Tutorial Try-Out: DIY Paint By Numbers

This week's tutorial try-out was:

The Ambitious Procrastinator's DIY Paint By Numbers

For this tutorial, I decided to do a funky self-portrait.  I started with a photo that I use as my facebook, instagram, pinterest, goodreads (etc....) profile pic.  (You can also see it tucked into the lower right corner of my blog header.)

It's a pretty goofy photo to start with, so it really wasn't a surprise that I ended up looking like a clown trapped in a lava lamp!

The results were fun, the technique was easy...

All-in-all, I'd say it was a great way to finish off Tutorial Try-Outs!

Did you try this tutorial?

If so, please link up below.

(I can't wait to see!)

And, just in case you've missed any of the tutorials I've tried out, you can view the full list here.

Tutorial Try-Out: Teesha Moore's Fun Drawing Lesson

This week's tutorial try-out was:

Teesha Moore's Fun Drawing Lesson

If you have ever stopped by Teesha Moore's blog, then you know that she is wildly creative and a powerhouse of inspiration!  
When I stumbled upon her fun drawing worksheet, I knew I'd have to give it a try...

A page from my sketchbook.

One of the questions I am most often asked is, "What in the world were you thinking?" "Where do you get your ideas?".  So, I thought it might be fun to give you a step-by-step look into what was going through my head as I played with Teesha's drawing worksheet in my sketchbook... 

1. Actually, not a whole lot was going through my head at this point... I just thought she looked like she needed a bird's nest on her head.
2. The bird's nest made me think of cats (hungry for birds, of course), and I thought that this drawing style would probably be 
pretty cool for a cat face.
3. I started thinking about other things cats eat, but at the same time I was thinking about my crazy haired ladies and how this technique might translate into one of them.
4. I realized that although there were some fish in the last drawing, I still hadn't satisfied my need for drawing fish.  While I was drawing them, I started thinking about the fish in 
Monty Python's "The Meaning of Life".

Well, basically that's a quick glimpse into my typical train of thought.  One thing leads to another... 
Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't...

Aren't you completely horrified and disappointed glad 
that you asked?!?

After I finished this page in my sketchbook I thought, "These would be fun coloring pages".  So, this morning I printed out some copies and started playing!

Did you try this tutorial?
If so, please link up below.

(I can't wait to see!)

And, please be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post for next week's tutorial!

Next week is the last Tutorial Try-Out (for now).  
In honor of that, I chose a tutorial that is similar to (but different from) what appears to have been the most popular tutorial (Easy Watercolor Portraits from 4-23-2013).

Next week's tutorial is:
The Ambitious Procrastinator's DIY Paint By Numbers

**a note about next week's tutorial:**
In her tutorial, Nikki uses the photo editing program picnik.

Picnik is no longer available, but you can substitute the free online program picmonkey instead.  
(Just be sure to use the "focal soften" tool.)

Picmonkey is available for free here.

Tutorial Try-Out: Geometric Painting

This week's tutorial try-out was:

Denthe's Geometric Painting Technique

(Here is an update from her blog with her (mostly) finished painting.)

Before the micron pen was added.

This tutorial made me think of chameleons and the way they hide in plain sight.  So, it only seemed natural to start by drawing a couple of quick chameleons.  Then, instead of using standard geometric shapes, I drew leaves all over the page.  I already had some small jars of house paint open in my studio for another project, so I decided to use those colors for the painting.  (Plus, the house paint only requires a single coat for a solid finish, so that's a bonus!)  After I finished the painting, I wanted to bring back the lines, so I used a micron pen (05 size) along the edges...

Before and After

Did you try this tutorial?

If so, please link up below.

(I can't wait to see!)

And, please be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post for next week's tutorial.

Next week's tutorial looks like fun:

Teesha Moore's Fun Drawing Lesson

Tutorial Try-Out: A Lynne Hoppe Inspired Face (And An Announcement)

(I used supplies I already had in my studio... there were a few substitutions.)

This week's tutorial try-out was:
Lynne Hoppe's How to Paint Faces tutorial

As I mentioned at the end of my last post, I am a big fan of Lynne Hoppe.  I love her style... The softness, loose lines, and limited palette intrigue me.  I was very excited to (finally) give her "how-to" a try...

As much as I loooove Lynne's work, I didn't want to create a copy.  I was interested in seeing how her technique and palette might translate into my own work.  I was also hoping that doing this technique might help me loosen up a little...  I have a tendency to get caught up in details (and frequently over-work pieces), so I thought Lynne's soft style might give me some insights into how I can improve as an artist.

I think I did learn quite a bit by doing this tutorial, 
and I will definitely be tucking away some of my new-found understanding for use in later projects.

Did you try this tutorial?
If so, please link up below.
(I can't wait to see!)

And, please be sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post for next week's tutorial and an important announcement!


Next week's tutorial was suggested by NatashaMay:
Denthe's Geometric Painting Technique

Now, for the announcement:

Summer is fast approaching, and so are some challenges that I love to participate in!  Since I'm planning on playing along with Daisy Yellow's Index Card A Day (from June 1st to July 31st), Twinkle Twinkle's Summer Of Color, and Rhi-Creations Doodle-A-Day, May 28th will be my last Tutorial Try-Out (for now...).