Rule of Thirds + Making a Composition Grid

Howdy friends, today’s little tutorial is mostly geared towards beginner or possibly intermediate artists, and has to do with the famous ‘rule of thirds’ you’ve probably heard mentioned in the past.

Having strong composition within a piece of art is every bit as important as technical skill when appealing to an audience. Our eyes naturally flow in certain ways when taking in a scene so understanding how to direct and manipulate your viewers’ attention can have a huge subconscious effect on how your work is digested.

This is an incredibly simple and super inexpensive tool to make, yet totally invaluable to any art student, and will probably the easiest tutorial you’ll ever see on my channel! Enjoy!

Supplies Needed:

• wood picture frame*

• ruler

• sharpie

• rubber bands

• hammer

• tack nails

• pliers

  *it’s important you get wood because plastic or particle will break and split if you try to hammer in tack nails

Great References:

https://drawpaintacademy.com/rule-of-thirds-in-art/

https://www.creativebloq.com/art/how-use-rule-thirds-art-21619159

http://emptyeasel.com/2009/02/03/the-rule-of-thirds-why-it-works-and-how-to-use-it-in-your-art/

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originally published September 27, 2018

September Figure Modeling Sketches

I think I was just gifted my favorite drawing of myself to date by my friend and fellow artist Patrick Mizumoto (@paintedpatrick) during my last figure modelling session at the Museum of Art School here in Honolulu. I’m so honored to be drawn like a little forest fairy nymph..:)

Modeling at these open figure drawing sessions has really helped me connect with a new artistic side of myself. When I'm up on the platform I try to imagine myself from the outside looking towards my poses with a mental eye for lines, composition, and of course lighting and shadows. I try to make an interesting piece out of my own body with the goal of facilitating beautiful creations from the other artists. When they are able to make something unique and lovely, I like to feel like I can share in that win in some small way.

Here are a few more from that evening. (The first one is Patrick as well but the others are by artists with no links).

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originally published on September 24, 2018

Prepping a Painting Surface :: How I Prep My Fave Linen on Wood

Howdy folks! Today I’ve got tutorial for you that has been requested a few times and I’m glad to finally share my secrets with you:)

Well, I guess this vid hasn’t been requested per se…. more like I’ve been asked about my specific practices for preparing my surface as well as creating the pre-drawing for a painting. It’s definitely a bit of a process, but as most artists will tell you, having your art materials just the way you like them is totally clutch.

Preparing a painting surface is usually specific to each artist. Many folks like to purchase their canvases already ready, while others of us prefer to create our own from scratch. I can tell you one reason (of many) that I choose to make my own: it gives me the ability to control my composition according to my desired measurements and scale specific to each piece. I'm not obligated to make my paintings fit a 12x16 or 16x24 inch mold, for example.

So hopefully this vid will answer the mystery of how a roll of my favorite Oil Primed Belgian Linen and a piece of hardwood can become a dreamy and oh-so-deluxe surface, perfect for oil painting and sturdy enough for layering acrylic resin.

**Need new art supplies? Any purchases through my special Dick Blick link helps to support this channel. Thank you!!**

https://bit.ly/2HyaGnp

Here’s where you can find the rolls of linen:

https://bit.ly/2ODgmwM

Or a much, much less costly pre-prepped panel if you’d like to try the linen before committing:

https://bit.ly/2POoNp8

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originally published September 20, 2018

Shapeshifter :: Oil on Linen with Mixed Media and Acrylic Resin

Mixed media oil painting with resin layering is AMAZING!!! I am have so much fun exploring the 3D possibilities!

Today I am bringing you something totally new - layer painting! Now this is not like those amazing 'koi fish in the bowl' paintings, this acrylic pour is including the painting I've been working on for the last month as the base, then adding three different layers featuring sea glass, sequins, snail shells, and another painting component layer.

Bringing mixed media into my artwork has been a dream of mine for years but sometimes one doesn't always have the skills, knowledge, or means to bring a dream to fruition. I am so thrilled to have finally realized this one....

Wanna try resin pouring on your own works? Using my link helps to support my blog:)

Purchase resin here and help support my channel:)

https://bit.ly/2OEGKpP

Other links I mention in this video:

Mixing Caucasian Skin Tones: https://youtu.be/XfVn2X2NpN8

How to Paint Dreadlocks in Oil: https://youtu.be/pKUVLeCLmFw

How to Frame a Painting Inexpensively: https://youtu.be/XJcIFE__tlU

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originally published September 6, 2018

Traveling Bird

This lil Birdie will be out of her nest from August 23 til Sept 9 so it will be probably be pretty quiet around here. I'm going to Charleston, SC for a hometown visit as well as the small inland town where my parents run their treehouse rental business as well as a music fest on the SC/GA border called Surrounded by the Sound. It's gonn be a whirlwind and I can't wait! See you in a few weeks!

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originally published August 24. 2018

New Oil Painting :: Morning Dew

'Morning Dew' was a spur-of-the-moment composition inspired by some unusual lighting streaming through the trees surrounding my outdoor bathroom here on lovely O'ahu. I had just woken up and was brushing my teeth when I beheld in the mirror those bright cuts of light splashed across the cool blue shadows of the early sun.

Much to my delight I noticed how warm those deep purple shadows were upon taking my reference photo, giving this painting the unique quality of having very cool lights and very warm shadows. Coincidentally I had been up somewhat late the night before learning about various constellations (and discovering that Jupiter resides just outside my outdoor shower every evening!), so I felt compelled to add a few of the more simple star arrangements into this piece. 

You can actually watch me paint 'Morning Dew' in a timelapse video here. 

oil and mixed media on linen, 4.5x9 inches

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originally published August 26, 2018

5 Things About Me

Aloha friends! I've been tagged a few times to share 5 random things about myself so here's my quirky little list :)

If you'd like to read my regular bio you can see that here and if you'd like to see more hula hooping check out my channel here. 

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originally published August 23, 2018

Fear of Failure?

Do you ever fear failure? I suppose all of us do to a certain degree... Perhaps a better question would be does your fear of failure ever prevent you from doing what you want or know you should be doing?

 I have recently realized that I have more of a fear than I thought I did and it has been preventing me from branching out in certain aspects of my art business. It's not a fun thing to acknowledge (especially out loud!) nor to experience, but I feel like admitting there's an issue is always the first step towards growth.

I truly want to be more brave when it comes to sharing my work in person! Plus, if there's anything I've learned by listening to successful artists it's that you will fail a thousand times before you make it....

Right now I'm putting my fears in the spotlight and doing my best to overcome them. I know that the more I attempt to share my work, the easier it will become and the rejections will sting less than the successes will soar. Just gotta take a deep breath..... 🤗💙

((Excerpt from my Birds of a Feather monthly letter that will be going out in just a few days. If you're interested in a more personal peek into the ups + downs of this working artist's life drop your email below or pop over here to get added to my special list 💜))

drawing from life, pastel + chalk 6x9 inches

:: originally published August 19, 2018

Pencil Portrait Timelapse :: Octoplum

Today I have a pencil portrait drawing timelapse demo for you of one of my favorite active artists, Octoplum. She is a unique character both inside and out and creates the most incredible little body positive figurines, art dolls and drawings.

See Paloma's work here: https://www.instagram.com/octoplum

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originally published August 16, 2018

How to Paint Dreadlocks in Oil

Painting dreadlocks in oil is simple but can be a bit time consuming. I've developed an easy technique that I'll be sharing with you today so you can just relax and enjoy the repetitive and meditative process when you decided to tackle some dreadhead art of your own. 

Purchasing your paint or brushes through my special links helps to support this blog. Thanks!

Round 0 Brush
https://bit.ly/2nqr2Tx
Round 2 Brush
https://bit.ly/2KLpn3U
Fine Liner
https://bit.ly/2vyJ9eh
Naples Yellow
https://bit.ly/2toymBq
Yellow Ochre
https://bit.ly/2nsPvHv
Cadmium Orange
https://bit.ly/2vvrzb6
Raw Umber
https://bit.ly/2nr2jOA
Burnt Sienna
https://bit.ly/2OVAs5G

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originally published August 9, 2018