I watched a YouTube video yesterday and it inspired me to create this. The artist used acrylic paints, brushing various colours on to the canvas, letting some dry, and spraying others while still wet with water. She then used a paper towel to blot some of the water and colour up, letting the base colour show through and dabbing the excess on to other colours here and there on the canvas.
Well. Doesn’t that sound easy? I think my paper towel must be better quality than hers, because it lifted everything up and refused to let it go. So I was barely started and already breaking the rules. This is why I don’t take art classes and prefer to just wing it and see what happens. A couple of sea sponges worked way better than the paper.
I took a picture of the background I was finally happy with, just in case it all went downhill from there. Although I don’t know what difference that was supposed to make. It was really bright so I toned it down and blended it all with some watered down gesso.
Then obviously as you can see I don’t know which way is up, and flipped the canvas so the flowers would fit. I sketched them in pencil, went over them with gesso, painted them with acrylics and did some shading with gelatos. The lady I watched did a lot of ink outlines everywhere but I tried to keep the ink to a minimum. I added some texture and stamps instead. Because that’s what I do.
Finally, as instructed (what? really??) I added white splatter, let it dry, and then added some black. This is supposed to keep the splattered dots from mixing and turning grey. And it worked. Whaddaya know.
I really admire the artists who make these videos because of their ability to stay serious and not swear. Someone should do a tutorial on that. Sorry, it won’t be me.
And that’s how I spent my Wednesday. How was yours? If you were serious and didn’t swear, never mind.
It looks like you’ve been having so much fun! I love your last paragraph. So funny… 😊 I swore. I was not serious. Yay!
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Perfect Molly! I can always count on you to do the right thing.😄
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Fuck yeah.
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Mostly, I tried to stay awake. Mostly, I succeeded. Low bar and all. 🙂
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Low bars are my kind of bars. Except for limbo I suppose. I remember being a young mom and trying to stay conscious. Hardest work there is, but has the best rewards. ❤️
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I like reading your posts almost as much as studying your artist and creative pieces. The part about swearing snd the paper towel pulling lot of the color up reminds me of all my “oops!” Sometimes you can “fix” mistakes with the layered projects or the whole thing can turn out like mud or “shit.” 🙂
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Haha! Yes, I try to avoid the mud and shit results. Or just pretend that was the look I was going for….😛
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Thank you for making me laugh! I loved your thoughts about the artists who make the videos and don’t swear! I’d be doing a lot of video deleting because I know a few “bad” words would slip out. LOL! Your painting is beautiful! Love how you added your own touches to make it YOU! 😊😊😊
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There’s definitely an art to making those videos, and knowing when to speed them up so nobody falls asleep waiting for the paint to dry. 😄 I’m happy as long as I learn something, even if it’s that I can’t do it. lol
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I think you have a great idea for a daily prompt – “why I swore today.”
So here’s why I swore today. I was trying to turn some outdoor upholstery samples and an old curtain into a quilted cloth, for a picnic blanket, and I got everything lined up crooked without noticing, so it was all puckered when I sewed it.
It is salvageable but it was definitely a swear-word-worthy event. 🙂
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LOL! “Why I swore today” could be the name of my blog! I know how frustrating it is when things go wrong. But it’s just another challenge, right? Salvage it, toss it, do it better the next time. 😄
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That turned out really well. But I also like the stage that was just squares of color!! Fun and delightful work.
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Thanks Eileen ❤️ Some days I get to that stage and stop. And overthink the whole thing. I like the blocks of colour too! Really happy with that part.
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i see so much life in what you paint there. I like it so much .
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I think this is my favorite! So very pretty
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Why I Swore Today would be a great name for your blog. Perfect!! 💜💜💜
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I’ve always found that toilet paper works better than paper towel for most artistic purposes.
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Well there you go. I will try it! Cheaper too I imagine. Thx ❤️
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You did a lovely job! I am working up to the videos with my artwork, however- I am notorious for swearing, and for a lot of laughter so I am a little concerned about the outcome. Also- I LOVE using sea sponges with paints, they are so versatile. Paper towels, haven’t really stood up to my demands in the past. I always love to see your work, and this one is wonderful 🙂
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Thanks Mary Michelle! I really do love watching the videos and always learn something new, no matter how professionally done. Laughter and a bit of profanity would just make it all the more realistic and fun. Good for you, I hope you give it a try!
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I loved your painting, it looked fun and chirpy. not Tweet tweet, but cheery. anyway, it looks great! I’m not a super fan of the ‘art videos.’ I either want to go to sleep, or slap them silly. I’d never do one, for the same 2 reasons. The ones that are great, make it look so simple a goat could do it. So when you can not do it, you feel quite lame.
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Yes! I have had that “slap them silly” urge more than once! lol
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I think I meant slap the silly out of them, LOL
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Lovely, but thanks to you, I just pictured Bob Ross swearing. A soft, happy little swear word. 😉 Haven’t seen you posting in a while — it is concerning…
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Oh, no worries, I’m absolutely fine. Just taking what has become a rather extended break. Will post again soon. ❤️
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Good!
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