portrait painting – Page 2 – Katie Jeanne Wood

Art journal collab

Mixed media art journal portrait painting
WIP

My bestie Wanda and I were chatting the other day about doing another collab together. I’m sooo excited!

Maybe like 8 or 10 years ago we did an art journal collab together. Soooo fun!! We passed our art journals back & forth through the mail for months. Both of us got to keep a journal when we were finished.

I told her I don’t remember anymore what the journal she kept looks like, but I sure do remember the feeling of making it. It was a special time that I’ll never forget, and now we get to do it again. YAY!!

I love me some Wanda art, so I can’t wait to get started. 🙂

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Happy face gouache painting wip

Katie Jeanne Wood - happy face gouache painting

I wanted to do something about a really optimistic character: a character who was so optimistic, no one could burst her bubble.

Amy Heckerling

Katie Jeanne Wood - happy face gouache painting

Gouache portrait painting
on 140 lb paper

Katie Jeanne Wood - happy face gouache painting

For over a month, I thought this portrait was finished. I took photos to list it, scanned it for prints, edited the scan in Photoshop, and the whole nine yards.

As I was setting up this post last week, I was looking at photos of the painting with a fresh eye, and I saw things I wanted to change. So, last night, I went back in, and touched up here and there. Nothing drastic, but the painting’s changed, and I have to start the photo & scanning process all over again. I won’t have time to get it done before this post goes out tonight because I have orders to pack and ship. More soon.

Have you heard of the 100 day project, which starts on Feb 18th? The “rules” are loose, and sound doable. If you’re interested, there is a FAQ page here. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to join in.

Inside The Sketchbook of Adebanji Alade

7 tips for the self-taught artist

Artists I’m admiring:

Marc Dailly

Mark Grantham

Adam & Andrea Clague – husband & wife who both make amazing artwork

Becca Brown – LOVE her work

This flower painting by Lisa Daria – so pretty!

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Under The Moonlight – art journaling with gouache & watercolors

Blue, oh so blue
Portrait painting
art journaling with gouache & watercolors

Lena Rivo has been writing about her painting process in a series of posts on her blog since last August. In this post she explains why she uses sketchbooks instead of single sheets of paper.

She wrote “To me, painting in a sketchbook is a very effective way to distance yourself from the notion of creating art for others.”

I agree. When creating art is your job, and also your hobby in your free time, lines can get blurred easily. Having an art journal makes it easier to keep it separated, and allows artists to take a step back from working non-stop. As much as I like creating art for others, I LOVE having downtime to create just for me. Like Lena, I generally don’t create on sheets of paper unless I’m in work mode.

A couple weeks back, Sandi Hester talked about having thousands of paintings on paper in storage, and that’s also a reason I don’t want to make art for myself on single sheets. Storing art in boxes would quickly become a problem for me, since I have limited space, whereas finished art journals can go on my bookshelves.

That said, tho, seeing the fabulous paintings Sandi’s made on loose paper has made me second guess myself. I have large sheets of paper that I could use for my personal art, instead of cutting it up into smaller pieces to sell. Might be a fun change of pace, and give me new artwork to hang on the wall this year. It would use up my acrylics, too, which is a goal I’m working towards this year. Hm..we’ll see. I might give one or two a try to see how it goes?

Gonna leave you with a Becorns video. Becorns are little people made out of acorns and sticks. So amazing, I had to watch it twice, and it’s cat approved, obviously. Harold watched the entire video before he gave himself a bath, and fell asleep for the night. The next morning, I asked what he rated the video, and he said he gives the Becorns “4 out of 4 paws up for how satisfying it was to watch.” 😹😻

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I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy – shipping isn’t free on these sites because of the high cost of fees & ads.

You can message me here.

Other places to find me online. I have very recently started to post on IG, so be sure to follow me there.

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I’ve been searching for this paint for YEARS

Mixed media portrait painting
in my art journal

As I said before, I’m getting low on my favorite Holbein gouache. As I’m pinching & squeezing every last drop out of the tubes, it kinda surprised me which two colors have the least amount of paint left.

Yellow, and blue. I have one squeeze left with the yellow before I throw the empty tube away, and maybe a couple left with blue.

These are normally colors I don’t reach for as often when I’m painting, but using a lot of yellow makes sense because I’ve been mixing it with red & green to make skin tones. And, the blue is so lovely, I’ve been using it to create more tonal paintings & shadows. I’ve never met a blue quite like this one before.

WIP
gouache portrait in blue

I already regret saying I’ll do a no buy art supply year because I think Holbein gouache is absolutely perfect. It feels like I’ve been searching for this paint for YEARS, trying everything from watercolors, acrylics, craft paint, chalk paint, and oils. Now that I finally found paint that behaves exactly how I want it to, I can’t buy more for 12 months. What a bummer.

Hate to say it, but I most likely will break my “no buy 2024” by purchasing more Holbein gouache later this year. For now, tho, I want to stick with my plan to use up my stash of other paint. So, when the yellow is completely gone, I’ll either replace it with another brand of gouache I have on hand or with yellow acrylic.

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Put those old dusty paintings you’ve had on the wall for years in the attic, and get yourself a deal on new art. 40% off sale is going on now in my Etsy shop. Hurry, ends soon.

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Mixed media art journal portrait painting

Mixed media
art journal portrait painting

I finished this art journal last week, and I’m already about 15 pages into a new one. I plan on going back through this one at some point, and touch it up here & there. I still have to paint the cover, too, and then it will be done.

I’ve also been busy painting new 8×8 portraits on paper. You will find them in my shop. I have several more scheduled to post through the next week or so.

Last night I ordered some new gouache, and a new gouache palette. I wasn’t able to buy Holbein brand from Amazon because all the sets are sold out, so I got Winsor & Newton Designer.

I also wanted to try the Parkoo brand because the tubes are large, the price is cheap, and the reviews aren’t bad. I don’t expect it to be nearly as good as Holbein, but I plan on mixing it with better quality acrylic paint, so it will be fine.

Crossing fingers that this amount of gouache will take me through 2024 because I’ve decided I’m doing the no buy for 2024 challenge, which I wrote about here. If I run out of something, and need it, I’ll try my best to make it work with what I have on hand. Of course, the exception will be if I need something for a paid work project that I don’t have, I’ll have buy it.

I’m hoping that when 2025 rolls around my acrylic paint will be nearly gone, and my stack of unused art journals will be full. Wish me luck! I might need it because I’ve developed an aversion to painting with acrylics since I’ve become obsessed with gouache. The coming year will be challenging, if/when I run out.

I’m going to take a winter break from blogging, like I usually do this time of year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

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Purchase original art through me, and get free shipping.

I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy – shipping isn’t free on these sites because of the high cost of fees & ads.

You can message me here.

Other places to find me online.

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Painting a little girl in a snowstorm in my art journal

Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people’s legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.

Sarah Addison Allen

We got about a foot of snow overnight a few weeks ago. It only lasted 2 or 3 days, and then it warmed up to the mid 60s F. I painted this the night of the blizzard while all snuggly warm in my bed.

I heard Alisa Burke talking about painting in bed the other day in one of her Vlogmas videos. It’s one of my favorite places to create, so I thought I’d mention it here today.

I used to only work in my art journal if I was in my studio, which is why it took forever to fill one. When I’m in my studio, there’s always other work that needs my attention, so my art journal was neglected. Since I changed where I art journal, I’m zipping through one book after another. I’ve filled numerous art journals all while relaxing comfortably in my bed watching youtube videos.

I have a lap table, kinda like this one, except the top of mine is adjustable, and locks into 3 or 4 upright positions. I would suggest getting a table that has a little bit of a lip around the edge, so your pencils and brushes don’t roll off when you’re using it flat. I prefer the ones that have legs, as opposed to a tray. I can easily move it around, and not have the weight of it on my lap.

If you’re having trouble finding time to mess around in your art journal or sketch book, this informal “lazy” approach might be the solution for you, also?

Happy creating!

STOP selling on Etsy if you want to succeed as an artist! – She talks about all the fees sellers have to pay to sell on Etsy. She mentioned some I wasn’t aware of (it’s hard to keep up with all of them), and breaks down how much money she made on a $50 pair of earrings she handcrafted for 4 hours.

It’s disheartening to see what Etsy’s turned into these days. If you’re wondering why sellers are leaving the site, have left, and/or why prices keep increasing for those who stay, please watch this video & read what people wrote in the comments, like this one…

“I’m a graphic designer and design scarves and they are printed in Canada and Italy. I have to compete with resellers who import scarves from China. Their scarves are cheaper than mine. Lately I sold three large silk scarves and calculated that my profit was 6 US dollar…due to Etsy fees and taxes. Besides that the seo of Etsy is still a nightmare for me, Etsy isn’t bringing me visitors.”

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Purchase original art through me, and get free shipping.

I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy – shipping isn’t free on these sites because of the high cost of fees & ads.

You can message me here.

Other places to find me online.

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Outlining with a red marker

I’m two pages away from finishing this art journal. I started this one back in September, and it’s been my go-to journal for the past couple months.

I love this square size
and
will most likely order another one soon.
Or maybe I’ll make one myself?

I still have several pages I haven’t posted here yet, so look for that soon.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate, and happy “rest of the week” to those who don’t. I’ll be taking a short break from blogging, and will see you back here soon.

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Purchase original art through me, and get free shipping.

I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy – shipping isn’t free on these sites because of the high cost of fees & ads.

You can message me here.

Other places to find me online.

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Blue gouache boy WIP portrait painting – Seeking Advice

This painting is finished now, and available here.

Studio Vlog 8. Adventure with the Red Squirrels! – JoAnne Salmon – LOVE everything about her videos. Such a talented young artist, and videographer from the UK.

How I started my illustrated journal – Danny Gregory

I have the same zines & books by Dan Price. I used to be obsessed with his work & reading about his lifestyle. Sadly Dan doesn’t draw or make zines anymore, so I kinda forget about him. I hope he’s doing well these days.

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Purchase original art through me, and get free shipping.

I also sell originals & prints on eBay and Etsy – shipping isn’t free on these sites because of the high cost of fees & ads.

You can message me here.

Other places to find me online.

***

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