3 Simple Abstract Paintings Anyone Can Do

By Nicole Tinkham

Do you want to create something personal for your home but have never painted on canvas in your life? Or are you an artist who never dabbled in abstract art and don’t know where to begin? We’ve come up with a few fool-proof ways to create incredible abstract art that any newbie can accomplish. They’re simple to do, require little supplies, and don’t take up much of your time. The only thing you need to do is have an eye for is color. Pick an accent color in your home and use that as inspiration to get you started. Play around, have fun, and create real art you can be proud of. Here are 3 simple abstract paintings anyone can do.

THE PAINT BLOB METHOD

Materials:
Acrylic paint in at least 3 colors
Blank white canvas (any size)
Paintbrush
Cup of water

Directions:
1.    Create little blobs of paint all over your canvas. Make some larger, some smaller, use all of your colors and make them totally random.
2.    Now using your paint brush, begin to blend your blobs of paint and move the paint around on the canvas.
3.    Clean your brush in the water periodically as you work across your canvas so the colors don’t get muddy.
4.    You can always add some more paint where needed.
5.    Once you’re happy with it, you’re done!

THE STRING METHOD

Materials:
Blank white canvas (any size)
String (enough to wrap around your canvas several times)
Spray paint in a few colors
Gloves to protect your hands

Directions:
1.    Take your string and wrap it around your canvas from top to bottom. Keep wrapping it around and around, overlapping and crisscrossing to make a unique pattern. Make it fun and make it random.
2.    Following the spray can instructions (shake it up and spray at a distance), spray right over your canvas and strings. You can use different color spray paint for different patterns and get creative with it. *Make sure you have your gloves on for this part.
3.    If you don’t like the way a color came out, just spray right over it.
4.    When finished spraying the entire canvas, remove the strings which will leave the white canvas exposed and admire your abstract artwork!

THE OMBRE METHOD

Materials:
Acrylic paint: One darker color and white
Blank white canvas (any size)
Wide paint brush
Palette for mixing colors
Cup of water for cleaning your brush

Directions:
1.    Start with your main darker color. Load your paintbrush up and paint a straight line (or as straight as possible) down the left side of your canvas. It does not have to be perfect. Your line doesn’t have to reach the edge of the canvas unless you want it to. You may notice your brush running out of paint towards the end of the line and that’s totally fine. We love the way that effect looks!
2.    Mix just a dab of white paint to your darker main color and paint a line down your canvas right next to the one you just made. Make the lines touch and they can even overlap a little.
3.    Mix yet another dab of white paint to the mixture to make the color even lighter and create another line next to the previous. Keep doing this until you reach the other side of the canvas and complete your painting.

You don’t have to be a professional artist to create incredible artwork. We believe that every single person has a creative side whether they think they do or not. Use these 3 ideas for abstract art anyone can do to get your feet wet in the world of art and then explore and find out what you enjoy doing. Of course, we always want to see what you’ve been up to so please head over to our Facebook page and share your abstract art creations!

7 Benefits Of Painty Clothes That Only Artists Will Understand

By Nicole Tinkham

There may be a handful of artists who stay nice and tidy while working on a project but the majority of artists we talk to mention getting paint, glitter, and ink everywhere. It doesn’t matter what kind of art it is, getting messy while creating seems to be the common theme. Another thing we’ve heard through the artists on our Facebook page is a new fashion statement known as “painty clothes”. These are a combination of clothes you paint in, clothes that you paint on, and clothes that accidentally have paint on them (even nice dressy clothes.. whoops! 😉 ). We think the painty clothes trend can really catch on. Read on for 7 benefits of painty clothes that only artists will understand.

1.    They’re colorful

Look at the average person’s closet and you’ll most likely see many black and gray pants, even tops. And when there is a bit of color it doesn’t really pop a whole lot. Artists are a bit different though. Sometimes you’ll see painted clothes on purpose with beautiful designs and other times you’ll see random paint splatters. No matter what, it’s sure to be colorful and fun.

2.    They put others in a better mood

How can you not look at an artist with fun paint all over their clothes and not smile? You’re being totally unique and it just puts people in a better mood!

3.    They’re comfy

Most artists work in nice comfy clothes, the way everyone should dress more often (in our opinion anyway).

4.    They’re always changing

The exact t-shirt you wore last week may not be the same this week. The more you wear painty clothes and the more you create in them, the more and more different they will become. Who else can say that about their wardrobe??

5.    You don’t have to be perfect

Keeping up with the fashion trends and all the rules (who says you can’t wear white during a certain time of the year??) is just too much work. However, when you have your painty clothes on, you don’t have to worry. They go with everything (in our opinion) and you can mix and match them.

6.    You’re free to be you!

Forget name brands and what’s currently popular. In your painty clothes, you are unlike every single person out there and that’s a good thing. Life would be boring if we all acted and dressed the same.

7.    They eliminate clean up

Have you ever tried to get paint out of your nice top? It’s not an easy task. Luckily if your goal is to create some new painty clothes, you can totally eliminate this step. This means less hassle and more time to get back to work on your project.

If you weren’t sure about wearing your painty clothes out in public before, we hope that this blog has changed your mind! Be fun, be creative, be funky, be yourself. No one else has style quite like an artist and it’s time to share your painty clothes with the world. Be proud of what you do and who you are. Stop hiding under plain clothing that anyone can buy at the store. Mix it up and add some color. We are always so inspired by our artist friends and we thank you for lifting us up and making us smile every day.

17 Ways Real Artists Choose Paint Color That May Surprise You

By Nicole Tinkham

You’re inspired and ready to create! You have all your supplies in front of you and a blank canvas on your easel. But something is stopping you. You look down at your paint and have no clue where to start when it comes to color choices. This one decision could make or break your artwork! What if you choose the wrong color?? Calm down, we’ve all been there. In fact, we’ve asked our artist friends over on Facebook how they choose paint colors to give you some ideas. You may be surprised but not one answer involves a color wheel! Here’s what they had to say.
How do you choose paint colors for your project?

1. “From my photo reference and then ramp it up a notch or two!” -Diane

2. “The colors are in the vision before I begin to paint- it’s a matter of transferring the vision onto the canvas how it appeared in my mind.” -Kriss

3. “I have a set of colors I use mainly. I have tried to use different colors, but always wind up going back to the ones I like.” -Kelly

4. “I usually see the general color in my head and make a scheme for it. I love mixing and making new colors.” – Caitie

5. “I look at the canvas and see the colors. Often if I start out with an idea of what I want I find it it needs to change to what I see it just flows out onto the canvas.” – Lorna

6. “I have a set palette for portraits and then whatever is needed for flowers and landscapes.” -Rita

7. “I let it speak to me and then the team usually comes after that.” -Heidi

8. “I don’t choose them. They choose me.” -Cindy

9. “By what my feeling is for the day.” -Doreen

10. “I use my feelings to pick my colors.” – Estela

11. “Depend how my mood is the time to make my creation!” – Beatriz

12. “With emotion.” – Sharon

13. “Intuitively” – Saddhasura

14. “Ohhhh this one is pretty.” -Heather

15. “That’s what gets me working on a piece.” -Kathy

16. “Nature.” -Patricia

17. “The project itself.” – Cayce

As you can see, every artist works so differently. There’s never a right or wrong way of working so be open to the possibilities and just be yourself. You’ll eventually get into your groove and choosing paint colors for your project will start coming naturally to you.

We want to know! Is hearing from real artists like this helpful for you? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think.

11 Items That Make For Perfect Still Life Paintings And Drawings

By Nicole Tinkham

If you’re feeling less than enthusiastic about your next still life project or it’s just taking you forever to get started on it, you have got to make a change! Any project that you set out to do should be exciting and fun. You should be kept up at night just so anxious to get started working on it. If you’re doing the same still life paintings and drawings over and over again, it can be so easy to push off the project and never really give it your all when you do decide to work on it. To make your artwork more exciting, we asked artists over on our Facebook page what types of objects they love to use in a still life project to give you a few new ideas. Of course you aren’t limited to these 11 objects but it’s a great place to start if you’ve never worked with them before. Oh and we have some bonus tips at the end that you’ll want to take a look at too 🙂  Let’s get started!

1.    Old fashion cans of tomatoes

2.    Fresh veggies from the garden with bright colors

3.    Tea cups and teapot

4.    Pears

5.    Candles for light source

6.    Feathers

7.    Crystal

8.    Spoons

9.    Fruit

10.    Flowers in old containers, vase, or basket

11.    Rocks

Additional tips:

•    Choose items with various heights and texture

•    Look for items with color and reflections

•    Always work with objects you can get excited about

•    Play around with positioning and lighting

•    Take a few photos of different angles first to get the perfect composition

•    Just get started – it doesn’t have to be perfect!

•    Pick objects that are new and different to you

Still life paintings and drawings don’t have to be boring! Find unique items that are colorful and different. Let them speak to you and give the artwork meaning. Play around with different objects. Find the most random item possible and include that! Just get started and have fun with it.

Tell us, what objects do YOU like using for your still life projects?

Painting On A FREE Canvas – Tips, Tricks, And Fun Ideas For Painting On Rocks

By Nicole Tinkham

Did you perk up when you heard the word “free”? We also love a great deal especially when quality supplies may not always be in the budget. But as artists we’re able to get creative with what is already available to us. One type of artwork that we are totally in love with these days is rock art. That’s right, painting and creating on found rocks out in nature. This isn’t just a children’s craft (although it could be!) but is also perfect for any artist and we’ll tell you why. Read on to discover our favorite tips, tricks, and ideas for painting on rocks.

First off, let us explain why, out of all things, we love creating on rocks..

1.    Perfect project for all skill levels and ages.

2.    Unique shapes and textures produce different creations every time.

3.    The unique shapes can also spark your creativity and give you new fun ideas.

4.    You aren’t limited to painting. You can also use markers and collage materials.

5.    They’re useful (we’ll explain the different uses of rock art later).

6.    They’re FREE! And even if you do pick up a rock from the store, you won’t be spending an arm and a leg on it.

7.    There’s no pressure for perfection. The rock itself is imperfect 🙂

What you can paint on rocks: ANYTHING! Here are a few ideas.

•    Faces
•    Animals
•    Abstract designs
•    Motivational messages
•    Landscapes
•    People
•    Solid colors
•    Flowers
•    Patterns
•    Zentangle

Let’s get started! Here’s the how-to for rock painting:

Step #1: Choose your rock. If you have a particular idea in mind, you may have to find the perfect size and shape for that idea. But you could also leave it open for ideas after you choose your rock. A smooth surface will make your life easier.

Step #2: Clean off your rock. Soap and warm water will do the trick but you can also use an old toothbrush to do some additional scrubbing. Dry it off before you get started on your project.

Step #3: Sand down any rough patches to make painting easier. If you chose a very smooth rock, you won’t have to worry about this step.

Step #4: Draw your design. You can practice drawing out your design on a piece of paper first if you want. Use a pencil or chalk for making marks on your rock before painting.

Step #5: Now you can begin painting. We suggest working from the largest areas down to the finer details. Just remember to let each layer dry before moving onto the next one.

Step #6: Sealing your design. You can use Mod Podge to seal your painting to keep it lasting long.

What to do with your rock once you have it complete

•    Use it as a paperweight
•    Decorate your garden
•    Give it as a gift
•    Frame it (Yes, this is possible. Just ask our framer Mark for ideas!)
•    Use them as holiday decorations
•    Turn them into magnets
•    Make it your pet rock 🙂
•    Sell your rock creations

When it comes to rock painting, the ideas are endless. You don’t even have to use paint! Grab some fun colored Sharpies and doodle away. Use this as a way to relieve your stress. Most of the time (depending on how detailed your project is), rock art is a quick project that you can use your creative mind on without putting too much pressure on yourself. It’s a fun way to get the creative juices flowing. Whenever you find yourself in a rut, refer back to this blog for helpful tips, tricks and ideas for painting on rocks.

Do you have any experience with rock art? Please comment below and tell us about your creations!

A Step-By-Step Guide to Moving Your Crafts

Photo via Pixabay

You enjoy crafting. You often draw sketches, make paintings, engage in pottery, and knit scarves. You can’t imagine moving your entire craft room. The time, however, has come to move. You aren’t sure where to start.

Follow these six steps to packing, moving, and unpacking your craft room. Whether you’re moving to another home, or simply moving upstairs, you’ll be happy with the results.

1.    Organize Your Belongings

The first step is, of course, to organize your belongings. Crafts, artwork, and supplies are often strewn about in a haphazard manner. With garage sales and nearby craft stores, it can be easy to bring home far more than you actually use. Take this time to go through your supplies and determine what you actually need to keep. Bekins has a great article that can help you downsize and organize your craft room before the big move. You can also learn about de-cluttering your art room through Shiny Happy World.

2.    Contact a Professional

It’s never a good idea to go through this process alone. Contact a professional to learn more about moving your artwork and supplies. At the very least, you should ask your family and friends for assistance. The more stressed and overwhelmed you are, the more mistakes you could make. Mistakes when moving a craft room could end with something important breaking. Since you obviously don’t want this to happen, don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed or stressed. Ask for help. According to The Card Castle, communication is key throughout this process. Keep that in mind as you move forward.

3.    Obtain Necessary Equipment

You’ll need a number of items before you can begin packing. Carrying cases, organizers, packing tape, shipping supplies, bubble wrap, packing paper, cardboard, and packing peanuts are just a few of the many pieces of equipment you’ll need to get started. Learn about the function of each piece of equipment and make sure you are using everything properly. You don’t want anything to break before you’ve even started moving.

4.    Move Piece By Piece

If you have multiple pieces of artwork to pack in boxes, take it piece by piece. Don’t try to multitask, or something could get unnecessarily damaged. Instead, set up a table or floor space for wrapping. You can also use a countertop. Whatever you choose, make sure the space is large enough for your heftiest piece of artwork. You’ll want help during this part of the process. It can be difficult to wrap artwork alone.

5.    Hire Experienced Movers

You are trusting these professionals with your entire craft room – including all of your supplies and artwork (unless you choose to move certain pieces in your personal vehicle). Make sure you hire a company that truly cares about your belongings. Some companies only care about getting the job done and going home. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and speak with managers at moving companies until you feel you’ve gotten it right. Some moving sites will allow you to compare labor prices, so keep that in mind as well.

6.    Unpack ASAP

As soon as the moving process is over, begin unpacking your artwork and supplies. High or low temperatures can affect your belongings. You also don’t want to find out several days too late that a packet of paints has exploded on your favorite sketchbook. As you unpack, consider this a new opportunity to organize your craft room. Brit + Co recently published an article that can help you come up with useful, fun ideas for your new space.

Moving the artwork and supplies within your craft room can be nerve wracking. However, if you make the process organized, fun, and flawless, you’ll be grateful for the experience.

Author: Aimee Lyons

Aimee Lyons loves crafting, refurbishing furniture, remodeling rooms, and landscaping. She is passionate about DIY projects and sharing tips about them. Aimee runs DIYDarlin, which provides DIY project resources and tutorials.

Selecting The Right Color: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know And More

By Nicole Tinkham

Ever find yourself staring at a blank canvas even though you have a complete composition already laid out in in your mind? The hard part is over; you have all the ideas but can’t seem to actually get started. Here’s why: you’re having a difficult time selecting your color palette. If you ever find yourself so unsure of which color to select that it prevents you from starting a painting altogether, you need to read this blog. We’ll dive into everything you ever wanted to know about selecting the right color and more. This will help you get started right away on your projects because you’ll already have it in your mind what colors you want to work with.

Color palette

The first thing you’ll want to do before starting a painting is determine your color palette. This is usually a main color with a few supporting colors that go along with it. When it comes to realistic paintings, you’ll want to choose colors that match your subject as closely as possible. Otherwise you’re totally open to selecting whichever colors you want. Having so many options is typically where the trouble lies though. Every color portrays a certain feel so let’s begin there. Think about how you want the viewer to feel and what message you want to get across then determine which color below aligns with that best.

Reds = Passion, Explosive
Blues = Bold, Clean, Intelligent
Greens = Simple, New
Purples = Elegant, Smooth
Yellows = Joy, Bliss
Pinks = Power, Glamorous
Orange = Energy, Creativity

Hue vs Tint vs Shade

When selecting colors, it’s also important to understand the difference between hue, tint, and shade. This will give you different variations of a color. Hue is the pure color without anything mixed in with it. Tint on the other hand, is a lighter version of the original color as it’s mixed with white. Shade is then the opposite. It’s darker than the original color and mixed with black.

The Color Wheel

A color wheel is an excellent tool for any artist whether you’re a total newbie or experienced. We always recommend having a color wheel on hand. This tool will lay out your color options and help you pair colors up to form your color palette. On your color wheel, you’ll find the following colors.

Primary Colors = Blue, Yellow and Red

Secondary Colors = Green, Orange, and Purple

Tertiary Colors = Amber, Chartreuse, Teal, Violet, Magenta, Vermilion

Color Schemes

Once you have that main color selected, it’s time to think about your supporting colors. This is where using your color wheel really becomes helpful. Use the following color schemes to help you determine your supporting colors. They are proven colors to work well together.

Monochromatic = These are colors within the same section of the color wheel. They will be the same color but in different tints and shades.

Analogous = These are colors that can be found on either side of your main chosen color on the color wheel, one on the right and one on the left.

Complimentary = These are two colors directly opposite one another on the color wheel.

This simple guide for choose the perfect colors can be used for more than just your painting project. It can be used to help you find a frame for your project, determining what color to paint the walls in your home, decorating, and just about anything else that involves color choices. Investing in a color wheel will be the key to success especially if you’re a beginner artist but it’s also a great way to think up fresh color combinations that you may not have thought of before. Save this guide and use it whenever you get stuck choosing the perfect color for your project. No longer will color choices hold you back!