Watercolor Heart Video Process

I cannot believe how long its been since my last post!  A year has flown by in the blink of an eye.  As I get older the time seems to go so much faster.  Looking toward the future for the blog I hope to post and share more of my process with tutorials including videos.  

What has not seemed to change with me is that I continue to bounce back and forth between digital art and traditional.  Over the past year I have created a lot of new work and my style continues to evolve.  It does however continue to include grunge and of course lots of hearts. 

I am excited to share  my first video today!  Recently I have pulled out the watercolors again as they really help to calm me besides being just so darn fun!   

Supplies

*Dr. PH Martin Liquid Watercolors 

*Strathmore Watercolor paper - I love the 6x6 artist tiles

*Palette knives in various sizes

*Spray bottle of water

I have lots more to share so stick around!  In other exciting news I have a new article coming out in the Autumn issue of Somerset Digital Studio.  If you are on Instagram you can catch up on my recent work over the past year.  Follow me @cathybueti 

xo

Simple Fun Sketching

Fun sketch done with just a black Stabilo pencil and some water.  

I sketched her out first on watercolor paper.  Then grabbed a spray bottle with water that I keep nearby when I am creating.  Gave her a spritz and let the water drip down the page.  That was my favorite part!  

Not sure yet if I will leave her as is or go back in with some collage and paint.   

So go grab a pencil or crayon and have some simple fun!

xo

My First Mixed Media Video!

Well, I finally took the plunge into video!  Obviously videography is not my strong suit so this will be a work in progress but I am excited to finally share the process of creating one of my mixed media pieces!

I used a small piece of cardboard that I had prepped with a layer of gesso.  I didn't really have a plan for this piece so I created on the fly which is typically how I work.  

Hope you enjoy this peek into my process!  I hope to be sharing more of these eventually with instruction!

xo

How She Came To Be

A watercolor background was sitting in my journal longing for something else.  

Using a Stabilo marks all pencil (everyone should have one!)  I sketched out this face.

With a q-tip dipped in water I started to wet the pencil marks and it became a back and forth dance between the water and Stabilo.  

The whites of her eyes were added with a liquitex paint pen.  A sharpie would work just as well or even a dab of white acrylic.

As always my work never feels quite done until I add some words.  

This reminded me of how much I love watercolor and miss drawing faces the old fashioned way off of the iPad.  ;)

Unexpected Paper Towel Art

You never know what will happen when you pull out the paints.  The other day I grabbed some paints to use on a piece of cardboard I had prepped with gesso weeks earlier (lol!).  I used a paper towel to blot off the excess water I was spraying on the paint.  As I was blotting, folding, and blotting again I hadn't realized that something cool was happening.

When I was done I slowly unfolded the paper towel.  I was totally surprised to see the cool texture and images that showed up just from the excess paint!  I actually like the paper towel art rather than the cardboard piece I was working on!  

You just never know what can happen in the studio!

xo

Back To Paper 53 . . .

This is a simple fun little sketch I worked up last night on my iPad.  I used Paper 53 which is one of my favorite art apps.  One thing I love about this app is the watercolor effects you get with the paintbrush.  

As always hearts show up in my work.  I couldn't resist adding them to the ends of her hair.  Sometimes whimsical is so much fun!

 Check out the Paper app
HERE!

xo

Abstract Landscape . . . New Mini Tutorial

"the sun always shines again"

acrylic on paper

I wanted to share this piece with you guys today and hopefully inspire you to let go and let the paint lead.  I created this mini abstract landscape using 3 colors of paint and a few pieces of tissue paper collage.  It was done with only a palette knife.  I don't like using brushes so when I can I use either a credit card or palette knife.  Here is how I created this little painting . . . 

*Choose 2 colors of paint and titanium white.

*Squeeze the paint directly from the bottle/tube onto the surface in the area you want it to go. 

* For landscape typically you create a horizon line which should be above or below midline rather than directly in the middle.  I squeezed the gray color on the bottom with some white and the yellow on the upper portion also with a small amount of white.  

*Using a palette knife or an old credit card start dragging the paint on the bottom.  Use a light hand to gently mix the white in for areas of highlight.  

*Wipe off the palette knife and begin doing the same with the top color.  Continue going back and forth until you feel its done.  

*To bring out contrast while the paint is still wet using the palette knife scrape into areas along the bottom removing some of the paint.  

*When the paint is dry tear a couple of pieces of tissue or any collage paper and glue it to areas along the bottom to mimic land.  Matte medium works well for this.  Or even mod podge if you have that on hand.  For this piece I used tissue paper I had already prepared with my favorite word stamp with Staz On permanent ink. 

*You can also drag the palette knife into the wet paint to create more texture and line.  

One of the things I love most about this process are the images that show up.  Over on the right side of the screen on the painting I see what looks like a couple in an embrace in the gray paint just below the yellow.  

Hope you will try to let go in your own creating and enjoy the process!  

xo

Cardboard Fun . . . A Mini Tutorial

It is no secret I have a bit of an addiction to gesso.  Recently I have been using gesso to adhere collage to various surfaces.  The one I have been loving the most as of late has been cardboard. 

I always seem to have pieces of corrugated cardboard lying around.  (I find the corrugated kind holds up much better to wet media)  The collaged pieces you see in this piece are photos printed on glossy paper that I tore up adhered to the surface with matte medium.  

I worked intuitively and quickly on this piece.  

My process went a little something like this . . . 

* Using a palette knife apply gesso to the cardboard letting some of the board show through if you wish.  (I happen to love the look of it peeking through!)

* While the gesso is still wet scrape into it in various areas for texture

* Add some ink, spray with water and let it drip.  

* Tear up a photo and collage onto the surface with matte medium.  

* Add final details with a Stabilo pencil or paint pen 

* Using Stazon ink stamp some inspiring words as a final touch!

Let me know if you try this as I would love to see your work!  Just add the link in the comments so we can all check it out!  

xo

Studio News And An Art Store Haul!

 I am excited to share some publishing news with you!  One of my favorite "heart art" pieces was recently published in the June issue of Somerset Studio Gallery on newsstands now!  I had the great honor of writing a mini article of my process for this painting.  

Very exciting to see my work in print!  This piece "you are loved"  was so much fun to create.  I hope you pick up a copy and if you try the tutorial please come back and share a link so we can see what beauty you have created!

In other news I recently took a much needed trip to Michael's for some new supplies.  Sometimes I just like to go the art store to peruse the aisles.  It is a good way for me to loose myself and turn off my brain, much like painting does.  

I picked up some light colors of folk art craft paint (sometimes its just fun to not have to think about mixing your own colors) and new stencils.  I went crazy for these new Tim Holtz stencils!  Love the grunge and of course love to use letters in my mixed media pieces.  I also grabbed a set of liquitex paint pens in black, white, and gray.  Paint pens are new to me so I am excited to try them out.  I love to write on my pieces with something permanent.  These should do the trick.  

Hope all is well in your world these days.  Tune in later this week to see what I conjure up on canvas with the new supplies!  

xo

Process of a Journal Page

I have recently started art journaling.  I am not too consistent with it however it does come in handy when I need what I call a "mind spill".  And yesterday morning was one of those moments.  I find I can let go of perfection more if I am using a page in a journal.  This rings especially true when it comes to painting faces.  

The process for this girl went something like this . . . 

- prep page with gesso

-add a layer of words stamps (oh how I love to stamp!)

-using a black stabilo pencil sketch out a face

-add water and using a palette knife drag with water through the pencil color

- go back in with more pencil to define areas of the face

-add white gesso to the eyes and highlights of the face.

-use a black faber castell gelato to darken the lines and add water for drips

- using a pitt pen scribble some words

-drag palette knife through leftover gesso and "stamp" it over the page

What are your favorite supplies to use for art journaling? Please do share!

xo

Beginnings of Her . . .

I can't recall the last time I tried to paint a face.  It was something I enjoyed and then I seemed to just drop it.  Not sure why. Possibly out of frustration.  I become easily impatient with most things in life and my art is no exception.  

Late last night before bed I grabbed a neocolor 2 and quickly sketched out this girl.  I added water with a q-tip and smudged the water around, went back in with a little more crayon.  My plan is to go back in with some white gesso and see what happens.  I kinda like her expression already.  I love that she was not planned, she is just what came out of my hand as I sketched.  

If I can shut down the critiquing gremlins I may get her done.  Something simple, something small, and hopefully something inspiring . . . 

xo

Happy New Year!

"Untitled"
shot with iPhone 4, processed in snapseed

I think I should make a resolution to blog more!  Then again I typically despise new year's resolutions.  Too much pressure.  The beginning of yet another year always evokes feelings of newness, a way to reinvent ourselves or our work, and a way to move forward. 

Every New Year's Eve I feel pressure for that one night to be perfect.  To move gracefully into another year without a hitch, in the perfect mood, and feeling complete bliss.  What if all that doesn't happen?  What then?  So I decided this year to remember that each moment of everyday is a way to begin again.  Not just big holiday's, birthday's, and the like but every moment we are given.  I have struggled with that for most of my life.  I can only promise myself that I will try.  

As for my artwork, I have been excitedly trying out new techniques in both my digital art and mixed media!  Learning in more online classes than I like to admit!  2014 closed with an amazing opportunity to digitally design the book cover art for an upcoming publication which I cannot share just yet!  

As you may have noticed I have added pages in the toolbar at the top of my blog.  I have toyed with the idea of a website but for the meantime I will be adding details to each of those pages so I can share more with you guys!  Let me know how you like the new header image as well!  

I am loving Instagram as an easy quick way to share my art and works in progress as well as snippets into my personal life.   Look me up under @cathybueti to follow me!

To follow me on Facebook Click HERE !

Breakthrough

"her"

mixed media on 12x12 birch wood panel

Another piece I created inspired by Mindy Lacefield's Primitive Portraits class!  I am so loving her style of teaching as well as her inspiration to create loose, free, and intuitive.  I have long struggled with being able to do just that.  

Just the other day I tried to start a piece on this wood panel (which btw is becoming my favorite surface to work on!)  and really struggled.  I added some random color, started scraping and brushing it around only to feel as if I ruined it all.  Just a moment when my mind was truly not focused.  So I walked away.  Hours later I went back to it and dumped gesso all over it.  (thank goodness for gesso!)  and soon enough had another blank white space to work on.  

For this piece all I used was a Ranger distress ink pad, black stabilo pencil, and some water.  I had no idea what the ink would do but I loved the result.  I got lost in the moment unexpectedly and tried not to overthink it, just added, taking away, scribbling till it felt done.  Actually I had to walk away before I continued to overwork it.  

As I stood back looking at it I got chills.  That has never happened before in the past 4 years I have been creating art.  I feel as if I have stumbled upon a surface and supplies I really vibed to.  Who knows, I may stray from this as I tend to do but what I do know is that something in this broke something open in me that I have been longing to see within my art.  Possibly a piece of me . . . 

Sharing with Paint Party Friday !

xo

Going Primitive With Mindy!

"finding my way"

12x12 mixed media on cardboard

I have long been a fan of Mindy Lacefield's lovely artwork especially her primitive faces.  Recently I signed up for her Primative Portraits classes and am really enjoying learning from her! She is super sweet and its a joy to watch her create.  

Letting loose and working intuitively continues to be something I struggle with in my artwork.  I enjoy sketching faces but when it comes to painting them I for some reason just don't like it probably because I tighten up so much and try to be perfect that I end up with a stiff neck when I am done!  lol These classes are so inspiring as well as opening me up to a new loose way of creating a face.  

The above piece was created on cardboard.  I also had some pieces of paper towel laying around on my art table that I added to the board for really cool texture.  I found this girl's face in the background trying loosely to bring her out.  The quicker I work when I create the less critical I am of myself.  Any of you feel the same way??

If you haven't discovered Mindy's lovely work already 

check out her website HERE!

She is offering the third installment of her Primitive Portraits class series 

with Primitive Portraits 3 which I am excited about!  For details on this class and a 

chance to win a spot click HERE!!

xo

Her - Filtered

Last night I grabbed my graphite pencils and sketchbook, dusted them off and created this girl.  I tried not to think too much, just created whatever needed to come out of me at the time.  

I miss drawing and sketching.  I have been in a bit of a funk lately, for months actually and am planning on trying to sketch everyday as a daily practice for my mind.  Maybe if I put it out there I will stick to it! 

When she was finished I took a pic of her with my iPhone.  Of course the next thing I did was throw her in Snapseed (on of my fav filter apps)  and filtered away.  

And just like that she is transformed into something completely different.  

If you have never tried this with a sketch or even a painting give it a whirl.  It is addicting and fun!  Snapseed is a great app to start with.  For this gal I used the "drama" filter first and then the "grunge"  filter to achieve the effect you see here.  

Be sure to stop back and share a link to what you create!  I would love to see!

xo

Wordless Wednesday

"Looking Through" 

Exciting Somerset News Part 2 !!

As if it wasn't exciting enough to have my work published in Somerset Digital Studio

 I was grateful to find out last spring that 2 of my paintings were chosen

 for publication in Somerset Apprentice! 

I had the wonderful opportunity to write technique articles to accompany each piece. 

 I love how they turned out.  

And had fun writing and sharing my process.  

These are two of my favorite pieces to date and I am

 so excited to share them with you!

This piece in particular I love for its simple color palette of just black and white.
Those of you that have been following my blog for some time now
know my secret love affair with that palette
 for both painting and my digital art.  

So go pick up a copy of the Autumn 2014 issue of Apprentice on newsstands now!

  Or order a copy HERE!

If you happen to try the techniques stop back and let me know! 

 I would love to see what you create!  

xo

Digital Sketching And Cards

I have been obsessed with digital sketching these days.  My new combo is to create a digital sketch in  Paper 53 (my fav drawing app!)  and then add photo filters.  Currently my fav photo filters are Snapseed, PicTapGo, Pixlromatic, and Distressedfx.  It gives my sketches that bit of grunge I love so much.  

This particular sketch I printed out on matte photo paper and made a pretty card with it.  It is currently in my etsy shop.  I plan on creating many more of these with my digital art as well as images of my watercolors.  Hopefully I will get those uploaded to etsy soon.  

available on etsy

click here

If you check out any of those apps let me know!  Would love to hear what you think and of course see what amazing work you create!  Paper 53 is a must see!  So fun!

Hope you are all well enjoying the summer which of course is flying by too fast.

xo

Abstract Portraits

I have tried for a few years now to paint portraits.  I am realizing I just do not enjoy creating realism.  Maybe because it is too much of a challenge for me (very possible)  or maybe its because abstract is just more interesting to me.  Either way I grabbed a canvas board the other night along with some paynes gray and white welcoming whatever showed up.  

Whenever I paint this way I always feel as though parts of myself spill out onto the canvas.  I suppose each of us leave small parts of ourselves within our work.  Whether its images or words it would be hard not to.  As artists our work comes from a deeper place, one that we may not even be aware of.  And that place can be very powerful . . . 

xo

Linking up with Paint Party Friday today :)

Paper53 and Snapseed . . . A Great Pair!

I am back with more Paper53 love!  I enjoy drawing and painting on my iPad.  The Paper app is one of my favorites.  I created this gal last night.  I wanted to share both versions to show you what you can do combining an art and photo app.  The above image was created in Paper and then filtered in Snapseed.  I added some grunge filters.  I am loving the effect.  

Here is the purely Paper version before grunge . . . 

I like them both but I think I am partial to the grungy version :)

Would love to hear your experiences with either of these cool apps!

xo