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

 

 

Playing with Clay and Art Journaling

 

Seher sculpture in process by Marla L. Niederer

I have been having quite a bit of fun with several different projects lately.  I started to work with airdry clay again and have been working slowly on this original sculpture, Seher.  I shared a picture of her in process in my last post and thought I would share how she looks now.  I still have quite a bit to go before she is complete but not in a hurry at all.

Seher Sculpture in process by Marla L. Niederer

Since I had my clay and sculpting tools out I decided to take a clay sculpting class by Jeanne Marie Webb online.  The two necklace pendants were created while taking her class.  Her class is wonderful!

Hand sculpted necklace pendants by Marla L. Niederer

In my last post I shared some pictures of a Pretty little journal that I designed and created.  I have been doing some art journaling in it and thought I would share with you this two page spread inspired by Renee Mueller’s class Capturing Beauty.  Such fun!

 Renee Mueller class inspired Journal spread by Marla L. Niederer  

I also wanted to share with you that my Sleeping Mermaid Class is now a self study class.  You can find out more about it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Sleeping Mermaid Self Study class by Marla L. Niederer

To see more of my self study classes click on the picture below.

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

To go to my OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel where all of my free video tutorials can be found, click on the picture below

 

Free Video Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

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

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To find out more about me click on my picture below

 

About Me

Until next time……….

 

Warm hugs,

Marla

 

Beadwork, Ruins, and Paper doll Project

 

beading on a Clover loom

It’s been really cold where I live lately so it’s nice to play with some beadwork in the evening all cozy inside.  I just started playing with loom beadwork on a Clover beading loom.  I find it really relaxing and fun to do but it’s still a bit of a learning curve for me.   I am trying to figure out how to add clasps to the bracelet without lining it with suede and still have it look finished instead of boho.  I used C-lon for the loom threads and when I added the clasp it looked messier than I would have liked.  I think I will try the Nymo thread next time and see how that works.  I do enjoy the experimenting process of new projects and figuring out new techniques.

 

loom beaded bracelet by Marla L. Niederer

I also went exploring the ruins of an old foundry near where I live recently.  The goal was to go plein air painting but quite frankly it was too cold!  So I thought I would share some photos I took with you.  I may start some paintings at home and then return when it’s a tad bit warmer!

 

photo by Marla L. Niederer

photo by Marla L. Niederer

photo by Marla L. Niederer

I also can’t wait to share with you the newest paper doll project I have been working on but since it is part of an exchange in a group I belong to I have to wait until everyone has a chance to receive theirs first.  The theme is a Winter’s Tail.   Can’t wait to show you what I came up with for it!

I also wanted to share with you that my Sleeping Mermaid Class is now a self study class.  You can find out more about it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Sleeping Mermaid Self Study Class by Marla L. Niederer

To see more of my self study classes click on the picture below.

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

To go to my OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel where all of my free video tutorials can be found, click on the picture below

 

OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel

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

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To find out more about me click on my picture below

 

About Me

Until next time……….

 

Warm hugs,

Marla

 

 

 

Creating Art with other Artists

 

Watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

It is so nice to be able to attend my art group again.  I used to paint watercolors with a group of artists at TAUNY in Canton NY.  TAUNY recently opened up for the group again and I attended for the first time in a long time last week.  I brought along my watercolors and a painting I had started while on a walk by the river with a very dear friend who is also an artist.  I feel so fortunate to be able to spend time with such kind and talented individuals that are also good friends.  It makes creating art so much more enjoyable and leads to so much more growth as an artist.

 

Watercolor Painting by Marla L. Niederer

I also have been playing with my Silhouette cutting machine this week.  I’m still learning how to use the software and enjoying the process.  These pop up teapot cards that I made were designed by Lori Whitlock.  I bought the SVG file to make them on her website.

 

Teapot pop up card designed by Lori Whitlock

I’m also still teaching the online Goddess class and getting ready to teach my online Sleeping Mermaid class online.  You can click on the picture below to find out more and to sign up for my online Sleeping Mermaid class.

 

Sleeping Mermaids Online Class with Marla L. Niederer

You can find out more information about the rest of the online classes I am teaching by clicking on the picture below.

 

Online Classes with Marla L. Niederer

 

You can find out about my self-study classes by clicking on the picture below.  I just added downloadable face templates to my shop but don’t purchase them if you are buying a doll making class.  Each class has a face template included for that specific doll.

 

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 how to needle sculpt a cloth doll nose if you missed it.

 

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

 

Painting Buddy and Using the Cricut Maker

Buddy by Marla L.Niederer

My son adopted two kitties a little over six months ago.  They are both absolutely adorable and my son Jason sends me pictures of them and their antics frequently.  So I decided to paint one of them, named Buddy, from a picture that Jason sent.  The pictures make me smile and I hope the painting I did brings a smile to your face too.

Graphite sketch by Marla L. Niederer

First layer of watercolors by Marla L. Niederer

Second layer of watercolors by Marla L. Niederer

Since I am still having difficulties with my right arm I painted this predominantly with my left hand.  I started out with just a graphite pencil.  I then added several layers of watercolors.  I kept adding layers until it felt done to me.  I am working on learning when to let a painting be and stop before overworking it. 

More layers of watercolors by Marla L. Niederer

Even more watercolor layers by Marla L. Niederer

Here is the completed painting of Buddy.

Buddy by Marla L. Niederer

I thought I would also share with you what else I have been working on the past week.  My husband gifted me with a Cricut Maker machine about a week ago.  If you are not familiar with the machine, it cuts, scores, embosses, foils, a variety of materials such as paper, kraft board, cardstock,  matt board, vinyl, fabric, chipboard, leather, very thin wood, and foam.  It really is quite an amazing machine. Getting it to do all of those amazing things is quite a learning curve for me though.  To use the machine you need to become familiar with its software, learn how to download and upload svg files, amongst other things.  I didn’t even know what a svg file was before last week! Luckily there are all kinds of tutorials out there and plenty of free svg projects to try out while learning.  I came across Jennifer Maker on YouTube and she is such an excellent teacher. I watched several of her beginner tutorials on using the machine and was able to set up the machine and make my first cut with it the first day I had it.  She shares a large amount of projects for the machine for free also.  I downloaded her Layered 3D Christmas ornament for my first Cricut project on day two.  On day three I decided I was going to create my own design.  I learned that it is going to take more than a week to learn how to create my own designs using the Cricut Maker Lol!

First cut with my Cricut Maker machine

Project designed by Jennifer Maker created on my Cricut Maker machine

So I plan to continue to learn how to create with it and play with its software for now.  Hope you are also enjoying a creative week and I’ll leave you with a picture of my view from my studio from this week.

 

Outside my studio window

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

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

I will be teaching The Goddess online starting May 11^th on AforArtistic.  You can find out more by clicking on the picture below.

 

The Goddess Online Class with Marla L. Niederer

You can find out about the Little Lion Art doll I have for sale by clicking on the picture below.

 

Little Lion Art Doll by Marla L. Niederer

You can find out about all the free tutorials I offer by clicking on the picture below.

 

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