Sketchbook Revival

 

Collage in process by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Karen Stamper's Sketchbook Revival session

Several years ago a friend of mine introduced me to Sketchbook Revival presented by Karen Abend and a host of other artists that share so freely their wonderfully inspiring talents. 

For 14 days each year, two videos are presented daily to inspire a routine sketchbook practice.

I’ve enjoyed the videos for many years but for some reason I found myself so much more engaged in the event this year and really enjoyed the process.

I created some flowers inspired by Joy Ting’s presentation and created a mini book inspired by Rachel Hazell.

My journal pages inspired by Joy Ting's and Rachel Hazell's Sketchbook Revival sessions

I sketched some silly cats inspired by Este Macleod.

Silly cats by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Este Macleod's Sketchbook Revival session.

I loved the lesson on Zentangles presented by Melinda Barlow and followed along for her Zentangle square.

Zentangle square by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Melinda Barlow's Sketchbook Revival session

 As I was drawing the Zentangle square I thought the patterns would make a nice little fairy so I drew this.

Fairy using Zentangle patterns by Marla L. Niederer

Karen Stamper presented a session on collaging a street in France.  I was so inspired by the lesson that I decided to use an old photo I took while in San Francisco and started this collage.  It’s still a work in process but oh such fun!

Collage in process by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Karen Stamper's Sketchbook Revival session

There were so many other wonderful sessions presented that I haven’t had the chance to do yet and realistically won’t do them all with all the other art projects dancing in my head but it was definitely a wonderful way to revitalize my art journaling practice.

In the spirit of sharing you can view my free watercolor painting roses video on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel by clicking on the picture below.

 

Free Watercolor Painting Roses Video 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

 

OrsinisAngels Free YouTube video tutorials

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

 

New Free Watercolor Roses Video Release

 

Old fashioned roses in my studio, photo by Marla L. Niederer

When we moved to our home many years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find old fashioned pink roses growing in our yard.  They generally bloom around Mother’s day each year depending on the weather.  They only bloom once a season but their beauty and fragrance is oh so delightful!  Last spring I brought some of the roses in and made a lovely arrangement in a vase to bring to my studio. 

Old Fashioned Roses photo by Marla L. Niederer

I decided to record a watercolor demo painting them to share with you on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel.  I thought I would release it now while many of us are still looking forward to all the beautiful blossoms springtime brings. To view the free watercolor painting roses video on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel click on the picture below.

Painting Watercolor Roses by Marla L. Niederer

I hope you enjoy the video.

Until next time………

Warm hugs,

Marla

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

OrsinisAngels YouTube channel free videos by Marla L. Niederer

To view all of my self- study classes available on my OrsinisAngels shop click on the picture below.

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

To view all of my free tutorials on my blog click on the picture below

Free Tutorials by Marla L. NIederer

To find out more about me click on the picture below

About me

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

 

Left Handed Alice Painting: a Free Tutorial

 

Left handed watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

Almost a year ago I had surgery on my right wrist (my dominant hand) and while I was recuperating I found it very difficult not to create the art I was accustomed to creating so I tried to find other ways of expressing my artistic tendencies.  One of the things I did and continue to now do was to use my left hand for drawing and painting.  It was easier in the beginning of my recuperation to use my pan watercolor boxes since I didn’t have to open any tubes or jars.

Left Handed Alice Watercolor Painting by Marla L. Niederer

I was not able to make art dolls for quite some time so to get my doll making fix in I created this little watercolor painting of my version of Alice.  Although it is not my greatest work of art, it was such fun to do.  I really prefer to focus on the process of creating rather than the product.  It’s okay to make mistakes and art that isn’t exactly how you would like it to be.  It’s all about the journey and gathering new and fun techniques to fill up your art bag of tricks.

Left handed watercolor painting by Marla L. Niederer

I found using my non dominant hand to create allowed me to become looser with my drawing and my painting.  I still use my left hand quite a bit now in my art even though I can now use my right hand too.

I used the seven head croquis template below which you can also use to create your own Alice painting if you wish.  Just click on the picture below and print it out.

7 Head Croquis Template by Marla L. Niederer

The Free video tutorial on how to paint Alice part one can be found on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel by clicking on the picture below.

Free Watercolor Painting Tutorial Part One by Marla L. Niederer

You can find the Free video tutorial part two on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel by clicking on the picture below.

Free Watercolor Painting Tutorial Part Two 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

 

 

Art Journaling and Air Dry Clay

 

photo by Marla L. Niederer

I love to create and surround myself with pretty little things and I thought I would share a few things that have been on my work table lately with you. 

I designed and created this pretty little art journal to work in while watching different art videos and trying out new techniques.  I recently signed up for Ivy Newport’s Studioworks which gives you access to her online art magazine and art classes.  So far I have been having quite a bit of fun with it.  The theme for this month’s magazine was flowers so the journal I created has a flower theme too.

 I used my silhouette design space to design the journal and cut it out except for the signature pages inside it.  For the front cover I used a print of a watercolor painting of flowers I did to embellish it.

 

Pretty Little Art Journal by Marla L. Niederer

 For the inside cover I used some public domain images from the Smithsonian as part of a collage. I also used some stamping and vintage lace.

 

Pretty Little Art Journal by Marla L. Niederer

I used some vintage sketching paper for most of the signature pages.  For my first two page spread I created a mixed media piece inspired by my beautiful Valentine’s Day flowers that I received from my awesome son.

 

Pretty Little Art Journal by Marla L. Niederer

For the center spread of the signature I used a black and white print of one of my paintings.

 

Pretty Little Art Journal by Marla L. Niederer

I created a little pocket to keep some paper ephemera in the back of the journal.  I used some public domain images from the Smithsonian and vintage wallpaper for the floral designs in the back of the journal.  I also used seam binding tape to reinforce the spine.  I used some of my rubber stamps to embellish the seam binding before attaching it to the journal.

 

Pretty Little Journal by Marla L. Niederer

I’ve also started to work with air dry clay again.  I’ve been working on creating this sculpture called Seher which is the same theme for the shadow box I created in the last paper doll exchange that I participated in.  I’ve never used LaDoll clay before and am really enjoying the smooth texture it has. 

 

Seher clay Sculpture in process by Marla L. Niederer

I also saw a clay over wooden clothespin Grodnertal inspired doll made by Rhonda King on facebook that intrigued me so I had to try my hand at it.  I actually used a drill to make the holes in the clothespin since my beloved husband bought me one for such things but I hadn’t really used before.  So instead of having him drill things for me I did it myself and I know it’s silly but it was such fun! So this is the armature for my own Grodnertal inspired clothespin doll. 

 

Grodnertal inspired clothespin doll armature 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