Live! 12:30pm ET Let’s Paint a Lighthouse in Watercolor!

Edit: Here is the finished painting from Today’s Live stream. Enjoy the replay and have a great weekend!

Hi friends! Last week I had the opportunity to paint on Monhegan island with a group of delightful ladies from Louisiana. At the top of the island sits this quaint lighthouse.

Here is the on location sketch I painted:

I decided that I wanted to paint this again once I returned home so that is what we will do together live at 12:30pm ET today! You can watch live, or the replay in the player below but if you want to chat live and ask me questions as we go be sure to catch the live stream on YouTube.

Supplies can be purchased from our 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.

• Watercolors (Sennelier) Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine, Cinereous Blue, Naples Yellow Deep (or yellow ochre), Bright Red (or cad red/scarlet), lemon yellow *All from the 12 plus 6 free half pan set! Plus olive (or sap) green not in set.
• Arches #140 paper CP tore down to 7″x11″
• Mimik Faux Squirrel brushes (value set)
• Printable pattern

My Mixed Mix it Up Mixed Media DVD is out…

…and on sale for $19.99 (Reg $44.99)  *Digital version is $14.99 this weekend too! If you have wanted to purchase my Craftsy class but prefered to have a DVD now is your chance. Craftsy selected my class to be in the DVD pilot program and I am so excited!!!

If you are not into mixed media I also have an online watercolor class:  Essential Watercolor Course  with over 5 hours of in-depth watercolor instruction to start your journey into watercolor painting off on the right foot. Oh! Exciting classroom news, you can now upload your artwork directly in the comments section of the classroom, right in the relevant lesson,  so you won’t need to post in the Facebook group to share your work. I am so excited for this development!

Pretty cool huh? I love this update because if you have a question while you are working through the course you can pop it right in the lesson where it is relevant, not only do you get help but it helps your fellow students! Sharing is caring my friends:)

I also wanted to let you know that there will be no live stream next Friday (vacation!) so make sure you tune in today if you want to catch the live show! See you soon and until then happy crafting!

A New Watercolor Poppy to Paint!

Hi friends! As you might have realized I like to paint poppies and there were some beautiful ones growing on Monhegan Island when I was out there last week. Here is one I painted from a flower in someone’s garden.

Watch the video for a step by step tutorial and paint along!

If you enjoyed this free painting tutorial please check out my Essential Tools & Techniques for Watercolor Course. It gives you the basics on the tools and supplies as well as foundational techniques so you can create stunning watercolors no matter what subject you choose to paint! From color mixing and holding a brush to creating 3 stunning paintings this class gives you the information you need with no filler boiled down to 5 hours of lessons you can complete at your own pace and you can keep the class for life! I hope to see you in class:)

Supplies:

• Watercolor paint in colors: Carmine (pinkish red), Pthalo Blue, Olive green, lemon yellow I used paint by Sennelier, this student grade kit has all the colors you need or this set of 48 is the best buy if you are looking for the artist grade (which I used but I have also used the student line and I think it is lovely)
• Watercolor round brushes (Aqualon) #10, #4 or sizes you prefer
• Arches 140# CP paper
• Prima watercolor pencils spring/fall set

Sketch and paint along with me! Feel free to pause the video if needed (or slow it down or speed it up:) There is a little gear at the bottom of the video player screen that lets you change the speed and quality of the video. Speed it up and I sound like a deranged chipmunk, good times. I took lots of photos on Monhegan Island so I hope to bring you some more coastal Maine painting tutorials soon. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Happy Father’s Day! {A cute card I copied!}

Hi friends! I was looking for a cute card for father’s day for my husband and I happened upon this cute valentines card by Stephanie Chumbley and I thought it would be perfect for a father’s day card. Here is the one I made:

I used basic cardstock I had on hand to make this card. You can see the Stephanie’s card and read how she made hers on the Cards by Stephanie blog. I use this free lawnmower SVG file to cut the mower with my electronic die cutter (Using SCAL2 I broke apart the shapes and cut them from red, black and white) and I used a grass die cut I had on hand to cut the grass from green cardstock. For the clouds I punched a scalloped oval from a scrap of cardstock and used a color duster to ink over it starting at the top and working down, a sponge would work as well. 🙂

I am a very practical gift giver and I remembered hearing my hubby complain about how messy and annoying the new “safety” gas cans are so when I saw a review of the SureCan (no, I am not sponsored by them LOL!) on This Old House (or possibly some other home improvement show on TV) I thought he might like it. Of course, it is kinda like getting my husband a chore for Fathers day so if I end up with a vacuum cleaner for my birthday we will know why LOL…I wouldn’t mind a steam mop though truth be told! Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!

Fancy Card Edges: Stamp School!

Hi friends! A fun and simple way to dress up a card is to shape the edges. You can use scissors, punches, or even die cuts to do this. After shaping the edges you can embossing them as well to enhance the effect!

Learn this technique and make this quick and easy card today!

Video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Use coupon code: LINDSAY17 – 20% off peg stamps and peg stamp sets on orders of $10 or more.

Supplies:

• Peg Stamp Set Sugar Peas
• Peg Stamp Set Between The Paving Stones
• Unmounted set Live, Love Be Thankful
• Unmounted Set Uplifting Sentiments 
• Memento Dye inks
• White Cardstock
• Circle Punch 1 1/4″ and 1 1/2″
• Lace
• Hot glue and double-sided tape
• Scalloped border die cut (or use scallop scissors)
• Border embossing folder

Remember if you don’t have dies you can hand cut your edge like I showed in this tutorial.  I hope you enjoyed this video and til next time happy crafting!

 

Clear Cards & Scan N’ Cut Demo!

Hi friends! I have been asked a lot (after I did my Konmari cleanup) about my Scan N Cut 2 machine. I have only showed it in action in one video because I use it to perform one simple function (and no, it’s not a paper weight LOL!) I use it to cut out my stamped images. love the professional look of die-cut stamped images BUT I don’t like to buy (or store) really specific and expensive die sets to match my stamps. In my studio tools need to be versatile and earn their keep. A die set to match a set of stamps (and not all stamps have matching dies) often cost $25-$30 and most of the time they are only useful with that one stamp set. That is expensive and when I think about the huge amount of stamps I own it just doesn’t make since when I can use one machine to cut ANY of my stamps. The machine is about $300 (roughly the cost of 10-13 die sets) so it was a no brainer for me. The Scan N Cut2 can be hooked to a computer and you can design with it and there are pre loaded shapes and designs (which I have used and are cute) but for me I want this machine to cut my stamped images like I did with these cute cacti!

If I didn’t still have my old electronic die cutter (A Cricut Expression with SCAL2 software-that software is no longer available for use with Cricut) I would explore the computer design aspect. I keep my old Cricut because it is a workhorse and the blades and mats are about half the price (or less) of the Brother Scan n Cut versions. I am also very fast and efficient designing in SCAL2 and I like to avoid learning any new computer stuff that I don’t have to:) In today’s video I will walk you through the scanning and cutting process, it has been a while since I last used the machine so I am a bit slow but even with my failings you can see it is a very easy machine to use (the screen tells you what to do next if you forget, Yay!) I will also share tips for watercoloring on cardstock and working with acetate.

Video!

Tutorial sponsored by Top Flight Stamps Use coupon code thefrugalcrafter10 to save 10% on your order!

Supplies from Top Flight Stamps

• Carabelle Studio Cactus Set
• Carabelle Studio Stamping Mat
• (Also shown) Carabele Studio Heart and Bird

Other Supplies:

• White cardstock 
• Chameleon 2 toned blending Colored Pencils 
• Gansai Tambi Watercolors (good on cardstock!)
• Scan N Cut 2 Machine
• 12″x12″ printed acetate pad
• Pattern Paper was from Copper Luxury stack DCWV
• ATG adhesive gun
• Cheap ATG refills
• Novelty aqua yarn
• 1/4″ coral ribbon
• Ranger Archival ink black or any waterproof ink
• Sentiment stamps of your choice
• Scor-Pal scoring board *Scor-Mat shown too

The video goes in-depth on how to make these cards. I love how you get 4 finished cards so quickly and the clear front is something people will get a kick out of! I hope you enjoyed this project and til next time happy crafting!

*Contains affiliate links

Rembrandt Watercolor Review & Programming Notes!

Hi friends! First up I want to let you know that I will be away teaching a workshop on beautiful Monhegan Island this week so there will be no live stream on Friday. I do have a long, live narrated watercolor tutorial of peaches in a bowl coming up next Tuesday or Wednesday but I might not have a new watercolor tutorial for you before then. Luckily I have hundreds in the archive so you can check out my vast number of playlists if you are in the mood to paint:) I will have a couple cardmaking videos and a vlog posting this week but I didn’t want my watercolor friends to think I abandoned them:) Hopefully I will return from my trip with lots of new watercolor inspiration and coastal scenes to paint! Today though we have a review of Rembrandt watercolors. There were a great deal on Amazon recently and I grabbed a set, unfortunately they are now almost double the price so if you are interested I’d just keep an eye on them to see if they drop. Here is the video review.

Here are a couple paintings I did with these paints:

I have been painting with my new set of Rembrandt watercolor for a couple of weeks and I am really enjoying them. They are high quality watercolors (with high price to go with them usually) but when I saw a good deal on them I decided to try them.

The paints are available in tubes and pans. I am reviewing the 48 half pan set. You can also get a 12 half pan set and a 24 half pan set. *Note, the half pan sets are usually cheapest at amazon but if you want to refill the pans you will likely get a better price at Jerry’s Artarama, Blick or Cheap Joes.

Pros:
vibrant colors
26 single pigments *out of 48 set
Wonderful for glazing, colors stay bright and luminous
Nice palette included, no sharp edges

Cons:
The price has been jacked up on the 48 set since I reviewed it and list price is $510!?!
Two of the reds in the 48 set are very samey (they even use the same mixed pigments) and I found them rather dull, I would much rather have a Quin rose than the carmine or scarlet

This paint is quickly becoming a favorite and if you can try it at a reasonable price (not the crazy list price) I would recommend it. I have also used rembrandt in the tubes and find the quality of that excellent as well. The company who makes Rembrandt also makes a fantastic student line called VanGogh and it is one of the best student paints and I recommend them if the Rembrandt paints are not in your budget.  I hope you found this review helpful and til next time happy crafting!

 

Colored Pencil Tips & Inky Backgrounds on Kraft Cardstock {Stamp School}

Hi friends! Today I will show you how to make this card and share tips on coloring with colored pencils.

Watch the video for step by step instruction.

Sponsored by Art Neko  and B Muse *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!

Supplies:

• Stamps from Floral Sheet 1 (also available individually)
• Collage papers
• ATC Supplies
• Distress oxide inks
• Colored pencils (Chameleon color Tones, Review coming soon!)
• Brown dye ink
• Painters tape
• Bakers twine
• Glitter enamel dots

Colored Pencil Tips!

1. Go lightly at first. This will allow you to build up color and blend.
2. Match your pencil strokes to what you are coloring. Overlapping ovals work best for most subjects but if you have strong linear lines like the veins in a flower petal make your coloring linear to match.
3. Try coloring on colored cardstock, it will make less work for you as the areas you don’t apply pencil too will still have color.
4. Apply firmer pressure for final details. You can also color firmly over an area with a light shade (this is called burnishing) to fill in the tooth of the paper and get a smooth solid color.
5. If you are having trouble getting color to laydown on your paper choose a paper with more tooth or feels a bit rougher. You don’t want the super smooth paper you use for markers.

I hope you give some of these techniques a try! If you don’t have distress oxides and want to try the inky background techniques you can use chalk and pigment inks or ink the area up with white pigment ink and sponge dye inks on top. You know what I say? Use what you have! Happy crafting!