Commemorating Cowtown in a watercolor

We had ANOTHER snow/ice day Thursday. I'm really tired of this weather, but an extra day stuck at home meant I might as well paint.  

My painting studio is not heated. So my acrylic and oil paints were not in any condition to use.  

So I decided to use one of my canvases and commemorate last weekends race.  

Kylie and Lexi "helped" by offering lots of suggestions and feedback. They let me use their pencils and erasers..

Here is my drawing.  

It's a compilation of Libby running here and the picture that I took of the course the night before the race... with a few artistic changes. :)

I used watercolor pencils and laid down the first layer of color on the canvas.  Watercolor pencils on canvas is weird because the pigment flakes off the canvas as you work.  

I then painted the watercolor on with water and brushes. 

I was planning to go back in with tube watercolors and maybe even a black pen to push details, but I really like the painting as it is. 

So is it finished? 

What do you think?

Work in Progress

One of the things that I am really trying to focus on this year in my classroom is for my students to see me creating artwork.

This is what I am working on currently.

It's a mixed media, colored pencil, marker and watercolor piece.

I'm having a lot of fun. Working 10 seconds at a time will do that for you.  It keeps it fresh.

My students love to see that I am drawing and painting too. And they never quite know what to do when I ask them for feedback and critiques! They try to just say they like it... but nope, I force them to pick apart my work and offer suggestions.

I'm hoping to finish it next week.

Watercolor Portrait of my Granddad

 



I'm working on lesson plans and in doing so, I'm getting a chance to create for myself!  My art 1 students will start watercolor next week and I am going to have them create a 2 or 3 tone watercolor portrait. 

The above watercolor is of my grandfather. I know it looks kinda weird, it's supposed to. It's a 3 tone posterized portrait. But I have to say, I love how it looks in person!  And I'm thrilled that I am taking the time to create as well.

I've decided that I'm going to do a full concentration of these little watercolors. Yep, another goal set!!

Posterized 3 tone Watercolor Tutorial

I'm always on the lookout for new or different projects to add to my art 1 curriculum. Recently I came across a nice watercolor project that uses 2 tones, but I wanted my project to be a little different. I see lots of 2 tone projects.

So taking what I like from the 2 tone "posterized" project and ramping it up a little, here is the 3 tone project that my students will be working on after they finish their packing tape sculptures!!

Personally, I love how this came out! And it was SUPER easy!! Like 30 minutes from start to finish!! (It will take longer for students I realize, but it will still be a fast and easy project for them!)

Step one: Find a photo that you want to play with.

 Step 2: Using photoshop or a free site like picmonkey, posterize your photo to 3 layers.

 Step 3: Print it out. And either free hand the drawing onto your watercolor paper or trace it using a carbon or light box or just rub graphite on the back and trace it onto the page.

 Step 4: I am using watercolor pencils for this project as I wanted something easy. I have lots and lots of cheap watercolor pencils that my students can use to play. I like using watercolor pencils at this point in the year as they are feeling confident with the colored pencils by now, but watercolors still seem scary. This is a nice bridge project.

 Step 5: Once you have the two basic areas completed, go back over the lines with a darker colored pencil. I used purple for this.

Step 6: Using a TINY amount of water and a preferably decent brush, paint on the water and your pencil becomes watercolor. I love watercolor pencils!!

And that's it. Thirty minutes from start to finish. Enjoy.

Technique Tuesday: Embossed Handprint Watercolors

I love handprints. All handprints, but especially of my children. I can’t believe how quickly time passes. Yesterday I saw a fun post at my friend Megan’s blog, and thought I’d give it a whirl, but with my kiddo’s handprints instead of an initial.

Here are the finished results:

This is a fun project that my kids age 4 and 9 were able to do almost entirely on their own!

To make this project you need..

1. VersaMark inkpad
2. Embossing powder. The first handprint we tried using Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, but it was too think I think. See Maddie’s clear handprint. The embossed handprint doesn’t have enough texture with the UTEE. So next up we used silver and then just fine clear for Lexi’s second handprint. These powders worked much better and allowed for the lines in the hand to show even when the powder was set.
3. Craft heater
4. Watercolor paper
5. Watercolors and paintbrushes.

To begin, have your child ink their hand (or do it for them) then smoosh the hand really well onto watercolor paper and completely cover with embossing powder. Use the craft heater to set the powder.

Now the kids can start painting. Personally, I think you get better results if you have the kids dampen the entire page with plain water and the brush first and then start with the colors. This allows for much more uniform blending. Once the pictures are complete, don’t forget to have them signed and dated. Finally, allow to completely dry and frame.
And there you have it! Another edition of Technique Tuesday…