Ready to explore new drawing and painting techniques?
Hello!
We're so glad you could join us for this month's daily painting practice with Creativebug. 
(Visit https://www.slcl.org/resources/creativebug for more details.)
 
All month we will follow prompts and demonstrations to get us thinking creatively about how to draw and paint flowers.
 
If you got this as a forward and would like to subscribe to this practice, you can opt-in at http://tinyurl.com/2c9ebwsj.
 
Did you miss the kickoff webinar?
A recording of the Zoom session from May 1 will be posted to the Library's YouTube channel within three business days. Keep an eye out for it by visiting this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/stlcolibrary
 
Share your progress or see what others are up to on Instagram
by following #createdbySLCL

This Weekend's Prompts
*On Fridays, the weekends prompts are sent out so you can work through them as you have time.
 
Day 2 - Non-dominant Hand
(To access the class, visit https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/daily-art-challenge-30-flowers-in-30-days)
 
"Today, I'm going to use a realistic flower for inspiration, and I'm going to do a non-dominant hand drawing. Those are really fun because they loosen you up as well. And I'm gonna use a Gelly Roll pen. I found that to be very smooth and easy for the non-dominant hand."
 
 
Day 3 - Loose Contour Drawing
(To access the class, visit https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/daily-art-challenge-30-flowers-in-30-days)
 
"For this flower, I'm going to use a Tiger Lily and I picked this one specifically because I just really love how some are closed, some are open a little more, and I love the little buds. Again, great key elements to look for and use when you're trying to loosen up your drawing. I'm going to use a Stabilo woody pencil or a Lyra Ferby work really well for these, too. They're water soluble and what I really love is the size for holding it and also, just the size and the smoothness that it goes on the paper."
 
 
Day 4 - Resist Technique
(To access the class, visit https://www.creativebug.com/classseries/single/daily-art-challenge-30-flowers-in-30-days)
 
"I've got a daisy here, little clump of daisies, and this time I'm going to use a Sharpie paint pen oil based, that will act as a resist."
Note: Wax or oil-based drawing tools can be used for resist techniques--a classic choice is a wax crayon. You never know when those Crayolas will come in handy!
 
Recommended materials:
You can follow along with some paints, brushes, pens or markers, and some paper and get a lot out of this practice. If you want to explore specific supplies and techniques, here's what Pam recommends.
  • Paper used in this class:
    • Watercolor paper (Pam uses 40 lb cold press)
    • Strathmore
    • Artagain black paper
    • Kraft paper
    • Transparency sheets
  • Paintbrushes used in this class:
    • Size 12, 18 and 22 round watercolor brushes
    • 1/2” flat watercolor brush
    • Waterbrushes
    • Size 4 quill brush
  • Brushes and Pens used in this class:
    • Tombow Dual Brush Pens
    • Copic Sketch Markers
    • Sakura Koi Brush Pens
    • Marvy Brush Art Markers
    • Gelly Roll Moonlight Pens
    • Sharpie Oil Markers
    • White Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen
    • Pigma Sensei Pens
    • Fude Ball PenPencil
    • Micron Pen in sizes 02, 03 and 05
    • Sharpie Stained Pens
    • 2.4mm Parallel Pen
    • Mister Sketch Markers
    • Faber-Castel Pitt Pens Artist Brush Pens
    • Christine Adolph Watercolor Resist Pen by Prima
    • Liquitex Paint Markers
    • Prismacolor Pro Markers
  • Paints and Inks used in this class:
    • Watercolor paint set
    • Martha Stewart Craft Paint
    • Sumi Ink
    • FineTec Metallic Watercolor
    • Dr. PH Martin’s Liquid Watercolors
 

Recommended Reading for Inspiration in the Print Collection

Have you ever seen a flower?
by Shawn Harris

A deceptively profound examination of the vital relationship between childhood and the outdoors finds a young person experiencing a flower with all five senses before using mindful new perceptions to observe more of the beautiful natural world. Illustrations.
Gyo Fujikawa's Oh, what a busy day.
by Gyo Fujikawa

Delicate illustrations complemented by simple text explore the joys and amusements of being a child during the course of a day, in the reissue of a title first published in 1976.
The Complete Pattern Directory : 1500 Designs from All Ages and Cultures
by Elizabeth Wilhide

Book Annotation

Recommended Reading for Technique in the Library's Collection
Botanical line drawing : 200 step-by-step flowers, leaves, cacti, succulents, and other items found in nature
by Peggy Dean

Uses step-by-step instructions to teach artists and non-artists how to draw the natural world, including succulents, hosueplants, trees, and mushrooms
A year of watercolour : a seasonal guide to botanical watercolour painting
by Harriet De Winton

"A Year of Watercolour walks readers through the creation of beautiful and evocative watercolor scenes including seasonal plants emerging, animal hibernation and migration, speckled eggs in a bird's nest, home-grown vegetables and much more. With a wide array of subjects, Harriet explores the idea of seasonality around the world, whether that's cherry blossoms signalling spring in Japan, the red and brown leaves of autumnal New England, or the summer strawberries of the UK. Alongside the seasonal tutorials, Harriet includes advice on how to observe and depict nature at close hand -- including creating a travel kit for 'painting walks' out in nature, and charting the growth of a plant over the course of a single season"
Ink & wash florals : stunning botanical projects in watercolor & ink
by Camilla Damsbo Brix

Introducing aspiring artists to the beauty of watercolor through 22 exquisite floral compositions, this book discusses the fundamentals of ink and wash, helping you to grasp the intricacies of mixed media, and shows how to share your art with a larger artistic community. Original. 30,000 first printing. Illustrations.
Painting Classes at the Library
Discover a variety of free programs available at a branch or over Zoom to engage with your writing skills! Visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/2pc5t6kb
 
For a full list of upcoming programs, go to https://www.slcl.org/events-classes/.