Quantcast

Bower Power

· 139 Comments

Pinterest Challenge – Watercoloring

CRAFTS· OUR 2nd HOUSE

During the winter, we spend a lot of time inside.  More specifically, I have spent a lot of time in the living room.  It’s the room we live in.  hence the clever name.

And it’s also the place that we have a giant blank canvas.  I could not for the life of me decide what to do with it.  Do I recreate something with loads of texture?  Do I wait to paint it until I finally get some kind of console table below it to decide if it’s gonna stay there?  Do I go ahead and remove it all together and just put a big collections of different frames there?

After wasting hours thinking about the options, I decided to just go for it.  I mean, nothings ever gone wrong when you decide to jump in with both feet….stock market excluded.

After seeing this great video on how to use watercolor pencils from my girl Kristen and with loads of inspiration from one of my favorite artists (I pinned her version of a watercolor jellyfish but I love all her art)…I decided to create my own version of a giant jellyfish for my huge canvas.

First I sketched out the rough outline with my black watercolor pencil…

Then came time for coloring.  It’s nothing fancy – a fourth grader can do it.

It was tedious but it took longer because I kept having to get up and back up ten feet to see the entire piece…just to make sure it was balanced and not doing something vulgar with a tentacle.

After I was done with the dry drawing part, here’s what it looked like…

Then I used a small paintbrush and a little cup of water (it turned black after a few minutes) to start brushing the lines I made.  See how the upper part is so much more bold and the lower tentacles are still muted and light?  All because of water.

And when I was finally finished, here it is in all it’s glory for you to sea 🙂

Nothing is perfect about it but that’s okay to me…since it is just original mom-art.

I love how the water blends the colors together and gives it such contrast.  It looks so messy and juvenile really close up but a few steps away it looks much more difficult and still fun and colorful.  It’s like a Monet (name that movie).

So that was my little PC Project – I dare ya to check out the other fine ladies cohosting….here’s the links just in case you aren’t awesome enough to have them in your reader already (kidding kidding….you are all awesome…unless you aren’t) –

Did you guys play along?  I’d love to see your projects (each host has the option to throw a linky party and I’d love if you linked up below so that I can see what you did and enjoy an afternoon of project surfing!)

Here are the instructions if you are a linky-party newbie…

  • click on the blue “Add Your Link” button at the bottom of this post – it has a blue frog head on it :)
  • add a link to your PC project blog post in the url field (please do not link to your home page)
  • for “name” write a short descriptive name for your project (e.g. “Antiqued Window”)
  • pretty pretty please with baconsauce on top to remember to link in the body of your post to the Pinterest item and the original source of the photo on Pinterest as well as back to me and this editions hosts above – it’s just a big ole fashioned linky love fest!  Oh and if nobody told you today…you look stunning today!

If you’d rather just link over to your project in the comment section, feel free to do that – or even add a link to a free photo sharing site like Flickr with your pics if you don’t have a blog (remember to set the gallery to public so we can all see it).   Now let’s get to the party!


');

0 Shares

Comments

  2. KATIE!! This is amazing!! I love it…and it’s so much better than a store bought piece because you did it! You’ve inspired me!

  5. What! You drew/painted all of that freehand? It looks great! I also enjoy any kind of sea monster, so this is extra awesome.

  6. Wow, those watercolor pencils look really cool. Something to add to my “must try list.” Your jellyfish looks pretty darn amazing to me! The interwebs are all full of original mom-art that sell for big bucks. Just sayin’.

    And the “Monet” comment is from Clueless. Am I right?

  13. Hi Katie!

    You should absolutely give yourself more credit! Your jellyfish looks amazing! Being a teacher, I am an all-things Crayola lover and had never heard of their watercolor pencils. They look like a neat product and lots of fun! Thank you so much for organizing this Pinterest Challenge. I had so much fun participating and am excited to finally have a blog to share the outcome.

    You can see my vintage-look wooden Grocery sign at http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com/2012/03/pinterest-winter-challenge-vintage-look.html

    Thanks so much!!!

    Claire

  15. Beautiful!! I love it 🙂 I have to go get some of those pencils – oh the possibilities!!

  16. Name that movie? Clueless! One of my favorite movie lines ever is from that movie “My dr. said I couldn’t participate in any activities where balls fly at my face”…”There goes your social life”…..classic.

    Love the painting! Its beautiful!

  17. Love that! I have a whole pinboard devoted to cephalopods on my Pinterest – may be something fun to try this idea with! (and the only reason I call it cephalapods is because I don’t know if it’s octopus’s or octopi????)

  21. I have three blank canvases in my basement, waiting for inspiration (bought on a BOGO sale at Michaels!). This is some good stuff! Beautiful, but unique.

    And are ALL your movie references from Clueless??? Alicia Silverstone did set the world in motion back in the nineties.

  23. CLUELESS! 🙂
    A big canvas like that would be so intimidating to me… Awesome work on the jellyfish!!

  26. Katie this is amazing. You are more creative and talented then you would ever admit or realize. Congrats on this project, if you get tired of it I’d love it in my living room 😉

  27. Yay! I have a strong heart for ART so I’m loving this. It turned out great and I love the simplicity. So glad you thought of this because I get to check out all of these awesome projects.

    Bacon Cupcakes all around!

  29. Love it you are so talented-I also did not know they made such a fun Crayola product like water color colored pencils.

  30. Clueless. One of the best 90’s movies evah.

    Don’t even sell yourself short – that octupus is amazing! I’m like the world’s worst artist. I screw up trying to draw stick people.

  32. I can honestly say that this is the best looking jellyfish I’ve ever seen! I love that you chose to paint something so unusual 🙂 The colours and patterns are really nice, and the way these markers work is so cool. I’m going to have to pick up a pack and try them out 🙂

  36. I love this! I wish I could free hand that well. I am definitely going to get some of those for my kiddos – I’ll let them make me something gorgeous! This looks like so much fun!

  38. Wow! That looks great! I need to get me some watercolor pencils! I am no artist but I can trace! I’m thinking turtle….. or sail fish.

  39. I have NEVER heard of these watercolored pencils, that is SO cool. Thanks for hosting your FABULOUS Pinterest party again. It’s nice to get a little push to finally crank out something I PINNED!

  43. CLUELESS!! I love that you made something so lovely with something so basic – i’m going to have to dig up some colored pencils!

  46. Girl, you are the bomb! I LOVEEEE it, and congrats on the bun in the oven 🙂 “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.” Psalm 18:6

  47. Water color pencils!?! How did I not know about these?? Love your jellyfish drawing/painting. I love all things from the sea. Now off to add water color pencils to my craft store shopping list. =)

  55. So cool, Katie!!! You are a seriously talented artist…but I knew you would be with all your other mad skillz! Those watercolor pencils are pretty awesome, I’ve never seen them before! Great, another thing to buy at Hobby Lobby!

    Thanks again for including me in this fun fest…I’m loving all the projects!!

  56. Hi Katie,

    I love how you picked such a unique object for this, it looks great. And nice find on the watercolor pencils. I’m feeling all inspired now to make my own art at home since I’m walways wondering what to put on the walls!

    Awesome idea for the pinterest party, thanks for making us get off our buns and make something 🙂

  58. I love the jelly fish! Such a great idea — the colors are great and I love how the tenticles flow so sweetly.

    Btw. I love your blog and your sense of humor. Such a relief to know your quirky and funny and normal! Always great to be able to relate to someone else, and their sense of humor 🙂

    Have a great day!

    -Syl

  59. I love the jelly fish! Such a great idea — the colors are great and I love how the tenticles flow so sweetly.

    Btw. I love your blog and your sense of humor. Such a relief to know you’re quirky and funny and normal! Always great to be able to relate to someone else, and their sense of humor

    Have a great day!

    -Syl

  61. I’m glad I’m not the only adult that drinks from bendy straws!

    I like this little project, I might have to experiment with the watercolor pencils since actual watercolors somehow terrify me.

  62. Girl, you’ve got skills! Seriously great job! Never heard of water color pencils. I love water color paintings and know it’s not so easy to do. I might have to try this!

  68. Juvenile art…I think NOT!….this looks AMAZING!!! Seriously! Great job.

    …I lower my head in shame.

    I haven’t blogged in over a week…nor have I done a Pinterest challenge…sigh…..or that list of things to do that keeps getting longer and longer….lower my head goes. Funny how you can go thru ruts….and just not be motivated to do things some time.

  70. I had no clue about these amazing watercolor pencils… I had to post and let you know how great your art came out!!

  76. You rascal! When you started, I thought you picked a jellyfish as the subject because they are essentially blobs, but nooooo, you go and make it all awesome with different patterned tentacles and, like, structure in the jellyfish body.
    I love the art. And now I have to go buy watercolor pencils. Fun.

  77. I am so impressed. That is just gorgeous!

    (Is there a way to draw a stick jellyfish? Because I could probably do that. Okay, I most likely couldn’t)

  83. I’m pretty sure a fourth grader could NOT do that! You are a very talented artist…I maybe could’ve done this project if it was one of those paint by numbers things…maybe. I love the simplicity of it since it’s just kind of floating in a white universe. Very cool Mrs. Bower. 🙂

  85. I like this post very much, it showcases your true talent and good taste. If only you would apply the same criteria to your many gynecological posts and your frat rat language, another thousand people would have voted for you at the Homies.

  90. I love looking at Pinterest but haven’t been able to join. Could someone who’s on Pinterest send me an invite, please!?

  91. You are so talented Katie, it looks amazing! I remember a while ago you saying you wanted to paint your kitchen cabinets white, were you still planning on doing that? I think they would look great!

  93. Very nice! Are you going to wash the background at all?

    My son has been painting a while, using a lot of different mediums-and I FINALLY made him start a blog for his artwork-even though we all paint, my kids blow me out of the water talent wise. Here’s his corner of the blogoshpere:

    http://pennellodifranco.blogspot.com/

    I need to do a new piece for out house as well. Good Challenge!

  94. Katie! So pretty! I love the pic where you are coloring in the jellyfish, your ponytail looks like a little whale tale!

  96. I wasn’t going to – although if the piece was gonna stay in this space, I would….just for more presence…but I think it might eventually find a home in my office 🙂
    xo – kb

  99. Just go on the Bower Power facebook page and announce you need an invite and loads of people are willing to help!
    xo – kb

  100. Dude K – I was trying to link to your video of you actually painting but I couldn’t for the life of me find the post! Could you send it to me so that people can see what an amazing painter you are?
    xo – kb

  101. haha…what is “frat rat”? And can I please steal that for everything?
    Oh and I would love to talk more about this gynecological post business….do I talk about uterus’ too much? Because I’d love to venture into the cervix and vagina as well….kidding…kidding…a little…
    xo – kb

  102. The movie is Clueless! Gosh – Now I really feel like watching it. “We’re the kids in America… Is this like a Noxema commercial or what?!”

    Also – the jellyfish = amazing. You are seriously an artist!

  103. Not sure if you said but where did you get the watercolor pencils? I’m getting my husband to do one of these of a rooster for my mom.

  104. I love it. I say it requires artistic talent, despite what you say! I do think you need to sign it, however!

  105. I hear so many bloggers talk about just plain rude random commenters…but now I see it. You may take a higher road, as you so often do because you’ve got more kindness and class in your pinky finger than anon has in his or her whole body…but there is no excuse for poor behavior like that. Badly done Anon…

    PS- I love hearing about your artwork and your uterus…they both keep me coming back! 😉

  106. Now I’m regretful for not buying a canvas this size at Goodwill the other day – blerg! I stood there forever and tried to think about where it would go, what I would do with it and since I didn’t think of it in my allotted time at the store , I left it there. Maybe it’s still there?? Thanks for the idea!

  111. Wow! I’m so impressed! That came out so awesome. I had no idea that you could color with colored pencils and use water for that effect. I used to draw all the time before college and this makes me want to get back into it.

  112. I had no idea those pencils existed! I’ve been living in grown up land too long – it’s time for a run to the Crayola aisle! 🙂

    Love it, Katie!

    Emily

  113. You are so talented! And you make it look so easy. If you end up using this in the office then I hope we get to see a new painting for your living room soon!

    Also, did you know that jellyfish are made of 95% water? How fitting is it that you made your jellyfish with watercolor? 🙂

  114. Clueless! Looks good from far away, but up close is a big ol’ mess!

    …which yours is not by the way 😉

  116. Ummm, wow. I’m pretty sure your lack of a filter (which, in my opinion, is a huge part of what makes you genuine and fun to read) is a contributor to your wild success in the homies. I also love reading about your newly occupied (yay!) uterus. You know, I’ve run into this “anon” chick before, and she’s seldom positive and never right.

  117. Um Hello!!! Katie that is an epic piece of mom-art. I think you missed your calling!! Maybe you should make a bacon watercolor for the kitchen ; )

  118. I personally love your “gynecological” talk! 🙂 (whatever that is exactly?!) And if you ever wanted to talk about your cervix or vagina, I’d be all ears! (not in a weird way, just in a “I’m a pregnant woman so no topic is off limits to me”, sort of way!)

  119. OMG!!!! I love this!! So jealous of your talent!! Girl, you can freakin’ draw!! I do not understand 1.) Why your house isn’t filled with your artwork 2.) Why you haven’t opened an etsy shop to sell your artwork?

  120. That made me laugh out loud. I don’t think Jer would approve since it smells like bacon in there too…pork sensory overload!
    xo – kb

  126. Gorgeous! I’m way older than a 4th grader but I don’t think I could paint something this lovely. It’s really great!

  127. Nice job! Where did you get that floating shelf the art sits on? I like how minimal it is.

  129. I’ve always wanted one of those awesome family last name signs with a fancy established on date. You know, just to make our 8 year marriage and two kids and dog official and all… But I also wanted to put our family’s outline on the sign. I planned on doing this project as the pinterest challenge but literally couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for as inspiration. Apparently, only my own crazy head knew what I wanted. That happens to me often. 😉

    Anyway, I got creative and this was the end result: http://thegeibs.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-family-name-outline-sign.html

    It actually turned out just as I wanted — which happens to me rarely when in comes to DIY. 🙂

  130. you do beautiful work. you deserve a book contract. i think the chances of your getting one are diminished by this shuffle and jive that you do.
    i wish you well.

  132. Somebody who gives people advice on how to rewire the house, and other potentially fatal DIY activities, needs to cultivate credibility. Someone who violates the privacy of children without their informed consent does not demonstrate this. This fecklessness does not qualify as meticulous and altruistic enough to be giving advice on the subject of potentially fatal DIY activities.

    Either the publisher of a blog, or the publisher of a book, would wish to feel certain of the author’s integrity and veracity before publishing advice which could expose the author – and the publisher — to serious potential legal action. No publisher in this economy wants to be liable for selling the advice of someone who acts without professional standards, as for example, publishing John Petersik’s photograph of your family without a credit.

    Your talent deserves a much more accountable and creditable online personality. You undermine the serious quality of your work, which we all can see, with every exposure of your son and future baby, every passé vagina monologue, and every dumbed-down sorority girl cliche that you utter. Your lack of integrity and uncomfortable femme performance are reasons number one and two that no one has so far has risked giving you a book contract. Ask them. They’ll tell you. There is a such a cognitive dissonance between what you say (creepy cracker) and what you do (approaching high art) that nobody north of Wauchula really wants to take you on.

    I’m a southerner my own self. There is a credibility problem. Grey Gundaker, Richard Westmacott, Ernest Matthew Mickler and Natalie Chanin – along with the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore — have struck the perfect right note, for the artistic southerner, basically from the integrity of their materials, and the respect they have for themselves, as well as for the female/feminist/white trash/outsider art/artisanal ethic. Think about it. You’re way better than this. I challenge you to live up to your talent and represent all of us.

    http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Head-Sky-Interpreting/dp/0813918073/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333398864&sr=1-1

    http://www.amazon.com/African-American-Gardens-Yards-Rural-South/dp/0870497626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333398746&sr=1-1

    http://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/18/obituaries/ernest-matthew-mickler-48-dies-author-of-best-selling-cookbook.html

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/garden/08doonanny.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=natalie%20chanin&st=cse

    http://www.avam.org/

    I have expressed myself as clearly and fully as possible and will not comment here again.

  135. Hello again. Found your blog a few days ago when I was deciding on whether or not to use Palladian blue or wythe in my office.

    I am in love with you octopus. Seriously. In love. Please, please please….. Let me buy one! Will you Emil me pretty please.

  136. I’m not gonna lie. I was completely disappointed when I saw that you made this yourself. I first saw it in your office reveal and fell in love. I started scouring your blog trying to find out where you got it to see if it might be possible to get my own! I was so sad, but inspired to perhaps create my own. It’s beautiful and fun! I love it!

  137. Wow, such a cool painting! I have been making all sorts of art to sell on my own etsy store (which has yet to be made) eventually. I was just wondering what type of canvas you used for this…. is it some special watercolor canvas?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the latest via email!