Merry Christmas in July! Today, we are going to do a Christmas beach scene with a palm tree, sand, and Christmas ornaments. We'll be creating using some acrylic paint, glass, seed beads, and shells. This is a great project for the summer or the holidays!

I'm going to start by painting the background. I'm using Vintage White on the bottom for the sand. I'm putting down a coat of white on the rest of my canvas and adding some blue as well. Let dry.

Grab your tracer and tape it to your canvas, place graphite paper underneath, and trace your palm tree with your stylus.

Next, we're going to paint our palm tree. I'm using Raw Umber and a little bit of white for the tree trunk. I'm painting the palm tree leaves with green paint. I just want to get the basic shape for them because we will be adding green glass leaves that I created from sheet glass. 

Feel free to decorate your palm tree however you would like! I am going to add some ball Christmas ornaments with some red paint and...

Today, we are going to make a summery snow cone and see how we like it! I am actually going to do a series of snow cones, and this one is the first. This one will be a green snow cone with a lime (And you are going to love what we're doing with the lime - a bottle ring from Etsy!) We are using an 8x10 canvas with some acrylic paint and glass. 

First, we will trace our snow cone onto the canvas. Tape your tracer to your canvas, place graphite paper underneath, and trace your snow cone with your stylus. 

Paint your snow cone base with white paint (we'll add a little more color later, just so it pops.) Then, we're painting the background with white and Indian Turquoise blue. 

Next, we're painting the actual snow cone with a couple different green colors. I'm using a light and a dark green. I'm also adding some Lemon Yellow. Using a smaller brush, blend the colors from the bottom to the top - dark to light. I'm also blotting in some white paint to lighten...

As we're gearing up to celebrate the 4th of July, I have some gorgeous abstract flags for you in two different sizes. With these flags, we are using a palette knife to paint the stars and stripes and then adding some blue glass. These are so easy to make and we'll be walking through how to do them! We are using a 4x12 and a 4x4 canvas to create these.

Start by loading your palette knife with some blue paint. (I'm using a separate palette knife for each colors.) Scrape the blue paint onto the left corner of your canvas. 

Next is the white paint. Scoop some white onto your palette knife and make white stripes across your canvas. Don't make them straight, but make it look like the flag is waving in the wind. Then, we'll do the red stripes the same exact way. Blend the stripes together a little bit so it looks natural. 

Now I'm going to add a little bit of gold paint. I'm loading a tiny bit on the very edge of my palette knife. I'm holding it sideways and running it...

I found this hanging wooden watermelon at Hobby Lobby (for 5 bucks!) and we're going to paint this and add some glass! Such a fun piece to dress up and create some summery fun artwork. You can hang this anywhere (This will be on the door of my studio!) We're going to use some acrylic paint, green glass, and black seed beads to achieve this look. 

I'm going to start with Hauser Medium Green and Fresh Cut Grass paint for my rind - I'll also paint the edges too. I'll use some Buttercream Yellow that I'll add in between the green and red. 

Next, we'll use Primary Red as well as some Hot Pink to paint the entire watermelon. I'll start with a base coat of red and then add the pink and a little bit of white for highlighting and definition. Let dry.

Next, paint your seeds with black paint. I'm also going to take some white paint and add a small line around the outer edge of each seed. Let dry.

I'm going to take my graphic pen and add some details! I'm adding some short...

A few years ago, I stenciled several books with flowers, and this is my inspiration for today's project! I created a tracer from this, and I'll be using some spray painted glass from free floral vases. I use my nippers to create curved glass pieces, which are perfect for creating flowers! I'll be using an 8x10 canvas.

I have a painted canvas already ready to go. I used a palette knife to add little bit of green paint and a little bit of yellow paint to the background.

Next, we'll tape our tracer to the canvas. Place graphite paper underneath and use your stylus to trace your flower. 

I'm going to work on my stems and leaves first. I'm using a light green and a dark green paint with a long, skinny round brush. I'm also adding some white paint for highlights and dimension.

Next, I'm using a yellow paint to make the tiny little flower buds. I'm also adding some white paint and some green paint for some more dimension. 

Now, it's time for the flower center, which I am going...

Today, we are doing a textured, monochromatic art piece with a fun, beach feel! We are going to start with a 6x6 canvas and we are adding some plaster to create a gritty, sandy texture. Next, we'll add some shells, glass, and resin to create a beautiful summery art piece!

I'm using Sandstone from Faux Effects to create the sand texture. You can also use Coarse Texture Gel to get the same look. Lastly, you can also just literally use sand mixed with glue and apply that to your canvas.

I'm applying my plaster with a palette knife - not covering it completely or perfectly. Let dry.

I'm going to add some Anita's Metallic White paint to the top of my plaster, so it's a little softer and glamourous. Let dry.

I have a cute little starfish, oyster shell, and some other white and off-white shells to add. I also have a piece of glass, white stones, Starfire glass, bubbles, and seed beads. 

I'm going paint my starfish with the Metallic White to make it all match better! Then, I'm...

I love making flags and I love to make them messy! For this one, we'll be smattering in some red, white, and blue all together as well as some stars. I'll be adding some fun glass to my canvas as well. This is a great piece to make for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or just because! 

First, we'll start by grabbing our tracer and taping it to the canvas. Place graphite paper underneath and trace your lines with a stylus. I'll wait to add the stars until after paint is added. This is an 8x10 canvas.

I'm using Midnight Blue and Deep Midnight Blue to paint the left blue section of the canvas. For the red, we're doing Primary Red. And then white paint for the stripes. I'm also going to use some metallic gold too. I'm going to start by painting the white stripes and then the red stripes.

Now, I'm going to paint the left corner with blue. 

Now, it's time to get it messy! I'm going to use a palette knife to add some white paint into the red stripes and my blue...

My sister (and many of my members!) have been begging me to do a dandelion, so I thought, "let's just go for it!" We are going to be working on a 5x7 canvas with some acrylic paint, a graphic pen, and some bronze, green, and Starfire glass. This is a simple and easy one to do!

We are going to start by painting our background white along with some Mermaid Blue. This will give us a little bit of a sky blue color. Let dry.

Next, grab your tracer and tape it to your canvas. Place your graphite paper underneath and trace your dandelion with your stylus.

Now it's time to paint! I'm using Crocodile Green and Burnt Umber. Take some of your Umber paint and dot it onto your canvas in a circle to create your dandelion center. Add some extra green dots over top. Let dry.

Most of our detail work is going to be done with our Master's Touch graphic pen. I'm going to draw on all of the little seeds, stems, and fluff of the dandelion. Hit that with your heat gun again to make sure that your...

Today, I am showing you how to mix a glazing medium to tone and antique your art piece! You will need a measuring cup, glazing medium, Burnt Umber acrylic paint, and a piece of an old t-shirt. 

Pour 1 ounce of glaze into your cup and then mix in 1 teaspoon of your Burnt Umber color. Test your color and add more if you'd like. I'm going to add a 1/2 teaspoon more. Now it's time to apply the mix to your piece!

If you are new to this, work in sections! Just add your color to your canvas. Don't go slow - your time to remove and blend this is limited. Get it on as fast as you can before it starts to dry.

Take your t-shirt piece and just wipe it straight down. Remove all of that excess glaze. Wipe in one direction - not up and down, or side to side. 

Do one section at a time and repeat for your entire art piece. For my piece, I'm doing all of the outside texture as well as the door. For my bottom section, I'm wiping in one direction - left to right.

And that's it!...

Today we are making a special project for my mom's birthday! I am recreating a jar that she painted probably back in the 90s that broke. I'm going to paint it as close to her original as possible! Let's get started.

I'm using a 5 x 7 canvas and painting the background white first. I'm adding a smoky blue color with up-and-down paint strokes (just like the jar). I'm also going to paint the canvas edges as well. Let dry.

Next, grab your tracer and tape it to your canvas. Place your graphite paper underneath and trace your bunny with your stylus. Just trace the outside edge and not any of the details yet. Then, fill in your bunny with white paint. Let dry and do a second coat.

Make sure your canvas is dry. Add your tracer back to your canvas and now trace the details with your stylus. 

Now, it's time to paint details! First, I'm painting the ears, cheeks, and nose with a pink color. Next, I'm going to use my stylus in some black paint to add tiny dots for the eyes. Then, I'm...