This is something new to me. First, I started with painting the canvas black and let it dry. Then, taking a fan brush, I did a thin line of the top of the vase and then continued down, giving the vase form, then added highlights, also in white.
Using a variety of greens, I added stems, twigs and thin ferns. Then with a mixture of colours, I created flowers, (I've heard them be referred to as Fantasy Flowers)These flowers can be any shape, style and colour. Then when making stems for each flower, follow all the way from the flower in to the vase.
Try adding sticks and thin branches. The results are amazing and this type of picture is easy to create, yet looks wonderful. It can add to a entry way in your home or look snappy in a frame on your desk at work! (I can't believe, I just said 'snappy')
Soon, I will have a detailed, step by step instructions for this painting! Enjoy and keep painting!

Well this is my very first 'moving' water. With this picture, I found shadowing and highlighting made all the difference. I like it.

I love painting...even if things don't always turn out the way I intend them to look. In the above picture, I was just practicing my sky and cloud techniques...I am still practicing with clouds and once I get them to my liking, I will share with you my creations!
Trees in the distance To do this, I used black paint and a regular sponge. Dipping the entire length of the thin edge of the sponge, I carefully place it on the canvas and with a gentle flick upwards, it creates a black sillouette tree-line, a sight often seen with trees at sunrise or set that are off in the distance.
On another note, lastnight I was painting a mountain scene and after I had added highlights and reflections in the snow covered peeks, I hated it. Everything looked off and nothing looked right...so I covered the entire 5x7 inch canvas in black and started again.

We all have to start somewhere. Start with the simple 3 step bushes in the corners of your page or canvas, then add to it. Hills are easy and can be defined by adding thin black lines to add perspective.

Sometimes looking at a picture you have taken is the best way for ideas. It gives you an image to look at and gives you perspective. Don't be afraid of adding your own touches to it. As you can see in this picture, I added my own feel to it and turned it black and white. (By changing this setting on your camera, it opens and adds feel and depth to your own creation)
The original picture was taken on the Athabsca River in Jasper National Park in Alberta Canada.

For me, it is very hard to show my work. I am not one to display my work and I often put my things away when I hear the door being opened as I fluster at compliments.
I decided to show these pieces, though I have many, I hate the way my camera makes them look. I am a dark-dweller, meaning, I like darkness and rarely, if ever, open the blankets that cover my large windows.
I paint what is in my head, often things or images I see. I make them my own and that's what painting is all about.

More Bushes

I encourage trial and error. Practice with a variety of paint colours, adding dark to light and light to dark. Also, try different sized brushes.
Dabbing the brush on the canvas or paper work well to add highlights or shadows.
(Using canvas allows paint to spread and mingle easier, while with paper, the paint mobility is rather limited)
Remember this Nature is not always perfect, there are bumps and twigs all over, but anything is possible!
Also...I love listening to music as I paint. For some reason when I listen to a certain song as I paint, I often feel the emotions of the music contolling the brush at the end of my hand.
Today, I listened to Rooster, by Alice in Chains.
Keep painting and feeling the groove!

3 Step Bushes

Welcome! This time, I would like to talk about bushes in landscape paintings. They are simple, creative ways to add depth and perspective to any painting! Also a great way to cover up mistakes or areas you may not like.

What you need
Olive Green, Sage or Spanish Olive Green & Ivory, also a smaller sized brush. Glossy aritist pallette sheet (found at dollar store) or a regular piece of paper and of course a canvas or blank sheet of white paper.
Begin:
-Place a small amount of each colour on a piece of paper or glossy artist pallette sheet (these prevent paint from soaking in to regular paper or newsprint and drying out quickly)
-Dip brush in Olive green, dip brush on a spare piece of paper to get the feel of what it is going to do and how the brush is going to react.
-Now, on your canvas, using a light dabbing motion make a 1 inch size 1/2 circle or moon shape, leaving the bottom of the circle flat. Using the paint on the brush, stroke upwards from the bottom, moving the paint up, filling the 1/2 circle. Allow the brush to 'flip' over the top portion of the circle, creating the look of thin stems and branches.
-Using the same brush, dip in to the Sage green or Spanish Olive green and fill in with a dabbing motion some of the spots, randmomly placing the lighter colour over the darker Olive green. This time, you don't want to stroke upwards, you just want to dab the brush lightly, creating another colour and adding depth to your bush.
-Next, using the Ivory and the same brush, add very little paint to the very tip of the brush! With a light hand, gently tap the brush on to the top of the bush adding a bit of colour to the tip. Using light colours against darker colours, creates the illusion of light.

I hope those small tips help you out! Now try making more small bushes and maybe try clumping them together in a cluster.
Try Adding: hints of black under the bush to add a shadow effect!

Good Luck and keep painting!!

Welcome!!

Well, this is my new blog and I am excited. First off, I am no professional painter, I do it because I enjoy it and I am the worst critic of my work, so grab those brushes and some paint and lets get painting!
Secondly, I buy all my canvas at the dollar store. Does the fancy canvas make your picture look better? I don't know and I am not that fancy. I like my work and my techniques. I find that my way works for me.
Thirdly...I use all sorts of paint, water, oil and acrylic...yes in that order, often all in one painting. When not mixed with water, water paints act just like any other paint.
Fourth...regular dishsoap and water will clean your brushes and sponges.
Fifth...I suggest painting in a well lit area...as often I have put yellow in places that should be white...oops....