Painting Dreadlocks in Oil :: II Kaya

July 18, 2017 in Studio, YouTube Tutorials, YouTube Videos, Tutorials

Today's dreadlock tutorial is one of my more informative ones, I do believe, because I talk about what I'm doing in real time as well as speed demonstrate with music. I really like this way of presenting since I get to teach something, and then my viewer gets to see that method in action right there.

Here are the paints I used specifically for her hair:

And the small brushes too (three sizes of round and one filbert):

Enjoy the show! Feel free to let me know what you think of it in the comments here or on the YouTube comments :)

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

PS. High quality giclee prints of 'II Kaya' available here

originally posted: July 18, 2017

First Pregnancy Portraits!

July 09, 2017 in Pencil Portraits, Acquire Art

I've been doing more and more children's portraits recently, which I love 'cause kids are so sweet and adorable, and I realized I had yet to feature any not-yet-born little ones. Luckily two fabulous hula hoopers I've gotten know through social media are both beautifully, blissfully pregnant with their firsts, so I figured what better way to help them celebrate while also helping to round out my custom portrait website than to draw their pregnancy portraits?!

'Hope' (top) and 'Keeah' were drawn using my standard pencil variety and white conte on 9x12 inch grey toned paper. To see more about my process, have a look here.

If you know any mamas-to-be looking for a creative pregnancy portrait make sure to send them my way:)

originally posted: July 9, 2017

New Giclee Prints Galore!!

July 01, 2017 in Acquire Art, Inspiration, Oil Paintings

Oooooh I am tooo love with all these gorgeous new prints I just received from my printers in the mail this past week!! I chose the thickest 290 gsm 100% cotton rag paper and they really came out looking so vibrant. And the best thing is that these paper and inks are supposed to last 100 years!

There was only one image that I had to toss because she came out looking like a zombie (blah!), which happens form time to time. Most folks don't realize that it can be tricky to get a correctly colored print, especially long distance! Computer screens vary the colors so unfortunately what you see is not always what you get.

I've been pretty fortunate so far, but any artist knows that they'll need to order at least one or two rounds of any print before selling just to be sure. It's an expensive endeavor, let me tell you!

And of course you know the first thing I did was put my special authenticity stamps on them:)

Go ahead and pop on over to my Patreon page too because I'm going to do a print giveaway for my Patrons at the $10 tier for a July reward. Yay!

originally posted: July 1, 2017

Drawing a Dreadlocked Muse in Pencil

June 27, 2017 in Studio, YouTube Videos, Tutorials

Welcome back to the studio! Ever wonder how to draw a set of sweet dreads in pencil? Well wonder no more! I've the tutorial just for you today ;)

I am so enamored with the gaze of this knotted muse and I feel like this portrait holds more questions than answers, if you get my drift. At times it seems I can almost get to know someone through the connection of drawing them....

So sit back and enjoy the show! And check the show notes below the YouTube video for info on my specific supplies.

originally posted: June 27, 2017

Hi, My Name is Caleigh! :: A Brief(ish) Personal History

June 25, 2017 in Aloha, Art Vlog, Artist Diary, YouTube Tutorials

Hello friends! Most likely you know my name if you've made it to my blog, but I have yet to really give a full introduction to my readers anyway. Sooooo, Hi! Nice to meet ya!

Obviously, I'm an early 30's contemporary figurative artist living in Hawai'i... duh, but just in case you wondered how all that came to be, I figured share a brief(ish) personal history with you today. This vlog mostly hits on where I'm from, where and what I studied in school (spoiler alert: art always), what steps I've taken to explore the world around me, and how I wound up in Hawai'i, all set to the rhythmically soothing sound and sight of waves crashing on mighty volcanic rocks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

This little Intro Vid was filmed while I was chillin' on Makapu'u Beach, which is about 25 minutes from my house, on an absolutely perfect Spring day. Enjoy!

originally posted: June 25, 2017

How to Extend the Life of Your Pencils

June 20, 2017 in Art Vlog, YouTube Tutorials, Tutorials

.... Using only blue painters tape!

Enjoy this super sweet little artist hack that will enable you to use your pencils right down to the teeniest tiniest 'lil nub, and, as with most of my hacks, both your wallet and Mother Earth will thank you.

Any other brilliant ideas on using your pencils to the 'bone'? I'd love to hear them!

originally posted: June 20, 2017

Happy Aloha Friday!

June 16, 2017 in Aloha, Adventure

....just in case you were wondering what 13 years worth of dreadlocks splayed out on a beach towel looks like....

My friend Emsy and I playing in the light at the semi-underground Mermaid Caves on Westside O'ahu. Fun fact, her dreads are actually as long as mine - the only girl I know who twins me!

Before we hit up the Mermaid Caves, Emsy and I did a quickie calf-burner hike up the nearby ridge, Pu'u Heleakula. Then afterwards, Kyveli met us for a swim at Electric Beach. I am so lucky to have such awesome friends to go adventuring with!

I share lots about my life in Hawai'i on my Instagram @caleighbird. Pop on over and have a looksy here!

originally posted: June 16, 2017

How to Paint a Cosmic Galaxy Background

June 13, 2017 in YouTube Tutorials, Studio, Tutorials

I had a really great time creating this tutorial for you today. It was actually my first time painting such a cosmic space-y environment so I enjoyed learning it myself as much as teaching it!

What's on my palette:

Titanium White
King's Blue Light
King's Blue
Cobalt Blue
Violet Cobalt

I also mixed in slight amounts of the brightest yellow parts of Kaya's skin tone in order to help tie the painting together.

The dark background (that is dry already in this video) is comprised of Phthalo Blue, French Ultramarine, and King's Blue.

Enjoy the starry night show!

originally posted: June 13, 2017

Prints 'n Stickers 'n Stamps - Oh My!

June 10, 2017 in Artist Diary, Studio, Inspiration, Oil Paintings

Hi Friends! Happy Full Moon weekend!

Ok, so today's share might seem a tad unremarkable to some, but realize that my excitement lies more within what these little gifts and accents symbolize rather than what they actually are (I'll explain later;) )

I can't help it, I'm just really proud to share all the little things! Like, for example these really sweet vinyl stickers I've had made twice now. How clear and bright is that image?!? Along with these postcards I got last year that I use for 'thank you' notes and I've always been in love with my teeny tiny business cards.

Plus I recently designed these super sweet stamps for authenticating my prints and giving a more polished look to my outgoing artwork parcels.

Now let me tell you why these small things are so meaningful:

All of these little bonus goodies with coherent logos and the same 'look' and branding and all that good stuff that I pack with every purchase as well as hand out to folks I meet, is exactly what you would expect a well-seasoned professional artist to bring to the table. I mean, don't get me wrong, I have been creating and showing work locally for years, but it is only within the last few months that I've actually starting culling together all the trappings of an artist who actually "knows what they're doing." Ha!

Simply having prints available is totally new for me!

I guess what I'm trying to say, dear reader, is that I am tremendously grateful that my ambitions as a career artist are starting to blossom in ways that I could have only dreamed they would. Because these are all tangible objects associated with sharing my artwork, they're meaning feels all the more real.

It's truly amazing what the smallest symbols of professionalism or achievement can mean to one artist working her very hardest to make it in this bustling world:)

PS. Make sure you pop on over to my Instagram @caleighbirdart asap because I'm doing a Full Moon Goddess Print Giveaway this weekend! The winner receives an 11x14 inch gallery quality giclee print of their choosing from my two recent Bohemian Goddesses oil paintings. Yay!!

--
originally posted: June 10, 2017

Nude Drawing Session Etiquette

June 06, 2017 in Studio, Inspiration, Tutorials

Since I brought you all into my usual figure drawing space last week, I figured perhaps some of my fellow artists might want a little intro or brush-up on how to follow polite protocol when drawing from a nude model. (I also have links at the end for those of you who think you may want to try nude art modelling yourself!)

For the most part, this entire summation points back to respect for the model. Basic rule of thumb: be polite and don't be a creeper. Not too hard, right?

So here's your handy lil nude model session guide, and make sure to check out the vid for more detailed explanations behind everything and to see me make some pretty goobery faces while discussing creepers!

Nude Modeling Etiquette Rules:

During Figure Session:

Give the model their personal space
DON'T BE A CREEP
No talking to the model - ask the moderator if you see a pose adjustment, etc
No talking to anyone else
No cell phones or cameras out ever

During the Break:

Allow model to robe themselves privately
Don't discuss that session's or previous sessions' models with fellow artists
Only talk to the model if they make themselves part of the group and welcome conversation
Do not ask the model personal questions or out on a date, nor talk about any aspect of their body

End of Figure Session:

Help tidy the studio
If you think you may want to hire the muse for your own work - definitely watch the video where I share my experiences with that and best advice on how you can do so without being a creeper;)