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Let's Break the Rules!

21/6/2019

Who doesn't LOVE to play with a pile of gorgeous markers in a rainbow of colors?! If you're anything like me, you can totally justify adding one more shade of blue to your collection, but it's not always easy to justify the cost.

Plus, there are seriously SO many kinds of markers out there. Which brand do you choose? Which one offers the most value for the moola? And then there's alcohol based vs. water based...

Decisions! Decisions!

Today's free YouTube video demos answers to these questions and shows you that contrary to popular belief, alcohol and water based markers actually DO play nicely with one another. Who knew?!

Before we continue, super quick announcement: All product links are Affiliate. I may earn a small commission if you choose to order through these links but by law there is never any additional cost to the consumer for doing so. I thank you for your support!

Whenever I get a new art supply with multiple colors - whether that's a new set of markers, watercolors, etc. - I ALWAYS swatch them out. That's because the color on the cap, tube or bottle often doesn't really look like what ends up on your paper. TRUST ME. I've made this mistake SO many times. Now my rule of thumb is to ALWAYS swatch.

I actually made a cute FREE swatch sheet for you to download to make your swatching a bit more fun!! Simply click the button below to grab your FREE swatchsheet and I'll send it right over.

I had so much fun making this swatch sheet, I actually turned it into a BOOK with my Facebook group!! I know!! We had a blast doing this together. Each page was created by another Awesome Artist. Here's a link to buy the finished book on Amazon if you're interested.

I kinda love the color selection in the new set of Arteza Everblend markers that I was sent to review, right off the bat. Like all alcohol markers, these will blend well with any other brand, like copic, ohuhu, etc.

Like the competition, the Arteza markers also come with both a bullet nib and chisel nib for coloring. UNLIKE Copics, they are NOT refillable, which is kind of a bummer. But for less than $1/marker, the investment really isn't bad for a TON of fun colors to play with.

To do my little experiment of testing the water based markers with the alcohol markers, I used Arteza's Inkonic fineliners which I really kinda love. This set of 72 colors is SO affordable too, at only $28. You really can't go wrong.

While playing with the skin tone markers in this Everblend set, I did find myself wishing for more variety. You really can't mix it up with the skin tones here to create faces with greater diversity. So that part was disappointing.

But, while I was creating this face, I did go back and forth quite a bit between the Everblends (alcohol based) and Inkonics (water based), and NOT a thing moved or bled on me! That was pretty impressive, so I highly recommend using these together because they work so well.

If you enjoy a brush tip in your alcohol markers like I do, you'll be disappointed that this set does not have brush nibs - only bullet and chisel. But I did end up enjoying seeing the chisel strokes alongside the scribbles from the fineliners. That kind of surprised me!

I don't feel the Everblend markers are nearly as juicy as Copics, but if you're just playing around for fun- you can't really go wrong with the Arteza price point.

Interested in learning how to color with alcohol markers? I have TONS of free alcohol marker tutorials on my YouTube drawing channel. Learn How to Shade a Whimsical Face in Copics, learn about Copic Marker Blending, and of course, there is my ENTIRE Whimsical Women of the World Series - all done in alcohol markers. I mostly used my copics for these projects, but also fell in love with the skin tone set by Ohuhu.

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today! I really hope you learned something and had FUN with today's video!

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3 Comments

Summer's Here!!!!

21/6/2019

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Just before I left for my road trip up to Boston (must have had a little seafood deliciousness on my mind!), I made this crabby crab. His expression reminds me a little of my boys when I tell them no more screens. LOL!

Not gonna lie. I kinda had a blast making him;)

In this project's vid, I show you my whole process from blank canvas...

To laying down some acrylics... Nope, I don't have time to wait for the paint to dry, so I use a heat gun or hair dryer basically always!

To cantankerous crab! Haha!!

If you're a member of the Mixed Media Society at AwesomeArtSchool.com, I'm so psyched to let you know that this guy is your June lesson!!! I KNOW!!!

So if you're looking to learn how to create this dude in REAL TIME with me, from scratch, head on over to AwesomeArtSchool.com, log into your account, and begin the paint date! The lesson is in the classroom entitled, "Official Mixed Media Society Lessons."

When you're done, show me a pic!!! I wanna see!

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Summer Swing and A Surprise!

7/6/2019

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Summer is here, my kids are out of school as of TODAY, vacation is around the corner and I've been working like a beast to make sure that while I'm away you will still be getting awesome, educational, inspirational and (as always) totally FREE art tutorials on YouTube each and every week, 52 weeks a year.
I ALMOST got derailed from my hard work yesterday when, to my complete surprise, I had a visitor show up at my house!!! What the WHAT?!?!

It took me the greater part of the afternoon to figure who the heck sent this (AMAZING, HILARIOUS, MAGNIFICENT, HOT) present my way. After private messaging some dear friends, going LIVE in the Facebook Group, and posting on my Timeline, I figured out it was my very own SISTER!!! Ha! Well. If you love all things Scottish, Outlander or male, good news is that from now all you'll be able to tune into my YouTube art videos and get your weekly dose of my favorite fictional character as well. YUMM-O!
But I digress...
Today's video lesson seems kinda insignificant on the outside (a boring old pencil review? Really Karen??) BUT, employing the technique I teach you today can and will legitimately make a MASSIVE and immediate impact on your drawings.
And the tip I have to give you to achieve this IS SOOOOOO SIMPLE literally ANYONE can start drawing this way!!!
I'm actually kind of embarrassed I haven't taught you this before.
And...It is no coincidence that I am basing my entire new big fat drawing book on this principal, that's how simple and powerful this is.
So I hope you will take advantage of this snippet of free advice and watch the short, 10 minute video, learn and grow with me today!!!

Lastly, the full length, unedited lesson for this portrait is this months lesson in the Fun Fab Drawing Club which is available already, in the Official Drawing Club Classroom.
For more information, visit https://awesomeartschool.com/p/funfabclub
That's all for this week! Happy Drawing my friend!!

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What Fans Are Saying

Karen, you are absolutely fabulous! You make me feel like I can draw anything. I have recently retired and finally have the time to do some of the art that I have loved since I was in school. I am really at the beginning of my art journey and I hope to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all you do.

-Jill Y.

I ordered your Fun Fab Faces book and loved it! I was having a little trouble getting the noses I wanted and now it's easy! Also, I love how you stressed how important having the three tones in your drawing is. Thanks a bunch!

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Thank you Karen! I never though I could do faces. You broke it down so it was understandable! And I love your book! I got it yesterday! Can't wait to start practicing! It's so much fun!!!!!

-Debbie M.

Thank you for the encouragement to get back into my drawing and painting. After being away for 35 years. THANK YOU.

- Teresa S.

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Let's Break the Rules!

Summer's Here!!!!

Not gonna lie. I kinda had a blast making him;)

Summer Swing and A Surprise!

Karen Campbell

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