Well, it’s been a little crazy around here just recently. We went away for a few days as a family to Italy – love, love, loved it! I’ll have to share some photos soon when I get them downloaded from my camera :D Add in lots of kids exams, end of term stuff and getting ready for summer work and I don’t think I’ve stopped recently, and there’s more to come until the end of the month. After which I’m anticipating a quiet Scottish summer with just my youngest home with us while the older two work away in England.
SIMON SAYS STAMP JULY 2019 CARD KIT
I’m trying to catch up a little here, and one of the things I’ve missed telling you about is the recent release of the July Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp. Here’s what is included in the kit:
- Simon Says Stamp Bee Yourself 6 x 8 clear stamp set
- Honey Bee The Bee’s Knees exclusive 6 x 6 paper pad
- 3 Simon Says Stamp custom foilable cards
- Rainbow Shattered Glass 5 Foil Transfer Sheets
- Simon Says Stamp White envelope
- Simon Says Stamp Small Hexagon Cluster wafer thin die
- Black and Yellow custom sequin pack
- Simon Says Stamp Sunshine cardstock
- Simon Says Stamp White 120# cardstock
- Simon Says Stamp Black cardstock
- Simon Says Stamp Seaglass cardstock
- 1 new Glue Sponge
I picked up my kit from the post office today and can’t wait to delve into those cute bee images!
THE DAILY MARKER 30 DAY COLOURING CHALLENGE
I’ve not had much time to sit down and create, but I have been keen to follow Kathy Racoosin’s 30 Day Colouring Challenge. I love Kathy, and her Colouring Challenges are fabulous! The idea is to carve a little time into each day for some therapeutic colouring. I’ve recently discovered the joys of gouache – an opaque watercolour. You know how I love watercolour! Well, gouache is watercolour, but it behaves a little differently to traditional watercolours and so to improve I plan on joining Kathy for the colouring challenge and so practice with gouache!
I’ve been sharing on social media – pick your favourite from Instagram (mainly sharing in Instagram Stories), Facebook and Twitter and here’s how I’ve been getting on so far. I’ve been using the book by Philip Boelter to guide me – he has fabulous tutorials showing how to sketch and paint simple florals. Perfect for a few minutes practice each day. Check out his work on Instagram here.
Day 1 – Gloriosa Daisy Wildflower
Day 2 Thistle
Day 3 Poppy
Day 4 – Wisteria
I think the Poppy is my favourite so far! If you want to check out the book by Philip Boelter, you can do so here on Amazon US and here on Amazon UK.
I’m using white gouache mixed with watercolours at present, but I have on order a couple of sets of gouache from American Crafts to try out – their Paper Fashion set 1 and set 2. I’ll let you know how I get on with them when they arrive.
OK, that’s all from me today. I have a card and matching envelope to share with you as soon as I can get photos taken etc. …. and it uses gouache! Hope to see you here then.
LOVE – LOVE – LOVE these flower paintings! I have Philip’s book in my Amazon bag :) Is that a little watercolor paper pad you are using? Did you get that on Amazon as well?
Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us!
Thank you! The little sketchbook is I’m guessing A7 (9cm x 14cm or 3.5″ by 5.5″) in size and is by Stillman & Birn in their Beta series – designed for wet media including watercolour. The paper is supposed to be cold pressed I think but it is not as textured as my usual cold pressed which is perfect for the smooth application of gouache :D
LOVELY WORK, Debby! I only recently got some white gouache at your advisement! And used it just the other day on a piece! I’ve been eye-balling the other sets too! LOL It will be NICE to hear how you are getting-on with it! Life DOES get SO BUSY sometimes! SO GLAD you relax with your paints & share with us! ;) I’m with Jewel, where did you get your paper pad???? ;) CAN’T WAIT to see what else you’re working on!!! ;)<3
I can’t find a direct link to the little sketchbook. I was given it as a gift, but it is I’m guessing A7 (9cm x 14cm or 3.5″ by 5.5″) in size and is by Stillman & Birn in their Beta series – designed for wet media including watercolour. The paper is supposed to be cold pressed I think but it is not as textured as my usual cold pressed which is perfect for the smooth application of gouache :D
Awesome flower paintings Debby. I’m working on a image by Power Poppy for the 30 day challenge and some flowers look like your Wisteria ( I didn’t know the name untiol I saw it here) and I used almost the same kind of colours. I use Distress INks and I would not even dare to compare my color work with your beautiful work.
Thank you for your great post and have a great day.
Oh, I’ll pop over and take a look Henriette :D Hope you have a great day too!
Your paintings are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them and the link to Philip Boelter’s work.
You are obviously very talented in your water coloring, but that poppy is fabulous!
Hi Debby,
I love all of your work, but was so excited to see your posts on using Gouache! Arteza sent me some for review on my YouTube channel. I was surprised to fall in love with it, and I’ve found a new obsession. Not quite as much as watercolors, but I love watercolors almost as much as my three children. Lol. I just love your sketch pad work, it’s gorgeous!!! After I tried the Arteza Gouache, I had to try Gouache from Schmincke and Holbein. I highly recommend you try them! I’m sure the AC will crack and crumble like Arteza, but it reactivates. You might like to put them in a palette you won’t tip upside down.
Thanks for all the tips Stephanie! Like you, I can’t imagine anything to overtake my love of traditional watercolours … however, it is very much fun to be exploring gouache and what it can do! I’ll keep the tip about the palette for the AC paints in mind when they arrive :D
You are so talented! Do you or would you ever consider offering online watercoloring classes?
I have taken part in the watercolour classes at Online Card Classes if you want to check those out and also have a YouTube channel where I occasionally post videos when time allows. Thanks for your interest :D
Amazing. I love all of them! Can’t wait to see more :)
You just get better and better, Debby! These took my breath away. Even your photographs are beautiful and professionally designed! I don’t say it often enough: Thank you for the inspiration! Hugs, Darnell