Check out my new video of me painting this snow scene. I love my pastels! The color and softness is so much fun to play with.
Tag: #artwork
Artwork wether finished or not, for sale or nfs.
My First Art Movie!
Making My First Art Movie
My first art movie, and I’m so excited! This was quite fun to do. There were some difficulties with staying in frame because I get into doing the art and forget about the camera. Hopefully the more I try these I will get better at it especially as I become more acquainted with all the software programs. Practice makes perfect. Can’t wait to try to make more. Check out this particular acrylic paint pouring flip cup technique. Check back at a later time to see this art for sale. I need to seal it for durability and shine.
I used a tool like this to help me record Phone Holder Bed Gooseneck Mount – Lamicall Flexible Arm 360 Mount Clip Bracket Clamp Stand for Cell Phone 11 Pro XS Max XR X 8 7 6 Plus 5 4, Samsung S10 S9 S8 S7 S6, Overall Length 33.4In(Black). Getting some simple tools for these sessions would really help. I also used a tool like this Sondiko Culinary Torch, Blow Torch Refillable Kitchen Butane Torch Lighter with Safety Lock and Adjustable Flame for Desserts, Creme Brulee, BBQ and Baking(Butane Gas Not Included).
What can you do with an acrylic pour?
An acrylic pour can be used as a background for some very interesting effects. Check out my post about editing artwork for some ideas. With other software you can experiment with all kinds of things. You could also just leave your pours as they are depending on how they came out. I find this technique helps to release some creativity, which can lead to more production of art. It is also very meditative. You can do pouring art on objects with all kinds of outcomes, even jewelry with the skins you create. With so many techniques such as chameleon, swirls, Dutch, balloon kisses and cloud pours there is no end to what we can create.
I hope to improve this movie and make more clips. We will see what the future brings. I have some short clips on my instagram account at https://den-of-art.com/my-instagram-feed/ if you want to see more.
To purchase my art on a variety of cool things visit my other art stores.
Editing Artwork with Software Apps
Editing Artwork
It has been a very interesting practice to change my artwork with software programs of all sorts. There are many programs out there and I would challenge you to check out as many as you can. Editing artwork with software apps is a great skill to learn.
Some Editing Advice
Do not just use an automatic program to change another persons work, or to push a simple button for one change. Go beyond the filtering capabilities that today’s programs can offer. Create your own awesome artwork as much as possible. Be original. Bring the idea farther, explore what can be achieved. Sometimes all you may need to get a great result on something you have created is that one special effect that you could not get so quickly in real life. Your one painting can have many results, each as spectacular as the original.

Procreate is a great program and is very versatile. There are illustating programs that make things even easier. Most programs will cater to a particular purpose. Knowing what you are going to do will help you decide what programs to choose. You may start a work in one program and find it won’t do something you want to do and have to open it in a different program to further edit it.
The Creative Process
Seeing a piece in another way can highlight another form inside your work, changing it so much that it will inspire you to start a new painting based on what you have seen. It is all part of the creative process. The learning curve can be rough for some, but don’t give up and go slow learning how to navigate within these programs. It has paid off for me.

I can try things easily, like changing colors or adding a visual element. It is so easy to plan out a composition now more than ever before. Editing art with software apps opens many possibilities. Checking values and color temperatures in a painting is now available with just a push of a button.

Using these various programs for completing a work from beginning to end is a freeing exercise. No needing to use “real” paint, mineral spirits and not having to clean brushes is great. Changing colors easily and undoing it is a very valuable tool. Traveling, hiking and work on the go has been made very convenient. Using these programs for editing artwork can be a revelation.

List of programs to get you started with editing artwork with software apps.
- Adobe suite of programs.
- http://ArtRage
- Autodesk
- Animation desk
- http://Procreate
- iFontMaker
- Concepts
- Artweaver
- PixArt – New
If you have more suggestions that you think should be on the list, drop me a note.
Thanks,
Cyn
To purchase my art on a variety of cool things visit my other art stores.
Why do you work in the medium you do?
My medium is Oil Paint
Why do you work in the medium you do? I was originally taught how to do oil paintings when I was young and I continue to learn. I found oils great for my lifestyle, I can come back to them after a day or more and they will be still workable. Studying a piece over days helps me to form an idea of what I want to do next changing the colors, lines and composition. Change is more easily accomplished. The medium allows for slower or faster drying times depending on the mix or additives put into it. Oils generally have deep rich colors and you can usually tell an oil from an acrylic. I really enjoy the creamy consistency and they way I can blend colors either on the palette or the canvas. Layering colors after they dry has a wonderful effect.
Painting Techniques and Styles
There are almost as many techniques as there are styles. Wet on wet or alla prima, palette knife, imprimatura, plein air, sfregazzi, sfumato, impasto or scumbling. Alla prima is a lot of fun and lends itself to plein air painting because it is usually completed in one session. Sgraffito is a technique where you can scratch through layers of paint exposing different colors underneath and adding texture at the same time. Sfumato is a technique of using very soft gradual transitions from light to dark. Leonardo Da Vinci has good examples of this. Impasto is thick paint applied that helps to catch light and shadows, sometimes built up for effect and usually done on stronger supports. Scumbling is speckled, broken color applied so color underneath shows through. This gives a painting a sense of depth and color variation.
This is an example of impasto.
This is an example of the scumbling technique.
Other Mediums
I have also always loved pastel chalks because of the light airy effects I can achieve. The colors can be bright and cheerful. Blending this powdery medium is a lot of fun as is layering. Softness is easily achieved and hard edges or lines are too. They are a bit messy though.
I have recently been exploring acrylics because of their fast drying times. I am hoping it will be a great new way for me to travel without wet oil painting when I do plein air. Oils have a habit of getting onto everything if you aren’t careful. It seems to travel where you don’t want it sometimes. Acrylic is more easily cleaned and water is safer and readily available. Other additives can be put into acrylics to affect the drying times and blending too.
Experimenting with oil pastels sounds like a lot of fun. I am excited that there is so much to learn and experience with my art questing.
Cyn
To purchase my art on a variety of cool things visit my other art stores.
How did I teach myself?
How did I Teach Myself?
Happy Halloween Everyone! This is one of my favorites holidays. It is full of wonder and creativity. Being in the moment is so important.
Observation of our Environment
I pay attention to what is around me and listen. Although even if I don’t, I still absorb information. For many years I watched my Mom and she taught me a lot. How did I teach myself? Art is a visual and emotional thing. For example, winter is almost upon us and now is the time to study the trees. The leaves fall off, giving us a better view of their structure. Time to observe and soak in the emotional aspects of a time or place is very helpful. I am always looking and stopping, I am not a fast walker or driver because of this.
I read books, I take lessons, I experiment and do a lot of reconnaissance. Preoccupation with art means I am almost constantly thinking about art, it is the place I go to that helps me become calm and relaxed, yet at the same time a little uncomfortable. There are challenges there. It is a preoccupation for me.
Practice makes Progress
Practice is very important because it helps to train your hand and eye coordination. You practice how to “see” things as an artist and become better. I have a love for learning and I never stop learning. I hope this is contagious. It is a wonderful thing.
How did I teach myself? Teaching myself never ends. Seeking knowledge and receiving it is powerful. I find that being around like minded people also heightens my interest and gives me ideas that I want to try as well. Sharing information is invaluable.
Learning is all about making that first mark and continuing with the next, practice and professional help also make a huge difference. When an artist shares a trick or technique, it can make you a better painter. Many artists have lots to share, whether self taught or schooled in a traditional way or not.
Art is everywhere, everything we see, touch and feel. Recognition of it is key. There is very little that isn’t touched by an artist.
CYN