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  • How to Use Mixed Lettering on a Fishing Quote
    Blog,  Lettering Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Use Mixed Lettering on a Fishing Quote

    I didn’t grow up fishing, but I did grow up going to the beach and the lake. These trips usually involved swimming, boat riding or skiing. But now I have a father-in-law who loves a good day fishing as well as a husband and couple of sons who enjoy it occasionally too. Me? I love the fishing day feeling … the aura that goes with the idea of a peaceful day on the lake. Whenever I smell salt or lake air, I see the beauty of creation and feel that I’m-gone-and-might-not-be-back feeling. Do you know the feeling too? Where do you go to let your cares drift away? Today, we’ll…

  • How to use stippling for watercolor texture
    Blog,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Use Stippling for Watercolor Texture – all about lazy stippling

    What exactly is lazy stippling? In this article, we’ll talk all about using a stippling technique, or lazy stippling, for watercolor texture. What is Lazy Stippling? Let’s start with stippling, in case you’re unfamiliar with the word. Basically, stippling is creating art with dots, lots and lots of dots. The more compact they are, the darker the area appears, but as you spread the dots farther apart, the area appears much lighter. It’s a very interesting technique for drawing or watercolor. But it’s also a technique that takes patience. Maybe more patience than I have or want to have. So, when I feel the desire to create a stippling effect…

  • How to draw 3 flowers with watercolor backgrounds
    Blog,  Flower Drawing Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Draw 3 Flowers with Watercolor Backgrounds

    Spring begs me to draw flowers and dive into color. Inspiration lies everywhere I look. I find myself driving down the road filled with a desire to stop to take a picture (sometimes I do stop). Creation amazes me, and I remind myself to take time to slow down for a moment to enjoy it ... to walk out to the apple trees when they're blooming while I sip my afternoon coffee ... to just be in the newness and color of spring. It passes so quickly. Go ahead … whatever season you're in … take a moment to be present in it before the next one comes. It will…

  • How to Draw Lavender tutorial
    Blog,  Flower Drawing Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Draw Lavender with Watercolor Techniques

    I recently tried my hand at a little soap making. My son was brainstorming ways to make extra money. He loves to make things with his hands and came up with the soap idea. I tried and tried to have time to learn about it to see if it was a good option. We ordered some supplies and gave it a go … months later. We tried several recipes and several scents to see what we liked and what we didn’t like. I am so glad I tried it! We now have soap for the next year (a little overboard? nah!). Homemade soap is so nice on your skin, you…

  • How to draw grape vines with calligraphy
    Blog,  Other Drawing Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Draw Grape Vines with Calligraphy

    The other day, I was out pruning (possibly torturing, as I’m always learning and only have one chance a year) our grape vines. We have two varieties, a white grape and concord grapes (the best kind for juice or a table wine that’s on the sweet side). As I watch the grapes through the growing season, I think about how fun it would be to make wine, or at the very least, design wine labels for a vineyard. So this tutorial is born of me dreaming for that opportunity and practicing grape drawing ideas. You can benefit from my play. Maybe it will inspire you to make a label or…

  • How to draw bees and chamomile tutorial
    Blog,  Flower Drawing Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Draw Bees and Chamomile

    It’s thawing outside. Tiny, almost imperceptible leaf buds are forming on the fruit trees (witnessed as I pruned the trees), and the bees are flying again. That means the hubby is planning for spring hive work, buzy bees and then honey season. It’s still too early for actual blooming flowers, so we’ll have to imagine some ... Chamomile goes really well with honey. Let’s draw our inspiration from these things for our tutorial. Ready to paint a little spring?

  • How to draw doodles on an elephant drawing
    Blog,  Other Drawing Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to Draw Doodles on an Elephant Drawing

    It’s time to start thinking about spring. Can you feel it? Winter is coming to an end. The sun feels a little warmer, the wind doesn’t bite as hard, and those days are getting longer. And that calls for something a little colorful and fun. Want to try an elephant? All dolled up to celebrate? That seems fitting. This week, we’ll search out our playful side to decorate an elephant drawing with some colorful doodles. This tutorial is a little more involved than some of the tutorials you find here. It will be just as fun but might take a little longer. As you paint, draw, and doodle, think about…

  • how to draw snowflakes on a cozy mug tutorial
    Blog,  Watercolor and Ink,  Winter Drawing Ideas

    How to Draw Snowflakes on a Cozy Mug

    I like having a variety of seasons, and I’m lucky enough to live in a part of the world that allows me to taste a touch of each season. This year, we are having a very winter kind of winter, much like the white winters I grew up with close to the snow belt. I think this is the first winter that rivaled my childhood winters since I moved away 20 years ago. If you’re like me, winter makes you want to hunker down, find a warm (preferably soft) blanket, and sip a hot drink. I search out and claim coziness, especially on the coldest, windiest days. But, let’s get…

  • How to use heart drawings with a pun for a DIY valentine
    Blog,  Other Drawing Ideas,  Watercolor and Ink

    How to use Heart Drawings with a pun on a DIY Valentine

    We are getting close to Valentine’s Day now. It’s the time to celebrate our special someone, but for me, it reminds me of my whole family, the laughter we share, a few sweets and a little together silliness plopped right in the middle of a cold, brown, possibly snowy winter. There are a couple of times a year when it’s absolutely necessary to get a little punny: Valentine’s Day and April Fools’ Day. Oh! And birthdays … and Father’s Day … and … okay, it’s just fun to get a little punny. We always need another laugh around here (even an eye roll and a groan will do). Yes, our…

  • 5 heart drawings to mix and match for Valentine's Day Cards
    Blog,  Other Drawing Ideas

    5 Heart Drawings to Mix and Match for Valentine’s Day Cards

    I’m not a super mushy person. I can be a little sentimental and movies often make me cry, but I tend to want to give silly, funny or just plain punny valentines. Maybe because it’s become more about my kids and an excuse to celebrate … and eat chocolate, of course. Or maybe it’s because April Fools’ Day is my real holiday. Whatever the reason, I’m giving up the punny for this tutorial, but beware, it may return for the next one. This week, we’re creating five watercolor heart backgrounds and five calligraphy heart drawings that you can mix and match for your Valentine’s Day cards. Maybe we’ll even put…