Showing posts with label Sleeping Mermaid Class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sleeping Mermaid Class. Show all posts

Saturday, June 8, 2019

40 Portraits Challenge and Woodland Faery Journal class review.

Online classes are so much fun!  Not only do I enjoy teaching them but I also enjoy taking them.  What I love about them is that you can enjoy taking a class in the comfort of your home.  You can take them at your own pace and if something happens to disrupt your class time you can always go back to it at a later date when you have more creative time.
Since I just joined a 40 portrait challenge on Facebook, I decided that it was time to create another art journal.
Toni Burt, a mixed media artist, teaches several classes online and in one of them she teaches how to make a woodland faery journal. 
Woodland Faery Journal by Toni Burt


The journal she made is really pretty and uses some mixed media techniques that I don’t really use so I decided to give it a try.   The class videos are clear and informative.  She takes you through the entire process in real time without any fast forwarding.  The class is one of her shorter ones and priced quite reasonably.  The videos are broken up into roughly 20 minute to 35 minute videos.  This seems to be a good length of time for each session.  Not too long and not too short.  I found the videos quite easy to follow.   She uses water-soluble graphite pencils which I had never heard of before.  Of course I had to purchase a set and try them out.  I bought a set made by Faber Castle and now absolutely love them.
Keeper of the Earth Journal cover by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Woodland Faery Journal Class

I created the journal substrate pretty much as directed in the online class but then I decided to go in my own direction.  I did use the mixed media techniques she shared for the background but wanted to use my own artwork instead of copying her artwork.  I also did not have many of the supplies she used such as the water-soluble markers and inktense sticks.  Since I had my watercolors out and ready to use, I used them instead.  The design I chose was based on a figurative fiber art sculpture that I had created quite some time ago called “Keeper of the Earth.”  I did want to make some changes though but kept that theme.  I also used quite a bit of Toni’s color palate since it was warm and earthy.
Keeper of the Earth Journal cover by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Woodland Faery Journal Class

These are pictures of the journal cover before sewing in the watercolor paper signatures that I will be using.
 
Keeper of the Earth Journal cover by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Woodland Faery Journal Class
Bottom line, it was a really fun class to take and a good way to start off my 40 portrait challenge.  Out of five stars, I give the class Five Stars.  Here is a link to the class if you would like to check it out.
I wonder do fantasy portraits count as portraits?  If so consider my journal cover the first of my 40 portraits!
 
Sleeping Mermaids by Marla L. Niederer
I am still teaching the Sleeping Mermaid workshop on A for Artistic.  If you are interested in taking the class it remains open for the rest of the month.  You can find out more information about it and or sign up here


Until next time…….

Warm hugs,
Marla

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

Festival of Trees
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!  Recently my husband Bob and I went to see the Festival of Trees at the Dulles building in Watertown. 
Bob and I at the Festival of Trees
 We had to pose in front of the choir! 
 
Westelcom tree
This is the Westelcom tree that my son Jason helped decorate. 
 
3D printed decorations
He 3D printed some of the decorations.
 
Year of the Dragon tree
One of the trees I found quite creative was the year of the dragon tree.
 
Under the Sea themed tree
Another one I particular enjoyed was this under the sea themed tree.
 
Nerissa by Andrea Baughman
 Speaking of under the sea, Andrea Baughman, shared with me this picture of the mermaid she created after taking my class Sleeping Mermaid.  She is so talented and creative!  I just love how it turned out!
 
Sleeping Mermaids by Marla L. Niederer
Until next time…..
the warmest of hugs and best wishes,
Marla

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Indy Doll Club Workshop

Sleeping Mermaids by Marla L. Niederer

I had so much fun teaching my Sleeping Mermaid Class in Indianapolis this fall!  They are such a talented group of doll artists.  These are the dolls they brought to share for show and tell the night before class.
 
Andrea and the show and tell dolls
It was such an honor to have them in my class.
 I thought you might enjoy some of the pictures I took during class.
 
Kathryn and Julie

Julie W. & Cindy

Virginia, Sue, Julie, Kathryn, & Cindy

Barbara & Coleen

Denise & Liz
 During the time we spent together I found out that Andrea is the Queen of turning tiny fingers!
Andrea the Queen of Turning Tiny Fingers
 I also found out the Denise and Joan create their own absolutely beautiful books.

Denise and some of her handcrafted books

Joan and one of her handcrafted books

Liz Miles sent me a photo of her completed Sleeping Mermaid.  Didn't she come out just Lovely!  I always love to see how the dolls come out from the classes I teach.
Mermaid created by Liz Miles from Sleeping Mermaid Class by Marla L. Niederer

Until next time……
warm hugs,
Marla
 
Moulin Rouge Dancers by Marla L. Niederer
If you are interested in taking a live doll making class from me I am scheduled to teach my Moulin Rouge Dolls workshop at Artistic Figures in Cloth & Clay in Columbus Ohio April 25th – 28, 2019
 
La Fae Verte by Marla L. Niederer
I am also scheduled to teach a class on how to make dragonfly wings for dolls and bears at the Philadelphia Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention May 2nd -4th  2019