When our children were little my husband and I read to them daily. Each night we would read a few chapters from a book before bedtime. Of course, I read the favorites from my childhood such as “The Boxcar Children”, “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe”, and The Lord of the Rings series. Being dyslexic, I wanted to give our kids a love of reading to help them overcome any possible struggles they may have inherited from me. Luckily neither of the two is dyslexic, but the family reading time instilled a love of reading. I would have never dreamed of how this love of reading would spill over into other areas of their adult lives. With my daughter, her love of fantasy comes to life in her art.

First Project

Jessi is a mixed media artist with an emphasis on digital art. She sells her art at shows and conventions and is featured on merchandise that is available for purpose online. She also does art commissions. When she found out that she was expecting she decided to do a fan art version of the Misty Mountain from The Hobbit mural on a wall in the nursery and asked for my assistance in executing her design. One of her favorite books that we read during story time was The Hobbit, and this is the theme that she and her husband chose for the baby’s room. The theme was her way of passing on a family tradition that incorporated her and her husband’s love of Dungeons and Dragons.

Concept Art Brought to Life

Jessi had the concept art completed months ago. She had sent me a digital copy of the work, so I knew what the design would be. She chose clean, crisp lines to give the mural the look of a page from a children’s book. The design was simple, and free-handing it onto the wall seemed easy enough. She ended up having to draw it to scale because our art styles differ. Yes, I could have drawn it on the wall but I wanted it to be exactly the way she had imagined it.

Preparations

• Decide on a design
• Choose paint colors & buy paint (Jessi bought quart cans of paint)
• Draw an outline of the mural on the wall (we used a charcoal pencil)
• Cover the floor with a protective barrier
• Tape around the border of the wall & ceiling
• Gather brushes, cloth for cleaning up mistakes, paint can opener, paint pans or bowls with lids for paint, paper towels, gloves, and any other tools needed.

Painting the Mural

When you are painting a landscape always start on the area that will serve as your background first. Think of it as “stacking or layering” the different parts of the mural from what appears farthest away to what appears closest to the viewer. For this mural, the background (first layer) was the sky. It is behind both the mountain and the clouds.

Once the first layer was completed, we continued painting in the layers. The dragon was the last thing to be added to the mural. And since Jessi could not quickly draw in the outline, we decided that the best way to go about it was to make a template on paper. After she had drawn out the dragon and cut out the shape, I simply added painter’s tape to the back to hold it in place as I stenciled it onto the wall. From there I carefully painted Smaug flying toward the Misty Mountain. It took us three days total to complete this mural. We took our time with it and enjoyed the time spent together. It turned out amazing.

Ready to Create Your Own Mural?

The possibilities for adding art to your home with a mural are endless. You can make your mural as simple or detailed as your heart desires. If you are worried about your artistic ability, using stencils is an option instead of free-handing outlines. Also, practicing on a small canvas can help you decide on color choices, and how detailed you want your mural to be. Jessi used digital concept art for this purpose. But remember, art does not have to be perfect.

I truly believe that anyone can create art, it just takes a bit of patience, practice, and self-confidence. If you decide to create your very own mural masterpiece, please drop a line and share it with us. There is nothing that I love better than seeing the art of others.

Please subscribe to my blog and share it with friends. Stop back by often for a look into my newest adventure.

You’ll take care now,

Vikki

Links That May Interest You

Want more projects to help prepare for baby? Then check out this sweet burp cloth DIY.

Links to Jessi’s art:

ArtsyRobotz Ko-fi Shop

ArtsyRobotz Redbubble Shop

Artsyrobotz: This link will take you to a list of sites where you can view Jessi’s art.

The post Baby Nursery Mural appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

• canvas
• acrylic paint in preferred colors
• brushes: small round brush, medium round brush for filling large spaces, liner brush, small shader-brush
• table cover (old newspaper or wax paper will work)
• piece of wood (to elevate the canvas off the paper) or an easel
• paint palette (I up-cycle disposable bowl lids)
• container for water (upcycle a disposable jar or bowl)
• old cloth
• pencil
• carbon paper?
• pumpkin graphic (see my free traceable downloads below)

Things to Consider Before Starting

• Decide on your design.
• You are welcome to download and print my free pumpkin and pumpkin leaf graphics for personal use. The graphic download is designed for an 8 x 10 sized canvas. If you are using a larger canvas, you will need to enlarge the graphic to fit, you can use carbon paper to transfer the design to your canvas.
• Decide on the color scheme that will best fit your exciting home decor. I chose gray, pastel orange, burnt-sienna, forest green, light yellowish-orange, and white as my color palette for this painting.

Ready, Set, Paint

Step One:

Transfer, or free-hand, your design onto your canvas.

Step Two:

Once your design is laid out on your canvas, using a medium round brush, fill in as much of the background as you can without hitting your pumpkin. Use a liner to finish areas close to your pumpkin. Let your first layer dry for at least an hour, then go over it a second time.

Note: Any details that you have sketched into the background can be easily removed. I originally had wordage on the canvas and decided to paint over it.

Step Three:

Choose the background color for your pumpkin. I used a light flesh-toned color, but you can choose any color your heart desires. For this step, I used a medium round brush.

Notice that as I painted in the background color on the pumpkin, I pulled the brush along in a sweeping curve. This will add dimension to the finished painting.

Step Four:

Start shading in the sections of your pumpkin. I used a small shading brush for this step.

Try not to outline the pumpkin, but instead blend the shade color lightly with my background color. Notice that the first layer of shading is a bit wider, later a second thinner layer will be added in a darker color.

Step Five:

Add highlights to your pumpkin. In order to do this, decide where the light source would be in your painting. If it is from behind, then the shadow at the base of the pumpkin will be in front of it. Notice that for my pumpkin the light source would be from the back. Highlight the top of the pumpkin, along with a bit of the front, and place the shadow to fall directly in front of the pumpkin and a bit to each side.

Adding the Stem & Leaf

I next painted the stem. By painting the stem before adding the leaf, it allows for a more natural-looking placement than if you go back and try to add details to the stem later. I added a small amount of forest green to contour the stem. I layered a lighter color blended from the brunt-sienna and the flesh tone of the pumpkin. Here I used burnt sienna as the background color for the stem. To create the curly-swirls, I used brunt-sienna base, topped with green, and lighter brown high lights.

For the leaf, I free-handed the design onto the pumpkin. Using the same forest green, I outlined the leaf (using a small liner brush).

Note: This photo is of a different painting, but you can see the leaf design being added in the same manner mentioned above.

Next, I filled in the center of the leaf using a small round brush. For this, I used the custom blended color created from mixing the brunt-sienna and the flesh toned paint. I followed this up with details in greens and brunt-sienna.

Tips & Tricks

• Try not to over-blend the colors as you apply them.
• Test your colors on paper before adding them to your canvas.
• Create your pumpkin in layers: background- allow to dry then add a second coat of paint; background of pumpkin- allow to dry, add a second coat of paint; Shading and highlights allow to dry; Stem, allow to dry; leaf, allow to dry.
• Once you become more experienced in layering color, you may be able to skip the layer/dry method, and instead opt for blending and applying color as you work to complete your painting.
• Almost finished! But, before we have you sign your masterpiece, give your amazing art a once over. Are there any messy edges that need to be tidied up, and does the background need to be touched up?

Gallery of Pumpkins and Paintings

I am adding photos of other paintings that I have done so that you can get a feel for what color pallet may work best for your space. Notice that my pumpkins are always different.

When you are painting pumpkins remember that no two pumpkins will have the same color or shape. It is okay if your pumpkins are not perfect, that just makes them as unique as any pumpkin should be! Pixabay offers free and paid graphics for use, the photos below are from their immense graphic library.

I used this photo as a guide when choosing my background color for the body of my pumpkin.

Notice that the coloring varies among the pumpkins.

Happy Pumpkin Spice Season Y’all

I knew that you could do it. I am sure that your painting will be the perfect addition to your decor this season. Now that you know how to paint a pumpkin, you are ready to paint a whole patch.

If you enjoyed this DIY post, please stop by again soon to check out upcoming DIY decor ideas for Fall. I’d love to hear from you, so please drop a comment with any questions.

Happy Painting,

Come back soon,

Vikki

The post How to Paint a Pumpkin appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Sublimation as a creative outlet offers an endless variety of possibilities. It allows the use of treasured childhood art to be made into keepsakes for gift-giving, as well as offering a means to create unique products for sale. Getting started in sublimation can be intimidatingly nerve-wracking. Hopefully, this article will help you feel a bit more confident as you move forward into the creative world of sublimation.

The Science Behind the Art

Before we start talking shop, let’s travel back a bit to science class. Fun right? Sublimation is the process where the transition of a substance goes directly from being in a solid state to a gaseous state. It is the process where your chosen art or wordage is printed upon a paper that has been coated to accommodate the sublimation process. The ink will pass from the paper as a gas, then back again as a solid as it embeds within the sublimated product. This occurs when it is subjected to heat and pressure.

Sublimation works best on materials that have a special polymer coating. Items that you can purchase for sublimation include mugs, aprons, mouse pads, metal tumblers, and coasters. Items that are made for use with sublimation are referred to as sublimation blanks.

If you are planning to create tee shirts, you will need to consider the fabric’s composition. 100% Cotton fabric does not sublimate well. You will need a fabric suited for the sublimation process, in this case, 100% polyester to provide the best results. Fabrics that are a 60/40 or 50/50 poly-blend could also work, but don’t expect the colors to be as vibrant as those you would see if you are pressing on 100% polyester.

Supplies That You Will Need

• Heat Press with accessories (for the types of items you intend to create).
• Heat tape for sublimation
• Sublimation paper
• Sublimation ink
• Printer to use solely for sublimation
• Safety gloves: Heat Resistant Oven Gloves
• Access to an art program to create graphics for for creations
• Sublimation blanks

Avoid My Mistake

Last year I bought a heat press second-hand. I had wanted one for a long time, and so when I found one on a Facebook auction site, I bought it. I had never used a heat press and knew very little about them. Admittedly, I paid too much for a used machine, lesson learned. As soon as got my press, I had to replace a part that had been broken. At that point, I had spent nearly as much as I would have on a new heat press. I would advise purchasing from Amazon.com or a trusted online source.

Choosing a Printer

You can use any ink tank printer, but the higher quality of your printer, the higher the quality will be for your sublimated products. Most sites will recommend the Sawgrass printer, which can be a bit pricy. I looked at printers in several different stores, and online shops, before settling on one from Sam’s Club. The one that I purchased is an Epson 3850 Eco Printer. I consider it a “beginner’s printer”, but for now it meets my needs beautifully. Do your research to decide what will best fit your needs and budget.

One source that I found useful in choosing a printer was techopedia‘s article on print quality.

Print quality is mostly measured in DPI, which is quite similar to the definition of pixels in terms of digital images and even screen resolution. DPI is equivalent to the ability of a printer to mimic the number of pixels or the resolution of the source image. If a printer has a lower DPI capability compared to the source image, the printed image becomes a down-scaled version in terms of resolution, although this is usually not an issue for regular printing at smaller “office” size prints but would make a bigger impact on poster printing and larger formats.

techopedia.com

Converting an Ink Tank Printer for Sublimation Use

Simply replace the type of ink that you will use. Do not use the ink that comes with the printer. Donate it to someone that uses an ink tank printer for regular printing. Once a printer has had regular printing ink in the tanks, it can not be used for sublimation without the machine is thoroughly cleaned. Instead, purchase sublimation ink. Set up the printer following the manufactures directions. Fill the ink tanks with sublimation ink when directed.

As mentioned above, you can purchase printers specifically for sublimation, such as Sawgrass. They are a bit more pricey but may be worth considering if you indeed to start your own business. Do your research.

Choose an Art Program

You can use any art program that allows you to upload, edit, and add text. You will use PNG files for printing. Microsoft Word is good for simple designs, but for more complicated work look into a program that allows you to create and edit. You can purchase PNG files online (we will go into that more in the commercial use rights listed below).

Canva has a free program project for beginners and offer upgrades for a fee for advanced artists.

Pixlr offers a basic photo editing program for free.

Pixlr background remover: use the basic program for free. Good for editing, and resizing photos, providing templates for business cards, etc.

Pixlr Photomash Studio : removes and exchanges background

Canva: Logo design program

Inkscape; Art design program

Think About Your Color Pallet as You Create

Most printers hold four colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (C/M/Y/B). Items that are to use printed transfers such as mugs, tee shirts, coasters, mouse pads, etc. look best when they are based in C/M/Y/B. Dark red, blue, and green may prove a bit challenging during sublimation.

Commercial Use License

If you are intending to sell products that you have made using sublimation you should only use graphics that you either create yourself or have purchased a commercial use license for. Otherwise, you may be sued for infringement of copy-written material. Again, this is an area that research will pay off in the long run.

Graphics for commercial use can be found on Etsy.com, as well as on several independent online shops. You are welcome to visit my Pinterest board All Things Sublimation for pins with links to free sublimation graphics, and sites that offer graphic bundles. Check back often for updates as I work to add content weekly.

Resources

None of the websites or suppliers mentioned are affiliates to this site.

Cosmos Ink: I had read rave reviews of this product before purchasing. So far, I am very please with the performance of their inks. I also like that they sell replacement ink tanks and sublimation blanks.

Amazon: Source for ink tank printers, blanks, and supplies

blanks galore: Carries, ink, supplies, and blanks

Jennifer Maker: Offers tutorials on Sublimation and more.

Sublimation for Beginners: Jennifer Maker

Sublimation Designs in Inkscape: Tutorial on how to Create your Own Sublimation Designs in Inkscape {Beginner

Key Takeaways

Items created using sublimation last longer than those created with vinyl. I personally always feel guilty when using vinyl due to all of the waste that occurs after weeding. Since sublimation is more environmental and cost-friendly, I prefer it to vinyl.

Sublimation allows you to create keepsakes from a child’s artwork, family photos, etc. It can also be used on a large variety of products. On the downside, you are limited to using items that are specifically made for sublimation, or specific fabric blends.

If you are thinking of working with sublimation, don’t be intimidated by the process. As with anything, it just takes research, investment, and practice. If I can do this, anyone can.

I hope that this post has helped you on your journey to show your creative talents using sublimation. If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to subscribe, share, or pin.

Happy creating & visit again soon,

Vikki

The post Sublimation 101: Getting Started appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.

Skill Level: Beginner to Skilled

Beginners: choose a simple pattern. Pretty doesn’t equal complicated.

Cost: Under $10 ( it depends on what supplies you have on hand, and the number of paints you choose to use).

I had most of the needed supplies already. You can buy the paint, alcohol, and mug at Wal-Mart. My brushes are from Jerry’s Artarama, but the ones from Walmart will work.

Make a Mug That Will Make Their Mornings

When I worked at a public school every year I got mugs. Most of them said something along the lines of “World’s Greatest Teacher”, or had apples on them. While I loved and appreciated the gesture. I soon had so many mugs that were not really my style that I couldn’t keep them all. I’d use them for a bit, then pass them on.

The mugs that I kept long-term were the ones that showed that the person had put thought into the gift. I love butterflies and honeybees. One year a parent graced me with a beautiful mug with yellow trim around the top that had flowers, bees, and butterflies on it. Her note read, “because you love bees and because you have been so sweet to my child and me”. I loved that mug and used it until the handle broke off of it.

If you possibly can, personalize the mug in a way that will be meaningful to the person you are gifting.

Shopping For Paint

Not All Acrylic Paints are Created Equal. If you look carefully at the labels of acrylic paint you will see that some say “air dry”. They do not have any curing instructions. That type of paint will work well for artwork on canvas or wood, but it will not be durable on glass.

Read the labels carefully before you buy, the label needs to say:

• Non-toxic
• Multi-purpose
• Dish-washer safe
• Curing instructions for oven

Supplies:

• Coffee mug of choice
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Lint-free cloth
• Dish-washer safe Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes of choice
• Liner-style paint brush
• paint palette
• Small container of water (to wash brushes)
• Old newspaper
• Oven

Let’s Get Started

The first thing that you will need to do is to wash your mug and hand dry with a lint-free cloth. Then use a lint-free cloth to wipe down the mug with isopropyl alcohol. Set the mug aside and gather your multi-purpose acrylic paints and other supplies.

Next cover your workspace with the newspaper.

Once your space is ready, add the paint to whatever you decide to use as your palette (I often use old butter bowl lids).

Try to avoid touching the area where you intend to add your artwork. You do not want the oils from your skin contaminating your prepped surface. Then using a liner-brush, draw an outline of your art design. Set aside and allow to dry. Then oven cure as directed. Let cool.

After your outline is cool, start adding in the background, or base, colors. Again you will need to let this layer dry before going back to add details. The paint will come off easily at this point. Work carefully when adding details. Find a spot underneath your mug to add a few test dots. You will use these to check after oven curing to see if the paint has set.

Curing the Mug

Once you have created your masterpiece. Follow the directions listed on your all-purpose paint. Most will say to allow the paint to air-cure for at least an hour before oven curing. Some brands of paint will say that air curing for a longer period of time will be sufficient (without curing in an oven). The paint that I am using says to let the mug air dry for one hour. Then place in the cool oven, and turn the heat setting to 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I do not start my timer until the temperature is at the desired heat.

After the timer goes off, turn off the oven and allow it to cool before removing it. Let cool completely for 24 hours. Then, do a scratch test on one of your test dots to see if the paint has cured. If not, repeat the heating process.

I prefer the the type that cures under heat, but I still leave them to air cure for at least 14 days before washing or using.

Even though most paint will say dishwasher safe, I recommend hand washing without soaking any handprinted items.

Paint Pens and Issues, Oh My!

I had purchased paint pens that said that they were dishwasher safe after curing. I used them as directed. Sadly, the areas painted with the paint pens did not adhere to the glass. I had to remove it and repaint the wings on the bee and wording with FolkArt multi-surface paint. If anyone has found a brand of paint pen that works on glass please let me know.

Make sure to inspect your work carefully for mistakes before curing! Once the paint has set, it becomes permanent. I accidentally got a dot of paint on the handle before the first round of oven-curing. I had to get creative and add yellow polka-dots along the handle to cover my blooper.

Jazz It Up

If you want to create a personalized mug for a end of year gift for a teacher, or for Father’s day, you can make it extra special by making the mug into a miniature gift basket.

Line the mug with a small plastic party favor bag. Add a gift card, pens, candy, fishing lure, or whatever tiny items will work with your theme. Tie closed with a ribbon and add a card. You are all set.

My Finished Mug

Branch Out to Add Pieces

Using multi-surface paint on other glass items: If using plates and glass cutting boards, use a type of paint that will air-cure and become dishwasher safe. FolkArt Multi-Surface Paint is one that I use for those items. Do not place items made of thin glass in the oven as they may burst.

Use clear glass plates and cutting boards, and add the design to the underside of these items. If you are painting the underside of a plate or cutting board you add your layers in reverse order. This takes a bit more skill and planning. With practice, the results can be stunning.

Resources:

No businesses, or brands, mentioned in this post are affiliates.

Jerry’s Artarama is my go-to online store for brushes. You can’t beat their brushes or their sales!

Happy Painting

Have fun painting your mugs. I would love to see your finished projects. If you have tips that you would like to share, let us know.

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and share.

Stop back by any time,

Vikki Bee

The post Easy and Affordable Hand-painted Mugs for Gift Giving appeared first on BeeVee Arts and Crafts.