Free Watercolor Demo

Time 2:00 - 3:30pm

Project #7 - Painting An Apple

I was painting and showing the public some basic watercolor techniques at Disney Family Museum on April 14th, 2013. 

I've decided to play with an apple painting and paint it with only three colors, with more symbolic and elementary approach. My goal was to make it simple, desirable, and easy to accomplish; that anybody would be able to at least try to make their own apple painting. 

I've created a board with six drawings and paintings that show a few stages:

The challenge was to paint an exact apple. So, I created a few stencils that apples on my papers and papers of the students will look alike. It will people not to be scared about a drawing, yet give them more time for watercolor applications.

And here how the step-by-step Apple Study goes:

First, make a simple outline using "negative" stencil:

Second, using another stencil plug in a few details with the pencil and reserve highlights of the apple with a simple colorless or white candle stick (yes, a simple candle will preserve the whites, and in this case there is no need to use a masking liquid as it dries too slow):

At the Stage Number Tree, the real fun has begun! Apply juicy warm Yellow color and be generous with water that the apple stays wet-wet-wet for the next exciting step:

Step #4: While the yellow is still wet, get a nice amount of Alizarin Crimson or any Red color to the brush (don't make it too thin, remember, we are going to give this apple lots of color!). 

Step #5 can be started only when the apple is completely dry. Apply the same Red placing skinny strips of color around an apple, randomly, fast, but no pressure :0).. And you can start some Brown color application on the stem and a cast shadow from it:

Step #6. I call it "Pick An Apple And Place It On A Table". Just add few more details on the apple and the stem; then, use a wash of Brown  color (in this case it could beBurnt Umber or Burnt Sienna, or any Brown you can find)

Viola!!! 

An Apple is ready. But, please-please-please, don't give it to Snow White ;0)

Below is a little motion file that my sister Maria Batkova created for me out of above six stages:

Free Photo - Poinsettia

This is a free photo reference for you to create an Art if you wish.

I took this photograph last year. The Poinsettia plant as they say does not survive. However, this one was a Winner. It is still alive and will serve me this Christmas as well. 

What can you do with this photo?

- Paint it

- Draw it

- Crop it and paint just a fragment

- Frame it

- Make a card

- Share this photo with your friends

- Paint together with your kids

- Give your art to your loved one

e-mail me if you need a higher resolution file. 

I am placing at least one free photo reference a month; so to check out other photos you would just type in the Search Window of this blog on the right words Free Photo 

:0)

Create, Enjoy, Be Proud!!

Christmas Card

One of these beautiful handmade Christmas Cards with Holiday theme will be sent by mail to a first person who e-mails me now :0)

The second person will receive a digital image with one of the designs for Christmas Cards use (with Copyright Irina Sztukowski of course)

And if you are interested in making a handmade Holiday Gift, click on this Project

Free Art Print

Free 8x10 Art Print to the first person who e-mails me her/his address :0) and explains why you love this art piece...

Free Photo - Pumpkin In The Garden

This is a free photo reference for you to create an Art if you wish.

I took this photograph in my garden where pumpkin-volunteer from last season came out of the ground to bring joy this season.

What can you do with this photo?

- Paint it

- Draw it

- Crop it and paint just a fragment

- Frame it

- Make a card

- Share this photo with your friends

- Paint together with your kids

- Give your art to your loved one

e-mail me if you need a higher resolution file. 

I am placing at least one free photo reference a month; so to check out other photos you would just type in the Search Window of this blog on the right words Free Photo 

:0)

Create, Enjoy, Be Proud!!

Project # 6 - Glossy Bookmarks

Bookmarks? For Books?! Who reads them?!!! Well, I do. And I am sure some of your friends as well enjoy a novel or two. 

These cute bookmarks are made from old notecards and calendars. I simply gave them a second life. I also use old Play Tickets for the same purpose. It is not only serving me as the bookmark; but as well as a good memories and times. I also have a lot of scrap paper with watercolor sketches after working on the commission piece. I don't supply my customer with working materials (only with end result originals); and I end up with lots of colorful Artist's "kitchen" stuff.

Cut your Cards into even pieces. I use 5" Laminator Oxyron that I bought at Micael's with 40% coupon of the Regular Item (Remember: never go to Michael's without a coupon, they always have some sort of coupons, either it is 25% off whole purchase including sale items, or 40% for regular. Use their generosity! ) 

Glue or just cut an equal piece of color paper for the backing. You can avoid it, but using an extra paper helps to make a bookmark harder. I also grab a gold or silver marker and make a few decorative adjustments to a design. It makes a bookmark more festive. You can place some positive message on it as well.

Place the bookmarks (two at one time) at least 3/4 inch apart an start rolling:

The bookmarks come out the other end pretty and glossy:

When you separate the bookmarks make sure to cut the plastic not too close to the paper, leave 1/8 or 1/16 inch and press the end with the finger nails.

Have fun!

The best gift is HANDMADE gift :0)

Sunflowers - FREE Painting print

It Is Time To Give!

I have three 8"x10" prints of my Three Sunflowers painting. Three free prints to the first three people that e-mail me with the brief explanation why they love my paintings . Click here to e-mail me your comments. 

Thank you! 

Irina Sztukowski

(this free offer is available whole weekend until Sunday September 23, 2012. )

Free Photo For Your Art - Colorful Plant

This is a free photo reference for you to create an Art if you wish.

I took this photograph in San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers Botanical Garden

What can you do with this photo?

- Paint it

- Draw it

- Crop it and paint just a fragment

- Frame it

- Make a card

- Share this photo with your friends

- Paint together with your kids

- Give your art to your loved one

e-mail me if you need a higher resolution file. 

I am placing at least one free photo reference a month; so to check out other photos you would just type in the Search Window of this blog on the right words Free Photo 

:0)

Create, Enjoy, Be Proud!!

Project #5 - Doll Dress Hangers

You need very little to make the Doll Dress Hangers yourself. Take a straw, wire, and something round such a bid or a bid cover. I used a bid cover for my project.

The end result of the Doll Dress Hanger is above. It looks cute and it is easy to make with just a few steps:

Place the wire into the tube of the cocktail straw (make sure you cut the straw after you measure the shoulders of the Doll Dress. The Hanger will fit right in:

Twist the wires and move one end straight up and another on a side: 

Safety First! Therefore take your round pliers and secure the end that you cut. We don't want kids to harm neither their little fingers nor damage the Doll Dresses: 

Round up the other end of the wire. I did it with my fingers, but you can definitely use some tube to make a perfect half-loop. Remember the end must be securely bent: 

Use the bid cover for beauty and for protecting a possible sharp end of the Doll Dress Hanger: 

Viola, Hooray, Done! What a simple great solution :0). Now your Dolls will have a Doll Dress Hangers made all by yourself: 

Free Photo For Your Art - Mini Tomatoes

This is a free photo reference for you to create an Art if you wish.

What can you do with this photo?

- Paint it

- Draw it

- Crop it and paint just a fragment

- Frame it

- Make a card

- Share this photo with your friends

- Paint together with your kids

- Give your art to your loved one

e-mail me if you need a higher resolution file. 

This is my first Free Photo Gift. I am going to place at least one free photo reference a month; so to check out other photos you would just type in the Search Window of this blog on the right word Free Photo 

:0)

Create, Enjoy, Be Proud!!

Childhood Dreams

Gifts do not have to be expensive, they need to be CREATIVE :). I've made one for my niece for Christmas.

..............................................................................................................................

This is the recreation of the porch of my Grandma house that I spent summers when I was a kid. I remember how we helped grandma to peel potatoes sitting and chatting on the porch on a warm Summer day. The veranda that you see next to the porch came from my dreams. We never used it as a family gathering place, but I always wanted. I recreated it from my childhood memory dreams: I've painted the tiny teeny painting, made a table, bench, and a couch; I've also created a small music center with the record already playing in it. The rags and the couch cushions are crocheted (I used a thin cotton string). The fruits, bowl, and vase (as well as potatoes, pumpkins and basket are made from play-dough. I had to mix the bright play-dough colors in order to achieve a natural color of the fruit and veggies. And a very important element under the roof of the porch is the Sea Star that my grandfather (who I've never met as he died when my mom was just 15 years old) brought from the sea; he was a captain of the big ship.

...........................................................................................................

Scale: 1 inch is 2 feet. Total size of the construction: 12"x6"x9"

Materials: Wood, Balsa Wood, Play-Dough, Acrylic Paint, Cotton Threat, Watercolors, Paper.

Project #4 - Making Unique Gift Tag

With this unique cute gift tag you can personalize any gift you would like.

For this project I will recommend to have the following things ready:
- Yarn (any color and any thickness)
- Hole Puncher or any sharp object that can punch holes and has flat top
- Small hummer
- Crochet Hook
- Image printed on the hard paper
- Old cutting board

Note: if the yarn thick enough you can punch the holes far away from each other. I had them 1/2 inch apart:
You can verify if the holes are big enough by turning the card or just see through:
Take the yarn and pull the first loop through the top middle hole. The step by step chart is drawn down below (refer to it if the pictures are a little bit confusing for you)

After the fist loop is done, pull another loop through the first one:

When this is done you will need to place the hook into the hole again and pull another loop in order to have two loops on the hook. When second loop is pulled, grab it with the hook and pull it through the first loop ( again; if this is too confusing; go ahead and refer to the chart down below):
You will need to have two loops in each hole except the corner holes. Place four loops into the corner holes for better look:


When getting closer to the end of the pattern; make sure you will leave a pretty long end. To finish the pattern you will need to make an extra loop with the hook and pull it in order to make a long end.

Cut the end that you have plenty on both side to make them long enough to either make a pretty bow or attach to the gift:

Your very cute personal gift tag is ready. You can write a message on the back side or just place " TO:_____ FROM:_____" on the back of it:

Here is a little chart that will help you to learn how to chrochet the yarn into the holes of the print:


I have placed my Gift Tags under Gifts and Gift Ideas section of my Etsy Store.

Be creative!
And have a great Handmade Day!
:)
Irina