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I hope you're staying safe indoors and have found some activities to keep your mind, heart and soul occupied and happy. I personally find the best way to keep my heart and mind happy is to keep my body busy!! I've gone on A LOT of walks. But I'm also keeping busy with painting and drawing!!! You may remember from last week's email that we painted our son Max's room? Well yesterday I painted his favorite video game character in there too. Lifesize. 'Cause, really, why not if it keeps me busy and him DELIGHTED! Seemed like a double win so we went for it!  Sadly it only took me 2 hours so I still had to keep busy for the rest of the day but it definitely helped me take my mind off of things for an afternoon. Since being creative is working so well for ME these days, I thought maybe it would work well for you too! So today I'm bringing you a fun demonstration tutorial about how to use colored pencils to help you shade your mixed media drawn faces. The funny thing is that I REALLY DO HATE COLORED PENCILS. You can see so (and learn why) in the video!! lol! But then you can also see how I use them to really pack a shading PUNCH to my best art journal faces. Here's a peek!  Ready to learn and see? Grab some pencils and meet me at your art table. Then press play and let's gooooo!
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I think we all know how much art can help us to heal. It busy's our hands, quiets our minds, and soothes our hearts. This Coronavirus has the world turned topsy-turvy and now that we are home bound, it is just too easy to feel the stress of the situation. One thing that has helped me tremendously has been to do what my students do. Turn on my laptop, pull up an online art lesson, and start painting. My good good friend Lucy Brydon released this free lesson last week and following her soothing Scottish accent and her meditative, peaceful watercolor techniques was just the eliquor my soul was searching for. Here's a peek into her lesson and into my world. Are you still afraid or unsure of where to put shading on your drawn or painted faces? You are SO NOT ALONE!! I hear this all the time from my Awesome Art School students. And I finally figured out a really fun but also CONCRETE way to not only explain how face shading works, but also how to SHOW you.  Sooooo many people are SCARED of shading, this video was made to HELP YOU! I know money is tight for so so many these days so along with the video, I'm also giving out a FREE 4 page pdf bundle of Face Drawing Cheatsheets that go along with the video. Because you are on my newsletter list, I am giving you the link here that will allow you to download all four incredibly helpful resources: I do need to add though, you're sort of wasting your time printing these out without watching the video today, they really go hand in hand. So really, to get the full understanding of the sheets, go and watch the video below and THEN go download the pages when you're ready to give it a go! Omg today is a whopper of a full-length, real time lesson covering sooo many things including: how to shade a face with watercolor markers in your art journal, (which results in an awesome mixed media art journal page!), how to create a mixed media face using the face drawing template we created two videos ago, how to paint with gesso and how to use gelatos, and especially, how to draw with a reference! I also touch on how to draw eyelashes, how to draw eyes (and for this lesson in particular, how to draw makeup eyes), and then finally, how to add finishing shading effects with colored pencils. I truly hope you enjoy learning to drawing this art journal tutorial today. I LOVE using my Winsor-Newton watercolor markers for this but if you don't own any, feel free to use any water-soluble ANYTHING that you have lying around. ENJOY!! Well, I don't know about you all, but since we aren't allowed to go anywhere, let's all stay in together and do some art!!! What do you say?! Just so happens that I have a very special, real time YouTube video for you today that will keep you safe, healthy and having fun! Today I am teaching you how to draw a face with a template and reference to create art journal variety. Here's the template I made in last week's video...  And if you need a recap and want to actually follow along and draw with me you can! Just check it out right here. If you'd like to download this exact template for you own you, I give you my full permission! You can click here to grab it now! This face drawing tutorial is in a whole new video series (this is video 2) that will show you, step by step, my best drawing faces tips and techniques, the benefits of drawing from a reference, and goes along with my latest videos teaching you the best art journal techniques for beginners. And yeah, it's free. Normally this is the kind of lesson that you'd only find me giving within my Fun Fab Drawing Club (and if you're already a member you might be thinking, "well awesome then!! Gotta love those real time vids!!" to which I reply, "you betcha!!!"). Speaking of the Drawing Club really quickly, I only open enrollment 2x year so if you want to be notified of when that opens (psst...Easter), you can click here to add your name to the list! Now back to today's YouTube video... Overall, these face drawing techniques teach you how to use a reference WITH your template to help you make each face look different. So really, this face drawing tutorial series is great for art journal beginners (who need help drawing and shading faces to begin with) and advanced mixed media artists as well (who may be looking to diversifying their work)! Here's a sneak peek of the transformation...  Lastly, I go over allllllll the wheres and whys and how to shade a face as well, using my trusty foam head as the perfect model 😂Funny, maybe. Effective teaching tool? Definitely. Well? What are you waiting for?! Art journal with me! I'll leave you with one final fun painting image!!! My husband's bday was last weekend and we were inspired to throw a retro party to celebrate!! Cuz, why not?! So I made him this jumbo 4 foot x 3 foot painting just for the party (altho I love it soooo much, I don't see us taking it down anytime soon!). Look at how huge it is!!!  This was probably the most involved, giant project I've done in a LONG time!! But I thoroughly was pleased by the results!!  Continuing with the vintage/retro theme, I made ANOTHER giant painting too!!! I had already trashed my studio so I though, well WHAT THE HECK?! My husband's favorite drink is the "Paper Airplane Martini" so, this was also done is his honor!!! Lucky man, I know, right?!  That's it for this week!!! Have a big retro bash to throw so I'll will see you next week for more face drawing FUN!
My YouTube community has been LOVIN' all the fun and free series lately and I hope you are taking advantage of all this free, content rich, well, content!! In the winter it was the Mixed Media "Hamburger" Series which, in 9 episodes covered my ENTIRE Mixed Media process I use to create 99% of my mixed media projects! Have no idea WHAT I'm talking about in regards to Hamburgers and art?! You can get started by watching the first video in the series here! Then earlier this year I did a 4 part Art Journaling Series and that was soooo fun too!! While the Mixed Media series armed everyone with the technical art skills that enabled them successfully layers up on layers of supplies, the Art Journaling Series got people over their fear of starting, their fear of the blank page and on to the super-having-fun part!! I've seen soooooo many fun projects come to fruition as a result of that series, I cannot get over it! If you need a kick in the pants because you're too nervous to get started, that series is a must for you too! This week's free lesson is part 4 of 4 in a free comprehensive series that covers art journaling...well...everything under the sun having to do with art journaling! I'm covering a TON of art journaling tips with you today including a full art journal cover tutorial PLUS 7 easy ways to save (and how to fix) an art journal page using mixed media collage, gesso, and black gesso techniques and so so much more! To recap the other videos in the series: Video 1 is a full hour-long video addressing ALL of the fears you may be experiencing that may be holding you back and keeping you from diving into art journaling! I put together a 5 page pdf with helpful suggestions that goes with this episode as well as advice from myself and close (cardboard) friend, Bob Ross PLUS 5 easy ways to get you kick-started into art journaling! Video 2 was also a full-length tutorial that covered... So the background is done.... NOW WHAT?! I included my 10 BEST tips and tricks about choosing a color scheme and how to plan out successful composition in your art journals! I even made a free pdf for you that covers those points! Check out the second in the series right here now! Video 3 was then a full length tutorial using one of the backgrounds we created in Episode 1!!! We made a trio of ridiculously funny Emus and I show you the truth behind that art journal mixed media page; the doubts, the frustrations, and then how I was able to power through to complete it using the pdf I handed out in Episode 1 as well! To rewatch Episode 3 click to watch here! Video 4 is 7 Easy Ways to Save an Art Journal page you destroyed (or to fix on you hate!!) as well as my favorite way to cover an art journal!! Link to watch Episode 4 is below! And yes, I have a cheatsheet for you too! Look how cute my journal cover came out!! And it only takes a few minutes! Have any further questions on any of this? Leave me a comment below!
Each Friday I publish a free video on YouTube related to drawing, mixed media or art journaling. Well in today's video I am going the extra mile and bringing you a full blown, 1 hour, real time lesson on how to paint this ridiculously absurd trio of....EMU's!!!  I'm so proud to say that the page was painted with paints from my Signature Collection over at Jerry's Artarama. Even though I have 2 kits (one for Fairy Faces and one for Whimsical Animals), these Silly Emus were painted with paints from the Fairy Faces collection, lol!! That's the beauty of art I guess, at the end of the day, can you REALLY put paints into a single category?!  But back to the "emus"...I know what you're thinking..."What in the WHAT?!" In addition to laughing my head off while painting this (for obvious reasons, I mean, look at the guys little face!!!), I ALSO ALMOST did not pull this off!! I really didn't!! Do you know how much pressure there is to teach online? Knowing that thousands of people may be laughing hysterically and NOT with you? But AT YOU? I know we ALL struggle with feelings of not being good enough or talented or creative enough to finish our art pieces from time to time.  Today you can see me struggle as well. I hope by watching you'll know that you're not alone!!! I don't want to spoil too much of the ending but suffice it to say I do get some help... Thanks to the 5 page sheet of Bob Ross encouraging words, and my own Kick-in-the-Pants suggestions (and if you're lost, it'll make sense when you watch the video), I was able to - mid way through (minute 41 to be exact!) - get back on track and keep going until this ridiculously fun art journal page was created!! PHEW!! THANK GOD! lol! Don't believe that I almost can't finish this?? And that I'm totally mortified? I kept all of that on the video so you can see THAT I STRUGGLE TOO!!! And oh man, did I struggle. And laugh!!! But yeah, struggled.  Hope you get lots and lots of great takeaways from today's lesson, but mostly I hope you take away that we are all students, it's okay to laugh at your own struggles and that it's important to give yourself permission to mess up and HAVE FUN! Like I did!! Press Play below to get your weekly dose of inspiration and FUN!!! I'm giving you my best 10 tips on Color, Composition and art journaling techniques today!!! That's my little way of wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day today❤️ Chocolate isn't awesome for our waistline and flowers will wilt and die but Art Journaling and Mixed Media techniques?? Those are things that will never get old or die!! AND they'll make the time you spend at your art table or easel effortless and downright FUN! Happy Valentine's Day indeed my friend😘  The BEST part about what I'm teaching you today is that there is so much you can do without have ANY art experience whatsoever!! I think for a lot of people, color schemes are really challenging. Today I share with you super easy ways to figure out your color scheme...tricks that I hope help you with your art schemes for years to come!  I also share my tips on how to figure out your layout or composition!! It's so much easier than you'd think! Wishing you had a cheatsheet to keep track of all these tips and tricks? Well I got you there too! Just let me know in the comments section if you'd like one and I'll drop you the link to download it!  This week's video is a doozy!! I will also be sharing with you some SUPER EASY ways to make marks with tools that you can buy OR make yourself (and yes, I will show you that too!). Remember: Art journals are safe spaces. They are your visual diary! You don't have to share them ANYONE if you don't want to. This video will help you get past the backgrounds and onto some fun and simple things that you can do NEXT. Again, no skills required.  Art journals don't have to be filled with your best talents (although they certainly can!). But they can most definitely (and SHOULD BE) filled with images and text and colors that inspire and comfort you. Let me help make it super easy for you!! Nothing should get in the way of you making an incredibly special journal. Press the play button below and let's get started. I got you. Earlier this week, I polled my Facebook group to get some perspective on everyone's feelings about art journaling. Just as I suspected, there are many feeling SCARED because they have no idea how to start an art journal, they're intimidated by the talents of others and think they won't measure up, they're afraid of the blank page, and of wasting a beautiful new journal and/or art supplies! What???!!! First of all, you are NOT alone, but... it's time for a kick in the pants... Art is supposed to be FUN you guys!!!! Art journaling is like the DEFINITION OF FUN because there are absolutely NO rules. Better yet- it's private. Really! Think about it- it's a book with a cover. The word "journal" basically means diary. So that means an art journal is YOUR PRIVATE SPACE to experiment and play creatively however you want to. You don't have to show a soul. Isn't that freeing??? Lots of people choose to do art journaling for mental health or stress relief. It's also a great release if you need to distract yourself while healing physically. In today's video I'll share 4 ideas on kinds of journals you might like to try- ranging from my current fave (a strathmore 11"x 14" watercolor journal), to how to art journal from an old book, and how to make an art journal from scratch. We'll also go over art supplies for beginners (all you REALLY need is a pencil!). Then I'll teach you 5 quick and easy ways to start an art journal page with various techniques to create interesting art journal backgrounds. I often use duct tape or masking tape to add texture. I also love collage and will share a fun acrylic painting idea for all the perfectionists out there!  Definitely, by far though, is spray painting through stencils...say wha??? You heard me! And in today's video you can watch me too!  I've got not one, but THREE special guests today who are waiting for you, so go ahead and CLICK HERE to start the video because we have A LOT to cover as we start our Art Journal Challenge together!
This week I also have a FREE 4-page guide full of art journal ideas, inspiration & encouragement to help you BREAK THAT BLANK PAGE & start having fun, fast!! 👇 Scroll to the bottom and tell me in the comments if you want a copy so I can send ya the link!! Come art journal with me! |
Karen CampbellFounder of Awesome Art School. Mixed Media Artist. Author of 9 Instructional Art Books!   
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What Fans Are SayingKaren, 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. |
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