Craftside

How to paint highlights on ocean waves from the book How to Draw and Paint Seascapes

Today I have a tutorial on how to paint highlights on ocean waves from the book Oil & Acrylic: Oceans & Seascapes: Discover the secrets to painting waves, open seas, and coastal scenes.

Click on this page from Oil & Acrylic: Oceans & Seascapes to enlarge and read how to use two brushes and titanium white paint to create highlights on water to make it sparkle.

More about the Walter Foster book:

Oil & Acrylic: Oceans & Seascapes:
Discover the secrets to painting waves, open seas, and coastal scenes

by

Martin Clarke

Capture breathtaking oceanic scenes in oil and acrylic with Oceans & Seascapes. After being introduced to the basic tools and materials needed to begin painting, artists will learn specific techniques for painting realistic waves, rocky shores, and other seaside elements. Filled with step-by-step projects, this book is essential for any beginning artist who wants to paint beautiful oceans and seascapes.

Martin Clarke is fascinated by water. A native Australian, he has spent most of that time surfing, swimming, and soaking up his muse: the ocean. Although Martin came to painting late in life, he is driven by a constant strive to make each piece his best. When asked where his inspiration comes from, he talks of the beach on an early summer
morning: “how the surf pounds the sandy shore’s back, how the sun glistens off towering wave faces, and the sea spray catches light, sparkling like diamonds.”

Based in Mandurah, Western Australia, Martin is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Peel Harvey Estuary, and the Dawesville Cut.

Six prompts for painting from the book Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora S. Bowley

Are you a fan of the "prompt" to spark your creativity? Try these 6 prompts from Flora S. Bowley's book
Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold! Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style. I bet I can guarantee you will be happy with what you create. At the very least, you'll have some fun and enjoy the time you spent being creative. I believe that that is just as important as the end result!

Click on this page from Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold! Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style to enlarge and read the 6 prompts Flora calls The Be Brave Challenge: Variation-The Spice of Life

More about the Quarry book:

Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold!
Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style

by

Flora S. Bowley

Adopt a spontaneous, bold, and fearless approach to painting as a process of discovery—one that results in lush and colorful finished works that will beg to be displayed. This inspiring and encouraging book for both novice and experienced painters shows how to create colorful, exciting, and expressive paintings through a variety of techniques, combining basic, practical painting principles with innovative personal self-expression.

Flora S. Bowley takes a fun and forgiving approach to painting, based on the notion that “You don't begin with a preconceived painting in mind; you allow the painting to unfold.” Illustrating how to work in layers, Flora gives you the freedom to cover up, re-start, wipe away, and change courses many times along the way. Unexpected and unique compositions, color combinations, and subject matter appear as you allow your paintings to emerge in an organic, unplanned way while working from a place of curiosity and letting go of fear. She lives and works full-time as a painter in Portland, Oregon, where she is inspired by magical forests, abundant gardens and a vibrant community of fellow artists. Visit her online at www.florasbowley.com.

    

How to draw Sakura chibis in action from the book How to Draw Manga Chibis & Cute Critters

Today I have a dose of cute in the form of a tutorial. Learn how to draw a Sakura chibis in an action pose from the book How to Draw Manga Chibis & Cute Critters: Discover techniques for creating adorable chibi characters and doe-eyed manga animals.

Click on this page from How to Draw Manga Chibis & Cute Critters to enlarge and read the full step-by-step tutorial on how to draw an action posed chibis.

More about the Walter Foster drawing book:

How to Draw Manga Chibis & Cute Critters
Discover techniques for creating adorable chibi characters and doe-eyed manga animals

by

Samantha Whitten

With big glossy eyes and soft pudgy cheeks, it's hard not to love manga chibis and critters. In this latest addition to the Walter Foster Studio series for tweens, aspiring artists can learn all about these cute creatures as they follow along with step-by-step drawing projects that  range from a mischievous chibi princess and a roly poly ninja to a furry manga bunny and a cuddly panda cub. Also included is a chapter on how to render any animal or person as a "chibi-fied" character. Instructions for adding color with markers or watercolor make this cartooning book perfect for any tween fan of manga or anime.

 
 

Reverse painting technique featured in the book Donna Dewberry's Big Book of Decorative Painting

If painting is part of your normal craft day, or if it's on your new year's resolution list, you will love trying this reverse painting technique featured in the book Donna Dewberry's Big Book of Decorative Painting A Complete Guide to One-Stroke Tips & Techniques.

Click on this page from Donna Dewberry's Big Book of Decorative Painting A Complete Guide to One-Stroke Tips & Techniques to enlarge and read how to reverse paint.

More about the All American Crafts book:

Donna Dewberry's Big Book of Decorative Painting A Complete Guide to One-Stroke Tips & Techniques

by

Donna Dewberry

Here is the ultimate Donna Dewberry guide to her popular one-stroke painting technique. This well known author and decorative painter also shares tips and ideas for creating beautifully painted items for the home A must-have guide for decorative painters.

Internationally known decorative painter Donna Dewberry has been painting and creating since she was a child. Her career as an artist has spanned decades and today she has been published in over 100 books and teaching guides.

 

How to paint a pumpkin and bell pepper from the book The Chinese Brush Painting Bible

Yes, Halloween is just around the corner and if you need a last minute decoration why not paint yourself a pumpkin with this easy tutorial featured in The Chinese Brush Painting Bible: Over 200 Motifs with Step by Step Illustrated Instructions. Kick it up a notch and add a face to turn it into a Jack-o-lantern! If you aren't in need of any more Halloween decorations, try it out for Thanksgiving along with the how to paint a pepper tutorial! (That was fun to type :)

Click on this page from The Chinese Brush Painting Bible: Over 200 Motifs with Step by Step Illustrated Instructions to enlarge and read how to paint a pumkin and bell pepper.

More about the Chartwell book:

The Chinese Brush Painting Bible
Over 200 Motifs with Step by Step Illustrated Instructions

by

Jane Dwight

Chinese brush painting uses minimal strokes to describe the essence of a subject and capture its rhythm and grace.  This beautiful book contains 200 exquisite motifs to re-create, from flowers and fruits to wildlife and scenery.

Each motif includes an explanation of its symbolic meaning, a palette of colors, and step by step instructions in order, direction, and type of brushstrokes.

An introductory section explains all the tools, materials, and techniques required, from choosing brushes and paper to achieving perfect color mixtures and the correct consistency of ink.

Includes advice on composing and combining images to create perfectly balanced, harmonious paintings, and ideas for using and displaying your finished art.