Posted on September 20, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Today we will paint a fall cornucopia!
This can be done by artists of all ages and skill levels. I will show you how to draw this (I used a dry erase board for the drawing, please let me know if you prefer this to just seeing me lightly sketch it on my paper, I think it is easier to see this way.) Then we will paint is starting with wet-in-wet and then refining it afterward. I suggest taking a break after the wet-in-wet portion as this is a long video and it may be hard to find an hour just to paint. Here is the video!
Supplies *I am using Micador for Artists Watercolor supplies for the first time, this is not a review nor is it a sponsored video. I will post a review of these paints after I have used them more. These products were given to me by Micador to try out.
I want to thank Micador for sending me these products to test out. I will post a review once I have used them more. If you are interested in their art and hobby products you can find them here. *I was not paid or obligated to make this video. I hope you give this a try, happy creating!
Posted on September 8, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! I am so excited to share this painting with you today because I had so much fun painting it!
I filmed and narrated the entire 2+ hour duration of this painting and you can find that tutorial in Critique Club. The tutorial is broken up into 6 smaller segments so you can easily take breaks and not lose your place. There are so many techniques in this painting that can be applied to other watercolor paintings as well. Critique Club is a monthly membership that costs $5 a month and you can cancel anytime. While you are a member you can access any of the past real-time lessons that are longer and more advanced to what I post on YouTube. In addition each month you get a creative prompt and you can upload up to two paintings you are currently working on for feedback on so you can grow and improve as an artist. It is my hope that this customized feedback, or critique, can help you become the best artist you can be! This is a gentle community of artists wanting to learn. Click here to learn more about Critique Club or enroll today!
Now for the Sketchbook Sunday Time Lapse!
Supplies: (Affiliate links used)
Watercolors (Paul Rubens) Ultramarine, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, (Light red, English red or Indian red), Sap green, yellow ocher and Cobalt teal *All colors are in the 24 set except cobalt teal which is in the 48 set if you want to splurge (it’s a great deal if you want a lot of colors) I used a stick of Cobalt Teal from Daniel Smith on mine because I got my 24 set of paint before the 48 set came out.
I hope you enjoyed this painting and I hope it inspires you to draw or paint something with lots of texture soon! Remember you can find the real time tutorial in Critique Club if you are interested. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and til next time happy creating!
Posted on September 5, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Today I wanted to paint a light and delicate koi fish painting!
Many times I am after this look but the paint gets heavy and I am not thrilled with the outcome. I think I managed to keep it light without overworking it. This fun video will take you less than 30 minutes and some supplies you probably have on hand. Let’s paint!
Chinese style or Sumi-e brushes *Mine are so old they are no longer available but that set had good reviews and are inexpensive
If you want the tin I used as a palette is comes with these paints. Unfortunately you need to get the 24 set now to get the big tin as they made the 6 color tins smaller. That paint is great though and a good value. I used poster putty to secure my pans in the tin.
If you like my videos and blog posts could you please share them? There are handy social sharing buttons on the bottom of any of my blog posts. Or you can copy and past the URL of the post and paste it into Facebook or Pinterest to share with your creative friends. It would really help! Thank you! Happy crafting!
Posted on August 29, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Have you ever been working on a watercolor and you have nice definition and contrast and then the next thing you know you have a hot mess blur of colors and shapes? Today I am going to share a technique that can help you avoid that! And you get to paint this beautiful lady!
We will do out under-painting value painting (think of it like a pencil drawing with shading or a monochrome) with a product that will be permanent. I am using Dr. Ph Martins Acrylic ink but you can use any water-based medium that dries permanent such as India ink, thinned down acrylic paint or Inktense pencils/blocks/pans. I bet you could use permanent markers too however you would need a large range of shades of one color and they tend to get used up quickly on watercolor paper (and it can fray the nibs) so it wouldn’t be my first choice.
The reason I wanted to have such a solid defined structure to this painting is so we can go to town with granulating paints. You can amp them up with some granulation medium too but if you don’t have any use some salt water (literally, water and table you have at home) and it will give a similar effect.
Keep in mind your earthier, duller colors will tend to granulate more, look for colors that are made with minerals rather than synthetic pigments and dyes for the best effect. You will get the best granulation if you have very wet paper and paint and you let it air dry. For some reason using a heat took lessens the effect of the pigment separation.
Enjoy the video, I tried something a little different with this one and I really hope you like it and if you do please tell a friend!
Supplies available at sponsor Jerry’s Artarama! 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.
Lukas watercolors: Gold Ochre, Caput Mortuum, Cobalt green, Cobalt turquoise
If you like this free lesson you will love one of my online courses and you can save 40% off now through September 3rd 2019 with coupon code LD19
If you want to learn more about values and shading I recommend my course Learn to Draw with Lindsay where you will learn to draw what you see without gimmicks. You will learn about value, shading, composition and design elements while working through the lessons drawing many different subjects. Or maybe you had your eye on another class?
Just remember to use the coupon code LD19 for 40% off all courses and payment plans through 9/3/19. Click the “add coupon” on the checkout page and enter the coupon code to apply the discount. Thank you for your patronage! Till next time happy painting!
Posted on August 22, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! I had a lot of fun on this painting!
I was inspired by these silk flowers, boy, they make some really pretty ones now!
Watch the video for a full, real time tutorial!
Want to learn to paint gorgeous flowers in a loose style? Check out my Watercolor flower Workshop! Use coupon code YAYFLOWERS if the discount doesn’t appear. 25% off discount is good on one-time purchase and payment plan.
Supplies (affiliate links used)
Watercolors in Sap Green, Alizarin Crimson, Rose Madder/Permanent Rose(optional), Cad Yellow Light or lemon, Sap Green, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt sienna Tubes or Pans
Posted on August 18, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Every time I paint with oils I am filled with a warm pleasant feeling of coming home. Some of this enjoyable nostalgia might come from the fumes but mostly it is because there is nothing quite like the sumptuous feeling of an oil paint loaded brush gliding across the canvas. You have all the time in the world with oils, they won’t dry out on you while you are working no matter where you live and you can build up layers and transparent glazes to get a luminosity that rivals watercolor, only different.
Have you been curious about trying oils? Or maybe you dabble in oil paints but wonder if you might be missing out on a tip or trick that could make your life easier or save you some money? If so check out today’s video where I sake 30+ tips (or oil painting hacks) that will save you time, money and bring more joy to your painting!
Supplies (Affiliate links to Arteza and Amazon used. If shopping on the Arteza website use coupon code PROMO10 for 10% off your order)
Faux hog oil brushes. I love the creative mark mimik hog brushes, I have this set and it is wonderful but pricey, take care of them and they will last you tho! For a budget, option try Menta or Zen faux hog brushes available at AC more and other big-box art stores.
Here are the tips (watch the video for ddetailed explanation)
Start with a set of good quality inexpensive paints so you can see what colors you like and replace what you actually use with larger tubes of better paint (and see if oils are for you before spending much) Also, buy an extra tube of white.
Use a limited palette for a more professional look.
Start with loose sketch with a small brush and thinned down paint.
After sketching block in colors in a thin coat.
Use a disposable palette and scrape it off so you can reuse it again (it’s less wasteful than the paper towels you will need to clean a wood palette)
Use paper towels for clean up instead of washable rags *rags used for oil paint can start a fire in your dryer
Use a brush washing jar (or make your own) with a cleaning screen so you don’t waste paint thinner.
Buy good quality paint brushes once. I like inexpensive synthetic hogs by Royal & Langnickle or Creative Mark. Be sure to clean them properly.
How to clean brushes: rinse in thinner, wipe off excess and follow up with soap and air dry.
Let your washed brushes dry before using with oils again.
Follow the “Fat over Lean” rule which means your first layers of paint are thinned with solvent and last layers are thinned with oil to the top layers dry slower than the first layers to avoid cracking.
Practice your drawing skills because with oils you will lose your sketch as you paint. Knowing to draw will let you draw in your minds eye and you know where your lines belong even after they have vanished.
Use an adjustable board or easel to avoid glare and for comfort.
When colors won’t stick let the paint set up overnight and then you can add a new layer with a softer brush. Remember the Fat over Lean Rule.
Scrape off your palette when you are done for the day.
Save big amounts of squeezed out paint by placing your palette in a sealed plastic try (like a Tupperware that you don’t need for food or in a zip lock bag) to keep it fresh for a few days while you work on your painting.
You can also cover your palette with foil and stick it in the freezer according to many artists. The best practice it to only put out when you will use in a day IMHO.
Have dedicated brushes for oil paints as you could deposit oils onto your other mediums if you use the same brushes for everything.
Recycle old watermedia brushes for oils (but don’t use them for watermedia again)
Save details for the end of a painting and use small brushes gently at this stage.
Add linseed oil to dark colors to help it flow, keep the colors dark and keep your lines fine.
Take your time, the paint dries slow so you don’t need to rush. You can paint in layers over days and weeks or paint “Alla Prima” or all at once.
Have a spot to leave your painting to dry where it won’t be in the way or collect dust or pet hair.
Varnish your painting 6 months after your painting is done to protect it and even out the paint sheen.
How to use oils in a sketchbook: First prime the page with acrylic gesso or you can do an acrylic paint under painting. This protects the paper underneath. Leave the book clipped open until the painting is touch dry.
Save bright whits and dark darks till the end after your paint sets up a bit so it will layer on top.
Use soft, blunt mop brushes for fans to soften and blend edges where needed.
Use a glazing technique for adding depth and rich layers. Mix paint and oil together to make glazes. Glazes are transparent layers of color applied at the end of a painting.
Buy larger tubes of the colors you really like as it costs less over time
Try water mixable oils if you don’t like the smell or cleanup of traditional oils.
Add interest in a boring area buy adding spots of a complementary color. I added red in the muddy green foreground.
Use warmer colors in areas you want to come forwards and cool colors where you want things to recede.
Add texture and highlights by scraping into the paint film with the end of a brush or palette knife. This is called sgraffito. You can also apply thick physical textures with a palette knife. Thick passages of color will take much longer to dry.
If you enjoyed these tips check out my other free oil painting tutorials here. Til next time happy painting!
Posted on August 15, 2019 by thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich
Hi friends! Today’s project has a fun, modern and stylized look! If you have never done a line & wash before this would be a fun project to try. All you need is a waterproof pen and watercolors!
Watch the video to see how!
Supplies available at sponsor Jerry’s Artarama! 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 *colors: Rose red, Olive green, Ultramarine, Permanent yellow
I hope you give this a try. You don’t need anything fancy, a fine point Sharpie and your kids watercolor paints would even do the trick! Have fun and til next time happy crafting!
