Wednesday WrapUp Winter Art

Welcome!

On most Wednesdays, check this blog for a strategy, process, or reflection for illustration with the iPad app ProCreate or Affinity Designer. This Wednesday Wrap Up includes art work from throughout December.

• Off Kilter Art
• Tea Towels
• Spoonflower Mocha Mousse Challenge
• Chicken, Roosters, and the Winter Solstice
• Gingerbread House
• Update on Cozy Birds

Off Kilter Art

It’s been pretty busy around here, so when I needed a birthday card for my granddaughter, I chose to create one in the off-kilter style I love. These start out with contour outlines of the motif, then filling the colors on separate layers, grouped. I move the colored layers “off kilter” from the contour outline. I duplicated the black outline and changed the new layer white, moving it “off kilter” just a bit. In this piece, I added the striped background and frame. There’s just something about these that I love– There’s movement, shape, color, texture.

For more information about the process, see these posts:

• Contour Off Kilter White / Poppies
• Off Kilter Style / Adapt Dry Ink Brush
• Colorful Tulips
• More posts on “off kilter” style

Tea Towels

I learned about tea towels at Spoonflower from Jennifer Nichols of Leila and Po Studio [affiliate link]. I’m a member of her Creative Journey Community and enjoy her teaching style and classes. Here you see two different styles I learned from her. On the left is a silk painting / wax resist style and on the right is an abstract / folk style. The raven is my interpretation of a class that includes raven/crow/foliage with rolling hills behind. Most of her classes show you the process and possibilities so the learner can then take the style and interpret his/her own illustration.

I especially love the silk painting style and have frequently illustrated in this style. This version is of last year’s calendar updated to year 2025. I donate one to the local upbeat restaurant whose positive vibes have brought joy to the community. The expression on the tea towel reminded me of the atmosphere created by the people owning and working in the restaurant, Auntie Dannee’s.

For more about silk painting, see theses posts:

• Silk Painting How To
• Tag: Silk Painting

Spoonflower Mocha Mousse Challenge

Spoonflower’s latest design challenge illuminates Pantone’s Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse as a neutral toned wallpaper pattern. I chose a simple outline strategy, using four of the required colors, emphasizing the mousse color of the year. I drew roses, rose buds, and butterflies within a circular, symmetrical frame of dots and partial circles. Its simplicity highlights the mousse in an openness that elevates the design to elegance. The more I look at it, the more I love the design. There’s enough variety in the rose motifs to offset the symmetry of the circular elements. Those symmetrical partial circles could be coffee beans, cacao, the top of a serving of mousse, or petals of a delicate rose. It’s delicate and pleasant. What do you think?

If you missed entering this challenge, Spoonflower sponsors Pantone part 2 for fabric. Check it out here: Fabric Palette Design Challenge due December 31. I’ll be creating the next part of this rose collection.

Chickens, Roosters, Winter Solstice

Here’s another example of Jennifer Nichols of Leila and Po Studio [affiliate link] lessons. We learned three different styles of art with chickens as the motif. In the first lesson, we learned to create the scene, like the rolling, snow hills and how to draw chickens/roosters, adding in patterns. I made mine a Christmas scene with the holiday tree. My chickens are quite detailed with lots of patterns and line work.

The second part of the lesson includes a simplified chicken with more of a folk art style. And, if you leave off the chicken parts [waddle and comb], the create is any bird you want! I chose to add snow falling and keep the design elements curvy. Again, Jennifer gets us started with how to create the styles, but leaves the learner to decide how to complete the illustration, thus automatically making it their own.

I haven’t yet taken the third part of the lesson, which is another version of folk art style. I did, however take Teela Cunningham’s recent YouTube tutorial of creating a holiday border for a holiday message or greeting card. And to that, I added in another folksy rooster for the Winter Solstice, December 21st. I love combining what I learn from my artist teachers like Teela and Jennifer.

The rooster:

The Winter Solstice Crowing:

The Greeting

Gingerbread House

I also love the easy peasy lessons by Lisa Bardot like this gingerbread house, which is part of her Art Makers Club community. Each lesson includes quick tips and tricks to get the illustration just right. Most include brushes as well. This lesson included the “shadowy” snow and icing brush. See how there’s a built in shadow? This will make a cute card for the great grandkids.

Cozy Birds Update

I’ve written before about this Evergreen Cozy Bird pattern. I have napkins and a table runner from Zazzle on my kitchen table, and I just ordered my Christmas top from Red Bubble — I wear a black long-sleeved shirt underneath for winter. And a memory game playing cards from Zazzle too, for the great-grandkids.

Thanks for stopping by!

So if you’ve been hesitant to share your art– go for it! Start a shop. If you have any questions, just ask! I’d be glad to help with what I know. Find time to make art every day!

You’re welcome to follow this blog for art inspiration. We can share with #warmup4art to enjoy our work together! I look forward to your sharing and find me at @42Sheri, on Mastodon Sheri42, on Flickr teach.eagle Sheri 42.

So, That’s a wrap for some of December 2024’s art. Thank you for stopping by!