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

 

Plein Air painting and new free tutorials

 

Windmill by Marla L. Niederer

I hope you are still enjoying a creative summer.  Over the past two weeks I have enjoyed some plein air painting.  Inspired by Yvonne Morell’s class I took my art supplies and sketched and painted a wonderful old windmill that just so happens to be located next to a friend of mine’s home.  It was such fun!

 

Wellesley Island by Marla L. Niederer

I also added color to a sketch I did while I was staying at a cottage on Wellesley Island this past spring.  Sometimes while on vacation there isn’t enough time to complete a sketch in color but I often take my fountain pen with me that my son made.  I just love using it while going out and about.  I keep water soluble ink in it and then can use just water and a brush to add shading or often I go back and add color with watercolors when I am home while using a reference photo.  I find the sketching I do while out and about becomes such nice souvenirs of my trips. 

I also wanted to share that this month on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel I have shared two new free tutorials and will be sharing a couple of journal flip throughs in the coming weeks.

 

Accordion books by Marla Niederer inspired by 5 books in 5 days challenge 

The first free tutorial is on how to make an art journal out of an old book.  I had such fun with this so hope you enjoy it also.  If you are interested in viewing it just click on the picture below and it will bring you right to the tutorial on my OrsinisAngels channel.

 

Free tutorial on how to make an art journal out of an old book by Marla L. Niederer

For the book’s pages I used geli prints that I made.  I thought I would also share how I made the geli prints with you and posted a free tutorial in case you wish to make your own geli prints too.  You can view it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Free tutorial on how I made geli prints to use in  an art journal by Marla L. Niederer

Just a reminder, I have two digital original paper doll downloads in my shop now that can be used for your personal mixed media, collage, and junk journaling projects.  You can find out more about them by clicking on each picture below.

 

Estelle a digital fairy paper doll by Marla L. Niederer

Little Fox a digital paper doll by Marla L. Niederer

You can see a free video on how I assembled and decorated my paper doll Estelle on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel by clicking on the picture below.

 

Free tutorial on how to assemble Estelle by Marla L. Niederer

If you wish to see and find out about my self-study classes you can click on the picture below.

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

If you wish to see all of my free video tutorials on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel just click on the picture below.

 

Free tutorials on OrsinisAngels YouTube channel

To see all of my free tutorials click on the picture below.

 

Free tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To find out more about me just click on my picture below.

 

About Me

Untill next time…….

 

Warm hugs,

Marla

 

Step by Step Watercolor Painting of Two Girls

 

Two Girls watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I thought I would share the step by step process of the watercolor painting I did of two girls recently.  I started out with doing a detailed pencil sketch.

 

Graphite sketch by Marla L. Niederer

I then added a watercolor wash of amazonite genuine to both the skin tone areas and the background.  On the background I added salt.  I let the salt dry and then brushed it off.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I then started to add some shading with raw umber.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

After the first layer of raw umber was dry I added a second layer of shading with raw umber.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I then used burnt sienna to start to add some details and a bit more shading.  I love using layers of watercolors in my paintings.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

After that was dry I added more burnt sienna and some rose madder.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I added more rose madder and used quinacridone purple for the dresses.  I used salt for the dresses.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I used brilliant orange and cerulean blue for the hair.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I continued shading the painting with amazonite genuine, burnt sienna, paynes grey, and ultramarine blue.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I added more depth to the hair with quinacridone purple.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I let that dry and then added a second layer of quinacridone purple.

 

In process watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I added a final layer of brilliant orange and paynes grey to the hair and last but not least, my signature. 

 

Two Girls watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

It’s not too late to sign up for my class Moulin Rouge Dancers online on AforArtistic.  You can find out more about the class and or sign up for it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Moulin Rouge Dancers Online Class with Marla L. Niederer

You can find out about my self-study classes by clicking on the picture below. 

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

You can find out about all the free tutorials I offer by clicking on the picture below.  It will also bring you to one of my newest free video tutorials on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L Niederer

If you want to find out more about me click on my picture below.

 

About Me

Until next time…….

 

warm hugs,

 

Marla

 

Part Two of Free Tutorial Video on How to Paint Paper Clay with Watercolors just released

 

PaperClay Art Doll painted with Watercolors by Marla L. Niederer

As a thank you for following me on my blog and OrsinisAngels YouTube channel, I just released Part Two of my Free Video Tutorial on how to paint Paper clay with Watercolors.

You can view it on YouTube by clicking on the picture below.

 

Free Video Tutorial Part Two Painting Paper Clay Art Doll with Watercolors by                    Marla L. Niederer

If you missed it the free video tutorial Part One on how to paint Paper Clay with watercolors is still available to view.  Just click on the picture below to go to YouTube to see it.

 

Free Video Tutorial Part One Painting Paper Clay Art Doll with Watercolors by Marla L. Niederer

I hope you have been enjoying some creative fun lately.  I have been enjoying some Plein Air watercolor painting.  I painted this watercolor at Lonesome Bay near my home. 

 

Lonesome Bay by Marla L. Niederer

I also thought I would share with you a few pictures I took while visiting Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands.  If you decide to take a trip there you will not be disappointed.  It is absolutely lovely.

 

One of the gardens at Boldt Castle Island

Boldt Castle

I am also teaching my class Moulin Rouge Dancers online on AforArtistic.  You can find out more about the class and or sign up for it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Moulin Rouge Online Class by Marla L. Niederer

You can find out about my self-study classes by clicking on the picture below. 

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

You can find out about all the free tutorials I offer by clicking on the picture below.  It will also bring you to one of my newest free video tutorials..

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

If you want to find out more about me click on my picture below.

 

About Me

Until next time…….

 

warm hugs,

 

Marla