Art Impressions Blog: A Peaceful Bench by Neema

Hello my Art Impressions Friends

Before sharing my projects for this watercolor weekend, I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement. I can't believe July is already here! This is my second post, and I am so excited!!!

Also, I would love to invite you to check out my new series for World Watercolor Month on my YouTube channel, Crafts and Designs by Neema. Throughout July, I will be posting a new video every day featuring Art Impressions stamps. If you haven't had the chance to join me in Instagram @Neema_197 please do so, I share a picture of the watercolor painting for the day and many other projects.

Now let's talk about Watercolor Weekend...

For my first project, I made an A6 card (4.5 x 6.25 inches) using a stamp from the Bible Journaling 5066-Light to My Path Set. I love this stamp; it always transports me to a place of peace and serenity.

I added a small pot from the 4869-WC Small Containers set. I stamped the images using Tombow markers 969 and 565, then pulled the colors from the stamp.

I used brown t tones to paint the bench, and for the lamp post I used a mix of gray and lilac. I built up the glow in the lamp by adding layers of yellow.

Once the base colors were set, I added foliage and the flowers, which I believe are carnations (I used pink because pink carnations were my mom's favorite). I put them on both sides of the bench. I also added small flowers from the 4052 set using the same blue as the pot.

For the background, I used light brushstrokes of green, pink, and yellow, and finished with white flowers using Bleed Proof White.

Cutting the painting is always the hardest part for me, so I usually use the entire picture. However, I found a great multi-size frame that is perfect for layering. I cut the largest frame in light green, mounted it over a panel embossed with a leaf pattern, and wrapped a ribbon between the painting and the green layer.

Inside, I added a sentiment using Versafine Clair pigment ink, and stamped a Bible and a few leaves from the 4051 Foliage Set to complete the card. Using the new silver (Sorry if it's hard to see it) I painted a few lines on the sides of the Bible and added some dots around, just for fun!

And finally, here is my completed card, YAY!...

For my second project, I tried something I've been thinking about for a long time. I usually paint rocks using acrylics, but this time I used a stamp and watercolors on a Santorini rock from my local nursery. Make sure you use a flat rock, it makes the stamping step easier. First, I applied Golden Absorbent Ground. Once dry, I used Versafine Clair to stamp two birds from the Mercy Set 6216 and colored them with Tombow markers. After letting it sit for 24 hours, I sealed the project twice, first with Distress Glaze from Tim Hortz, only over the painted areas, and after a few hours I sprayed a thin coat of Krylon Gallery series matte finish. My husband makes the wooden bases for my rocks so they can stand, but they can also be used as a paperweight.