March 23, 2011

{tutorial} Color your world with HANDMADE WATERCOLORS

Found at ohmyhandmade.com by Michelle Vackar of Hi Mamma

I haven't tried this out yet, but she has (above). When my kids were younger, we used go through watercolors like kids with candy! I didn't buy the cheap stuff either because the colors were so blah. I bought watercolor so often that I gave it a break for a little while. I think it's time to make our own...

Instructions from Michelle Vackar:

First, mix the baking soda, corn starch and light corn syrup together in a mixing bowl. Then mix in the white vinegar into your mixing bowl. You can divide this mixture into different containers and then add your food coloring for each color we placed 10-13 drops OR drop in your food coloring into the mixing bowl to make a large batch of one color.

It takes roughly 24 hours for the watercolors to dry, but the thicker the depth of the watercolor, the longer it will take.

Although the colors were vibrant when first poured into the containers, they became more muted as they dried, and when we painted with them, the colors painted on to the paper nicely, but became lighter as they dried. If you want brighter colors, add a few more drops of food coloring. The paint will also have a little bit of texture to it, as baking soda is an ingredient.

An unexpected bonus of mixing up the paints was a little science lesson for my daughters. When mixing up the ingredients, I recommend using a slightly larger bowl than seems necessary so the kids can better enjoy the “science” volcano that slowly erupts as a result of mixing the vinegar into the baking soda mixture!

Paint on rock stars!

March 21, 2011

So, what are these...?

I am just loving this age when kids are discovering their talents and themselves! This is the continuation of MEsSy HaNds Make Beautiful Creatures.

Here are a few hand-built sculptures "in the round" that were just freshly painted from my daughter's 2nd grade class. I am lucky to be able to "introduce" messy art projects to her class. Are they not just so adorable? Okay, maybe they would be more adorable to you if one of your children made it just for you. Many of them had never sculpted or painted before. They were so proud... me too!

Turtle Family, Mr. Frog & Mrs. Duck

Watch out... Snake!

Mr. Bear and his family

More snakes, Mr. Cat...

The Bunny Family

Green and black snake & puppy

March 15, 2011

Drum roll... The GIVEAWAY WINNERS are...

The Winners are Linda Arnett Johnson and Jennifer Lindstrom!

Thank you so much for supporting my artwork by "liking" it and "sharing" with others! I had a lot of fun getting to know more people who appreciate art (or you just enjoy a good giveaway right? :) Stay tuned to my Candice Ashment Art FB or Candice Ashment Art Blog for any upcoming new works, sales or giveaways!

Click HERE on this GIVEAWAY for details.

Thanks everyone!