I Destroyed a Painting with Resin!

Oh me, oh my! This is the painting I accidentally destroyed with resin….

 Basically I got greedy and poured too thick a layer and the heat from the chemical process burned the oil paint (even through 3 coats of varnish!) and dried horribly unevenly and full of bubbles. Too sad!! 

Luckily it's a small painting so it won't take me too ridiculously long to repaint - oh yeah, I'm gonna - and I am able to replace the bees that are hovering over the flower shadows, which was a weird process in itself. 

Initially I found both of the bees outside my bungalow, but I haven't found any more and I didn't want my finishing of the remade piece to be contingent on who-knows-when I'll find more bees so, like everything else one could possibly think of, I found dead bees for sale online. They are from beekeepers who find thousands of the lil guys thankfully expired of old age and for some reason there is enough of a market for the bodies that I'm getting three big ones shipped to me for about 17 bucks (in case you're wondering what the going rate for dead bees is these days ) 

If you'd like to see more about what went wrong with this pour and how to pour correctly here’s the link to this latest tutorial. Trust me, it’s not difficult to pour resin - you just have to be precise!

2.7.2019

How to Resin Layer within Artwork

Using acrylic resin layers within your art can be a bit scary and daunting, but it is actually a very simple process. Today I have a step by step tutorial detailing the way I create my 3D paintings, including tips on how to make sure your resin pour is a success.

I've also included a painting I accidentally destroyed using resin which was so sad! But at least I can use it as a teaching tool to show you what NOT to do when layering your own paintings.

There are a number of good brands of resin out there, just make sure you purchase one that is artist grade and will dry crystal clear without turning yellow eventually. This is where I got the kind featured in this video.

As long as you follow the instructions closely you should have no problem creating incredible 3D works of art. Happy Pouring!

You Will Need:

• paper towels

• plastic mixing cup

• stir stick

• dust cover

• acrylic resin

• glue (for adding in objects)

• level

• heat gun

• tweezers

…And a bit of patience!

Before pouring resin on any painting I highly recommend varnishing it. I did three coats with a day to dry in between. Then you also need to give each resin layer 24 hours to cure completely too. It’s not a fast process, but it is very rewarding. I tend to work on 4-5 paintings at once to help make it more worthwhile.

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originally published January 31, 2019

'Pinch Me' Oil Painting Demo + Tips

Another 3D oil painting coming atcha! Creating 'Pinch Me' was so much fun! Watching each layer rise with the addition of the bulbs gave this hand painting such a dreamlike and multi- dimensional feel, not to mention the initial sunlight dappling on the form.

Painting unusual shadow shapes can definitely play with your eyes and mind a little bit, but trusting your initial drawing and your source image will help you stay on track when attempting such an odd task :)

Hope you learn a lot from the accompanying tips + techniques! Here are the other videos I mention:

Painting Caucasian Skin Tone:

https://youtu.be/XfVn2X2NpN8

Painting Melanin Rich Skin Tones:

https://youtu.be/rVQIncWs6eY

Making Painting Panels:

https://youtu.be/0XozulwC3fM

Making Shallow Shadowbox Frames (perfect for resin pouring!)

https://youtu.be/XJcIFE__tlU

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originally published January 10, 2019

Oil Painting for Beginners

Oil painting for beginners is not nearly as daunting as you may think. Most of the supplies are inexpensive and will last years and years, and once you get the feel for your paints and brushes you'll be improving your technique in no time!

I have detailed videos about almost everything in this video here:

My Art Station Set Up:

https://youtu.be/i21aEkffvUs

How to Make a Painting Panel:

https://youtu.be/0XozulwC3fM

My Favorite Brushes for Portrait Paintings:

https://youtu.be/IyFfO4x-vCs

How to Mix Skin Tones:

https://youtu.be/rVQIncWs6eY

https://youtu.be/XfVn2X2NpN8

How to Clean Up After Oil Painting:

https://youtu.be/6-06sF2_ghY

How to Wash Your Brushes:

https://youtu.be/J1UfnHULyEo

How to Blend Oil Paint:

https://youtu.be/jx3k7cE1fFY

How to Varnish Your Oil Painting:

https://youtu.be/qj5HQTgTPm8

Any supplies purchased through my Blick Art links helps support my channel (thank you! xo) ::

Palette knife:

https://bit.ly/2QvGFK9

Medium:

https://bit.ly/2End1ja

Canvas Pad:

https://bit.ly/2BkyYvT

Specific Paints* ::

Titanium White

https://bit.ly/2rEt8ky

Burnt Sienna

https://bit.ly/2OVAs5G

Raw Umber

https://bit.ly/2CefDy1

Yellow Ochre

https://bit.ly/2CeeEy5

Cadmium Yellow

https://bit.ly/2SMTBIc

Cadmium Red

https://bit.ly/2QxekDb

Cobalt Blue

https://bit.ly/2PCM4tz

Cerulean Blue

https://bit.ly/2rE4jp2

Oxide Green

https://bit.ly/2Lpzei5

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originally published December 15, 2108

Unwanted Delay

Dang I feel like I’ve been painting so much lately without finishing a thing! This makes painting No. 4 that is presently waiting to be acrylic resin layered.

Honestly the resin can be so expensive though! Yikes!  

Lately I’ve been putting all my funds into printing the Happy Hawai’i Greeting Cards that I’ve had to hold off on finishing a growing stack of artwork. The first set of five 3D paintings I created was with a fantastic resin but it was so pricey I decided to look for another brand instead that was a little bit cheaper but it wound up being horrible (and you can’t return open containers!).

I just sourced yet a third and fourth brand that will arrive in the coming weeks (screw it, I’m going all in) that are both waaaaaay cheaper than the original great one but that claim to be just as excellent.  Keeping my fingers crossed that one of these next ones will work because it will cut down my resin costs by over 80% and I won’t have wait to create any more. Yay!

Above is a little oil painting I knocked out this past week. I still need to add in her hair and on the next layer will be the orchid she’s gripping in her teeth. 

Below are two more that are waiting ever-so-patiently to be layered. Soon enough, my darlings!!!

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originally published December 11, 2018

Painting Melanin Rich Skin Tones

Painting melanin rich skin actually utilizes much of the same paint as any other skin tone, it's all in the quantities used. Today I'm going to share how to create a lovely vibrant variety of hues that I'm using in my next painting.

Here’s my palette all laid out. You definitely don’t have to match it exactly, but at least it gives you an idea of how to get started. In the video I talk more about the concepts of creating these tines rather that the actual paint mix ratios so you will be able to create these tones with whatever you have as well.

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originally published November 29, 2018

How Much Oil Paint to Use on a Painting

Knowing how much oil paint to use for your artwork can vary greatly depending on how much surface you are covering, how many layers you like to paint in, and how thick you lay down the application. Because of this there really is no right answer, it mostly comes with practice to learn how to waste as least as possible.

However I do have some paint-saving tips I will share with you today while mixing oil paint for an 'adult hand-sized' subject so that you can see the proportions I use for my own artworks.

And PS: This video comes partly from a question I got here on YT so feel free to leave them for me in the comments and I just might make a video just for you! Yay!

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originally published November 9, 2018

Oil Painting Demo :: 'In the Beginning'

I've been enjoying oil painting these fun shadow stripes so much lately! Enjoy this chill video of the process:)

And stay tuned for a resin-pouring demo in the next few weeks. I can’t believe how simple it is!

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originally published November 1, 2018

3 Ways to Improve a Drawing for Painting

Improving your drawing before applying paint is key to a successful work. Trust me, you do not want to wait until you've got wet paint on your linen or canvas before correcting any compositional or structural issues.

The good news is that I've got 3 super easy tips for you to implement before, during and after your preliminary drawing to insure the strongest and most beautiful final piece possible.

If you didn't catch my previous 'Rule of Thirds' + How to Make a Composition Grid tutorial you can find it here:

https://youtu.be/VvSAlq3ctkw

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originally published October 11, 2018

Prepping a Painting Surface :: How I Prep My Fave Linen on Wood

Howdy folks! Today I’ve got tutorial for you that has been requested a few times and I’m glad to finally share my secrets with you:)

Well, I guess this vid hasn’t been requested per se…. more like I’ve been asked about my specific practices for preparing my surface as well as creating the pre-drawing for a painting. It’s definitely a bit of a process, but as most artists will tell you, having your art materials just the way you like them is totally clutch.

Preparing a painting surface is usually specific to each artist. Many folks like to purchase their canvases already ready, while others of us prefer to create our own from scratch. I can tell you one reason (of many) that I choose to make my own: it gives me the ability to control my composition according to my desired measurements and scale specific to each piece. I'm not obligated to make my paintings fit a 12x16 or 16x24 inch mold, for example.

So hopefully this vid will answer the mystery of how a roll of my favorite Oil Primed Belgian Linen and a piece of hardwood can become a dreamy and oh-so-deluxe surface, perfect for oil painting and sturdy enough for layering acrylic resin.

**Need new art supplies? Any purchases through my special Dick Blick link helps to support this channel. Thank you!!**

https://bit.ly/2HyaGnp

Here’s where you can find the rolls of linen:

https://bit.ly/2ODgmwM

Or a much, much less costly pre-prepped panel if you’d like to try the linen before committing:

https://bit.ly/2POoNp8

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originally published September 20, 2018