Ronda Palazzari Designs

Start Here: 123 Love

Today up on the My Mind's Eye blog is my monthly sketch challenge. This month i did a bright fun layout that played off some of the colors found in their Jubilee line. As you know, i love layers, so today i thought i would take you through some of the process of building this layout.

First for me is always selecting the story and accompanying photo. i have been wanting to scrap these pictures since i took them. i finally printed them out and set them on my table so they were ready to go!

Next i start selecting materials i want to use. This time the mixed bags from the Jubliee collection were calling my name. They are these little collections of paper cut into various shapes & designs that coordinate with each line. The beauty of these bags is that they really could go with any line and are a great item to have in your stash. 

Now that i have some idea about what i want to use, next is laying down a foundation. i use both patterned paper and cardstock for my backgrounds. On this particular page, since i was layering so many items, i wanted a neutral white background. Here i am using watercolor paper. i selected a few of my stencils i wanted to use: And So On and Positive. i love the pie shape on And So On and thought it really mirrored the flair i picked for my page. i used the colors of the flair as my inspiration and used both archival and distress inks with a blender tool. 

Once i had the big pie chart on the page, i layered the positive 6x6 stencil over the top. i used archival ink in black because it is waterproof, knowing i was going to add some acrylic paint on top. i dropped a few drops of fluid yellow paint on top and sprayed it, letting it drip down my page.  When it hit the distress inks, it blended beautifully and ran down the page. 

Once the background is dry i begin adding that slow build up of layers. i decided along the way to trim off some of the watercolor in order to have that woodgrain border and large strip at the top. Love how that simple touch accented my page. 

i really love how this layout came together. It's bright, cheerful, and full of little details without them being overwhelming.  The big black numbers and title really draw your eye around the page. 

If you want to see the sketch and play along with the challenge this month, head over to the My Mind's Eye blog to read all the details. 

 

 

Create Daily: The Paint Brush - Shapes & Sizes, part 2

 

Last week we talked all about brush shapes and touched lightly on sizes. This week i would like to dive into the topic a little deeper and really give you a visual of these brushes. While i know the information i have written for you is informative, sometimes seeing and having a visual reference can really inspire you. So here's a look at brush sizes and shapes in action.

This swatch shows each brush shape previously posted side by side with each other. i used various sizes but you still get a general idea of the shape of the brush. Below are each brush shape broken down individually so you can see just a tiny portion of what they are capable of creating. i used the same brush size pictures above as below in the individual examples so the above swatch is a reference to the sizes. 

The Round is such a verstile brush. It can make thin to thick lines. This is the same brush that created all those different lines and shapes. It is the first brush i would recommend for your stash. The sizes vary from a very tiny 0000 to big larger sizes. These sizes are supposed to correspond to the length of the hairs from the ferrule to the tip. However, the numbers on these brushes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so a "4" in one brand can be smaller or larger in another brand. The above round is a "4."

The pointed round is very similar to the above round but as you can see, you can get a more detailed, fine line. The thin point on the top really changes up this round shape. The pointed round has the same number sizing as the round. The above pointed round is a "5".

These look large but are really small. The above overview photo really gives you an idea how tiny these script/liners can be. i love them for the detail they give. Great for highlighting and signatures. The scripts have the same number sizing as the rounds but you generally don't find them in larger sizes. The above scripts is a "1."

The filbert is such a fun brush. That curved toe really creates a different shape than a normal flat as evident in those little "dot" shapes and in the petals of the flower. The filbert has the same number sizing as the round. The above filbert is a "6." 

Flats, as you see, can give you nice coverage in one stroke. Turn it on its side to get a smaller line. i wanted you to see what different sizes look like side by side.  These brushes are usually sized by the width of the hair above the opening of the ferrule. So you will usually see numbers like 1/2" etc. The left flat is 3/4" and the right flat is 1/2".

The angle shaders/brushes are another useful brush. They produce a variety of shapes from a wide swipe to a thin line. All of the above examples use just one size angle brush. These are generally measured the same way as flats although sometimes you will find them numbered like rounds. The above angle is a 1/4".

Very similar to flats in shape but good for short controlled strokes. These are also generally measured the same way as rounds or filberts. The above bright is a "2."

This oval wash really lays in lots of color. This particular oval wash is 3/4" and the same size as the bigger flat pictured above. Because of its "moppy" head you really get that great coverage. Generally sized the same as flats. 

The fan brush is fabulous for creating texture like the above image. Turn it on its side to get a nice line. i also find it useful for creating great circles with a small flick of the wrist. Generally sized like rounds so you will see a number on it. The above fan is a "2."

If you are just starting out, i recommend purchasing a round and a flat. These two types of brushes have such a variety that you will get lots of uses out of them. Then depending on the type of art you are creating, expand your paint brush stash as it appeals to you. 

Previously covered paint brush topics:

• Create Daily: The Paint Brush (Basics & the anatomy of a brush)
• Create Daily: The Paint Brush: Hairs & Bristles
• Create Daily: The Paint Brush: Shapes

 

 

 

Create Daily: The Paint Brush - Shapes & Sizes

On last week's Create Daily blog post, i went over the hairs/bristles of paint brushes. We are continuing our discussion of paint brushes, in particular the shapes. There are so many different shapes and sizes out there depending on the "medium." i am just going to cover some of the basics shapes that are fairly common and not dive into "specialty" brushes.   

Each brush shape has a specific purpose and usually a technique to go along with the shape. Here's a look at a few different shapes

round/pointed round - A round is just like it sounds, a round or pointed round shape. They have round ferrules and come in short & long handles. One of the most useful brushes for details, washes, fill, etc. It can make thin to thick lines. A pointed round is usually used for fine detail. These brushes come in natural, bristle, & synthetic fibers and are good all mediums.

script/liner - Scripts and liners are narrow brushes with long hairs. They have round ferrules and usually come in short handles. They are used for delicate work like lettering, outling, or highlighting. They come in natural and synthetic fibers and are usually used in watercolor painting. However i do have some synthetic ones i use with acrylic and india ink. 

filbert/egbert -  Filberts are flat in shape with an oval toe. They have flat ferrule and come in short and long handles. Egberts are very similar with longer hairs. The soft rounded edges of both these brushes make it suitable for blending since they don't have a precise edge. They come in natural, bristle, & synthetic fibers and are typically used for oils and acrylics.

flat - A flat is a square-edged brush with medium to long hairs. They have a flat ferrule and come in both short and long handles. Another versatile brush and it holds a lot of paint and is easy to maneuver. Typically used for bold sweeping strokes. You can also get a crisp hard edge with these brushes. They come in natural, bristle, & sythetic fibers and are generally used in all mediums.

angle - An angle brush has hairs cut at an angle at the toe. Sometimes called an Angle shader or Angle Bright. It has a flat ferrule and comes in both short and long handles. With its sharp edge, it's useful for precise strokes and for lines and curves. They come in bristle and synthetic hairs and are generally used with watercolors and acrylics. 

bright - A bright is similar to a flat but the width and length of the brush head is equal in size.  It has a flat ferrule and comes both short and long handles, though usually found in long handles. It's typically used for short controlled strokes.  They come in natural, bristle, & synthetic hairs and are generally used with oils and acrylics. 

oval wash - Wash brushes come in a variety of shapes (oval, flat, etc). Washes typically have flat ferrules and come in short handles. They produce a soft edge with no point. It's a very useful brush for laying in large areas of color (or water), for wetting surfaces, and for picking up (absorbing) excess paint. They come in natural, bristle, and synthetic hairs and are generally used with watercolors. However i have used them in some of my acrylic works.

fan - Fan brushes have spread out hairs like a fan. They have flat ferrules and come in both short and long handles, although they're often found in short handles. They are used for blending, smoothing, and textural effects. They come in natural, bristle, and synthetic hairs and can be used in all mediums. 

Previously covered paint brush topics:

• Create Daily: The Paint Brush (Basics & the anatomy of a brush)
• Create Daily: The Paint Brush: Hairs & Bristles

I will be continuing with shapes next week as well as talking briefly about sizes and giving you my recommendations.