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Writer's pictureAnnie Mason
2 min read

Gift your crafter | artist MOM




My mom loved crafts. She was a professional cake decorator by trade but also loved floral crafts, knitting, crochet, wreath making, and anything she saw that looked FUN to make. Our basement area shelves were stacked full of boxes of yarn, candle wax, needles, and ribbon; you get the picture.


I know, I know...it's hard to buy for someone else's wish list, especially if they have tools that they love. That's when a few questions to the artist/crafter in your life might be helpful. The products below are some of my favorites and I think universal in the art field.



*As an Amazon Associate,

I earn a small commission from links to products with no extra cost to you, the buyer. Most of the items are similar to those that I use or that I am familiar with as quality suggestions. Thank you.



 




 




 




 




 



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Writer's pictureAnnie Mason
2 min read

Simply spring, flowers sing.

If you love spring flowers, these painting tutorials might get you started with trying some of your own.



A magnolia white bloom and green leaves
Magnolia pen & ink, and watercolor by Annie Mason

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase from the links in this blog. I only post products I have used with satisfaction or know people who have recommended them. The funds from this partnership help me maintain this website, and I hope it gives my visitors some confidence in the products I promote here.



1. Simple Flowers

Materials: (links are my favorites)









Simple flowers. It doesn't have to be that hard. MY MOST POPULAR Idea Pin on Pinterest:

click here ⬇️



This IDEA PIN currently has 1,011 Saves, has 13,678 clicks, and has 525, 620 Impressions

What does that tell you? It tells me that people like easy, and "I can do this" art.


Simple Flowers samples



2. Zinnia

Work in simple shapes. Find a real zinnia or a zinnia photo (check copyright) and have it handy to use while you are painting. This flower has a big circle, a stem, and big leaves. Remember, it doesn't need to be "perfect." Have fun.





Zinnia flower by Annie Mason Winsor & Newton travel kit


3. Poppies



It is more detailed than the zinnia, but in this case, I start with a light pencil drawing and then trace over the lines with a black ink pen. You must let the ink fully dry before starting the watercolor paint. Add the bright reds and greens, and it's like adult coloring books.






Bright red poppies flowers green leaves
Poppies by Annie Mason. Pen, ink, and watercolor

4. Stencil flowers

You can always use stencil shapes for flowers. I used a template of petal shapes in this video.


Supplies: Pencil, Watercolor paints, brush, stencils.




Stencil flowers (0:24 sec)




Why...it's a butterfly. Stencil watercolor by Annie Mason Pen and ink, watercolor.



5. Go Abstract


A flower is a flower. The shapes change, colors change. Parts stay the same.

“Nature is a teacher whose wisdom we can learn, without which any human life is vain and incomplete." ~ William Wordsworth

Once you recognize this...pick up your paintbrush, sing, and dance:





6. Translucent Flowers

This last sample lets you see how wonderful watercolor's translucent quality can be. It will take a little more practice, and the most important factor is to let the watercolor DRY COMPLETELY before adding another layer. The result is a visual delight.


Waiting between layers is the key. (0:36 sec)










Experiment...have fun.

transluscent flowers by Annie Mason






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Skillshare has great teachers and watercolor classes to follow. Join here:






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Writer's pictureAnnie Mason
2 min read

That blank canvas doesn't scare me.



Well, maybe. Just a tad.


I haven't done acrylic painting in a very long time. It'll come back to me, right?


Our new house has a lovely fireplace mantel longing for a canvas painting. Here I am, four months into living in our new home. It's time to give that space a painting.


Here we go:



Supplies:














 









 




 









 














 















 



Now, the hard part: what to paint. It's in my head. It's one of our favorite vacation spots: Sedona Arizona


I do work from photographs (as many artists do). Our daughter took the photo on a trip out west. Jeep tours are a great way to get up close and personal, gaining a lot of information if you get a good guide. Here's one: Pink Tours from among many others. Or check these from a list: The 6 Best Sedona Jeep Tours




You can see the sky area (although it is subtle because I chose not to bring the dark blue completely to the edge of the mountainous horizon line.


Work in Progess

⬇️ Work in Progress



I added cacti to the left foreground; now to fill the empty space.




That space could be problematic. Put something too detailed, and it would take away from the detailed cactus. I decided to keep this area nice and straightforward with the desert sand and earth-toned colors.


This set is FABULOUS! Strongly pigmented colors are perfect for this painting!




⬆️

Am I finished?


It is a never-ending challenge for the artist. It's "quite" done. Sometimes, it's a good idea to walk away from a task. I don't consider painting a task because I love it. But like other decisions, it's a good idea to take time and ponder for a moment. "Sleep on it," my grandma used to say.




SEDONA. Vortex and meditation. Oum. Break time.









 

One day later: 🕰


After careful thought, I decided not to make any significant changes. My style is loose. The image lends itself to a quick, rough pattern with the brush (and a bit of pen and ink), an homage to the grand desert landscape with its rocks, prickly pears, and dramatic sky. So what you see in these close-up pictures is a bit more detail and the use of darks and lights to emphasize the textures.


Now, clean up the sides of the canvas. Since I will not be framing it for placement on the mantel, I painted entirely around the sides. Acrylics dry quickly, but even if it is dry to the touch, it is a good idea to wait about a week before applying a varnish coat to the artwork. For a technical description of the drying process, check Golden Paints Drying





 

Blank wall waiting for a not-so-blank canvas.


Another few days to dry completely 🕰

Ta Da!







 

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Looks like that blank canvas wasn't so scary after all. Sometimes, you have to DO IT!


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