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pulling a collage paper print from a "gelliplate"
Collage papers being pulled
Collage papers being pulled
This was one of my favorite prints while making these collage papers! I figured out how to get the cracking effects that show all the layers of color like you see in this sheets.
The original paintings are 10 by 7 inches. The pieces of collage papers were scraps from other projects. Those papers were happy gelliplate printing accidents. Trying to get the colors and accidents again was fun and challenging!
This post shares some of the new collage papers I made using the gelliplate for the BIG paintings that are based on the small paintings.
The BIG paintings are 100 cm by 70 cm, or ~39 inches by 27.5 inches. The US uses inches...while most of the globe uses centimeters...so definitely NOT 10 times the size of the original, lol!
Using a gelliplate to make collage papers as unique as the scrap papers used in the small paintings for big
Close up of one of the original collage scraps used in the small original painting
Every print from a gelliplate is a surprise
I use a few "gelliplates" at the same time to save some time.
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Angeline Marie Martinez
painting and sketching drawing artist
Berry container reused
Electrical tape box
Creative Reuse in the Art Studio
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery!
Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery!
Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!
Paper from box cut down for notes, etc. Free cardstock!
Plastic boxes for stencil materials or shipping rolled paintings
Plastic wrap that's used on my paint palettes
Hotel key cards and old credit cards to make scrappers, paint spreaders, etc
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Angeline Marie Martinez
drawing and painting artist
Catalog photo of a taboret
Front, back, and underneath the nightstands or file cabinets, before making into taborets. Garage sale find.
Upcycling Nightstands into Artistic Taborets in a Small Costa Rican Town
In the heart of a small, picturesque town in Costa Rica, nestled between lush green hills, banana trees, rainforest, and vibrant flora, stood a new home’s guest room with large windows that welcomed streams of natural light. This is Angeline's new art studio, a sanctuary of creativity and inspiration. Angeline, a passionate painter, had transformed the clean space into a colorful haven filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and endless ideas. However, she was missing one crucial element: proper furniture to organize her supplies and provide storage for her growing collection of art materials.
In the heart of a small, picturesque town in Costa Rica, nestled between lush green hills, banana trees, rainforest, and vibrant flora, stood a new home’s guest room with large windows that welcomed streams of natural light. This is Angeline's new art studio, a sanctuary of creativity and inspiration. Angeline, a passionate painter, had transformed the clean space into a colorful haven filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and endless ideas. However, she was missing one crucial element: proper furniture to organize her supplies and provide storage for her growing collection of art materials.
Studio before taborets, right after moving into this guest room now art studio.
Painted top of new taboret, ready for the missing plexiglass paint palette
Discovering Treasures at the Community Yard Sale
One sunny Saturday morning, the town held a rare community yard sale, an event that brought everyone together in the town square to buy, sell, and trade treasures. Angeline decided to go, hoping to find something she could use for her studio. As she wandered through the eclectic mix of items, she stumbled upon a pair of old nightstands. They were sturdy but worn, with chipped wood finish and a missing drawer. An idea sparked in her mind: she could upcycle these nightstands into the taborets she needed!
Transforming Nightstands into Functional Taborets
With excitement, Angeline purchased the nightstands for $15, a fraction of the cost of new taborets, and brought them back to her studio. She envisioning how to transform these humble pieces into functional and fun taborets. Angeline left the wood color alone, except for one nightstand. The top of this one she painted neutral gray to serve as her paint palette. Her husband Andy added caster wheels to the bottom of each nightstand, ensuring they could be moved around the studio with ease. To make them truly functional as taborets, she installed small recycled boxes inside the drawers as dividers, hooked plastic and metal tubs along the sides, and added a plexiglass top to the gray-painted one. Even the one with a missing drawer is being used for maximum storage space, holding rolled stencil material. As she finds stickers, she places these randomly on her easel taboret. The stickers are from refrigerator warnings, food labels, and stickers that she’s given and finds.
One sunny Saturday morning, the town held a rare community yard sale, an event that brought everyone together in the town square to buy, sell, and trade treasures. Angeline decided to go, hoping to find something she could use for her studio. As she wandered through the eclectic mix of items, she stumbled upon a pair of old nightstands. They were sturdy but worn, with chipped wood finish and a missing drawer. An idea sparked in her mind: she could upcycle these nightstands into the taborets she needed!
Transforming Nightstands into Functional Taborets
With excitement, Angeline purchased the nightstands for $15, a fraction of the cost of new taborets, and brought them back to her studio. She envisioning how to transform these humble pieces into functional and fun taborets. Angeline left the wood color alone, except for one nightstand. The top of this one she painted neutral gray to serve as her paint palette. Her husband Andy added caster wheels to the bottom of each nightstand, ensuring they could be moved around the studio with ease. To make them truly functional as taborets, she installed small recycled boxes inside the drawers as dividers, hooked plastic and metal tubs along the sides, and added a plexiglass top to the gray-painted one. Even the one with a missing drawer is being used for maximum storage space, holding rolled stencil material. As she finds stickers, she places these randomly on her easel taboret. The stickers are from refrigerator warnings, food labels, and stickers that she’s given and finds.
The Final Touch: Bringing the Taborets to Life
As time passed, the nightstands transform before her eyes. The once tired and forgotten pieces of furniture are now fun and purposeful, ready to serve a new role in her creative process. Angeline felt a deep sense of satisfaction and pride in her handiwork. Finally, the day came to place the new taborets in the studio. Angeline positioned one next to the easel and the other next to her working table, just as she had imagined. They fit perfectly, both in size and style. The taborets added to the cheerful ambiance of the studio, and the newly installed shelves and drawers provided ample space for all her supplies.
A Studio Filled with Personal Touches and Practicality
Angeline stepped back and surveyed her work. The studio felt complete, infused with a blend of practicality and personal touch. Every time she reached for a brush or mixed a palette of colors, she felt a connection to the effort and creativity she had poured into the project. As Angeline painted, surrounded by her new taborets, she felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that she had created not only beautiful art but also the perfect space to nurture her artistic dreams, with Andy’s help.
Subscribe for more creative DIY ideas, artist treasures and adventures, and art studio tips!
PS: This blog post was inspired and crafted with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
4o
PSS: The other titles I loved from ChatGPT was "From Nightstand to Taboret: One Artist's Furniture Fairy Tale" and "Painting with a Purpose: The Tale of Two Nightstands"
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Angeline Marie Martinez
drawing and painting artist
Open Toilet LOVES Toilet Paper: FLUSH IT! Thanks! acrylics on canvas 4x4 inches by Angeline Marie Martinez
What do you do with your used toilet paper? How do you dispose of it?
American Toilet Etiquette: Toss and Flush
In the USA, we wouldn’t even think about this. We just toss the used dirty toilet paper into the toilet and flush. Of course, the trash basket is for other things that shouldn’t be flushed, especially in the ladies’ restrooms. This is automatic behavior to us. No thought given. No fear of toilet pipe retribution and upchucking. Toss and flush, exit stall, wash hands, leave restroom.
Costa Rican Toilet Customs: Basket or Toilet?
In Costa Rica, what to do with your used dirty toilet paper is a question at every public restroom. Most restrooms want you toss your used dirty toilet paper into the trash basket. Most local businesses around Costa Rica have a sign asking to use the basket. The toilet will back up when it has too much toilet paper. You’ll find this basket usually full, bursting through required lid.
Some restrooms won’t have a sign at all. Assume that you use the basket. Toss into the toilet. Most places built in more recent times DO have the pipes to handle dirty toilet paper along with biological issues.
No sign means you’re excused from blame. If they had a sign, you’d do your best to follow it.
Navigating Signage (or Lack Thereof)
At someone’s home, it’s polite to ask. Every home is different. If it’s an older construction, assume that you use the basket. If it’s a newer construction, hmm, ask anyway. I dislike asking at the local businesses and my friends’ homes. Please, a sign would be great!
The Sign That Started It All
The sign that began this little collection of mostly digital works was at a friend’s home. Taped firmly above the toilet paper roll was a sign reading “PLEASE FLUSH YOUR DIRTY TOILET PAPER,” written with a blue ballpoint pen.
I’ve since run with these signs, making a small collection for those who want to basket or toilet.
I even made up these silly signs for all of our guest bathrooms. This avoids a yucky conversation and my later having to deal with taking out disgusting trash.
Surprising Customers: The Little Boys' Impact
So far, my best customers are little boys. LOL. The boys will see my sign from afar and have their parent buy one. The parents look at me, bewildered. I get thrilled they are buying art for their boys!
Available Sign Options for Every Need
Visit my Etsy page for more quirky bathroom décor. You can print at home!
If you’re visiting me in Costa Rica, you can buy a full-page laminated sign, with hanging tape, for $6. I’ll also have some 4-inch by 4-inch hand-painted signs, ready to hang, available for $15. I can ship these, too, if you'd like!
American Toilet Etiquette: Toss and Flush
In the USA, we wouldn’t even think about this. We just toss the used dirty toilet paper into the toilet and flush. Of course, the trash basket is for other things that shouldn’t be flushed, especially in the ladies’ restrooms. This is automatic behavior to us. No thought given. No fear of toilet pipe retribution and upchucking. Toss and flush, exit stall, wash hands, leave restroom.
Costa Rican Toilet Customs: Basket or Toilet?
In Costa Rica, what to do with your used dirty toilet paper is a question at every public restroom. Most restrooms want you toss your used dirty toilet paper into the trash basket. Most local businesses around Costa Rica have a sign asking to use the basket. The toilet will back up when it has too much toilet paper. You’ll find this basket usually full, bursting through required lid.
Some restrooms won’t have a sign at all. Assume that you use the basket. Toss into the toilet. Most places built in more recent times DO have the pipes to handle dirty toilet paper along with biological issues.
No sign means you’re excused from blame. If they had a sign, you’d do your best to follow it.
Navigating Signage (or Lack Thereof)
At someone’s home, it’s polite to ask. Every home is different. If it’s an older construction, assume that you use the basket. If it’s a newer construction, hmm, ask anyway. I dislike asking at the local businesses and my friends’ homes. Please, a sign would be great!
The Sign That Started It All
The sign that began this little collection of mostly digital works was at a friend’s home. Taped firmly above the toilet paper roll was a sign reading “PLEASE FLUSH YOUR DIRTY TOILET PAPER,” written with a blue ballpoint pen.
I’ve since run with these signs, making a small collection for those who want to basket or toilet.
I even made up these silly signs for all of our guest bathrooms. This avoids a yucky conversation and my later having to deal with taking out disgusting trash.
Surprising Customers: The Little Boys' Impact
So far, my best customers are little boys. LOL. The boys will see my sign from afar and have their parent buy one. The parents look at me, bewildered. I get thrilled they are buying art for their boys!
Available Sign Options for Every Need
Visit my Etsy page for more quirky bathroom décor. You can print at home!
If you’re visiting me in Costa Rica, you can buy a full-page laminated sign, with hanging tape, for $6. I’ll also have some 4-inch by 4-inch hand-painted signs, ready to hang, available for $15. I can ship these, too, if you'd like!
Our Septic Tank LOVES Dirty Toilet Paper: FLUSH IT. acrylics on canvas 4x4 inches by Angeline Marie Martinez
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My favorite pen, ever, besides the Cross one I would steal from my Dad: Pilot Decimo.
Buying a super special pen for drawing means asking a bunch of questions!
You would think buying a pen to use for drawing all the time is easy? Here's some considerations as you reach for that cheap pen...
1. What color ink do you want to use most of the time?
2. Do you want the ink to be permanent or wash in water?
3. Do you want to buy cartridges to replace the ink, or use a bottle to refill the ink?
4. How are you carrying the pen? Are you carring it in a backpack or leaving it on a desk?
5. Do you like caps on you pens? Do you like the push button pens?
6. Do you like “heavy weight” or “light as feather” pens?
7. Do you want gel, ballpoint, fountain, or calligraphy pen? How do you want your pen to make lines on your paper?
8. Do you prefer plastic, metal, or wood for your pens? Is a combination of these materials ok with you?
I spent a lot of money on my Pilot Decimo pen, but I LOVE drawing and writing with this pen. This pen makes me feel special, even while drawing what I think is junk.
My Decimo Pilot pen is "retractable”! No cap to lose, no ink stains in my purses or pockets! I can refill the permanent dark blue ink easily by using its converter cartridge and a bottle of ink. It writes on all types of paper. I can use it make all kinds of lines, from think and heavy to thin and light. It’s a joy to use this pen. The medium weight and shiny blue and chrome metal makes me happy. This fountain pen is a luxury.
My pen makes me happy and I use it all the time. If you're into dollar cost averaging, this pen has been the best artist tool investment for me. Even my husband and better half Andy agrees with me about this pen!
If you're interested in seeing this and other pens, I invite you 411pens.com, the website for Cincinnati's store Appointments.
Below are a few more of my special pens...but my first choice for drawing and sketching is my Pilot Decimo!
From left to right, FaberCastell caliigraphy pen; Lamy fountain pen, Pilot Explorer fountain pen; vintage Cross ballpoint pen
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After many years of dreaming and working very hard a day job…Andy and I live in Costa Rica.
We’ve been here 10 months.
We’ve enjoyed Pura Vida and Pura F!cking Vida.
I’m living a daydream of teaching.
I’m living my bigger daydream of being an artist, full time.
Yes. Me. A full time Artist. Teaching.
I’ve always been a helper, a learner, a teacher, a dreamer, an Artist.
I love showing someone how to do something they thought they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or can’t.
I love the spark and smile that shows up on your face when “AHA! I GET IT! WOW! Look at me! I did That!”
I gave my first painting class to a group recently.
I learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun.
A lot of paint was on our hands, but thankfully not on our clothing, lol.
Every single sloth painting is so happily silly and friendly that these students will always be in my heart along with their sloths.
Special thank you to Los Gatos Locos Bar and Restaurant for hosting these Paint Your Own Classes. Everyone enjoyed your margaritas, too!
We’ve been here 10 months.
We’ve enjoyed Pura Vida and Pura F!cking Vida.
I’m living a daydream of teaching.
I’m living my bigger daydream of being an artist, full time.
Yes. Me. A full time Artist. Teaching.
I’ve always been a helper, a learner, a teacher, a dreamer, an Artist.
I love showing someone how to do something they thought they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or can’t.
I love the spark and smile that shows up on your face when “AHA! I GET IT! WOW! Look at me! I did That!”
I gave my first painting class to a group recently.
I learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun.
A lot of paint was on our hands, but thankfully not on our clothing, lol.
Every single sloth painting is so happily silly and friendly that these students will always be in my heart along with their sloths.
Special thank you to Los Gatos Locos Bar and Restaurant for hosting these Paint Your Own Classes. Everyone enjoyed your margaritas, too!
One of the artists snuck a photo of me, lol.
Sloth paintings from left to right: Cuna Verde Sloth, Punk Sloth, Sloth in Flower Tree, Jungle Colors Sloth Hanging On, Sloth with Red Flowers
To see more photos from this class, please visit my website angelinemarie.net
Do you want to spend a few hours of fun painting, without worrying about supplies, etc?
Do you want to join me in a Paint Your Own Class?
I’d love to help you create your own painting with a Costa Rican theme!
For more information, including how to reserve your canvas and seat, please visit my website by clicking here or this sentence.
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When your watercolor pills turn runny wet
In a few posts before this one, I showed how my watercolor paints melted, some solutions (no puns intended!), and maybe what I’ve found. In the meantime, my sketchbooks are full of just line drawings and little color.
I could wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily outside with me and all will be ok.
I asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community and Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try Golden’s Qor Watercolor paints. I bought some in February and been using them since.
What I like about Qor paint is that the binder seems to be synthetic. I don’t have to keep my paint in a Ziploc bag because it has no honey to attract ants. I tossed this paint kit in my purse and it’s been ok: no mess. I have to get used to the paint…it’s different colors, consistency, saturation, and feelings than my other kits. Yes, watercolors and any paints have a feeling, the way they apply to the paper…lol, to me.
Next up is rainy season. Humidity ramps up about 10%...and every fabric from chair cushion to hung up clean tank top will feel damp no matter if inside or outside of the house. This will be the biggest test of my Qor watercolor paints. I filled up all the pans since I took this photo.
I think the paint will be just fine. I’ll check in with an update later this year, probably with a sketchbook page, lol! My sketchbook gets color, again!
I could wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily outside with me and all will be ok.
I asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community and Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try Golden’s Qor Watercolor paints. I bought some in February and been using them since.
What I like about Qor paint is that the binder seems to be synthetic. I don’t have to keep my paint in a Ziploc bag because it has no honey to attract ants. I tossed this paint kit in my purse and it’s been ok: no mess. I have to get used to the paint…it’s different colors, consistency, saturation, and feelings than my other kits. Yes, watercolors and any paints have a feeling, the way they apply to the paper…lol, to me.
Next up is rainy season. Humidity ramps up about 10%...and every fabric from chair cushion to hung up clean tank top will feel damp no matter if inside or outside of the house. This will be the biggest test of my Qor watercolor paints. I filled up all the pans since I took this photo.
I think the paint will be just fine. I’ll check in with an update later this year, probably with a sketchbook page, lol! My sketchbook gets color, again!
Making my newest watercolor kit. Maybe this one will work and let me add color while away from home?
If you missed the previous posts about my melting watercolors, you can find them here:
Melting Watercolors Paint Make Them Stay Home
How to Fix Melting Watercolors Paint.
Melting Watercolors Paint Make Them Stay Home
How to Fix Melting Watercolors Paint.
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Last post, I showed how my watercolor paints melted.
Here’s what I’ve learned to get my watercolor paints dry:
I’m not one to really give up on adding color to my sketchbooks.
So.
I’ve added color pencils. Dissatisfying between the sharpening and how much color it really adds compared to effort, but at least it’s color.
So.
I guess I have little choice than to wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily will be ok.
So.
I’ve asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community if they’ve had this problem. Artist Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try a particular paint brand. I’ll be trying it…but for now it’s dry season…and rainy season will be the real test.
Being in dry season didn’t help the watercolor paint that’s already melted…as I just keep laughing!
Here’s what I’ve learned to get my watercolor paints dry:
- Use an oven at about 200 degrees. Why I won’t: we have no oven AND the plastic would melt.
- Place in freezer or refrigerator. Why I won’t: condensation, lol.
- Keep in Ziploc bag with reusable desiccant packs. Result: The desiccant packs need constant swapping. When I used the paint, the paint stayed damp. Damp paint and wet desiccant packs let the paint melt again.
- Took the paint to Miami for air conditioning to dry them out. Result: This worked, but when we got home, it took a day to return to melted.
- Keep paints in air conditioning or a dry room type of place. Result: I’ll never use the paints ever again.
- Use something else. Result: Bulkier purse…which is why I began using watercolor in the first place.
- Try different watercolor brands of paint. Result: I might have a winner, but rainy season will tell. If my new brand stays as “pills” during rainy season…but if not, I may try yet another brand.
I’m not one to really give up on adding color to my sketchbooks.
So.
I’ve added color pencils. Dissatisfying between the sharpening and how much color it really adds compared to effort, but at least it’s color.
So.
I guess I have little choice than to wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily will be ok.
So.
I’ve asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community if they’ve had this problem. Artist Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try a particular paint brand. I’ll be trying it…but for now it’s dry season…and rainy season will be the real test.
Being in dry season didn’t help the watercolor paint that’s already melted…as I just keep laughing!
When your watercolor pills turn into sticky caramel taffy, the watercolor paint stays home. I keep this kit and a few others inside a very well sealed Ziploc bag, flat, on a shelf. With this kit, I’m lucky it’s taffy caramel like…because my other kit’s paint turns into thick water and runs into the other pans.
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Andy and I used to live in humid in Miami, Florida. The average humidity in Miami is between 50ish% - 70ish% year-round, like in Ojochal, Costa Rica where are living. The HUGE difference is that Miami has air conditioning everywhere. In Costa Rica, air conditioning is rarely found or used, no matter how hot or rainy. Air conditioning acts as a dehumidifier as it allows the air to dry out. Since there’s no air conditioning…the air stays humid…and…
Andy and I are renting a house that has NO glass in the windows. The windows have a decorative and practical ironwork and screens. We have lots of fans to keep the air circulating in our home. The fans keep things dryer and us cooler: double win.
The bad is that we also have a lot of humidity, no matter how many fans move the air around…so we use a lot of Ziploc bags to keep things as dry as possible. Sadly, many things stay damp…and there isn’t a way to dry them (no oven, no iron). One of these things are the watercolors that I loved to use with my sketchbooks.
I learned that watercolors melt. The binder (glue), that holds the pigment (color) melts when the paint is kept in humid conditions. It takes just a couple of days for most of the colors to turn runny.
I’m writing this not to complain but more to laugh. Laugh because no one ever mentions melting watercolor paints. I did Google this…and found only One artist writing about it.
In the meantime, my sketchbooks will only have blue or brown line drawings and little if any color. My next post will be how I can maybe fix my watercolor kits…maybe….
Andy and I are renting a house that has NO glass in the windows. The windows have a decorative and practical ironwork and screens. We have lots of fans to keep the air circulating in our home. The fans keep things dryer and us cooler: double win.
The bad is that we also have a lot of humidity, no matter how many fans move the air around…so we use a lot of Ziploc bags to keep things as dry as possible. Sadly, many things stay damp…and there isn’t a way to dry them (no oven, no iron). One of these things are the watercolors that I loved to use with my sketchbooks.
I learned that watercolors melt. The binder (glue), that holds the pigment (color) melts when the paint is kept in humid conditions. It takes just a couple of days for most of the colors to turn runny.
I’m writing this not to complain but more to laugh. Laugh because no one ever mentions melting watercolor paints. I did Google this…and found only One artist writing about it.
In the meantime, my sketchbooks will only have blue or brown line drawings and little if any color. My next post will be how I can maybe fix my watercolor kits…maybe….
I opened this kit on Christmas Day as a treat. By New Year’s Eve, it was a taffy caramel mess. These are “pills” or “cakes” of watercolor paint. I’m sticking the individuals down to the bottom with a double sided foam.
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Once the paint goes on the canvas, the grid disappears.
These cats are done in my “goofy cats” style, meaning I use collaged acrylics to draw them.
So how do I use a grid when the original penciled in grid is gone?
Using one of those quilting rules, I drew up grids with a permanent marker on cut down pieces of used laminating plastic sheets. I hold up my plastic grid to my painting and compare my painting to a digital photo with a grid on it.
As I compare my painting to my digital photograph, it’s easier to fix lines and colors by flipping the plastic grid sheet on and off my painting.
These cats are done in my “goofy cats” style, meaning I use collaged acrylics to draw them.
So how do I use a grid when the original penciled in grid is gone?
Using one of those quilting rules, I drew up grids with a permanent marker on cut down pieces of used laminating plastic sheets. I hold up my plastic grid to my painting and compare my painting to a digital photo with a grid on it.
As I compare my painting to my digital photograph, it’s easier to fix lines and colors by flipping the plastic grid sheet on and off my painting.
I use the app Grid# to add a grid overlay to pet photos. I have to adjust columns and rows to the size of the canvas.
If you’d like to see some of the custom dog and cat paintings I’ve done, please visit my webpage about them. Click on these sentences to see and get a free eBook of how to work with me for your custom pet painting.
Holding my clear plastic grid against my cat painting in progress helps me check the drawing.
Read more about why I began cheating while painting custom pet paintings by clicking these previous blog posts:
I Cheat When I Paint Pets
Using the Grid in My Painting Studio
I Cheat When I Paint Pets
Using the Grid in My Painting Studio
