Inktober 2019 Wrap Up! How did I do?

Hi friends! I did it, 31 drawings in 31 days! I am so glad I finished Inktober this year because I noticed improvement from day 1 to day 31. You can see the drawing in today’s video and learn a bit about the process. It’s long and chatty so be forewarned:)

I kept to my theme of drawing hands and also went with the Inktober prompts. With those strict guidelines I allowed myself some leeway with the supplies I used. They all contained some ink even if it was just a scant outline. Here are my go-to supplies but others were used as well.

My inktober supplies:

• Rendr Sketchbook (for alcohol markers)
• Fabriano Venice Sketchbook
• Arteza watercolor Sketchbook
• ArtnFly Alcohol Markers
• Pitt Pens
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Watercolors (New Paul Rubens Tube set in pink palette)
• Col Erase Colored Pencils *for sketching
• Acrylic paint pens

Here are the sketches I did this week. You can see week 1 sketches here, week 2 sketches here, week 3 sketches here and week 4 sketches here.

Day 28 prompt “Ride” I use black fine-liner and watercolors with colored pencil accents on this.

Day 29 “Injured” This was alcohol marker, black fine liner and pen and colored pencil accents.

Day 30 “Catch I wanted to do a mystical scene (catch a falling star meets crystal ball fortune teller) I used fine-liner to outline my hand sketch and ball and painted the background with 2 layers of black watercolor, then lifted out smaller circles and added metallic watercolors and flicked on metallic watercolors for the background. I used watercolors, colored pencil and metallic watercolors on the hand. I like to draw watches, several of my hands were wearing watches, I rarely wear a watch tho LOL!

Day 31 “Ripe” I drew a smelly sock (hubby’s idea!) but I wish I went with more of an athletic looking sock and used wavy lines rather than swirly flourishes for the stink-lines. I had to add flies to make sure I got the “stink” across. I used alcohol markers with colored pencil and acrylic pen accents.

I had to take a day off after Inktober and honestly I felt a bit of a let down not having a challenge to work on so I decided for November I am going to do a mini oil painting a day. I used to paint in oils all the time and I have loads of small canvas panels. Maybe some of them will be nice enough to give as Christmas gifts. I think I will shoot for 5 days a week, not every day because I would really like to take a day off per week. If you have been wanting to challenge yourself and grow as an artist I highly recommend trying a monthly challenge. There are so many to find online. If you would like to join a small group of artists that are growing their skills and get feedback from me on your current work check out my Critique Club and see if that is right for you. We would love to have you!

Did you do inktober? Let me know what you think below and til next time keep creating!

Sketchbook Sunday: A Pair of Pears

Hi friends! I went to visit my sister last week and my nephew picked me these pears from her pear tree. They were sitting on my windowsill and I thought they were to pretty to eat at least until I got a chance to paint them (they were delicious by the way!)

You can find the 1 hour and 25 minutes real-time tutorial in Critique Club. Critique Club is a membership group that allows you to upload 2 original paintings per month for an in-depth critique from me and gives you two intermediate/advanced long tutorials each month. Members also have access to past real-time tutorials posted for Critique Club Members. Critique Club costs $5 a month and you can cancel anytime. If you want to grow as an artist and have access to more advanced tutorials please check it out:)

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Watercolor pencils (brands I recommend) Arteza, Albright Druer by Faber Castell, Spectrum Noir Aquablend, Caran Dache Supracolor
• Colored pencils (wax based) Prismacolor
• Sketchbook
• Gouache (Arteza)
• Spatter tool (or use an old art dedicated toothbrush)

I hope you enjoyed this Sketchbook Sunday time-lapse! Remember the real time tutorial can be found in Critique Club and members get access to all past Critique Club tutorials as well so there will be lots to keep you creating! I am enjoying seeing my artists grow in the group and I’d love to have you join us. Thanks for your support! Happy crafting!

Sketchbook Sunday: A little Something Fruity!

Hi friends! Today I have a fun fruity drink sketch to share:

I used markers, gouache and colored pencils on mixed media paper. Here is the video!

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Markers: Art n Fly (I used the 24 set)
• Gouache (Arteza)
• Colored Pencils (Art n Fly)
• Strathmore toned tan mixed media paper 6″x8″
• Reference photo

That’s all for today! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and til next time happy crafting!

Random Supplies=Mixed Media Card!

Hi friends! Sometimes it’s fun to take seemingly unrelated supplies and make something:

These supplies came in the September Stamp Art Box (except stamps) and I was happy to play. Watch the video to learn some fun techniques you can apply to a card or painting!

Sponsored by Smart Art Box. Shipping to many countries worldwide, you can either subscribe and get a surprise box of art supplies every month or order the boxes you like while supplies are available. You can get the box I used today here. You can find the large butterfly stamp here, and smaller ones here.

Have a play with your supplies today! Happy crafting!

Big, Bold & Beautiful!

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
• This is the palette I have
• Paper: Hahnemule Cezanne #140 CP 11″x14″ (cut from a full sheet) also available at most fine art retailers
• Brushes (various) here are a couple affordable sets: These for loose and splashy techniques and these for tighter detailed techniques
• Gouache for accents
• White posca pen ex fine

Happy painting!

Sketchbook Sunday Berry Cake!

Hi friends! This week I have a fun experiment, watercolor on Rendr paper!

I really enjoyed using markers on this paper once I got used to it and I recently learned that this paper is suitable for many other medias so I decided to try watercolor on it. Watch the video to see the results! You can find real time version of this tutorial in Critique Club.

Supplies: (Amazon affiliate links used)

• Rendr Sketchbook 5.5″x8.5”
• Random Watercolors in my Etchr palette
• Erasable colored pencils
• Colored pencils for details
• White posca pen
• Watercolor brushes

Why don’t you try your supplies in a new sketchbook and see what happens! Happy crafting!

It starts off one way but ends in another…

Hi friends! When I started this piece I thought I would end u make a background that I could crop a card front out of and then salvage some tags or bookmarks from the scraps but after the page was done I couldn’t beat to cut it!

This was a really fun piece to create, watch the video to see it come alive!

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:

• Whale stamps (Pink Ink Designs)
• Distress Oxide Sprays
• Versafine black ink pad (for embossing)
• Black embossing powder
• Black Archival ink or Staz-on (permanent ink for overstamping design if desired)
• Dr Ph Martins iridescent ink
• Dr Ph Martins Acrylic Ink
• Watercolor paper (I used the smooth back side of Arteza Premium watercolor paper as it works really well for stamping and inks) 
• Real brush marker pens (Arteza)
• Jane davenport paint over pens
• Uni posca pens in white and black extra fine
• Assorted paint brushes

*I also used gloss gel medium and some iridescent paint but I don’t think it really added anything thank you can’t do with the inks I already listed. Feel free to substitute with similar products.

I hope you experiment with your supplies and don’t hold too tightly to what you originally plan if the artistic muse takes you in a different direction. Happy 4th of July to all my fellow Americans and til next time happy crafting!