Last month's art lessons on the "friendly" Fae Kings & Queens were soooo much fun! But Lucy and I were both equally thrilled to create their sinister counterparts! Where else in our lives can we feel like it's Halloween in MAY?! This month's Celtic Collective lessons feature projects in watercolor and gouache!

Before we get toooo far into this project, let's talk watercolor paper!
Over the years, I've discovered working on higher quality watercolor paper REALLY makes a difference, and somehow makes watercoloring EASIER. I also feel that working on larger paper for projects helps us to "spread out," so for this particular project, I opted to work on Arches 12"x16" cold press watercolor paper. 

I've also never done fountain pen ink painting on high quality watercolor paper, so this is kind of an experiment to see how they work together (or not!). ​As always, please feel free to use what you have and love!! Here's what I used...

Random Washi (would have preferred painters tape but couldn't find it).

The paper was Arches 100% ColdPress Cotton 12" x 16" - VERY textured, VERY expensive.
https://amzn.to/3U659rg

I used 0.7 from Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set
https://amzn.to/2GFzZlf

Can't afford that one? Here is a link to a super and VERY affordable (and cute!) set I just picked up that has all the same pencil leads in it!!
 https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL

Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes Rounds and Mops https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

I used several new watercolors all by Angora - they were supposed be "Opaque" but, are not :) It's difficult to say what the colors are because they don't have names or numbers but I do my best to call out which pan they are as I go. I used about 4 of those colors for both of their skin tones. https://amzn.to/4aDyu3z

Vanish Eraser 3 pack https://amzn.to/3DJp8EF

QoR Watercolor in Burnt Umber https://amzn.to/3vWCLQt
Payne's Grey,

Violet from Derwent Paint Pan Studio Set of 24 https://amzn.to/3xfjwln

Daniel Smith Watercolors in MoonGlow (background) https://amzn.to/443D7RQ

Daniel Smith Carbazole Violet https://amzn.to/3xAr9TA

Noodler's Ink Lexington Grey (permanent) https://amzn.to/3DLWS2d

Noodler's Ink Widow Maker (red) https://amzn.to/3tCN1Gp

Copic white for highlights https://amzn.to/3DO2r23

I was SO SAD not to be able to use my Pentel Pocket Brush Pen on the rough surface of the paper, so reached for this pen by Tombow instead: https://amzn.to/4d5hwgb

I JUST bought those, not knowing what I'd need them for, but apparently the universe did so yay!

I also needed to use some Artist Big Brush Pitt Pens by Faber-Castell because again, my paper was so rough I needed something more "Hardy" than my soft watercolor bristles to paint his long gross hair, lol!

Luckily the Pitt Pens did just the trick!! Unless you're working on super rough paper you don't need to invest in them. I use them all the time in the Mixed Media Society, my first use for them here.

​Truly, no need to invest, they are $$$ and I was just being lazy! I really could have continued with the watercolors or switched to gouache for a more opaque look.

🧚Ready to start this CREEPY 2.5-Hour Lesson?? Let's go!!

Somehow for me, whenever I'm doing a dark and "evil" art project, I reach for my elegant writer and inks! They're soooo moody!! If you've never used the elegant writer before, it's actually a calligraphy pen that's watersoluble. My favorite thing to do with the activated ink is to blot it with a paper towel to LIFT some of the ink because you can achieve some REALLY COOL pinks and purples, like this...

Hot Press watercolor is perfect for this project as it's nice and smooth for drawing on but can still work with the water you'll need to activate the pen lines.

Fabriano Hot Press 11" x 14" https://amzn.to/3Ysrp0f

0.5 and 0.3 (the best for tiny facial feature and those horrible hands) from this Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set https://amzn.to/3OMntBT

All you'll need is 1 Elegant Writer https://amzn.to/4dbq9Wo
(I LOVE the chisesl nib because you can make both fat and thin lines, as I demo in the first video for this lesson).

I'm using a few of the Rounds (Numbers 1 and 2) by Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

Noodlers Ink La Reine Mauve https://amzn.to/3whEGz4

Noodlers Highlighter Firefly Yellow https://amzn.to/4aNXsNB

And I couldn't track down that weird green ink I was using!

And white for highlights, a MUST! Copic Opaque Paint with Brush https://amzn.to/3Dfr1ZW

The hand reference (which you can grab below) is from Anne Stoke's book https://amzn.to/3U5uXnm

🧚Ready to begin this 1-hour lesson?! I can't wait!!​

If you've never worked with gouache before, this lesson is a great one to get you acclimated. It takes a bit of practice because it's not quite watercolor, and not quite acrylic.

Feel free to do this lesson as a mini warm-up if you've never tried gouache before, or simply dive right in. 

🧚Ready to start this nearly 2-hour lesson?? Me too!!!

This one looks so amazing too!! I love the spiderwebs and color scheme.

Use whatever colors you love and have on hand.

​Here are the watercolors Lucy used...

​🧚Ready to start this super fun 2-hour lesson?! Let's do it!!

Don't worry about it! There's NO "behind" in any of the clubs at Awesome Art School. You art along when it's best for YOUR schedule. I'll always have a replay ready and waiting for you.

​Honestly, they're JUST as fun!!

We have a blast with EVERY art-along, but this one was particularly FUN!! Lucy and I both decided to work in gouache for this project. 

You'll love these too, if you didn't get to do them last month!

You were also given a "Cross Club" alcohol marker drawing lesson to go along with the FREE Mixed Media Speakeasy project if you're in the mood for something a little bit different!

​Both are free and super fun!!

​👉CLICK HERE to choose an alternative project in the Visual Index​

👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post

👉CLICK HERE forVIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

Happy March!! I'm feeling SPRING in the air, and hope YOU are too!!

This month in the Celtic Collective we are studying mythical centaurs, and can't wait for you to try these FOUR new lessons with us :)

For this project, I initially thought I might watercolor him, but then loved the way he looked in graphite so much, I decided to keep him that way! If you feel like you want to watcolor yours, go ahead!

Just make sure you're working on watercolor paper. 

As always, feel free to use whatever you have and love most.

Here's what I used for this project...

0.5 from my Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set:
https://amzn.to/2GFzZlf


0.3 from this (affordable) set:
 https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL


Fabriano Hot Press 11" x 14" https://amzn.to/3Ysrp0f


Blackwing Matte pencils https://amzn.to/45mgirV


Blending Stumps https://amzn.to/450KGID


Vanish Eraser 3 pack https://amzn.to/3DJp8EF
​

Tombow Mono Eraser https://amzn.to/3Ov36ds


​🧚Ready to start this 1.5-hour lesson? Let's do it!

I absolutely LOVED making this project!! 

Isn't she majestic?! I hope you love working on her as much as I did!

I kept myself to a limited watercolor palette, using only the Prima Woodlands set, and left you not one, but FIVE reference images in the classroom to help you along :)

If you're new to watercolor, feel free to dive in and follow me because everything is step-by-step.

If you feel like you could benefit from an intro or refresher to watercolor first  - the Watercolor Basics lesson is a great place to start in your practice journal. (This is also a fab warm-up if you haven't done this lesson before and want to experiment with a  variety of techniques).

0.5 from Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set
https://amzn.to/2GFzZlf


Fabriano Cold Press 11" x 14" https://amzn.to/45oeAql
I used 18x24," but use the size YOU feel the most comfortable with!!


Vanish Eraser 3 pack https://amzn.to/3DJp8EF


Prima Woodlands Watercolor Set https://amzn.to/3SHXRum


Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes Round numbers 1, 2 and 3 https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order


Pentel Arts Sign Pen (in brown) w/ Micro Brush https://amzn.to/3JhAjZ2


Colored pencils by Prismacolor that match the watercolor colors
Copic white for highlights https://amzn.to/3DO2r23


Transfer paper for the Celtic Cross: https://amzn.to/483zpbh

🧚Wanna do this 2.5-Hour Lesson? Heck ya, you do!!

​How cute is this little guy?!

I LOVE everything about him from his little worried expression to the gorgeous, rainbow color scheme Lucy created!!

Lucy used alcohol markers for this project, but feel free to go your own way and do watercolor or whatever else floats your boat.

If you're new to alcohol markers and feel like you might benefit from an intro or refresher to markers, this simple floral lesson is a great warmup of how it FEELS to work with alcohol markers before jumping into a more in-depth project :)

• ​Marker paper (Lucy loves Strathmore marker paper)

• Lucy first sketched her drawing out on scrap paper using a blackwing, then transferred it to the marker paper using a lightbox and cool-erase pencils

• Ohuhu markers in the following colors: E090, E490, R18, R27, R26, YR148, YR209, V020, V160, P4, BG3, BG9, G120, Y1, YR070, B050, P3, V250, B350, R1, G340

• Black fineliner pen

 

• White gel pen

 

• Colo-erase pencil in brown & peach

 

• Lightbox for tracing (you don't need this if you are drawing directly on you marker paper!)

🧚Ready to start this 1.5-hour cutie?! Me too!!!

I love this one toooooo!!

From the mighty warrior centaur to the loose background and touches of gold - Lucy's watercoloring is gorgeous as always!!

​There are three references waiting for you in the classroom to help you along with this project. 

• Watercolor paper 300gsm (any brand will do!)

• Colored pencils or cool-erase pencils in blues or greens (perfect for sketching out watercolor designs!)

• Fineliner pen in black (waterproof)

• White gel pen

• Metallic watercolours (I use the Finetec brand but any brand will do - or even metallic gouache or ink)

 

• Watercolors in the following colours (again - you can substitute for what you already have. Do not feel you need to go and buy these exact colors):
  • Winsor & Newton Naples yellow, Alizarin Crimson
  • Daniel Smith Burnt Yellow Ochre
  • Daniel Smith Apatite Genuine
  • Daniel Smith Amazonite Genuine
  • Daniel Smith Undersea Green
  • Daniel Smith Prussian Green
  • Daniel Smith Cascade Green
  • Windsor & Newton Neutral Tint
  • Daniel Smith Indigo

​
🧚Ready to play this amazing hour & 10 minute lesson? Me too!!!

No problem!! You can have JUST AS MUCH FUN with the replay!!

We have TWO Members-Only Podcast art alongs this month because last month's needed to be rescheduled to March 8th.

​I can't wait to see you again, Thursday, March 21st!

​Stay tuned to your inbox for details on time & link to join :)

Horses are such majestic creatures. If you loved the centaur lessons and are looking for more similar lessons inside the Celtic Collective, check out our *5 UNICORN Lessons* in graphite, on toned paper, in alcohol markers, with gouache, and watercolor!!

​👉CLICK HERE to choose an alternative project in the Visual Index​

👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post

👉CLICK HERE forVIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

Hey Celtic Collective member!! I hope you're having an amazing week so far. I'm about to make it even better, because today we're releasing not two, but FIVE new online art lessons for you in the theme of Gothic Angels!! How cool is that?! 

Lucy and I had a blast creating these projects for you and hope you have so much fun with them. 

​Let's dig in!!

This project was SO much fun. If you're new to the Celtic Collective, or to my world - painting with fountain pen inks is something I totally love! I feel like the colors are SO much more vibrant and opaque than watercolor.

If you've never done fountain pen ink painting- CLICK HERE to check out the intro lesson about this medium vs. watercolor in the Maiden's Classroom.

Don't have fountain pen inks at home? Do the lesson in watercolor - or any medium you want! Use whatever you love and have on hand, here's what I used...

My favorite Cold Press (textured) Watercolor paper by Fabriano 9" x 12" 50 sheets is what I'm referencing in the video:  https://amzn.to/2Vev3Lb

Mechanical pencil in 0.5 lead https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL

Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

J. Herbin Fountain Pen Nude Ink  https://amzn.to/3a0xfuV

Noodler's Ink Pecan https://amzn.to/2Y1jhpZ

Noodler's Ink in Navy https://amzn.to/47gX60e

Noodler's Ink Widow Maker (red) https://amzn.to/3tCN1Gp

Black Drawing Ink https://amzn.to/3QLtsZV

Brunch Date (pinky color) Ink I couldn't find but this Flamingo Pink is close, it's by Diamine: https://amzn.to/3R6w4D3

Fineliners like these are very affordable and a better option than Sharpies (which should not be used with alcohol markers) https://amzn.to/3DKH0i8

Pentel Pocket Brush Pen https://amzn.to/3WIhj9g

Copic Opaque Paint with Brush https://amzn.to/3Dfr1ZW
​
👉Ready to start this 70-Minute lesson? ME TOO!!

If you enjoy this fountain pen ink painting lesson, I shared links to FOUR other Celtic Collective lessons inside the classroom for you so you can keep on painting away if you'd like! These links appear beneath the final video for this lesson. 

Lucy and I have been creating lessons in the Celtic Collective for a couple of years now, and I think this is THE FIRST lesson Lucy has done in alcohol markers!! I know!! She typically works in watercolor and gouache and is such a master at both... but look at THIS?! The piece above does NOT look like an alcohol marker newbie. She's stunning!

If you're not in the mood to draw the face for this Gothic Fairy and just want to trace her so you can start coloring with your own markers, you TOTALLY can. Lucy left a template in the classroom for you.

If you've never worked with alcohol markers before, we highly suggest you try doing a little warm-up lesson in the Maiden's classroom where there's an Intro to Alcohol Markers.​

If you loved working with alcohol markers as much as we do, make sure you scroll down past the last video of this lesson because I've parked links for TONS of alcohol marker projects right here in the Celtic Collective for you to work on!

Not gonna lie, I'm a little obsessed with this chick!! Try drawing the face first because it's kinda tricky with the head tilt and small scale. If you've never worked with alcohol markers before and this is your first project- you might want to hop over to the Maiden's Classroom first for a little Intro to Alcohol Markers floral project before you tackle this one. 

If you're ready to go, let's dig in to supplies. Here's what I used....

Bristol Paper 11 x 14 https://amzn.to/3MkxzdY (you could also use super smooth card stock like this if you'd like to save a little money)

Mechanical pencil 0.5 https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL

Vanish Eraser 3 pack https://amzn.to/3DJp8EF

Pentel Pocket Brush Pen https://amzn.to/47qiAbk

Molotow Fineliners https://amzn.to/3Bp41GF

Molotow ALTERNATIVE (1/3 of the price) https://amzn.to/3DKH0i8

ArtBeek Alcohol Markers in the following colors (these are super cheap & SO juicy!): https://amzn.to/3MUajnz

BK28 and BK 32 for skin tones

BG3, BG5, BG 7 and BG 9 and Black for greys

Stone colors 20 and 97

3 for lips

71 and 183 for 2 shades of Blue (hair and skirt)

Sakura Belly Roll 1.0 big nib https://amzn.to/3SQ2inE
​
👉Ready to 80-Minute Lesson? Let's go!!

If you love this alcohol marker lesson and want MORE - make sure you scroll to the bottom of this lesson because I've dropped links for TONS more alcohol marker drawing projects to try inside the Celtic Collective!   

Have you ever worked with the elegant writer pen to draw? Lots of calligraphy artists use it, but it's kinda magical for art! Use whatever you have on hand and love most to create this drawing. Here's what Lucy used...

​​

• Watercolor paper 300gsm
• Pencil and eraser
• Elegant writer
• Paintbrush
• You may want a fineliner pen to add some extra details at the end too.

If you loved the elegant writer, you're in luck because it's what I use to create the Gothic Cathedral coming up next!!

I think you're gonna LOVE this one!! The elegant writer is seriously so much fun. My favorite is lifting some of the activated water to reveal that pinky teal that can sometimes appear like in the bottom right of the pic above. So pretty!! 

As always with watersoluble art supplies- you need to be working on watercolor paper. Supplies for me were really limited for this project. Use whatever you have and love. Here's what I used...

Fabriano Hot Press 11" x 14" watercolor paper https://amzn.to/3Ysrp0f

Elegant Writer https://amzn.to/3uiDyKe (I love this multi pack, I'll explain why in the video)

Watercolor Brush (I'm using both a Mop and a few of the Rounds from the Dream Set by Polina Bright)

Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

Black Indian Ink https://amzn.to/3MQ9hZP

Pentel Pocket Brush Pen https://amzn.to/47qiAbk

Frisket (optional but I'm glad I used it) https://amzn.to/3G6hCEU

I also used a splash of Yellow ink by Noodler's but I still can't decide if I love it or hate it! Here's the link regardless. https://amzn.to/3G65mUS

👉Wanna start this 45-Minute Lesson? CLICK below.

Links to MORE elegant writer projects have been dropped at the end of this lesson in the classroom for you as well, if you're having a blast!

I hear ya. It's December after all!! If you're in the holiday spirit and looking for something more in line with the season, you might LOVE watching the replay of our latest art along in the Members Only Podcast from late last month. Lucy's gnome turned out SO cute!!!

Tons of students have been making their gnomes even more holiday-ish with snow, pine trees, holly berries- you name it! ​

The Yule Classroom holds a number of lessons Lucy and I compiled last December filled with information and imagery related to Yule, which is the Celtic celebration of the winter solstice.  

Feel free to check out the ​Visual Index if you're looking for additional inspiration. Have so much fun whatever you choose to create today!!