Pastel Painterly Pizzazz

Hi!  It's Nancy Curry back on the blog.  Last time I was here it was snowy and I was obsessed with b/w hearts, but now I've moved on to channeling the spring that is trying desperately to come.  I do a lot of floral paintings in several mediums and have taught floral painting a few times.  I get a lot of nervousness from people due to the wonky nature of flowers.  They get caught up in trajectory, perspective, shadows, etc.  I've been trying to come up with something that would ease them into creating so they could enjoy it. That's where the seed of this process came from. 

While I totally enjoy the crispness and beautiful imagery that stencil use allows, I sometimes like to push the envelope to enjoy a more painterly outcome.  Sure, you can use paint through the stencil for a perfect effect, but I really enjoy having an under layer of media that is just a guide that I can use or veer off on my own to create a painting.  Using soft pastel as the media base allows me to lose that crispness you would have with a painted underlayer, while mapping a guide for painterly strokes, mark-making, and even some spontaneity.  Along the way, I discovered the mixture of the softer, paint strokes with the harsher pastel strokes really gives me definition.  I'm sure I'll discover more as I journey.  For now, enjoy my recent meanderings.  

 

 

 

Pictured above are most of the materials I used in the video.  I hadn't planned to splatter so the white and black acrylic are not in the picture.  Soft pastels are readily available.  I purchased these from Amazon during the pandemic.  The watercolor paper was a brand called Fluid that comes in a block and the Liquitex products are also readily available online or in big box or art stores.  

As mentioned above, I added some spontaneity to the showcase video with the splatter and the thicker application of paint.  Below you will see the end result from that video. The one below was done before filming with the same colors but heavier use of the clear gesso in the petals so the colors are deeper and more vibrant. Both were made with Peony Blooms by Wendy Brightbill.  As you can see, your options produce varying results. 

 

From the video: splatter & layered paint

Earlier piece with more clear gesso and green variations.

I played around with some different stencils while I was familiarizing myself with this technique.  Two of my floral favorites are below. Jessica Sporn created the "Feeling Groovy" set for StencilClub members and the stencil I used was the 9" x 12" pictured here. This piece was almost exclusively done with clear gesso.  Club members can back order club stencils.  These are definitely keepers.  They worked well for this technique, but I also love them with alcohol inks.  

I also enjoyed playing with Wendy Brightbill's Bouquet Greenery.  There's a lot of negative space to work with so it made the process a little slower filling in the background, but I loved the vast pinkness of it.  

This has definitely been an interesting technique with varying results.  I can't wait to play more and see what else will play nicely with the soft pastels. I sealed all of them with Krylon UV Archival satin (personal choice) and am pleased with the final results.  Thanks for following along with me.  I love to take you all on adventures.  As always, I am happy to be here and certainly hope you'll continue to journey with me here and on my social media.  This page has links to it all.  I'll see you all soon!!!! 

xoxo

Nancy

Stencils for Watercolor Delight or the Paints of Your Choice

Greetings! There is plenty of art to see in this post because Dave Daniels, aka Mr. Watercolor, is sharing his inspiration as well as techniques.

Remember, no matter if you call these "stencils" or "masks" the white part is the mylar and the black part is where the paint goes. 

Large 9" x 12" or small 6" x 6" designs available.

Rooted in Nature: Butterflies

The Rooted in Nature Butterflies Mask is a combination of many butterflies and flowers. Just when you think you are sure what you are looking at, your vision shifts, and you see something completely different.

This was a new technique for Dave. He placed the mask on card stock, and spread “light dimensional ground” (a Golden product) through the mask openings with a palette knife. When the ground was dry, he flooded the surface with watercolor. after the watercolor dried, he lightly sanded the surface, revealing the image.

Dave used Izink Ice (by Seth Apter). He applied the paint with a palette knife through the openings in the mask, then turned the mask 180 degrees and again applied paint with a palette knife creating a double exposure.

Rooted in Nature: Caladium

The intricate patterns on the Caladium leaves have always fascinated Dave. Not quite random, not entirely predictable. He captured the delicate nature of these intricate patterns in this Rooted in Nature Caladium Mask.

This was another new technique for Dave. He placed the mask on Yupo paper and sprayed it with clear water. He then grated watercolor crayons using a “micro grater” (kitchen utensil) into the openings of the mask.

Dave applied Izink Ice paint with a soft sponge roller through the openings in the mask.

Rooted in Nature: Begonia

Big bold and very structured. This begonia caught stencil designer Dave's eye because of its repetition of bold patterns. Rooted in Nature Begonia Mask is ready for your watercolors.

Using a natural sponge, Dave stamped acrylic paint through the openings of the mask.

Dave placed the mask on Yupo paper, sprayed it with clear water then dropped watercolor paint into the opening of the mask. 

An option with these stencil-masks: You can cut off the border. It is totally a matter of preference. Keep in mind that cutting off the border will make the design bit more delicate to use and to store.

Rooted in Nature: Monarchs

In this Rooted in Nature Monarch Mask, Dave tried to capture the thousands of upon thousands of Monarch Butterflies that migrate each year. Separately they are beautiful, but collectively they create textures and beautiful patterns. 

Using a brayer, Dave rolled Izink Ice directly onto the mask placed on watercolor paper making a print.

Dave placed the mask on 140lb watercolor paper and sprayed it with clear water. He dropped watercolors into the opening of the mask.

 

Rooted in Nature: Coleus

A coleus plant grows just outside Dave's studio window. A recent black and white photograph of the plant revealed the beautiful symmetry of its leaves and inspired him to design inspired this Rooted in Nature Coleus Mask.

Dave used a soft sponge roller filled with acrylic paint over the mask.

Dave placed the mask on Yupo paper, sprayed it with clear water. He dropped watercolors in the mask openings and allowed the colors to mingle.

Rooted in Nature: Window

Are we looking in or looking out through the window? You are probably familiar with this everyday scene. The combination of architecture and organic plants makes a great mix of shapes in this Rooted in Nature Window Mask.

As mentioned earlier, whether you call it a "stencil" or "mask" the white part is the mylar and the black part is where the paint goes. 

Dave placed the on Yupo paper and sprayed it with clear water. He then graded watercolor crayons using a “micro grater” (kitchen utensil) into the openings of the mask.

Dave placed the mask on card stock, and with a palette knife, spread “light dimensional ground” (a Golden product) through the mask openings. When the ground was dry, Dave flooded the surface with watercolor. After everything was dry, he lightly sanded the surface, revealing the image.

Butterfly Window (the painting at the beginning of this post and the Two Crows painting (below) were created using several different stencils. 

1. Place the masks on Yupo paper and pour liquid watercolor though the openings. 
2. Wipe out the butterfly shape and repaint. (Yupo paper is a synthetic paper, actually, it is plastic. You can remove the paint completely by wiping it with a wet sponge.) 
3. Make a butterfly stencil out of cardboard. 
4. Place it over the now dry stencil painting.
5. Wipe it clean and sponge “white absorbent ground” through the opening. 
6. Remove the cardboard and let dry.
7. Paint the butterfly.

Dave used a similar technique for Two Crows.

The branches upon which the hand-painted crows are perched were created using frisket. Here is an example of frisket branches:

In love with Dave's Rooted in Nature series? The entire collection is available from StencilGirl.

A host of new faces and a bit of French lace from Andrea Matus deMeng!

Hello! 

StencilGirl® is pleased to announce three new women, one new face, and a bit of French Lace in store you courtesy of Andrea Matus deMeng.

But that's not all, if you ever wanted a 9" x 12" Pretty as a Peacock or Talaya Goddess of Rain Stencils, your wait is over.

All of Andrea'sface stencils can be used as a starting point for developing your own richly expressive portrait-based artworks, used on their own or in combination. Here is Andrea to tell you about these stencils in her own words:

Asteria

Andrea writes: "The gorgeous face on this stencil is inspired by the mythological Titan Goddess, Asteria. Asteria is the goddess of falling stars, astrology, and nighttime divinations through dreams. She mesmerizes you with her beauty and leaves you with the gift of her prophecies, and who couldn’t use a good prophecy right about now?"

Asteria is available as a large 9" x 12" and a small 6" x 6" stencil.

Art using Asteria and Talaya stencils.

Cassiopeia

"A rather confident goddess, Cassiopeia was best known for her vanity. Believing that she and her daughter Andromeda were the most beautiful of all of the goddesses did not make her very popular among her peers. Inspired by her story, this face stencil embodies her beauty and defiance perfectly."

Cassiopeia is available as a large 9" x 12" and a mini 4" x 4" stencil.

Not Calling You Back

"A woman in charge. Confident, capable, and charismatic. Not Calling You Back is inspired by the style and career of the legendary Lauren Bacall merged with one of my favorite song lyrics by Lizzo. What was so compelling to me about this pose was that Bacall’s famous chin down-eyes up look was actually her way of keeping herself from shaking when nerves got the best her. A good reminder that things aren’t always what they seem – the nuances and attitude of this stencil make it absolutely perfect for art journaling."

Not Calling You Back is available as a large 9" x 12" and a small 6" x 6" stencil.

Talaya

Tayala,Goddess of Rain was designed by Andrea Matus DeMeng. Tayala, the Phoenician named goddess of the dew, is rain personified.

Talaya is also available as a 6" x 6" small stencil (not pictured).

Pretty as a Peacock

Pretty as a Peacock was designed by Andrea Matus DeMeng. She has the beauty and looks but there is so much more to her. Her strong and confident gaze says she is ready for whatever life throws at her.

Pretty as a Peacock is also available as a mini 4" x 4" and a small 6" x 6" stencil (not pictured).

Delicate Face and French Lace

These are each 6" x 6" stencils.

Delicate Face by Andrea Matus deMeng is a beautiful stencil to use as a starting point for a portrait. Use a variety of pens as shown in the sample below to achieve a variety of windows into the soul.

"Inspired by a trip to the Parisian Flea markets, French Lace started out as my sketch of the lacy band that I found of a pair on vintage stockings. Delicate and beautifully detailed, this stencil will add an element of Old World splendor to any and all of your art projects from art journaling to home décor. French lace also works wonderfully to create amazing backgrounds for your mixed media artworks but is strong enough to be a featured element on its’ own."

Oh la la! Bathroom tiles!

Check out all of the portrait stencils Andrea Matus deMeng has designed so far.

Be Painterly or Artsy with new Spring Stencils: Bunnies and Ewes

The most wonderful thing about these stencils is no matter what painting skillset you possess they give you a foundation from which to launch.

And hey, if you can't take advantage of springtime out of doors, the paints in your indoor art space are calling :)

Two sheep and four large rabbits were part of Lanie Frick's childhood menagerie. 

Lambs & Ewes

 

The sheep liked to follow Lanie around the farm. Sometimes they would jump and twist and take off in a bouncing run. When she would let the rabbits out of their cages into their grass pen they could act so wildly silly and put on a funny show.  

Bunnies Jump and Bunny Face

Lanie says, "I guess that’s why at times my work is realistic and then there are moments when I get a wild hair and create something humorous. The realistic designs bring peace and sincerity to a creative piece. The whimsical designs express the exuberant moments any of us can have. The large open body shapes are for you to have creative fun. Enjoy!"

Spring Ewe

Tip: Stencils with lots of empty space are perfect for layering another stencil with a pattern underneath!

Whimsey Ewes

Are you ready to jump? These bunnies have not forgotten to exercise!

Bunnies in Motion

Four Bunnies in Motion

Get painterly with your stencils!

Lanie's stencil designs include horses and goats! Be painterly or artsy. Check them all out here and build your own farm :)