Welcome to the Arts

I don't remember the first time I picked up a brush and started painting or when I first started to dance.

But what I do remember is that ever since I was a child, I have always been into art.

Whether be it drawing or painting, music or dance, I was always fond of it.

I remember joining a summer art workshop when I was around 6 years old,

it was my first, but it certainly wasn't my last. 

Yesterday, April 28, I attended Valerie Chua's workshop on watercolor painting.

I've probably attended 5 different workshops and I've got to admit, hands down,  hers was the best.

All the other classes I took, I couldn't really understand what the teacher was saying.

They made it so hard to grasp, using terms that I didn't know and didn't bother to clarify.

Or they barely even taught at all, leaving us to do whatever we wanted to do. 

Valerie's class was everything I expected it to be.

Easy to understand, fun, and I actually got to learn the basics! 

The types of papers, the different kind of brushes and washes, which brush to use when, and more.

I don't know why I took a picture of the paper towel. I just liked the colors.

As you can see here, we were taught 7 basic washes and 2 special effect ideas. 

We also painted the color wheel! It reminds me of a Poke´ ball or the Google Chrome logo.

This was the first time I've ever painted the color wheel...

We had to paint this picture and apply all that we learned. 

I don't know how many minutes later...

I came up with this! 

It's not exactly the best painting out there but oh well! Practice makes perfect, even though achieving perfection is a little bit too crazy. Hahaha...

Here's how the paper towel looked like after the workshop. 

Aren't the colors so pretty?

Well, I think they are. I didn't wanna throw it away (I like keeping things, even wrappers...)

After class, we got our certificates of attendance. 

Yes, Regina is my real name. Hahah! I erased my second and last name. 

I really loved this workshop, I highly recommend you join the next one if you're interested in learning the basics of watercolor painting. :)

Go check out her blog to see her works, they're amazing! 

Especially considering that she's self-taught, it inspires me and I hope it inspires you as well. 

After this class, I think I have found a new favorite medium.

God's Eye

"Sticks and stones may break your bones"

I found this pretty interesting tutorial that you could do at home with the simplest of materials.

You can use different colors of string/yarn and make it as big or as small as you want. 

Here's how mine turned out :) 

Instead of using yarn, I used string instead cause it's what I had on hand. 

It still turned out nice either way. 

Mine is pretty small, it only measures around 7 inches wide.

 I used up a good amount of string because of this, so make sure you have enough.

I hope you try it out, it's pretty fun to make :) 

That's all for today!

Feelin' Crafty

I'd have days when all I would do is to look for something to do. 

A few months ago, I was reading this blog.

I was inspired by her patience to do such amazing paper cuttings that I tried to do some of mine as well.

As you can see here, I was experimenting with what you can do with an X-Acto knife.

How much pressure you need to put and how exact it really is.

Well anyways, I was talking to my friend and he told me something.

Then I thought "Hey, I could cut this out!" and so I did.

After over 4 hours of drawing & cutting, this is what I came up with. 

Tell me what you think. :)

 "Close your eyes and dream of your future and everything will fall into place"

He didn't say that, he said something similar which gave me the idea to do this.

My hand was so tired afterwards. I had to be so careful not to rip it, I ripped some parts and I was so furious. I had to take several breaks or else I'd just give up right there and then.

You guys should try it out some time. :)

All you need would be:

• a X-Acto knife
• Paper (preferably one that is thicker so it'll be easier to cut)
• Patience
• Imagination

And that's all! 

Cut cut cut

On a boring and unproductive day, I decided to do some cutting.

1st one

2nd one

3rd one

"Baby it's you and me, against the world." - Parachute

4th one

As you can see, I am quite fond of cutting out my name.

This is only because I don't know what else to cut out. Hahah!