Rikki's Journal Archives - Page 5 of 6

December 20, 2023 by Rikki B.

I have time for one more post before this holiday season slips away. Today, lets talk about traditions.

Does the word “tradition”…

A. Spark joy, comfort and happiness inside you when you hear it? Or,
B. feel like a knot in your stomach and a burden on your shoulders?

If your answer was A, GREAT, keep reading, if your answer was B, let’s see if we can work on that feeling.

I grew up without holidays so when I started celebrating when I was around 31 years old, I didn’t have any traditions to uphold or look forward to. So I set right to work creating a Christmas that I would love. There are a few simple rules to creating new traditions for your family.

Rule #1: Do You ENJOY It!?

Granted, it may be hard to find traditions that everyone enjoys equally but does you and your family at least enjoy some aspects of your traditions or a new tradition? Don’t do anything for Christmas that you don’t enjoy.

Rule #2: Ask Yourself WHY

Why do you do this tradition? What does it mean to you? For example, I LOVE cutting a fresh Christmas tree every year. I can be found at the tree farm as soon as they open! I love getting dressed up all cozy, jumping in the car with my partner, we drive far away on purpose so we get some good drive time in. I sip hot cocoa or apple cider as we walk and walk through the tree farm, I inspect almost every tree! For me picking out the tree is special, I know they are all virutally the same but I really feel like the tree we bring into the home brings in its own energy, it’s like a little part of my family through the holidays. We hand cut the tree (well, my partner does this, but I am very supportive) We take the tree to the front where they shake it and wrap it up for us, then its back home! The whole car smells so good on the drive home. We set the tree up right away and it fills the home with the smell of evergreens and I can almost FEEL Christmas right then! Of course decorating the tree is part of this tradition, going through ornaments, remembering the stories, the longer you do a tradition like this the better! Imagine pulling out a 50 year old ornament that your Grandma hand painted! My tradition is now only 4 years old but in time it will be rich with history. Why do I do this tradition? Because I look forward to the tree cutting, the day spent with my partner picking and decorating the tree, and going through our small collection of ornaments that grows every year. It’s a special day and it brings me nothing but joy.

Rule #3: Is It Sharable?

So this is a flexible “rule” as you may have some very personal, private Christmas or religious traditions that you partake in. But for the most part, traditions are better when shared! For example, I host a party every christmas, usually the week before as most people are busy with family on Christmas. The party is a collaborative effort with those invited, my close friends and family. We do something creative and bakey, we will do a cookie baking party or a gingerbread house party, everyone brings what they can! No pressure remember, it doesn’t count if you stress out about it, just let it be and let it happen how it will. It’s so fun to get creative in new ways with this small group of friends, I love seeing their gingerbread houses come together or finding new cookie recipes and sharing baking secrets with one another. Then we all leave with cookies to share with our other friends and family! Joy-Cheer-Fun

I hope your Christmas or winter is filled with light and closeness! I hope these tips help you to shed any stress that is building up around the Holiday. I truly hope you have the best season ever and many more to come! Merry Christmas from my home to yours

– Sincerely,

Rikki

October 20, 2023 by Rikki B.

fall painting colors you will love to create with

Hello, painter! Do you want to create a beautiful Fall painting this year? Today I’m here to share my favorite fall-inspired acrylic paint colors. When autumn rolls around and the leaves start changing, it’s kind of like living in a painting. You might be tempted to re-create some of the beautiful fall scenes around you. These colors are a great place to start!

When I think of fall, I think of rich, dark, velvety colors and textures contrasted with the crisp vibrant colors of the changing season. This combination of colors and textures is so fun to play with! It can almost feel like someone has slipped an autumn filter over our lives.

Here are some of the colors that call to me while I create this season. I hope they will inspire you as well! I have selected a variety of my favorite brands for you to explore and a short description of why I love each paint color. Different paints have different textures so you may find yourself dabbling in texture without even trying. Happy Fall painting!

RAW UMBER by Winsor & Newton

I LOVE this color. It is the best for painting deep, dark shadows. It has a thick consistency and is opaque, which means you can’t really see through it. It is nice and rich right out of the tube!

Find it HERE – https://amzn.to/3M2PAO0

GREEN GOLD by Golden

Ahhhh gold paints – some of my all–time favorites! All around, this green–gold color will knock your socks off. It‘s a little hard to describe, but think of a dark green with a golden–yellow undertone. It’s brilliant! I love using this color to add luster and rich highlights to foliage and other areas of a fall painting that may need some light brought in or enhanced. I have included a fluid, more transparent version and a thicker, more opaque version. Which will you choose?

Find the fluid version HERE – https://amzn.to/48S3rQV

Find the thicker version HERE – https://amzn.to/46TIu6k

Dioxazine Purple by SOHO

Purple is often overlooked as a fall color but I think it serves as a nice transition into the holiday season. It’s great for shadows, water, and dead or dying foliage if this is the direction your artwork is taking. SOHO can be an overlooked brand as well but they are on my list for some of the richest, most vibrant colors. This purple will not disappoint!

Find it HERE – https://amzn.to/3Qk6Q3M

AZO Red Deep by SOHO

Appearing again from SOHO is the AZO deep red! Red can be a tricky color to work with because it normally has so much transparency to it. I love this deep red because it mixes well with other colors to create oranges, and it can be darkened to create maroons and burgundies. Mix it with some purple and you will have a whole new set of colors to create your fall painting with!

Find it HERE – https://amzn.to/48UB3h0

I hope you enjoy my favorite fall painting colors! Let us know what you create with them on our Facebook page.

September 19, 2023 by Rikki B.

Art printmaking painting art journet, start painting, painting for beginners

3 secrets to starting your personal art journey

Have you ever seen a piece of art in passing and thought “I would love to be able to
create something like that”? Does staring at a blank piece of paper or canvas make you
want to do something to make it not blank? Even if you have no idea what to do, this is
your inherent creative spark trying to get your attention.

So many people get stuck at this very stage. They experience the feeling of inspiration
and then let it fade, sometimes due to negative thoughts like, “I’ll never be an artist” or
“What am I thinking? I have no idea what I’m doing”
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Many of the people I’ve met at public paint-
and-sip events and private guided painting parties start the experience with the fear of
putting brush to canvas because it won’t be perfect. Today I want to discuss why I think
creating is good for everyone, why everyone can do it, and how to get out of your own
way!

What is a personal art journey?
This is your lifelong experience with art or your chosen form of creating. Your journey
may take you in many directions, but often I find it eventually settles into one or two
mediums. Your medium might be painting, drawing, writing, scrapbooking, collage-
making, knitting or other textile arts, jewelry making . . . see? The possibilities for
creative expression are endless!

Your personal art journey begins the minute you feel the impulse to create something. I
like to think of this journey as a river: When you first start you are just stepping into the
water. There are many different boats you can take down this river. You could even
swim! As we move down this river, we will discover more and more new things and
places to explore creatively. You are always growing and changing on this journey and I
encourage you to take that first step and dip your toes in!

GETTING STARTED
Getting started is undoubtedly the hardest part. Make the decision right now that if you
want to find out what awaits downstream, you will take the first step. This doesn’t mean
you have to spend hundreds of dollars at the craft store. SECRET #1 – Start Small!
Decide on your first project and get the supplies for that project only. Then just tell
yourself you are going to do some things with those few supplies you have. It probably
won’t be your best work ever, but remember, you are just getting your toes wet! The
important part is that you’ve started.

FINDING MOMENTUM
Keeping creative momentum is difficult even for professional or long-time artists. Stress,
daily life, distractions, and our professional work can all sap our energy and our creative
drive. SECRET #2 – Stick to it! Start by committing one hour a month to your creative
time. Soon you might realize you want to commit two or more hours per month. Then
stick to your schedule. Make it a special time you can look forward to for yourself. We

can’t create weekly or daily before we can consistently create monthly. Mark it on your
calendar or put it in your phone reminders. One hour a month: You can do this!

OVERCOMING NEGATIVE FEELINGS
Now you are creating once a month and building momentum! Woohoo! But watch out:
This is when negative thoughts can start to intrude. Perhaps you are not achieving the
level of perfection in your work that you were hoping for, or maybe you are struggling to
learn a new craft. This is the most important part of keeping us in the river and on our
journey. SECRET #3 – Stay positive! Do not let frustration or imperfection sink you! Be
patient and kind to yourself as you learn new things. Some of the skills you’re acquiring
take many years to learn and master, but you can still enjoy the journey along the way!
Be your own best cheerleader, not an anchor. Cheer yourself on when you feel like you
fall short and recommit to the joy you find in the act of creating, rather than the finished
product.
I hope these tips help you to start your own personal art journey or continue it from
wherever you are. Of course, I must recommend the Artvana Painting Club as a great
way to help you through these potential sticking points. This club is designed to help
you start, keep you creating, and give you support to get through those pesky
negative feelings.

Learn more about the Artvana Painting Club here.

July 7, 2023 by Rikki B.

Art supplies for travel where to start so you can stay creative on your next adventure

Hello friends!

I just returned from Summer vacation and I wanted to share my favorite art supplies for travel, and tips for creating on the go with you!

My Summer vacation usually consists of a road trip. In the past, I have traveled to San Francisco, California; Moab, Utah; and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon! These trips take me away for about two weeks and I can tell you I always return re-invigorated and re-inspired.

Now you may be wondering if I am able to take a break from creating for two whole weeks? The answer is NO.

So how does one stay creative on the go you might ask?

Staying creative on the go, made easy

First of all, staying creative on the go is a challenge! It always has been for me, no matter what I take I always feel like I left something behind, some vital piece or product that I must have to make anything worthwhile. Then there are travel factors to consider, will my paint tubes explode in my check bag? Can I bring sharpeners on the plane? Can I fit my entire paint collection in my bag?

Sometimes I bring so many things that I end up not using any of them. I lose products and art supplies in motels and rest stops and campsites across the country, along with my shaver, every time.

So, what is the solution? Which art supplies for travel should you bring?

You simply need to simplify. I have come to find that being creative on the go does not always mean completing a new masterpiece on your transit. This time is a great opportunity to get your thoughts and ideas flowing and to be inspired by what you see as you travel, colors, shapes, people, etc.

Capturing these at the moment, if you can, so you can return to them or use them as a starting place for art you may want to create once you return.

What supplies to bring while traveling – art supplies for travel

I will start by saying that your travel creative time is also a fantastic time to try out some new mediums or techniques. Why? Because you are not necessarily making your masterpiece right? So why not play and experiment a little?

This is exactly what I have been doing on my last few road trips. I have always been intrigued by pastels. So last year I bought a pack to take with me on my trip to Moab. I was very disappointed at first, I struggled with the oily sticks that are shaped like big blunt crayons. I felt like a child drawing sticks and scratches and I thought WOW, these are terrible.

Turns out I just needed to keep trying. With some hesitation, I packed up my (LINK- perfect pencil case) with these horrid pastels. Since we were doing a considerable amount of lightweight hiking and backpacking I decided to only bring these, a few pencils, a(LINK- micron pen) and my sketchbook.

It turns out I just needed to give these little pastels some more time. I experimented with them, drawing different scenes from wherever we were on our trip. Spending a few hours here and there capturing the world around me in an impressionistic fervor. Drawing with these oil pastels is a little tricky, but they are so fun once you get the hang of it! The colors are bright and rich and fun to blend. I learned that using a lighter color stick to blend the underlying colors worked well to smooth out the artwork. It began to look less like giant crayon strokes and more like…art!

I loved the simplicity these art supplies brought to my travels. I had a limited way to express myself but I was able to bring them everywhere we went, and when the sun set over the beautiful ocean or the creek turned an enchanting teal green I was able to pull them right out and start creating!

This is the exact set and brand of oil pastels I used on this trip, they are inexpensive and come in 48 colors! (LINK View the pastel set here.)

Should you try oil pastels on your next adventure?

Well, yes! I have become quite fond of these little sticks and the sketches and artwork I have made with them. However, these are not the only art supplies for travel available to you. I am working on a post of a more in depth list of art supplies for travel to be posted soon, in the meantime think about keeping it simple, maybe even just some pencils and a sketchbook or a small watercolor set. Let go of any perfectionism and have fun capturing the things you see on your adventures!

LINK to Artists Loft oil pastels – Oil pastels

LINK to Micron Pen set of 2 – Micron pens

LINK to perfect pencil case – Pencil case

Looking for more art supply ideas?

Check out this blog post – click this link to read – My 4 MUST-HAVE art supplies when setting up your studio

Want to start a creative practice and KEEP creating? Join ME in the paint club!

click this link to find out more – Join the Artvana paint club here

*This post may contain affiliate links however, the products listed here or similar products have been used and the reviews are authentic and based on my opinions of these products. Thanks for reading, paint soon! – Coach Rikki

April 18, 2023 by Rikki B.

paint-and-sip in washington state find sip and paint near me

Today we are talking about in person paint-and-sip events. Have you tried a paint-and-sip class and been left wanting? Maybe the instructor wasn’t very good, or didn’t give you the attention you needed. Or maybe you couldn’t hear or see well. Or maybe your stress got the best of you. Regardless of why you didn’t fully enjoy your paint-and-sip experience, I want to give you some tips on how to have a better paint-and-sip night!

My 3 tips to have the best paint-and-sip night experience

I have been teaching live paint-and-sip classes for almost nine years and I have compiled my biggest tips on how to have the best paint night experience.

Tip #1

First of all, wear something you feel good in, but don’t mind getting paint on. Some companies provide aprons and some don’t, the truth is an apron is not going to protect all of your clothing. You do not want the extra stress that you are going to ruin your favorite shirt.

Tip #2

Secondly, every venue/event is set up differently, sometimes we have no choice on how we need to seat the guests, so if you are left with a poor view, PLEASE do not be shy, come and ask to take a picture of the painting, or ask your artist to bring the painting over to you once and awhile to see it close up, if they are a good company and a good instructor, they will not mind doing this for you.

The same goes with hearing, due to it often being loud in the venue and people having a good time, sometimes it is very hard for the artist to communicate to everyone equally. Take this into your own hands, raise your hand if you miss something. Your artist should be more than happy to repeat things for you so that you do not miss anything. But they don’t know that you didn’t hear what they just said. I cannot say it enough, ask, ask, ask!

Tip #3

Alright, the biggest one, your own stress and nervousness can ruin a paint night for you faster than anything else.

Remember the goal is to let painting relax you, to feel yourself being creative and getting to experience that with your friends or family. It is not serious, no one is judging your work, this experience is just for you. Keep that in mind and you will have a fun night.

One more thing….

Lastly not all paint and sip companies are created equal. If you have a bad experience with one company try to find an event hosted by another, usually once you find one you like you will find yourself returning to paint, again and again. We personally love to see our painters coming back over and over for new classes.
I hope these tips will give you an inside look at things you can do to get the most out of your paint night and I hope your next paint and sip is great!

You can find all of the in person paint and sip classes and events hosted by Artvana in Washington state HERE

To see what kind of venues we are partnered with here in the Puget Sound Area check out these current partner venues:

Top Rung Brewing, Lacey Washington

Rumors wine Bar, Lacey Washington

Heritage Distilling Company, Tumwater and Gig Harbor WA

The Shiplap Shop, Yelm and Olympia WA

We have many more partner venues this is just the beginning of the list! We also host private parties in all of our service areas as well so you can host your very own paint-and-sip night at your home, office or any location that is convenient for you. Contact us today to check availability or with any questions about our public or private events and classes!

April 11, 2023 by Rikki B.

Hello, my name is Rikki and I am an Artist and art coach. A huge part of what I help my clients do is create space for their creativity. Today I am going to share with you my 4 must-have art supplies when setting up your art studio or creative space.
When it comes to your art journey, the hardest part is always starting.

So many times I hear people say they just don’t have the time to be creative, the truth is they do not make the time to be creative. This is easy to do, it is so easy to get wrapped up with everything else in our lives, things that don’t always benefit us, and it squeezes out any extra time we had for ourselves.

The first thing I always want my painters to do is to start making space, setting up your creative space is a great first step. You have to make it EASY to just jump in and create, I myself will lose my creative steam if it takes me too long to get set up, by then the creative bug may have flown away.

For those new to painting, knowing what you need to start can be daunting.

I have compiled this list of my 4 must-have art supplies to start building your creative space with:

My 4 MUST-HAVE art supplies for beginner artists

I love THIS easel because it packs down if you want to take it somewhere, it also moves easily (no pun intended) from table top to standing height and fits a wide variety of canvas sizes.

Easel – https://amzn.to/3mxKRdv

I recommend getting something to store some of your art supplies in, just so they don’t end up all over the floor (like mine do) while you are painting. This cart allows you to store your paints and even some small canvas underneath and I like to use the top tray to set up my rinse water and towels and palette. It also so rolls around so you can move it if needed while you create.

Rolling cart – https://amzn.to/3nVK6eC

Here is my best tip, unless you have a space that you don’t care if paint gets on the floor etc. Lay some of these drop cloths down all around your painting area. The last thing we want to be thinking of when we get in the zone is worrying if we are going to drip paint or if its going to run off the canvas onto the floor. Just prepare to get messy ahead of time and then enjoy the fun of it! I leave my dropcloths out in my creative space 24/7 and no matter which size you choose you can easily cut these up to cover your space.

Dropcloths – https://amzn.to/412NGCs

It is also super handy to have your brushes standing up and out where you can see them and grab them easily. I love to use these lids on different jars that I already have. The grid helps to keep your brushes seperated and easy to grab. It also keeps me from overstuffing the jar!

Jar lid organizers – https://amzn.to/3KQlOMh

How to set up an art studio with these 4 must-have art supplies

Have your creative space and supplies ready! This is one reason the Artvana paint club membership is so great because no matter what you will have one project ready for you during the month, you won’t need to think about WHAT to create you can just jump in and start creating. If you want to learn more about the Artvana Painting of the Month Club Click HERE

Aside from being able to sit and create whenever the bug might bite us, it is also an important part of building a practice to schedule creative time, even if this is just your paint club project each month, even if it’s just 20 minutes on Saturday morning before you go to yoga.

Keep in mind you don’t always need to be working on a project, just sit down and start doodling, start cutting paper, start mixing paint and see what happens. The more often you do this the easier and more natural it will become. You will feel less resistance each time you sit down at your easel.
I want you to enjoy creating as much as I do and I hope these tips will help you build your creative practice!

What are your 4 must-have art supplies? Share them in the comments!

Happy painting – Rikki

*This post contains affiliate links

February 23, 2023February 22, 2023 by Rikki B.

art kits for kids art supply boxes kids painting classes things for kids to do at home, home activities for kids

Hello friends, recently I was looking to get some stickers printed for our Mini Masters art kits for kids. We spent a lot of time designing this product for children to be fun and engaging, something they would look forward to getting in the mail. Part of the excitement lies in meeting a new art character each month!

How the Mini Masters Art Kits for kids work

Each month we introduce a new character from art history (or current artists) to help kids learn about these famous artists and their art styles. For example, this months artist is Kahlo the Koala, based on Frida Kahlo! Mini Masters members will receive their art kit, all the supplies they need to make a painting inspired by Frida Kahlo! We will learn all about her, her paintings, and fun facts about the artist, like where she grew up and what made her famous. Each art kit includes an online tutorial to complete the art project and best of all, once they complete their painting they get a STICKER which acts as a stamp in their art passport.

Filling out their art passport is part of the fun!

Our mini masters look forward to adding a stamp to their art passports each time they complete a class with a new artist! These stamps or stickers act as badges to celebrate their progress. Plus sticking a new sticker on something is so satisfying. While getting ready to order our Kahlo the Koala stickers this month I came across AllStickerPrinting. I hadn’t used them before but they had a lot of product selections and I wanted to try them out.

AllStickerPrinting Review

The first thing that stood out to me when I was ordering these stickers from AllStickerprinting was the amount of options they had. Not just in products available but in the type of stickers they can cut! They can die cut, kiss cut and also multi cut which is a hard option to find from most sticker printing companies. Multi cut stickers allow you to print multiple sticker designs on a single sheet. I am looking forward to using this option in the future for something fun! I ordered kiss cut circular stickers for our Kahlo Art Kits for kids.

I was very happy when they arrived. They shipped very quickly and the stickers are high quality and bright. They also sent me a smaple of some of their other products including foil paper stickers and hang tags. My mind is now racing with ideas. It is also really nice to be able to see each paper type, I am definately setting these aside to reference for future orders and projects! I would highly recommend this sticker printing company for well priced, high quality stickers.

Kahlo the Koala is about to ship

Now that I have the stickers, we are getting ready to ship out this month Mini Masters art kits for kids! I cannot wait to create with all of our mini members and share the wondeful artist Frida Kahlo with them! Her inspiring story and paintings, full of color will be sure to inspire. These stickers will get all packed up with the supplies, paints and canvas for this months kit. If you have a Mini Master or a little you know that loves to create don’t hesitate to check out our Mini Masters program and our Art Kits for kids!

Some of the Artists we have featured recently include Kandinsky the Kangaroo, Picasso the Possum, Monet the Mouse, and we have many more to come!

Find out more about the Mini Masters program HERE

Check out AllStickerPrinting HERE

February 1, 2023 by Rikki B.

Are you brand new to acrylic painting and looking for acrylic painting classes for beginners? If you need a little help getting started consider joining a paint club! You may now be asking, “what on earth is a paint club and how does it work?”

What is a paint club?

Paint club, it’s like a book club for your creativity.

Hi, my name is Rikki and I hear this question all the time. I am an Artist and art coach and I began the Artvana Paint Club to make being creative more exciting, more fun, and more engaging. Wondering if an acrylic paint club is for you? Keep reading.

Who should join a paint club and why

So what is it and who is it for? In a nutshell, it is a program that will make accessing your creativity easier, sharing your artwork with others more enjoyable, and make excuses a thing of the past!

Is it only for artists? No. Our paint club is designed for beginners. Starting something new can be intimidating, I was very nervous to try painting in the beginning too. I learned that with practice, positivity, and the right support I didn’t need to attend art college to become an artist.
Over the last 18 years, I have learned a lot about painting and the struggles that come with learning a new skill. I have taken everything I have learned and built this club so that others can find joy in painting and creating.

It’s perfect for those who are new to acrylic painting

In the club, we talk about things like self-doubt, self-belief, patience, and how to stop judging ourselves. Each month we paint a new painting, then we get to share our progress and struggles with each other in a group setting. This is where you get support from the other members and me. I will be able to coach you through any difficulties you might be having in your journey or any parts of the tutorial that you didn’t understand. We get to share our art no matter our skill level because we focus on the process, not just the product.

Find your place to share and grow

Every month I look forward to seeing what our members have been able to create, and where they have improved. I love to see their creativity growing as they gain confidence and try new things and learn new techniques.

Benefits of acrylic painting classes for beginners

Starting a painting practice can be a great way to add to your self-care routine, decrease anxiety and depression and have a lot of fun.
Every month, when you become a member you will receive access to a new tutorial of the month in our members’ area. You will also have access to our library of tutorials in addition to the Tutorial of the month. Each of these tutorials are acrylic painting classes for beginners.
You get an exclusive 20 minute one on one session with me when you sign up, where we can pinpoint your creative hurdles and goals. Then each month you get to paint, reflect and share with the group in our group coaching session. Comment on different projects in the members’ area and share your finished art with all of us. Each month includes the supply drop for the tutorial of the month or you can use your own supplies.

Ready to join the Artvana acrylic painting club?

I designed this program to make it easy for you to start learning to paint. Everything you need is included and at your fingertips. All it takes is YOU! If you are ready to start acrylic painting classes for beginners, join us today! I look forward to seeing you in the club next month!

Find out more and become a member!

Here is another great article from the Sage Clinic on how art and creativity can help your stress levels and so much more. I highly recommend this quick read-

Read the full article here

January 16, 2023 by Rikki B.

When to sketch? If you are wondering when you should and shouldn't sketch before painting

Hello painter!

Have you ever wondered when to sketch before starting a painting? Or what the purpose of sketching before painting on canvas is?
You are not alone, I get this question all the time. As we know, it can be intimidating when we first start creating. We wonder about all the ‘rules’ of art, the right way to do things, and which process we should follow. So let’s shed some light on this topic.

Sketching is a useful skill

Sketching is a VERY important skill to have. Also important is knowing when to sketch. Is it required to be a great painter? No. Should you sketch? Well, it depends, below are a few things to consider when deciding if you should pre-sketch your canvas. Try to think if sketching will help you complete your artwork or if it will distract you.

When to sketch

If deciding when to sketch consider the following things:

First, What are you trying to paint?

Second, Is your subject very detailed with complicated proportions?

Third, does it have a complex composition or layout?

These would be two scenarios that you would want to pre-sketch your canvas, here’s why…
Pre-sketching in charcoal, pencil, or even thinned paint gives us the chance to flesh out our design, work on proportions, seek balance in our composition and identify any trouble spots before we start building our painting. Sketching in this way can help you build confidence in your work of art before you add any paint!

Things to consider before sketching

I also want to share some negative things that can happen while you are sketching to be aware of.
Sometimes we can get over-involved in our sketch, remember this is just our guideline not its own work of art, but that line can get blurred if we get to deep into our sketch.
Sometimes it can get messy, charcoal and pencil can smudge if we work too long in our sketch phase.
If you don’t like sketching it can keep you from ever painting! This is something I struggle with personally, as I nearly hate sketching before painting. If I feel myself putting off my creativity to avoid sketching, I will just start painting or paint sketching.

The bottom line

The most important thing is to make sure you don’t let it become a roadblock. If something is holding you back, even in some subtle way, it is not serving your creativity. When to sketch is up to you and your comfort level.

In summary, it’s the artist’s choice, it’s YOUR choice! Sketching beforehand does not make you a better or worse artist. It is not required for all paintings or art. If you feel like you want or need to sketch before painting, trust your gut. If you feel like you want to wildly start flinging paint, follow your heart.

More Reading:

Sketching can become a part of our regular creative process, if you want to learn how to focus on your own individual process and how it can help you become a more creative person read this post

Read the full post here

This is also a great article on some of the basics on sketching down to your pencil choice!

Read the full article here

October 5, 2022 by Rikki B.

I am so excited to talk about today’s topic with all of you! We are going to be looking at our creative spaces and how to make the most of whatever space you have to make art in.

I speak with a lot of painters in our painting club and in live classes that don’t know what they need as far as a makers space goes. How much room do you need? Where should it be? What if you don’t have natural light? What if your kids will ruin it?
These are all good things to consider but before we get going I want to assure you that you will be able to make your creative space inspiring and easy to use.

Make It Inviting

First things first, your creative space should be all about you, if you don’t feel like being in that space it’s going to be really hard to get yourself in there and want to create right? The more inviting you can make your space the better. I do this in my space with plants, sunlight, bright colors, candles, incense, and music. This will be different for every person but the point is that you want to make this space somewhere you look forward to being in.

It Doesn’t Take Much

The second big issue I discuss with people is space. If you have an extra room you can use for art great! But most of us don’t have that. My first ‘studio’ space was a 3×3 foot corner in my living room. So I want to assure you that you do not need a lot of space. It could just be a desk or an easel in the corner with a filing cabinet. Stay open to the possibilities that are in your house right now. The good thing about having your creative space in your living area is that you get to look at it all the time.

Here Are The Basics

Here are some basic things you will want to start with in your studio/space:
1: A flat surface or standing easel to create on
2. Some drawers or shelves for organizing your supplies, I personally use old filing cabinets for my paints
3. Some jars for your brushes and pens
4. A cozy chair, a lot of the creative process involves sitting and thinking about your art, watching tutorials or looking at your art. You need a comfy chair that will keep you in your space.

Those are all the basics, all you really need to get started creating your own art oasis. I would love to see a photo of your space or where you create.

Artvana Members: Share an image of your current creative space with me and the community HERE

If you want even more inspiration I love this article, it is chock full of visual ideas. Read it HERE

Not a member? You can join us HERE

Rule #1: Do You ENJOY It!?

Rule #2: Ask Yourself WHY

Rule #3: Is It Sharable?

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Rule #1: Do You ENJOY It!?

Rule #2: Ask Yourself WHY

Rule #3: Is It Sharable?

Paint with Artväna

Contact Artväna

Artväna Gifts

🎨 Start Painting Today!