Tutorial: Acrylic Relief and Watercolor Painting on Canvas

Welcome to today's tutorial, where I'm excited to show you how I've crafted my latest art pieces using Sennelier Abstract Liners and watercolors on canvas.

This method adds a tactile element to your canvas by creating a raised surface that securely holds the watercolors until they dry. The result is a captivating stained glass effect, paired with a touch of traditional painting charm.

During this process, I decided to blend metallic watercolors with traditional ones. The metallic hues dry with a splendid sparkle, adding a sense of depth to your artwork that's truly captivating.

For the finishing touches, I rely on Micron Waterproof pens. These pens are like a hidden gem, allowing you to infuse your art with intricate details that breathe life into your creation.

I must say, this technique has been incredibly fulfilling. I developed a deep appreciation for the final outcome, and I'm genuinely hopeful that you'll feel the same way about your own pieces.

Now, let's talk about the supplies you'll need for this tutorial:

This journey has truly been an enriching one for me, and I'm excited to see where it takes you. The process of creating art with a tactile quality is truly rewarding, and I encourage you to explore this technique. So, gather your materials, and let's embark on a creative adventure that's as distinctive as your artistic spirit!

Video Tutorial:

How I create a watercolor mixed media piece

In this video, you will learn how I created my Watercolor Sunset Mixed media piece with a watercolor painting, torn paper, and my sewing machine.

Supplies needed:
Watercolor paper
Painting Tape
Mounting Surface of Choice
Watercolors
Scrapbook paper with a white core
Elmers Glue
Hot Glue
colored ink pens

Enjoy!

Video:

Tutorial: Watercolor and Ink

In this video, you can watch my process of creating a piece of art using watercolors and ink. The video is captioned with each step in the process.

Supplies needed:

Enjoy!

Video:

Tutorial: Sunrise Puddle Pour with a Swipe

This painting tutorial is the second in my acrylic puddle pouring with a swipe series. I hope this video inspires you to experiment with your acrylic pouring and realize that there is so much you can do with this painting style.

Paint Colors:
Abstract Sennelier Lemon Yellow
Abstract Sennelier Lemon Yellow mixed with white
Liquitex Basics Fluid Acyclic Magenta
Liquitex Basics Fluid Acyclic Light Blue
Amsterdam Gold Light
Arteza Pearl Blue
Arteza Pearl Pink
Golden Fluid Acrylic Bronze

The colors are all mixed with a homemade pouring medium of American Floetrol mixed with Gloss Varnish and GAC 800 and a cell activator of Aussie Floetrol mixed with JoSonja Gloss Varnish.

To finish this painting you tilt until the paint spreads across the entire surface and you are happy with the composition, but keep in mind you want the paint to be thin enough to dry smoothly and not crack.

Enjoy!

Video:

How To: Puddle Pour with a Swipe

In this instructional how-to-video we explore a puddle pour painting mixed with a swipe. I first saw this technique on Molly’s Artistry YouTube channel, in which she poured blue puddles of paint on her canvas. Then used a pallet knife to mix the paints. Then with a pallet knife she swiped with cell activator. After doing all of this she then tilted to stretch the paint across the canvas creating a abstract water like painting that reminds me a lot of a deconstructed bloom.

In this video I will attempt to create a water with a sunset, using this same technique. I will tell you now that my first attempt was not what I expected and that I had to re-pour the painting to achieve the look that I was going for. But in fluid art most paintings are an experiment and a lot of times you have to redo them. You need to be prepared for this fact when approaching fluid art. Always be willing to experiment, always be willing to paint over the top of a painting you don’t like, always be willing to explore new techniques and ideas this will make your fluid art journey so much more enjoyable.

Here is my list of supplies with the instructional video to follow!

Blue Paints:

SUNSET COLORS:

CELL ACTIVATOR

Video:

Experiment! Acrylic Bloom on a Canvas Sketch Book

Experiment! Acrylic Bloom on a Canvas Sketch Book

Today, we see success, mistakes, and fails in this experimental bloom on a sketchbook. The painting process went beautifully, it is in the finishing of the sketchbook where I made a misstep and so the project is half success and half fail.

Acrylic Bloom paint pouring is a learned technique of mixing a unique blend of paints to get beautiful cells in your painting. If you want to learn this technique and all the recipes for mixing your paint, you need to visit the Sheleeart Website to take their course.

In this video, you will see the step-by-step process that I go through to get the end result. It’s not until I decide to tape off areas before applying Varnish that I run into any problems. Otherwise, the sketchbook would have turned out beautiful. But what is art if it’s not a process to learn from?

Here is my list of supplies with the instructional video to follow!
- Canvas Covered Sketch Book (Michaels)
- Amsterdam Pearl White (Cell Activator)
- Pearlx Blue Russet
- Pearlx Misty Lavender
- Pearlx Aztec Gold
- Arteza Pearl Royal Purple
- Colorplace Satin White (Walmart)


Until you take the Sheleeart Course you won’t be able to follow along with this video, but hopefully, it will give you some creative ideas for your next pour painting project.

Video:

DIY Event Table Numbers

When planning a wedding or special event; you want everything to be perfect. You probably feel like you will spend any amount of money it takes to have the perfect day, but you will soon realize that your budget can’t afford that expense. So why not recruit some help from family or friends and spend some time making a few of the items for your wedding or special event? You will have fun and save money at the same time.

One project that can be simple to complete is table numbers that hang from a bottle of wine or sparkling cider. These table numbers are constructed from Mason jar bands and lids, paper, a printer, watercolor paints or scrapbook paper. In this tutorial I will go over a few different ways to complete these fun table numbers. You may also choose to purchase my affordable pre-formatted table numbers as an instant downloads on Etsy (here).

If your not using wedding table numbers you can also use this same idea to provide information to your guests. For example: “We can’t wait to hear your glasses clink, please wait for the toasts to enjoy this drink!” or “Please wait for the wedding toast.”

Some of these options are also available for purchase on Etsy (here).

Here’s the supply list and step-by-step instructions and photos (You can find most of these supplies at Amazon or the Dollar Tree):

Step One: If painting on watercolor paper, trace the size of lid you’re using on the watercolor paper, paint with watercolors, let dry and then either brush on your text or table number or write with a sharpie. If using a printed background, print it on your paper. Trace circles of the correct size onto the paper, hand letter your number or text. If using scrapbook paper, trace your circles and write message or table number where desired. If using the instant download, purchase here, download, and print on the paper of you choice.

Step two: Trim circles to correct size.

Step three: Coat lid and backside of circle with Mod Podge and adhere to the Mason jar lid. Then coat the top of the print with Mod Podge and allow it to dry.

Step Four: Tie your twine or ribbon around the Mason jar band as shown.

Step Five: Once dry, heat up your hot glue gun and run a line of hot glue around the inside of the Mason jar band as shown above. Then quickly place your Mason jar lid into the ring picture side down and press until hot glue cools

Step Six: Make hot glue “tab” on the backside of the band and lid as shown here to make sure your lid stays in place. Let hot glue cool. Remove glue strands, if any hanging from the finished piece.

Step Seven:  Hang your creation from wine or sparkling beverage bottles as shown. You’re done!

Wow! Wasn’t that simple. It didn’t take much time, you saved money and it added a personal handmade touch to your wedding! I would love to see photos of how you used this project at your event or wedding!

For more tutorials and inspirational thoughts visit www.bethericksondesigns.com.

Sign up for our product updates and special offers at our Etsy Shop here.

Long-lasting Bouquets: The Art of Paper Flowers

Spring and Mother's Day are just around the corner and these paper flowers make a great spring decoration or a centerpiece for your Mother's Day brunch. The great thing about these bouquets is that they last longer than live flowers and since you will probably have most of the supplies around your house, they will be cheaper too! If you don't have the supplies at home I will provide a supply list for the Dollar Tree and Amazon, so you can choose where you want to shop.

You can make paper flowers out of just about any paper you, different patterns and colors allow for variety in your bouquet.  The bouquet pictured above has a few types different paper flowers in it, some that are folded Origami and the ones we will learn how to make in this tutorial.

As I was researching online, I found many tutorials on how to make the bloom of the flowers but no one included how to attach a stem. This tutorial includes both parts of the flower, the paper bloom and a wire stem.

Amazon Supplies:

Dollar Tree Supplies:

Creating the bloom:

Step One: Choose your paper

Step Two: Cut circles of varying sizes out of your paper.

Step Three: Cut a spiral from the outside of your circle to the center leaving an area in the center for the base of the flower.

Step Four: Roll your flower from the skinny outside point to the center, starting your roll around a very small dowel or bamboo skewer.

Step Five: Once you have your paper flower rolled to the center, let the flower expand to the desired size. After you have your desired size, place a circle of hot glue on the base of the flower and press the center into the hot glue to hold it in place.

Adding a stem to your paper flowers:

Step One: Cut your desired length of crafting wire (cut them longer than you think you need so you can trim to adjust the height of your flowers as you arrange them in your vase)

Step Two: Roll one end into a tight spiral

Step Three: Bend spiral to a 90 degree angle

Step Four: Place a circle of hot glue on the base of your flower

Step Five: Press the spiral into the hot glue and then place more hot glue over the top

Step Six: Hold until dry

To arrange my paper flowers I filled a small vase with glass marbles and then inserted my wires stems into the glass marbles, moving them around until I created the desired arrangement.

For more tutorials and inspirational encouragement visit www.bethericksondeisgns.com.

Painting SuppliesPaper Crafts Supplies

Drawing Supplies

For The Love Of Mason Jars

6 Mason Jar Tutorials Revisited

Maybe it’s just me, but I am obsessed with Mason jars. I am always looking for a new way to use them and I am still coming up with a few new ideas here and there! With the beginning of the New Year, I thought this would be a good time to revisit six of our previous Mason jar tutorials, along with a few new ideas and a glimpse into coming tutorials.

We have touched on how to use mason jars for gifts, storage and how to use the lids and rings to create unique memories for your Christmas tree.

But first a little Valentines Day treats! New to the Etsy shop are two instant downloads that can be used on a Mason jar or a milk bottle to make a sweet treat for your special someone! These downloads are designed to match two candies, Reese’s Pieces and Red-hots! Click the images above to purchase the download and complete your own Valentine’s Day project. Then read on to review our previous Mason jar tutorials and find on that fits your needs.

Tutorials revisited:

  1. The Art of Mason Jar Gifts • Using Mason Jars as gift baskets.
    (www.bethericksondesigns.com/allthingscreative/2016/4/25/the-art-of-mason-jar-gift)
  2. The Art of Mason Jars and Chalkboard Paint • Using mason jars as canisters.
    (www.bethericksondesigns.com/allthingscreative/2016/5/30/the-art-of-mason-jars
  3. Pumpkin Granola and The Art of Hostess Gifts • Pumpkin granola packaged in a mason jar for a hostess gift, free recipe and download included. (www.bethericksondesigns.com/allthingcreative/2016/11/10/pumpkin-granola-and-the-art-of-hostess-gifts)
  4. Mason Jar Easter gifts • Using Mason jars as Easter baskets with a free download.
    (www.bethericksondesigns.com/allthingcreative/2017/3/29/mason-jar-easter-gifts-free-download)
  5. Father’s Day Gifts Simplified • Dad has everything he needs right? Why not tell him how you feel about him with a themed candy jar.
    (www.bethericksondesigns.com/allthingscreative/2017/6/9/fathers-day-gifts-simplified)
  6. Homemade Christmas Ornaments • Photo Christmas ornaments made from Mason jar rings and lids.
    (www.bethericksondesigns.com/allthingscreative/2017/12/14/diy-homemade-photo-christmas-ornaments)

I am sure these are not the last Mason jar ideas I will come up with, but I thought it might be helpful to have them all listed in one place for easy reference! I am sure if you searched online you could probably find a ton more! Why? Because Mason jars are really just so much fun to find new use for! From vases to water glasses and so much more!

Just to prove my point, coming soon to the blog I will have a tutorial on making table numbers for your wedding or party using the Mason jar rings, lids and wine or sparkling cider bottles.

Visit www.bethericksondesigns.com for other great tutorials and daily encouragements!

DIY: Homemade Photo Christmas Ornaments

I know it’s a bit late in the Christmas season for this post but hopefully some of you will have some time to give this idea a try!  This project is super simple and takes less than an hour. It’s perfect for children with just a little help.

The other wonderful thing about this project is that it will create memories and bring back old memories as you make the ornaments and as you put them on the tree each year.

I also think that most of us have the supplies needed for this project sitting around our homes, just waiting to be used and if you don’t they are not expensive or hard to find.

In this post I will go over two different ornament ideas and give you step-by-step instructions for both.

Supplies:

Optional Supplies:

PHOTO ORNAMENT

Step One: Trace a circle the size of the flat area of the Mason jar insert. You don’t want your photo to all the way to the edge of the insert as the will make it harder to glue in place.

Step Two: Make sure your photo fits in the Mason jar ring and that everything shows that you want to see.

Step Three: Embellish with Christmas Stickers or a white gel pen or chalk pen if you wish.

Step Four: Glue your photo to the Mason jar lid insert using Mod Podge as your glue. Spread it evenly over the insert and them place your photo image side up on the insert. You can then coat over your photo with Mod Podge if you wish.

Step Five: Tie a ribbon around your Mason jar ring. (This will be your ornament hanger) Add any Christmas charms to the ornament hanger at this time.

Step Six: Gluing the insert inside of the ring. (Now is also a good time to write with a sharpie on the back of your ornament if you wish.) Run hot glue along the inside rim of the mason jar ring and quickly place your lid insert with the photo facing down into the ring and press down to glue in place. Then, to make sure it stays place hot glue in several places along the “crack” between the ring and the insert to form a hot glue “tab” to hold the insert in place.

Chalkboard Ornament:

Step one: Paint your Mason jar insert with chalkboard paint or another solid color (ex: red or green) let it dry. (Coat the lid with your chosen color several times.)

Step two: With the white chalk marker decorate your painted Mason jar insert with Christmas images or seasonal sayings. (When making my own chalkboard ornament I found that a gel pen scratches off the chalkboard paint, so its better to use a chalk marker.)

Then complete steps five and six above to finish your ornament.

Optional decorating ideas

After you have completed the steps above you can wrap the outside edge of your Mason jar ring with ribbon or paint the edges if you wish!

Optional Ornament Ideas:

This is also a fun way to preserve images from Christmas cards, gift tags or wrapping paper if you don’t want to use family photos. You could also cover the backside of the ornament with holiday paper to give the back a more finished look.

Now that was simple! I hope you enjoy your keepsake ornaments and place them on your tree each year. These ornaments would also make wonderful gifts for grandma and grandpa.

If you don't have these supplies and would like custom made ornaments, please feel free to contact me.

Please feel free to leave any comments, or photos of your completed projects below.

Source: www.bethericksondesigns.com

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