Do you enjoy taking your watercolors with you while traveling or to different local settings to create unique, artistic renditions of your experiences? Love exploring new art supplies and sharing them with your creative friends? Do you like bold, bright, expressive color? It's been a month since I first received my Viviva Colorsheets and I'm excited to report that, after having created a little series of paintings with them (some of which I'm including in this post), I'm ready to share my thoughts! In this blog post, I'll not only be including my swatching video for the 16 colors offered in Viviva's watercolor sheets, but I'll also share some information about this amazing brand, the products they currently offer and my observations after having explored them for a bit. This way, you can decide whether to order yourself a set a.s.a.p., or stick to regular watercolor tubes or pans. Viviva's watercolor sheets take the form of a booklet and each sheet contains 2 (6 x 4.5 cms.) highly saturated "plaques" of pigment. To use them, one has to simply touch the color with a slightly wet paintbrush and the color will be immediately activated. This is an idea pioneered by Peerless Watercolors in 1885 and Viviva has succeeded at creating their own modernized, all-around visually appealing version that they're constantly working on improving and providing different iterations of for their audience. Viviva Colorsheets was founded in 2015 by med student Aditya Vadgaonkar, who loved watercolor, but found it hard to make time to paint ever since starting with his university studies. Even when he did have a bit of free time, the set-up process, taking care of required supplies and clean up involved, made things very impractical for him. He longed to continue with his art practice and knew that there probably were lots of people around the world who loved art and felt that eagerness to sit down to create, yet found it too challenging to make time for it in their busy schedules. While working on a med school assignment involving a diagnostic technique that required picking up color from a paper substrate, the idea of creating watercolor sheets that contained color in dried form occurred to him. He thought this would be a great way to make watercolor painting more practical for busy people and for those enjoy sketching/painting outside of the studio, as these sheets would be easy to carry around and required minimal preparation/clean up. Passionate about making his idea come to life, Aditya then worked with an expert on colorants and, after 2 years and lots of different iterations, they arrived at a product that was ready to be offered to the world. They came up with a method to create watercolor sheets using a minimal amount of binder (when compared to regular watercolor pan sets), which gives them their vividness and great color payoff. 
Watercolor flower by Erika Lancaster- Viviva Colorsheets on Hahnemühle watercolor paper.
In May 2017, Viviva launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in order to begin producing their colorsheets in small volumes and start selling worldwide. It was a huge success. Viviva has been working on their product design nonstop, and now offer a wide range of vibrant colors that are not only super bright and easily activated, but portable, durable and eco-friendly. They've added more colors, tabs on the bottom of each sheet so that colors can be easily found, protective water-repellent paper in between each sheet, a small foldable paper palette, and they've even added beautiful and customizable wood covers as an option for your colorsheets (an amazing addition if you want to give these colorsheets away as a gift). They've also been working hard on getting their innovative product into art-enthusiasts' hands worldwide, as they continue spreading their mission to share the joy of being able to paint anytime and without the mess. Today, Viviva is selling their colorsheets to artists and art-lovers all over the world via their website, as well as through art stores in the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Singapore, Honk Kong, Australia and more.
Viviva currently offers four different sets:
Find out more about their products by visiting their website. Viviva Watercolor SwatchesThe very first thing I did after receiving my colorsheets, was work on swatches for their 16 colors. As you'll see in the video, I also made sure to test out some techniques that I frequently use in my watercolor painting. As I explain in my blog post/YouTube video titled How to Swatch Watercolor and Why It's Important, making time to test out colors before using them in an actual painting will not only give us a feel for the usability of the new set on hand, but will also help us avoid surprises when we're laying down our colors and creating our different color mixtures. Many colors in regular watercolor sets often look very different while in the pan/tube when compared to how they look when they're placed on paper and Viviva's colorsheets are no different (specific colors like Violet, Peacock Blue and Viridian are especially surprising!). Swatching colors out also allows us to have a better understanding of the color range offered.
If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*
The 16 colors included in Viviva's Colorsheets are: Crimson Deep Pink Vermillion Dusk Orange Chrome Yellow Gold Ochre Burnt Umber Burnt Sienna Light Green Sap Green Viridian Peacock Blue Persian Blue Violet Magenta Slate Black You'll notice that, in this video included above, I also share my initial thoughts on how these paints compare to regular watercolor pans and tubes. In many ways, these paints act more like dyes than regular watercolors and it's important to take this into account when you start painting with them. This said, I've come across pieces created by different artists using these colorsheets that look like they were painted with regular watercolors. Because of this, I refused to change the way I work and just simplified my method. I came up with something that works similarly to my usual techniques and that I like the look of. As with many art supplies, there's a learning curve involved, for sure. Especially if you already have a specific way of working as well as a style you're trying to achieve. As you'll see in the pieces I share here, I've have managed to use these colorsheets to successfully create beautiful wet-on-wet effects, muted out color mixtures and even a variety of values using layering to provide a bit more realism.
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Watercolor bird by Erika Lancaster- Viviva Colorsheets on Hahnemühle watercolor paper.
Watercolor landscape by Erika Lancaster- Viviva Colorsheets on Hahnemühle watercolor paper
Final Thoughts
Trying out these colorsheets has been a great experience and the product didn't disappoint. I'd recommend it to artists who are looking for convenience/portability and love creating quick paintings or sketches using watercolor, especially those who love bright color and do minimal color mixing.
Viviva's colorsheets are the smallest, most lightweight, portable set that I've ever used, which make them perfect for art on-the-go. Any artist who enjoys creating quick sketches outdoors, in different settings or while traveling, should definitely give these a go!
Though it definitely took me a bit to get used to them in order to produce the results I was after, I think the challenge has expanded my horizons and has made me a better artist.
Thank you for reading!
*Follow Viviva Colors on social media to see inspiring artwork created with their colorsheets, as well as the latest news from them:
Viviva Colors on Instagram
Viviva Colors on Facebook
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These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)
Looking for some meaningful and practical gift ideas that your artsy friend/significant other/family member would absolutely love to receive this Christmas? What items could help encourage an artist to keep creating and pursuing his/her creative passions?
First and foremost, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading this post, as it most likely means that you're interested in celebrating your friend or loved one's individuality and passion for art, and want to encourage him/her to keep going. As an artist myself, I can tell you that knowing people close to me support my decision to pursue art means everything, especially when one is just starting out.
I'm all about encouraging fellow artists to keep going because I 100% believe the world would be a better place with more art and artists in it.
All this said, no matter how mysterious and complex people make us artists to be, we're honestly an easy bunch to buy presents for. Not only do we tend to wear our hearts (and minds) on our sleeves more than others, but there are things we need to constantly replace in order to keep feeding our need for creation.
We also need to constantly seek ways to stay inspired and motivated, and a huge variety of things can get our creative minds going.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing a list of ten awesome gift ideas that your artistic friend will absolutely love. I've made sure to include options for both males and females, as well as an explanation as to why each item is so great.
Enjoy!
First and foremost, I'd like to take a moment to thank you for reading this post, as it most likely means that you're interested in celebrating your friend or loved one's individuality and passion for art, and want to encourage him/her to keep going. As an artist myself, I can tell you that knowing people close to me support my decision to pursue art means everything, especially when one is just starting out.
I'm all about encouraging fellow artists to keep going because I 100% believe the world would be a better place with more art and artists in it.
All this said, no matter how mysterious and complex people make us artists to be, we're honestly an easy bunch to buy presents for. Not only do we tend to wear our hearts (and minds) on our sleeves more than others, but there are things we need to constantly replace in order to keep feeding our need for creation.
We also need to constantly seek ways to stay inspired and motivated, and a huge variety of things can get our creative minds going.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing a list of ten awesome gift ideas that your artistic friend will absolutely love. I've made sure to include options for both males and females, as well as an explanation as to why each item is so great.
Enjoy!
Perfect Gifts for Artists on Amazon and Artist Merch Studio
I personally love buying art supplies, as well as Christmas gifts for my loved ones from the comfort of my own home through Amazon.
Another awesome option is getting a little something for your loved one over at my new Etsy shop, Artist Merch Studio! I'm filling up the shop with statement tees and mugs that are created especially for painters, illustrators and crafters.
Click on the images below to learn more about each item on this list.
Gift for artists over at Artist Merch Studio!
1. A Sketchbook (or Two)
Illo Sketchbook 180 GSM Paper (8x8). Click on image to find out more about this item.
An artist can only paint as well as he/she can draw, and keeping sketchbooks is a great way for us to continue sharpening our drawing and observational skills throughout our journeys. Not to mention, sketchbooks are portable, allowing us to stay creative wherever we go, and provide a chronological record of our progress that we'll keep forever.
You can honestly never go wrong with giving an artist a sketchbook.
Find out more about why sketchbooks are such an essential part of an artist's journey in this blog post.
2. A Statement Cell Phone Case
ChiChiC Anti-Scratch Slim Flexible Rubber Cases Cover for Apple iPhone 7 8 4.7 Inch
Not only do artists love making their passions known to those around them, but many of us working artists actually depend on it. Especially when an artist is just starting out, it's incredibly important to get the word out about what it is we do so that we can start building up those connections and experience.
An eye-catching statement accessory like this artsy cell phone case is a great way for us to transmit our originality and love for art, but also encourages other people to strike up a conversation with us.
3. A Leather Pencil/Paintbrush Case
Flyshine Canvas Artist Brush Holder Rollup Pouch. Click on image to find out more about this item.
An artist's supplies are his/her tools for creation, and they must be taken care of. This can definitely be a challenge when we do sketching and painting outside of our studios. A quality paintbrush case or pouch like this canvas roll-up ensures that our favorite paintbrushes will be kept safe.
I love the practicality of a roll-up pouch like this one, as there is no space wasted and paintbrushes can be organized/kept in place perfectly.
Gift for artists over at Artist Merch Studio!
4. A Painter's Apron
Artist Canvas Unisex Apron with Pockets. Click on image to find out more about this item.
The struggle is real for us artists to keep our clothes free of paint, which can be a problem because a lot of us prefer to spend our money on more art supplies, than on new clothes!
A canvas apron like this one is durable, wraps around the back for a higher level of protection, and I love that it includes different pockets for paintbrushes, rags and other things we might need to have on hand while painting. It's perfect for both males and females.
5. Highly Moisturizing Hand Lotion
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Lotion, Lavender (12 oz). Click on image to find out more about this item.
Hand lotion is a total must for artists, especially in the winter time. We're constantly washing paint and other harsh liquids off our hands, which makes them extremely dry and itchy. I personally have bottles everywhere, including my studio, and always carry a tube with my in my bag.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day line offers a variety of scents like Lavender, Lemon Verbena, and Peppermint. They are perfect for those of us who need a higher amount of protection/moisture, as they are created especially for people who work with their hands.
We must take care of our hands because without them we can't create!
6. Artist Socks
Chalier Famous Painting Art Socks (4-6 Pairs)
What better way to keep your feet warm this Winter than by wrapping them in some bright and colorful art?
A pair of these socks will not only keep your artist friend warm and cozy while working in the studio, but will also remind him/her to remember to have fun!
Us artists can get pretty intense (and self-berating) while creating, and it's so important to remember to laugh and not take ourselves too seriously.
7. A Color Wheel Umbrella
Streamline Rainbow Color Wheel Umbrella. Click on image to find out more about this item.
An umbrella like this one is not only beautiful and inspiring to look at, but is also large and sturdy to help us keep our work safe when walking to and from vehicles in the pouring rain (which can be very challenging).
What better way to let that artist in your life know that you're there for him/her than providing a canopy of protection from the rain?
What better way to let that artist in your life know that you're there for him/her than providing a canopy of protection from the rain?
8. An Inspiring Enamel Pin
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild Bob Ross and Happy Tree Enamel Pin Set - 2 Unique Colored Metal Lapel Pins
On the lookout for something small, but meaningful? Enamel pins are all the rage now-a-days and are a perfect little surprise that your artsy friend will be able to actually wear or stick on his/her bag while out and about.
This is another perfect accessory that can not only help us express our individuality and love for art, but can also be a conversational piece. Making time for conversation with others is essential for us, especially because artists tend to be alone a lot.
Some of us forget what it's like to talk with others.
True story.
9. A Helpful Art Book
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life (Sharon Louden) and Art & Fear (David Bayles/Ted Orland) Books -Click on image to find out more about these items.
An artist's life can definitely get lonely and sometimes we need to be reminded of how others have gone through what we're going through. We also need to be inspired by stories from other artists who have reached success so that we can keep working hard to make our dreams come true.
Both of the books above are, in my opinion, must-reads for any serious artist.
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life is a compilation of 40 personal stories/essays by working artists. Each one of them shares his/her own experiences and struggles as they have pursued making a living as an artist. This book helps us understand the reality of what it's like to sustain a professional creative career over time.
Art and Fear is a very popular book amongst creatives of all kinds. This book tackles artistic insecurities, and the internal and external challenges that professional artists face throughout their journeys. Finishing projects, getting our work out there and receiving critique are difficult tasks that artists must learn how to do/handle. This is a book to read over and over again.
10. An Easel
US Art Supply Tall Tabletop Adjustable H-Frame Wood Studio Artist Easel. Click on image to find out more about this item.
As a painter myself, I have a variety of easels. I enjoy standing when I'm creating my larger pieces, but a desk easel like this one is absolutely perfect for smaller and more relaxing works to enjoy on weekend mornings. Switching from one easel to another is a great way to reset my mind from a piece I'm creating for selling purposes, and one I'm creating for myself.
This easel is sleek, sturdy, and is perfectly sized, even for beginner artists working in a small studio.
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, so that I can keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)
Do you struggle with keeping your art studio as clean and organized as you'd like? Do you wonder how so many artists/creatives manage to keep their working spaces so neat and tidy? Have you ever found the mess around you demotivating to the point that it affects your productivity levels?
Though the act of creating art can (and sometimes downright should) imply making some sort of mess, this doesn't mean we should be okay with our studios being in a constant state of chaos.
Of course, people's tolerance levels towards disorganization vary immensely, but our studios are an extension of ourselves and our work, and should be treated as such.
Personally, I like to work in an environment that inspires me to create and helps me be as productive as possible every-single-day. My artwork is important to me (and I hope that your artwork is important to you as well), and staying as organized as possible ensures that it is going to be protected and accessible.
In their article How to Design the Ultimate Craft Room (for Beginners) the pros from porch.com explain the benefits of having a craft room at home, and provide lots of tips to consider if you're just about to get started with creating your own!
I really enjoy learning tips and tricks from other creatives, and Ali from Cut, Cut, Craft ( www.cutcutcraft.com ) was super helpful to share some ideas with us in the following post!
Enjoy!
8 Ways to get (and stay) organized
by Ali Fields
Hey guys and gals! It’s Ali here from Cut, Cut, Craft! (www.cutcutcraft.com) with some practical and creative ideas on how you can keep your studio organized in order to make the best art you can.
In Erika’s own words, "the environment that surrounds us impacts our mood and creativity". Read her blog post titled How I Find Inspiration as an Artist and Some Ideas to Keep You Going.
This is true for the people you surround yourself with, as well as the sorts of art and entertainment you consume. But it is especially valid in your own art studio, the very place you want to be free to act on your creativity to produce wonderful creations.
If your space is cluttered and disorganized, your mind will spend precious resources distracted by the mess. It will take you extra time to find materials to get started on a new project. Your aim should be to lower the activation energy needed to create art.
Spend some effort on organizing your space, so it’s easy for you to dive in when inspiration strikes!
I’ll go through some general tips on how to get your art studio in working order, and give you specific ideas on how to implement each of them.
Let's get into the tips!
Hey guys and gals! It’s Ali here from Cut, Cut, Craft! (www.cutcutcraft.com) with some practical and creative ideas on how you can keep your studio organized in order to make the best art you can.
In Erika’s own words, "the environment that surrounds us impacts our mood and creativity". Read her blog post titled How I Find Inspiration as an Artist and Some Ideas to Keep You Going.
This is true for the people you surround yourself with, as well as the sorts of art and entertainment you consume. But it is especially valid in your own art studio, the very place you want to be free to act on your creativity to produce wonderful creations.
If your space is cluttered and disorganized, your mind will spend precious resources distracted by the mess. It will take you extra time to find materials to get started on a new project. Your aim should be to lower the activation energy needed to create art.
Spend some effort on organizing your space, so it’s easy for you to dive in when inspiration strikes!
I’ll go through some general tips on how to get your art studio in working order, and give you specific ideas on how to implement each of them.
Let's get into the tips!
1. Purge your supplies (and donate them)
The first step in organizing your art space should actually be getting rid of all the stuff you don’t need or won’t ever use. You probably know if you have some hoarding tendencies, in which case you’ll have to spend some extra effort to actually acknowledge that you don’t need all those styrofoam spheres.
But don’t just toss any good markers and paints that aren’t getting use! Donate them! There are so many places that are happy to receive donated arts and crafts supplies: elementary and preschools, YMCAs, community centers, women’s shelters, churches, art centers, etc.
It’s best to donate locally.
So just do a quick Google search, “where to donate art supplies [your city/town/county name]” to find locations nearby.
Make sure that the supplies you donate can actually be used! Dried up paint and crusty paint brushes aren’t useful for anyone. So when you are purging your art supplies, you’ll need at least two piles: one for trash and one to donate.
But don’t just toss any good markers and paints that aren’t getting use! Donate them! There are so many places that are happy to receive donated arts and crafts supplies: elementary and preschools, YMCAs, community centers, women’s shelters, churches, art centers, etc.
It’s best to donate locally.
So just do a quick Google search, “where to donate art supplies [your city/town/county name]” to find locations nearby.
Make sure that the supplies you donate can actually be used! Dried up paint and crusty paint brushes aren’t useful for anyone. So when you are purging your art supplies, you’ll need at least two piles: one for trash and one to donate.
2. Use containers for writing, drawing, and painting instruments
Photo by DevilsApricot. Click on photo to go to original source at Pixabay.com.
There’s no need to spend loads of cash on fancy decorative bins.
You can use tin cans and mason jars to store pens, pencils, markers, and paintbrushes (and decorate them yourself if you want). I personally like to use the $1 metal buckets from Target, but they aren’t always in stock.
You can also find all sorts of neat containers at dollar stores and thrift shops. These sorts of open containers make sure your tools are always visible and easily accessible.
Make sure to have enough containers that you can actually sort all your creative instruments with plenty of space. This way you don’t have to work to cram pens into overstuffed mugs or spend time trying to find just the right marker.
3. Have a designated place to store your works in progress
Some people are only working on one project at a time. Others have six or twelve different things that are waiting to be completed.
Regardless, you should always be able to clear off your work surface, and also protect your work from accidental damage, which means you need to have a place to put your WIP.
This is easiest for 2D art. If you have any adjustable shelving, make a short shelf or two, just a couple inches high, that are always kept clear so you can place your work there. There are also flat plastic ArtBins that are useful for keeping dust, lint, and hair off your work.
For 3D projects, a container on a larger shelf will work. I actually like to use the top bucket-shelf of the rolling Ikea trolley. (It’s called Raskog if you want to check it out.) For larger pieces, I’ll usually place projects up high on top of shelves so my kids don’t wander past and touch something delicate that needs a day or two to set.
Regardless, you should always be able to clear off your work surface, and also protect your work from accidental damage, which means you need to have a place to put your WIP.
This is easiest for 2D art. If you have any adjustable shelving, make a short shelf or two, just a couple inches high, that are always kept clear so you can place your work there. There are also flat plastic ArtBins that are useful for keeping dust, lint, and hair off your work.
For 3D projects, a container on a larger shelf will work. I actually like to use the top bucket-shelf of the rolling Ikea trolley. (It’s called Raskog if you want to check it out.) For larger pieces, I’ll usually place projects up high on top of shelves so my kids don’t wander past and touch something delicate that needs a day or two to set.
4. Take advantage of vertical storage
I know a lot of us are cramped for space. Maybe you only have a corner, instead of an entire room to use for creative purposes. In that case, vertical storage will absolutely be your new best friend. Use all the height you can!
Install shelves, cubbies, or racks that go all the way up to the ceiling. (But make sure to have a sturdy step stool so you can actually reach things at the top.)
I’m also a really big fan of pegboards for taking advantage of walls as storage, without protruding as far as shelves do. Yeah, the sort you’ll see at discount stores or maybe covering a wall of your pop’s garage.
They are super useful for hanging tools and buckets, but you’ll need the right accessories: straight and curved pegboard hooks. You can also get pegboard kit, with a great variety of hanging devices.
It’s all super affordable and available at any big hardware store.
5. Use bins and boxes for larger items
Okay, so you have shelves, cubbies, or racks and finally have all these spaces to put your supplies away.
Don’t just make sloppy piles of materials! Those shelves will quickly become a black hole of lost utility.
Create separate containers for different sorts of materials and tools. Or group together all the supplies for a type of project, so your watercolor paints, brushes, and paper are all in a single box for easy use.
Plastic shoe boxes are an affordable option, and they only cost a couple bucks each.
Don’t just make sloppy piles of materials! Those shelves will quickly become a black hole of lost utility.
Create separate containers for different sorts of materials and tools. Or group together all the supplies for a type of project, so your watercolor paints, brushes, and paper are all in a single box for easy use.
Plastic shoe boxes are an affordable option, and they only cost a couple bucks each.
Darice 3-Tier Metal Rolling Cart: Mint Green, 30 inches $25.00
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LockTight™ Small Plastic Storage Containers: 6 ounces $3.37
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Wood Container with Handles: 9.02 x 12.6 inches $9.97
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6. Hang your storage
Photo by Daria Shevtsova. Click on photo to go to original source at Pixabay.com.
Yes, I love to hang things! It’s incredibly flexible storage you can rearrange as you see fit, which is great if you’re like me and maybe switch to a different art mode every few months.
So past pegboards, which I mentioned above, another of my favorites is using towel rods or curtain rods. You can find affordable ones at Ikea, or pick some up at a hardware store. I use S-hooks to hang buckets with supplies.
You can also hang string or wire across a wall, and use clothespins to display some of your work! It’s easy to rotate out what you are looking at, as the mood strikes.
Another option for hanging storage would be over-the-door storage. No shame in repurposing a hanging shoe rack to hold things like cans of spray paint or skeins of yarn.
Smaller over-the-door organizers are great for pens, markers, glues, and paint as well.
7. Label your containers
This one is big and was a total game-changer for me.
Before I started meticulously labeling my containers, my organization system would quickly decay the first time I was in a hurry to put everything away and just shoved supplies into whatever bin looked like it had enough space. “I can always reorganize it again later,” I thought.
Which I would have to do. Over and over again.
By labeling all your storage containers, you not only know where to find everything, you can also easily tell where to put everything away. Miraculously, all my pens and papers and ribbons and tapes now actually stay separated and useful.
And hey, labels can also be super fun to make! So take some time and make a pretty project out of it.
Before I started meticulously labeling my containers, my organization system would quickly decay the first time I was in a hurry to put everything away and just shoved supplies into whatever bin looked like it had enough space. “I can always reorganize it again later,” I thought.
Which I would have to do. Over and over again.
By labeling all your storage containers, you not only know where to find everything, you can also easily tell where to put everything away. Miraculously, all my pens and papers and ribbons and tapes now actually stay separated and useful.
And hey, labels can also be super fun to make! So take some time and make a pretty project out of it.
8. Once it's clean, keep it clean
Once you have a system in place for storing all the art supplies and projects you have decided you want to keep, you need to put in a little effort to maintain it.
At the end of the day, or when you are finished working on a project, spend a few minutes to put everything back in its proper spot. Clear off your work surface and put all your pencils or paints back in their spots.
This is time well-spent, and will absolutely save time for your future self (hey future self, have some time!).
Tomorrow, when you sit down to create something, you’ll have space to work and will be able to easily find all the things you want to you.
Best of all, you’ll be more likely to actually make more things, because your creative space will be so much easier to use.
And since it’s so sensible, I’m going to go ahead and crib Erika’s Ben Franklin quote here as well:
At the end of the day, or when you are finished working on a project, spend a few minutes to put everything back in its proper spot. Clear off your work surface and put all your pencils or paints back in their spots.
This is time well-spent, and will absolutely save time for your future self (hey future self, have some time!).
Tomorrow, when you sit down to create something, you’ll have space to work and will be able to easily find all the things you want to you.
Best of all, you’ll be more likely to actually make more things, because your creative space will be so much easier to use.
And since it’s so sensible, I’m going to go ahead and crib Erika’s Ben Franklin quote here as well:
“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.”
For more ways to save time and be productive, check out Erika's blog post
Time Management for Artists: My Secrets for Staying Consistently Productive.
Alright, that’s all the organizational advice I have for you today!
Thanks so much to Erika for letting me share my ideas here. I hope you all find some of these tips helpful for keeping your art space organized and functional.
I’m sure you guys have all sorts of things you use to organize your own space, so please share them below so we can all benefit!
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Ali Fields is a crafting geek who writes DIY tutorials and reviews over at Cut, Cut, Craft! Her latest obsession? The Cricut Maker Follow her on social media: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cutcutcraft Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cutcutcrafting Twitter: https://twitter.com/cutcutcraft |
Sending out a huge thank you to Ali for sharing all of these useful ideas with us today! Hope you found it helpful.
Cheers!
Do you often use other people's photographs as references to create artwork? Have you ever tried using a specific photograph to create a drawing or painting just to find out that it's actually working against you throughout the process?
I usually like having reference photos or real life objects in front of me to get inspired by when creating an artwork. Even though I am not particularly interested in taking the hyperrealist route, I use photographs because they remind me of details that I may or may not choose to include in my painting (or drawing), and might otherwise forget. I have found that, at times, it is these little details in photographs that my painting was lacking in order to become great.
Many artists recommend printing out the picture before starting a painting and working from it in order to ensure colors, values and proportions are true to the image. If you are going for something very realistic or simply believe it will be more comfortable for you, go ahead and print the image. I personally don’t because my style doesn't involve recreating images 100%.
I personally don't believe in tracing because I don't feel that this practice helps exercise observational and drawing skills as much. I really recommend not doing it after you have surpassed that initial level of drawing, no matter how hard it may be at first. I view imperfections and deliberate modifications by the artist as good things.
Getting back to photography, making time to take photos of the subjects you are most drawn to is incredibly important for an artist. In a previous post I talked about how sometimes it’s difficult to make time for this. I've shared links to sites that offer free quality photos that you can use to create artwork from and even sell.
Read this post here:
My Favorite Free Image Sites & Two Examples of References with Finished Illustrations
These sites are lifesavers for us who are extremely busy and don't always have the time necessary to do an actual photo session. I don't think there is anything wrong in using photos that aren't ours in these cases, as long as we have permission to do so. I believe that using them to get daily practice in is SO much better than doing nothing at all.
In my blog post When and How to Use Other People's Photos to Create Art I explain how to go about doing this safely and in a way that ensures you'll still be making as much artistic progress as possible.
However, there is nothing as rewarding as creating an artwork completely from scratch. Going though the process of brainstorming and visualization, finding the actual object(s) you want to shoot, sketching out composition ideas and arriving at the photo that you will later be using to create your artwork, may be a lot of work, but it is totally worth it at the end.
Photo session set-up in my studio. Not eating these was super hard! You can see here the harsh sunlight entering through the window. I avoided placing my subjects in direct light. Time of the day wasn't ideal.
Tips to Produce Great Reference Photos
It is important to know that simply taking a photo doesn't ensure that it will be able to be used for a drawing or painting. Things like resolution and lighting can make a photo extremely difficult to work with and even result in bad art.
1. Sketch ideas and visualize your final composition
The more objects you are including in your photo, the more essential this step is. All great photos have a focal point and you must consider what this is going to be in your picture. Essentially, objects have to be placed in such a way that the viewer’s eyes naturally move towards the object of most importance.
2. Have balance and harmony in mind, always
Keep in mind that compositions don't have to be symmetrical in order to be balanced. If you are shooting a variety of objects together, I suggest making it interesting and placing them in a way that results visually pleasing instead of in an obvious centered, symmetrical manner.
If you lack a trained eye, the ever-so-popular Rule of Thirds is something that you can research. This "rule" states that, to achieve an effective visual composition, a 3x3 grid has to be visualized within it. Imagine there are two horizontal and two vertical lines dividing the picture into 9 equal rectangles (or squares). Whatever we want the focal points to be in our compositions should be placed along the intersections of these lines. The basis for this "rule" is that the human eye will naturally move toward focal areas when images are divided into thirds. Finally, do different visual elements included in your photograph (color, texture, shape, etc.) combine well to create an interesting, visually aesthetic composition?
Rule of Thirds. 3x3 grid.
3. Make sure you are taking high resolution photos
It's very difficult to create an amazing piece of art using a blurry and pixelated photo. Though the amount of detail rendered will be entirely up to you and your particular art style, you want to have the option of adding in intricacies as needed and be able to zoom in whenever necessary.
4. Try to always use natural lighting (if you don't have special photography lights set up)
Using flash makes people and objects look flat and washed out. Of course, if you have photography equipment like lighting and reflectors and you know what you are doing, go for it! I personally don't, so I try to take my photos in the morning before noon or in the afternoon when sunlight is not at its harshest so that shadows and highlights are soft and not too distracting/dramatic.
In my blog post How to Take Your Own Art Reference Photos I talk about why making time to take your own art reference photos is important. I also include a video in which I take you into my studio as I do a still life photo session!
5. Think: What angle will suit this object best?
Even if you already have initial ideas sketched out on paper, move around during the shoot and move your different elements around, as well. Take a lot of photos in a variety of angles and play around with perspective. It would be a shame to waste this opportunity!
6. Consider background colors
Personally, I create a lot of artwork with white or very simple backgrounds, so I like preparing white backgrounds for my subjects (usually cardboard or fabric) when taking photos. This makes it easier for me to clean up the image in Photoshop so that I can concentrate on the object I am painting.
However, if you are setting up an entire composition to work from, I suggest using a neutral color background that will not distract the viewer from the focal point. Or, if you are going for something colorful, think if the background color plays well with/enhances the object(s) placed upon it? Think about color combination and contrast when selecting objects. Perhaps it's time to bring out our Color Wheels?
7. Take a lot of photos and keep them organized
Once you start doing your own photo shoots it's in your best interest to keep your reference photo library organized. Even if you don't end up using the photos in the next few months, you could create art or studies with them in the future. I like to name my folders according to the subject type: Portraits, Still Life, Cityscapes, Indoor Scenery, Landscapes, Animals, etc. Naming each folder with the date of the shoot could also be useful.
8. Remember, your photographs are references
Don’t be afraid to remove things that you think don't add to the final composition. I have also used two or three different references in the past to create one same artwork by cutting separate elements and combining them into one image using Photoshop. You can also change colors! Play around with your photos in photo editing software and see what happens. Visualizing and modifying references gets easier the more experienced you become.
9. Decide whether you will print your photograph or work from your computer screen
Experiment and see what works best for your particular process and artwork style. Neither of these is correct or incorrect. Just make sure you set yourself up for an efficient painting process by placing the photograph or computer screen at a comfortable angle and eye level.
10. You don't necessarily need a fancy camera
Most phones have excellent cameras now-a-days. Just make sure you have your brightness and resolution to the max. Also, clean your lens before you start. And, remember, always avoid using flash. Flash is the worst.
Before starting with the photo session, I made sure to sketch out some ideas.
.
Here are a couple of good pictures I ended up with that I will definitely be using to create some paintings. Try not to get too hungry!
Here are a couple of good pictures I ended up with that I will definitely be using to create some paintings. Try not to get too hungry!
Picture of three doughnuts to use in painting.
Picture of three stacked doughnuts to use in painting.
Picture of a cinnamon roll that I will be using in a painting later!
Become a Patreon community member to get access to:
-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!
*Click below to learn more!
Have you started building your own art reference library? How often do you create artwork using your own original reference pictures compared to how ofter you use pictures taken by others? I'd love to know in the comments section below.
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Do you have a few old paintings laying around that are no longer up to par and wonder if you could reuse them to make even better artwork? Interested in moving your painting skills forward by creating more art and in finding ways to save on supplies?
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)
Do you have a few old paintings laying around that are no longer up to par and wonder if you could reuse them to make even better artwork? Interested in moving your painting skills forward by creating more art and in finding ways to save on supplies?
You want to make an omelette? You've gotta break some eggs.
-Tyler Durden (Fight Club)
In today's post, I will be taking you through the process of preparing an old canvas painting in order to reuse it to create a new painting. With just a few tools, you'll be able to have a brand new surface to paint on!
I am a firm believer in using what we have and in being as resourceful as possible in our explorations. Because, as most of you already know, us artists need to explore a lot and we have to be smart about how we spend our money.
In today's post, I will be taking you through the process of preparing an old canvas painting in order to reuse it to create a new painting. With just a few tools, you'll be able to have a brand new surface to paint on!
I am a firm believer in using what we have and in being as resourceful as possible in our explorations. Because, as most of you already know, us artists need to explore a lot and we have to be smart about how we spend our money.
Original painting. Sorry about it being upside down in the picture!
First and foremost, a bit about the original painting. This canvas was a part of an artwork composed of three separate panels (three long rectangles meant to be hung vertically side by side). The paintings around 35 years old. Probably more. Another important note is that these artworks seem to have been created using very thin applications of acrylic paint. It is definitely not oil. And they don’t have much texture to them at all.
I took all of these points into consideration when I decided to use them in my oil painting explorations. I knew resurfacing them was going to be easy and that they presented good opportunities for me to work on a size and format I had never worked on before. Canvases with thickly applied paint (either oils or acrylics) or a lot of texture on them will probably require more work because more sanding will have to be done.
Secondly, I used regular Gesso I had at hand in order to resurface my canvas. There is a lot of debate whether or not it is ¨safe¨ to use oil paint on a canvas prepped with gesso. A lot of folks believe that it should not be done because it is just a recipe for cracking, peeling and an overall less durable painting. Other artists believe that a good quality Gesso can serve as base for practically any type of paint or medium.
I think it is up to you to figure out if this will work for your specific type of artwork or not, and the only way of finding this out is through first-hand experimentation. Perhaps your just experimenting and learning like me, and aren't really looking to create a masterpiece that will be passed on from generation to generation. In this case, it doesn't really matter.
Something you DO have to keep in mind is that if your goal is to resurface an old oil painting, a whole new set of rules apply. Regular Gesso cannot be used for this purpose. You would need an oil-specific ground and/or primer (I will not go into this process today because it is not something I have personally tried). So, once again, you CAN create an oil painting over traditional Gesso, but you CANNOT apply gesso over an oil painting. Are you with me? Ok!
I personally didn't worry much about creating an impeccable surface for this project because, as previously stated, I knew since the beginning that this was mostly an exploration for me. However, if it worries you, a solution is to apply Linseed Oil prior to starting the painting process (if you're painting with oils). Simply brush this all over the previously dried gesso and allow it to soak for about 24 hours. Afterwards, wipe off the canvas with a dry cloth and let the games begin! The idea is that the gesso will absorb some of this oil and it is less likely to make the painting crack later.
How to Resurface an Old Canvas Using Gesso
Supplies
-Old canvas painting/print/pretty much whatever as long as it's not an oil painting
-Sandpaper
-Gesso
-Thick used up/cheap brush
-Old fabric or dusting cloth
-Glass containers for water
-Linseed oil (*Optional)
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Process
1. Wipe the old artwork clean. Make sure it is clear of dust and other particles.
2. Sandpaper the surface using light pressure and focusing on heavily textured areas. Don’t fret so much about getting the surface super even if the painting has a lot of texture to it. Wipe surface using a cloth.
3. Apply first layer of Gesso as evenly as possible and allow to dry for a couple of hours. If your Gesso is too thick and this bothers you, you can add a bit of water to it. Make sure that first layer completely dries before continuing with the next step. If it feels damp to the touch, this means you should wait longer.
4. Once the first layer is dry, apply a second coat of Gesso and allow to dry once more.
5. Sandpaper the surface again! How much you sand this layer will depend on the amount of texture you want your painting surface to have. Some artists like starting off with more texture than others and this is where your personal preference comes in. Just make sure that after you're done with your sanding, you remove any left over particles by dusting your canvas once more.
At this point it should be ready to be painted on. But if you are still a bit nervous about not having a quality surface to work on, use the Linseed Oil suggestion I mentioned before. I will be trying this out on the next one!
This is how the canvas looks once it's ready to go! These canvases actually have a slightly damaged gold frame. Instead of removing the frame, I simply painted over it layer using black acrylic paint. I don't really like gold.
To end this post, I would like to encourage you to experiment with new artistic processes first-handedly even though maybe you don't have much experience about how to go about them. Sure, do your research, but actually DO IT! Trying things out for yourself is going to leave you SO much more knowledge and experience than just reading or hearing about them.
Also, ALWAYS remember that both in art and in life, it's much more about enjoying the process than the final outcome! Even if you don't end up with a masterpiece, the skills you learned throughout the way AND what you discovered about yourself make the process totally worth it!
Become a Patreon community member to get access to:
-Real-time drawing/painting tutorials with full walkthrough commentary
-Downloadable outline drawings, reference pictures and supply lists
-Direct feedback from me
-Downloadable workbook titled How to Discover Your Artistic Voice
-Instant access to a growing vault of original reference pictures that you can use for your own art
-Special thanks in YouTube videos and opportunities to get your work shared
-Participation in polls to decide new blog post and YouTube video topics
-Live classes and Monthly Creative Assignments
+ much more!
*Click below to learn more!
Have you ever re-purposed an old artwork in order to create a new one? I'd LOVE to hear about it in the comments below.
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is a participant in the Shareasale.com Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
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