Here’s what to do when it’s cold outside…

January 16, 2022 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Read by the Fire🔥

It’s 14 degrees out, but feels like 5! Lately, I’m snuggling up and reading a lot, including “Family Business” about life and crime in NYC’s Chinatown from the perspective of Detective Linda Chin.

“The Hunting Party” a modern Agatha Christie tale, about Oxford friends that takes place in the wilderness of Scotland. “Everyone’s Invited. Everyone’s a suspect.”

My work in "365 Days of Art" - Eileen McKenna — My work in “365 Days of Art” – Eileen McKenna

“365 Days of Art” – I’m having a lot of fun with the daily art exercises in this book. Great way to get your creativity flowing!

If you are struggling with what to focus on, I just recommended a favorite to my friend, and I’ll recommend it to you – “The Crossroads of Should and Must.” I loved this book!

Learn more about all these books (and more favorites) here.
Stay warm!
Eileen

Explore your Creativity – Click here!

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Woodland Creatures Birch Forest Watercolor Painting Project

November 12, 2020November 13, 2020 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

This watercolor painting project is a new spin on a my original birch forest painting tutorial. The woodland creatures – an owl, a fox and a bunny – make this new beginner project fun for all ages!

It’s easier than it looks! The final painting may look complex but the instructions – with photos – walk you through the entire project step by step. It’s a great project for home schooling, for a group, or even painting on your own.

Watercolor techniques used:

Masking areas with tape
Wet on wet painting
Splattering
Dry on dry painting
Painting layers

Supplies you’ll need:

Watercolor paper. I use 9” x 12” Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper.
Painter’s tape
Watercolor paint. Colors: orange, yellow, cobalt blue, black
Paint brushes – 3 round (1 thick, 1 medium, 1 thin) and 1 flat.
Container of water
Paper Towel
Palette for mixing paint with water. You can use a plastic lid or the top of a plastic egg carton.

The printable pdf instructions are available in my Etsy shop here.

Let me know if you try it – I’d love to see!

*****

Ready to get started in watercolor? The “Beginner Watercolor Exploration Guide” is for you!

Learn the fundamentals.
Practice with exercises & projects.
Discover a love of watercolor!

Learn more here!

Fun Beginner Winter Art Project Learn Watercolor Kid Art

It’s hard to commit to a daily painting challenge

December 9, 2019December 12, 2019 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Daily Painting Challenge | Regular Creativity Creative Practice
It’s hard to commit to a daily painting challenge but every time I do, and stick with it, I’m always happy with the results. The first few times I did my Christmas countdown (daily watercolor illustrations counting down to Christmas) I followed prompts. Last year and this year, I’ve allowed myself the freedom to paint whatever fits into the Christmas/winter/holiday theme. I love the flexibility to explore.

The first few days of a daily challenge can feel a little awkward, or stiff. But after that you open up to the inspiration around you. Flipping through a skiing catalog I saw a Telluride ad that I thought would be so cool to paint. It was totally outside of the normal thing I would do. I enjoyed the process and was pleased with the results. The thing I get most excited about are the ideas. Last year I painted a girl with a record player in front of a tinsel covered tree – me as a kid, playing a favorite gift.

Daily painting or drawing is hard, especially during the busy holiday season. But the break from the busyness and the interesting creative process of coming up with new ideas is so worth it!

Want to be creative on a regular basis and experience the joy that creativity brings? Explore mediums and subjects, in search of your thing? Learn about my new book Creative Exploration: A Six Week Process for Introducing Regular Creativity into your Life by clicking here. Creativity is for EVERYONE! Talent is just a starting point.

It’s cold out there

February 7, 2016 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

It’s hard to get out there and run in the Winter – too cold, too windy, too icy. I think of a million excuses. Even when I decide, “I’m going,” I procrastinate. I sketch my sneakers, I catch up on other blogs. Finally I get going. When I’m done, no matter how good or bad it felt, I’m always glad I did it.

The Winter Sky and Bare Trees

January 27, 2015 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

I’m somewhat obsessed with the Winter sky – the different colors at sunrise, sunset, the clouds throughout the day. All of this shown through the bare branches of the trees. I love how the bare brown trees have a bluish tint to them.

A sunset from my window:

Another pretty sky.

The start of the painting – watercolor.

Letting it drip.

Adding the ink to the trees. I was hesitant to even do it, but the painting didn’t look complete without it and I wanted to follow through on my vision.

Where I’ve been inspired lately.

January 12, 2015 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

The beach on a snowy day. Long Island, New York. I’ve been sharing my “Where I’m inspired” photos on Instagram. Come visit me @mycreativeresolution

The Catskill Mountains, Upstate New York.

Passing the Manhattan Skyline on a beautiful day.
nyc

The Winter sky. Bare trees up against so much color. It’s so pretty! (This picture doesn’t do it justice.) I’m working on a painting inspired by this. wintersky

Winter

December 3, 2014 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

I’m really happy with how the sky turned out – although the salt wasn’t working as well as last time. I had to try it several times – I think the painting wasn’t wet enough. Some of the salt is stuck on there for good. It adds a bit of sparkle! Maybe I let it dry too long?

My Steps:
The underpainting.

Adding ink.

One of the attempts with the salt.

Winter Wonderland (watercolor with salt)

November 5, 2014 | Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

I’m not sure what made me start this Winter scene the day after Halloween. I guess I was thinking about the weather to come! I was inspired by my “ready to fall” painting, which started out as an ink drawing of a tree.

My steps:
I drew a few simple tree shapes. Then I painted the sky and ground around them. On a whim, I salted the sky section to give it that frosted look. (If you’ve never used salt before it is a cool technique. Salt your painting when it is still wet. The salt absorbs some of the paint. Wait until it is completely dry and then brush off the salt.) I was happy with the effect. It reminds me of frost on a window. I added white to the trees and a few splatters of white for snow.