Wedding Cake Illustrations #WorldWatercolorMonth

During World Watercolor Month I have discovered so many great artists and their blogs, and I came across this blog post by Beth Briggs, who is a very talented artist and illustrator of everything fashion, floral, and feminine.  Her watercolor designs and creations are so classy and sophisticated yet girly and playful.  Her blog includes many DIY features, and she states that her mission is to encourage and inspire the artist in everyone.  Well, she certainly inspired me, especially with a tutorial on illustrating wedding cakes.  It was very timely as we have been to a few weddings already this year and have a few more to go, necessitating me to whip up a new batch of wedding cards.

Wedding Cake Card 1

 

Wedding Cake Card 2

I decided to use my Koh-I-Noor watercolor pencils rather than paint because of the fine details on many of the flowers, and oh what fun these were to create!  Of course I had to finish the tiniest details with a little shimmer and sparkle with Wink of Stella pens, and I was quite happy with how they turned out. I am working a couple others styles and will post those in a few days.  In the meantime, be sure to stop by Beth Brigg’s blog and check it out!

I’m sad to see the inaugural World Watercolor Month come to an end and would like to thank Charlie at Doodlewash for dreaming up this spectacular event. Charlie, you were so kind to comment on and like what I am guessing were hundreds of blog and Facebook posts daily, so hopefully now you can rest for a few days.  I am also hopeful that WWM was a success in getting donations and raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick.  It’s still not too late to donate and you can do so by clicking on the links directly above.

I KNOW World Watercolor Month was a success in bringing together watercolor enthusiasts of all skill levels from around the globe!  I have met many talented blogger friends who will undoubtedly continue to inspire through their watercolor sketches.

World Watercolor Month 2016

Save

Cherry Tomatoes, #WorldWatercolorMonth

 

Cherry Tomatoes

Summer is the time of year when tomatoes are quite delicious, juicy, and abundant, and I painted this vine that I picked up from the grocery store.  The painting turned out just okay but the real tomatoes were the best!  My favorite part was painting the quirky little blossom leaves because each one was different, and they give the tomatoes a little life.  Have a great day!

 

World Watercolor Month is almost over! Remember, we are raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick with hopes of bringing art supplies and teaching to children who otherwise would not have exposure to the enriching world of art. Please consider a donation today!

World Watercolor Month 2016

Lemon Tart, #WorldWatercolorMonth

How does Monday roll around so quickly?    Sending smiles via this little lemon tart.

Lemon Tart with Blueberries in watercolor

Have a wonderful week!!

 

World Watercolor Month is almost over! Remember, we are raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick with hopes of bringing art supplies and teaching to children who otherwise would not have exposure to the enriching world of art. Please consider a donation today!

 

Lemon Tart with Blueberries in watercolor

Happy Birthday, Buddy! #WorldWatercolorMonth

Yesterday was my son’s birthday so of course I wanted to make a special card for him.  He enjoys our city’s sports teams, even when they aren’t having a greatest season.  I did a quick sketch and decided to watercolor it, but because I had no reference photo I maybe got just a little lost along the way.  However, I’m sure he will love it almost as much as he loves baseball, football, hockey, basketball, and now soccer.  Happy birthday, Buddy!

 

World Watercolor Month has only a week left. Time flies when we’re having fun!  Remember, we are raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick with hopes of bringing art supplies and teaching to children who otherwise would not have exposure to the enriching world of art. Please consider a donation today!

World Watercolor Month 2016

 

 

 

Carrot Bunch #WorldWatercolorMonth

Carrots contain many antioxidants and other health-supporting nutrients and are good for you, but you already knew that.  I won’t bore you with other details about carrots, except that I had a lot of fun painting this bunch and was very happy with how they turned out the first go-round, which is pretty huge for me.  Now, go eat some carrots because I care about you 🙂   Have a great weekend!

 

Carrot Bunch

World Watercolor Month is flying by! Remember, we are raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick with hopes of bringing art supplies and teaching to children who otherwise would not have exposure to the enriching world of art. Please consider a donation today!

Alaskan Sea Lion Pup #WorldWatercolorMonth

I’ve used Paint My Photo and other various internet sites to find subject matter in the past, and they are great for inspiration.  While perusing my computer for a specific photo recently, I came across so many amazing photos taken by my shutterbug husband and friends and found many fun subjects to paint.  This cute little sea lion photo was taken by my friend Ronda when a group of us visited Alaska quite a few years ago.  I believe she saw this pup while on a whale-watching excursion, but sea lions were plentiful in the glacial waters we explored.

 

Alaskan Sea Lion Pup

My favorite place we saw sea lions was around the gigantic Hubbard Glacier, which is up to 400 feet tall and over six miles wide where it meets the ocean!  I was in awe of its grandeur and gorgeous blue colors, not to mention its sound – yes, glaciers are noisy.  There is lots of creaking and cracking as ice breaks apart or bumps together, and when a chunk splits and falls, also known as calving, it makes a thunderous sound!  A calved chunk of ice is called an iceberg.  Icebergs smaller than a car are usually called growlers, and larger ones are called bergy bits.

 

A section of the Hubbard Glacier

But I digress – the sea lions swam happily around the glacier and all the floating bergs.  The ship had to stay a certain distance away from the magnificent glacier, and the sea lions appeared to be smaller than the size of pinhead.  It was a little like playing Where’s Waldo, but once you spotted a couple they were easier to find.  Can you tell I am in awe of the Hubbard Glacier? 🙂  Thanks, Ronda, for allowing me to use your photo!

World Watercolor Month is flying by! Remember, we are raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick with hopes of bringing art supplies and teaching to children who otherwise would not have exposure to the enriching world of art. Please consider a donation today!

World Watercolor Month 2016

 

 

Ibis, #WorldWatercolorMonth

A few years ago while visiting Sanibel Island in Florida, I saw my very first ibis.  I know that is not a tremendous milestone, but I was thrilled to observe this beautiful white bird up close and personal as he stood next to me on the beach.  Oh, such striking blue eyes they have!  The ibis uses his long, curved bill to search for insects, snails, or small fish in the surf, and they also like to eat larger things like crabs, crayfish, and snakes.  I was able to snap a reference photo as he stood with his neck crouched down, one foot in the air, and resting for a bit.

 

Ibis in watercolor

I admire artists who use unconventional colors to represent white objects and wanted to give that technique a try.  The shadows were easiest to represent with the purples and blues, and I gave him a little sun-kissed glow and reflections from the colors of the beach.  After studying many such paintings I am still not sure how well I pulled it off, but I kind of like this little rainbow ibis.  TGIF, and have a great weekend!

World Watercolor Month is half over! Remember, we are raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick with hopes of bringing art supplies and teaching to children who otherwise would not have exposure to the enriching world of art. Please consider a donation today!