I saw this photo of an old gas station I thought it had a warmth and life to it and I was excited to give it a whirl!
Don’t forget the 50% off Launch special on my new Watercolor Glass Class! *Offer good through August 2020, use coupon code SHINE if the discount doesn’t appear.
I used this new set of inexpensive 24 jelly cup gouache from Artsy. I like this palette because it has a foam seal to prevent the paint from drying out or leaking and a carry handle that keeps the box upright. There is also a 5% off coupon on Amazon currently making this set less costly than other brands. I find the quality similar to the HIMI and ARRTX gouache so choose the set with the paint colors and palette you prefer.
The reference photo is from the Artist Photo Reference: buildings and Barns. There are currently 26 used copies on Amazon, I ordered mine from the seller Thriftbooks and they were awesome. I highly recommend all of the books in the Artist Photo Reference series. They are out of print but I was able to find the ones I didn’t have on Amazon used and inexpensively.
When painting in Gouache you can use any brushes you have for acrylics or stiffer watercolor brushes. I personally like the Zen All Media Brushes from Royal & Langnickle. They are available at most craft stores and are $3-$5 each and hold up very well.
Posted on August 14, 2020 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! I’m always a bit disappointed when I set out to make a “quick and easy” tutorial for YouTube but it turns into a “long and easy” one. The reason this bothers me is that I know seeing the length of the video will discourage some people from trying it because they think it will take too long or be too hard. However if I was to edit a 40 minute tutorial down to an approachable 15 minutes it really wouldn’t be fair to those who watch my videos to learn. They might think that something was wrong with them if they couldn’t make the same painting in 15 minutes not knowing it took me 45.
In today’s instant gratification society it’s hard to educate and entertain. I get that people want a beautiful project that takes 10 minutes or less, and those are fun, don’t get me wrong but some things take longer to explain. So, if you have the better part of an hour and the desire to learn and relax while painting a serene landscape than this is the project for you. If not, that’s OK too, I have lots of shorter watercolor videos as well on my YouTube channel.
Supplies (affiliate links used)
Paper: Canson Heritage 9”x12” CP pad (cut to 6”x12”) *A great Arches alternative
Watercolors: I am using the Mission Gold Perfect Pan set of 24 but I also have their tube paints and like them. I like the palette except for the fact that half of the pans are on the lid so when you close it half of the paint is upside down and the paint can ooze if you live in a humid location. I’d recommend their tubes if that is your situation. Colors: Ultramarine, Burnt Sienna, Phthalo Green, Yellow ochre, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson (any brand is fine to use for this tutorial)
And for those of you who actually want more in-depth watercolor training you might enjoy my Watercolor Landscape Workshop. I designed this glass to teach students how to paint beautiful watercolor landscapes and break complex scenes down into their parts so it won’t be so overwhelming. We also spend some time on my favorite landscape element: rocks! If you want to learn to paint landscapes with confidence I hope you will check out Watercolor Landscape Workshop! Thanks for spending some of your day with me today and til next time happy crafting!
