If Frida was a Mermaid

 

If Frida was a Mermaid by Marla Niederer

So I wanted to do something different for MerMay this year.  If you haven’t heard about MerMay it’s a challenge where you draw, paint a Mermaid every day for the month of May.  I decided that I wasn’t going to paint a mermaid everyday but wanted to be a bit creative and decided to paint a watercolor painting depicting Frida Kahlo as if she was a mermaid under the sea.  I created a two part tutorial on how I painted “If Frida was a Mermaid”  and posted the first part on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel.  If you subscribe to my channel you will see when I post the second part to complete the painting.  If you click on the picture below it will take you to the first part of the tutorial.

 

If Frida was a Mermaid Watercolor Tutorial by Marla Niederer

I also thought I would share with you the line drawing I made from my sketch to transfer onto the watercolor paper for my painting in case you are uncomfortable with making your own sketch and want to paint along with me.  Just click on the line drawing below and print it out on regular printer copy paper.

 

If Frida was a Mermaid Line Drawing by Marla Niederer

If you like Jane Austin I also created a complete step by step three part video tutorial that I shared on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel on how to create a Jane Austin inspired clothespin doll.  Just click on the picture below and you will go to the first part of the tutorial.  Links to the second and third part of the tutorial are included in the description of the first video.

 

Jane Austin inspired clothespin doll video tutorial by Marla Niederer 

I’m also still offering self study doll making classes in my OrsinisAngels shop.  Just click on the picture below to see all the classes available.

 

Self Study classes by Marla Niederer

I also offer instant downloadable digital collage sheets for your mixed media, art journaling, and mixed media projects in my OrsinisAngels shop.  Just click on the picture below to see all the digital downloads available.

 

Digital downloads by Marla Niederer

If you would enjoy some more free tutorials just check out my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel by clicking on the picture below.

 

OrsinisAngels YouTube channel free tutorials

Until next time……………

 

Warm hugs,

Marla

Sketchbook Revival 2023

 

Watercolor sketch of lotus blossom by Marla Niederer as inspired by Jean Oliver session

Quite some time ago a friend introduced me to the free online sketchbook workshop called Sketchbook Revival.  It has been put on annually for the past few years and I always find it inspiring.  During the workshop there are two video sessions posted daily offered by a variety of artists for about two weeks. The goal of the workshop is to encourage people to add an art practice into their lives on a more routine basis. I personally find creating art a very relaxing almost meditative process.  It gives me something beautiful to think about every day.

I created this watercolor sketch of a lotus blossom inspired by Jean Oliver’s session from day one. 

 

Watercolor sketch of Lotus Blossom by Marla Niederer as inspired by Jean Oliver session

I also created this travelers style journal inspired by Ali Mannings session.  I created my own book out of the backs of watercolor paper pads covered with book cloth that I created with HeatnBond and fabric.  I used Arches 90 lb watercolor paper for the signatures and old watercolor paintings for the covers of each signature.

I am still offering Self Study step by step doll making classes in my OrsinisAngels Etsy shop.  You can find them by clicking on the picture below.

 

Self study classes by Marla Niederer

I started offering digital downloads for mixed media collage sheets in my Etsy shop and digital downloads of paper dolls that you can use in your mixed media projects or just to enjoy on their own.  You can find my digital downloads by clicking on the picture below.

 

Digital Collage sheets by Marla Niederer

This month I am sharing a two part series on how to use watercolors to enhance a graphite drawing in my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel.  I used a vintage Victorian photograph in the public domain as inspiration for the angels that I drew and painted.  You can see part one by clicking on the picture below.

 

How to Enhance a Graphite Drawing with Watercolors by Marla Niederer

You can see all of my free video tutorials on OrsinisAngels by clicking on the picture below.

 

Free tutorials on OrsinisAngels YouTube channel

I hope you have been enjoying a creative day today!

 

Until next time………………..

warm hugs,

Marla

 

 

New Free Tutorials!

 

Graphite and Watercolor Angel by Marla Niederer

Many of you already know that I have been publishing free tutorials on a regular basis on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel.  I hope you have had time to watch some of them and create along with me. 

If you hadn’t viewed them yet, last month I shared several tutorials on card making.  I started out by creating a Victorian style Valentine using a combination of images that I found in the public domain and flowers that I had painted.  It was such fun to create! 

Victorian inspired Valentine card by Marla Niederer

I also shared a tutorial on how I made a special birthday card using all of my own art work images.  If you are into cardmaking, I hope these videos inspire you to create some of your own designs.

Valentine and Birthday Cards by Marla Niederer

This month I am sharing a two part series on how to use watercolors to enhance a graphite drawing.  I used a vintage Victorian photograph in the public domain as inspiration for the angels that I drew and painted.  You can see part one by clicking on the picture below.

 

Using Watercolor to Enhance a Graphite Drawing by Marla Niederer

I am still offering Self Study step by step doll making classes in my OrsinisAngels Etsy shop.  You can find them by clicking on the picture below.

 

Self Study Doll Making Classes by Marla Niederer

I started offering digital downloads for mixed media collage sheets in my Etsy shop and digital downloads of paper dolls that you can use in your mixed media projects or just to enjoy on their own.  You can find my digital downloads by clicking on the picture below.

 

Digital Collage instant downloads by Marla Niederer

I hope you have been enjoying a creative day!

 

Until next time………………..

warm hugs,

Marla