Fearless Friday, Cactus with Mixed Media
A little fun with cactus today, with watercolor brush pens, ink, and colored pencil
This was the photo I used as a model
Cacti are one of my new passions this Spring,
I think they are fascinating and incredibly beautiful
I began with a simple line sketch with a waterproof .01 micron pen
You don’t have to include every single bump and petal,
just use your photo for a general reference
After the sketch was finished
I began adding color with a watercolor brush pen
I am still experimenting with my new Arteza watercolor brush pens, they go on fairly dry and are harder {for me} to blend than traditional watercolor, but I do like the control they offer and the wide range of colors in the set
I probably would have gotten better blends if I had wet my paper first,
but I was learning and experimenting
I feel like every painting is an experience of learning and experimenting,
Do you too?
For the cactus base I worked from light to dark
and for the cactus top I did mostly the opposite,
going from dark to light
The pink petals faded to very pale at the upmost petal tips
I used colored pencils, scrubbing in a circular motion with a blunt tip
to further blend the colors and and texture
I used the black micron pen and a white gel pen to add final details
“Desert Flower” 7″ x 12″ Mixed Media on Mixed Media paper
Here’s a step by step collage
Note: I have been drawing as long as I can remember and took many classes in college. The best and really only way to learn or improve your drawing is practice, practice, practice, and daily if possible!
You can read more about the importance of drawing here and here
Have fun, Be Fearless, and practice, practice, practice!
If you are a fellow cactus lover, you can find some fun and funky cactus items in my Society 6 shop here
My phone is currently sporting this Pink Cactus cover
It is available on lots of other items too
I got Charlie Brown the newly launched fanny pack
He loves to stash his snacks and hot wheels inside
Pink Cactus Tray Pink Cactus Clock
Pink Cactus Fanny Pack Pink Cactus Coasters
Society 6 just launched another new item, folding stools
“Abstract Garden” folding stool
But I didn’t enable it in the cactus pattern…
I didn’t think anyone would want to sit on a cactus!
🤣
But, you might want to toss one on your sofa~
Pssst…there is usually a Sunday/Monday 25% off sale every week, and there are other pop up sales almost everyday, so stop by The Shop here often!
I hope you had some prickly fun today!
🌵🌸🌵
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Dishing it & Digging it, Between Naps on the Porch,
Merry Monday Make it Pretty Monday Celebrate and Decorate,
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
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Wow I really like this! It’s interesting to see the way you achieved the coloring.
Thank you Liz!
I love what you did with this! Such a great inspiration photo and I love how you share your steps. I learn so much!!’ Thank you!
thank you Jodi, as you know art is just one continuous experiment!
Jenna, I always enjoy your Fearless Friday series. I have recently taken a liking to cacti. Their blooms can be spectacular. I am so glad fanny packs are back, so easy when you are traveling and I love the stools. Have a wonderful weekend.
I couldn’t believe fanny packs are back in style! I got one for each of my grands, I think they will be perfect for traveling, even if it’s just across town, they seem to always need a snack or a toy!
Jenna, you make it look so easy. I took my first Art Class in April and loved it. I’m still not sure about my drawing, but I will practice! Love the cactus!
Thanks Kim, just like anything else, you’ll get better with practice!
Your wonderful tutorials always remind me that it pretty much always looks better without all the nitpicky detail! These are wonderful!
thanks Jeanie, happy painting!
Beautiful step – by – step Jenna. It’s fun to see the art in all its possibilities on different items.
thanks Sharon, I have cactus fever lately!
Beautiful work, Jenna!! 💚
I love those gorgeous colors!
Thank you Patty Anne, still figuring out my new pens…
Jenna, I love that you are fearless in your art work! You are never afraid try to new techniques to see what works and if you like it or not. I’m a big ol’ chicken and never try anything that I’m afraid I will fail at doing! Hope you have a great weekend! Hugs!
I have made plenty of artistic messes Benita, but that’s part of the process, and actually part of the fun, because when something turns out it’s such a great feeling!
I’m in love with cactus too lately!! Your drawing turned out beautiful!! 🌵🌸💕 Society 6 has a lot of fun products. 😊
thanks Jill! I have more cactus fun coming up this week!
Looking forward to it, Jenna!! 💕🌵
I love your cactus Jenna….I don’t know how you do it…you are so talented. Have a great weekend dear friend.
thanks Kari, I was afraid the cactus was going to be a hot mess but I was able to save it!
Love your artistry and cactus Jenna! What fun new products with your artwork, love the folding stool!
I love the stools too, good for gardening 🙂