DIY Art Supplies Archives : The Artistic Divas World

Watercolor for Beginners: Simple Tutorials and Must-Have Tools

Leave a Comment / Art, Art mediums, artistic style, Artists on YouTube, creativity, DIY Art Supplies, painting / admin

Watercolor painting is one of the most rewarding and relaxing ways to express your creativity. It’s also surprisingly beginner-friendly, even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before. I’ve rounded up some of the easiest watercolor tutorials to help you dip your toes—or your brush—into this beautiful art form. Whether you’re looking to paint simple flowers, landscapes, or abstract designs, there’s something here for everyone.

We have covered beginning art before here: Beginner-Friendly Tutorials for Drawing and Painting

Before we dive in, let’s talk about tools. You don’t need a lot to start with watercolor, but having the right materials can make a big difference. Here’s a quick list of essentials:

Watercolor Paints: A basic palette with a range of colors. You do not have to get the expensive, name brand watercolor paint to learn with. Yes, those are better, have more depth; but to begin to learn watercolor, any paint will do. I prefer a palette I got at the Dollar Tree for $3. I have better paint, but for learning new techniques or new styles, I use that palette.(Here is a link to supplies you might need)
Brushes: A small selection of round brushes is perfect for beginners. Here you do need to use some discretion. Go for brushes in the mid-range price. You don’t need the expensive brushes quite yet. For learning, mid-range brushes will do. I have many brushes that I have acquired over the years but I have just a few favorites.(Here is the link for supplies)
Paper: Look for watercolor paper that’s thick and textured. The paper you choose will have an enormous effect on how your painting turns out. If you skimp on this one supply, you will be disappointed with your work. You can skimp on all the other tools you need, but not on the paper. Get quality watercolor paper.(Here is a link to quality paper)
Water Jar, Palette, and Paper Towels: You probably already have these at home, but I’ll link a convenient starter kit here. Basically, the most important thing is to use two jars of water. Use one while painting, but when changing colors, use the clean water. You will see many artists that do not clean the brush before applying a new color, but for a beginner, you need to have a clean brush for each color until you know and understand color theory.(Here is a link to generic starter kits)

Now, onto the tutorials!

Simple Watercolor Wash

Learn how to create beautiful gradient backgrounds and smooth transitions. This technique is the foundation of many watercolor projects. Here is an artist I admire with a tutorial for this: Beginner Watercolor Techniques You Need To Know by Emma Jane Lefebvre

Easy Watercolor Flowers

Start with loose florals, like roses or daisies. They’re forgiving and look amazing even if you’re still learning. Try this video for starters: Watercolor Tutorial | Step By Step How To Paint A Rose by Jenna Rainey

Maremi's Small Art — Watercolor Abstract painting

Beginner Abstract Art

Abstract painting with watercolor is perfect for experimenting. Mix colors, try splattering, or let the paint flow naturally for stunning effects. I would probably start with this tutorial: How to Start? Watercolors Abstract for Beginners by Maremi’s Small Art

Shada Campbell — Mini Watercolor Landscapes

Mini Landscapes

Paint tiny mountain ranges, sunsets, or beaches. They’re quick, fun, and make great gifts or decor. Here is a tutorial that is an artist I enjoy: Mini Watercolor Landscapes | Easy Paint With Me! by Shada Campbell

Simple Patterns

Stripes, polka dots, or geometric designs are easy and give you practice with control and layering. To learn this and have fun doing so, try following this artist: Coming up with Ideas to FILL your sketchbook by Creative Paula

Each of these tutorials can be found online with just a quick search, but I recommend checking out Kristy Rice, Rebel Unicorn, Shayda Campbell, Diane Antone Studio, Andrea Nelson, Shana Circe, and many others. If you’d like, I can guide you to some free tutorials or affordable online classes.

As you follow these tutorials, don’t worry about perfection. Watercolor is all about enjoying the process and letting the paint do its magic. Experiment with colors, play with textures, and let your creativity flow!

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Creating Art on a Budget

Leave a Comment / Art, Art Journaling, artistic style, Cardboard Art, Collage, Crafts, creativity, DIY Art Supplies / admin

Art doesn’t have to be a pricey endeavor. Some of the most creative and unique pieces come from the simplest materials and the humblest beginnings. With a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, creating art without emptying your wallet can be done. Here’s how each of these budget-friendly tips can help you as an artist:

1. Creating Art with What You Have
Before heading to the craft store, take inventory of what you already own. Those leftover scraps of fabric, old magazines, cardboard boxes, or packaging materials tucked away in a closet can be the perfect foundation for your next project. This approach not only saves money but also pushes you to think creatively about using unconventional materials. An old shoebox can become a shadow box, and those fabric scraps might turn into beautiful journal covers.

When you limit yourself to what’s on hand, you’re also doing your part for sustainability by reducing waste.

2. Thrift Store Goldmines
Second-hand stores are like hidden treasure chests for crafters. You can find old books with gorgeous illustrations, picture frames for upcycling, jewelry that can be disassembled into embellishments, and fabric remnants perfect for sewing or mixed media projects. The key is to visit these stores with an open mind. That broken necklace might seem like junk at first glance, but its beads and charms can bring your next junk journal or collage to life. You will never run out of ways for creating art at a thrift store.

Thrift shopping is also a fun way to spark new creative ideas. You never know what you’ll stumble upon!

3. Creating Art with DIY Supplies
Buying pre-made art supplies can be expensive, but many of them are easy to make yourself. For example:

Stamps: Carve designs into erasers or potatoes for custom shapes.
Stencils: Cut patterns into cardboard or plastic sheets.
Coffee-Dyed Paper: Soak regular paper in coffee for a vintage effect, perfect for junk journaling or calligraphy.
Creating your own supplies not only saves money but also gives your projects a unique, personalized touch. Plus, the process of making these supplies can be just as rewarding as the art itself.

4. Swap and Share
If you’re part of a crafting community or have artistic friends, consider organizing a swap. You can trade supplies you no longer need for materials that inspire new projects. For example, you might have extra watercolor paints while someone else has a stash of fabric they’re willing to trade. This helps you and the crafting community in creating art without breaking the bank.

Swapping also builds relationships within your artistic circle and exposes you to materials or tools you might not have thought to use.

5. Free Digital Resources
The internet is a goldmine for crafters on a budget. Websites like Pinterest, Canva, and Unsplash offer free templates, graphics, and high-quality images you can use in your projects. You’ll also find countless tutorials on platforms like YouTube that teach you how to use these resources effectively.

For printable art, sites like The Graphics Fairy or Creative Commons offer vintage and royalty-free images you can download and incorporate into your work. This expands your creative toolbox without spending a cent.

6. Think Outside the Box
Everyday items often overlooked can bring extraordinary character to your art. Bottle caps, keys, buttons, twigs, and even bubble wrap can be used for texture and decoration. Nature is another rich source of materials—leaves, stones, and pressed flowers can add organic beauty to your creations.

This mindset not only stretches your budget but also helps you see the potential for creating art in unexpected places, keeping your creativity fresh and innovative.

How This Helps the Artist

We have visited this before so you can check that out here. By adopting these budget-friendly practices, you not only reduce your expenses but also foster a sense of resourcefulness and innovation. Working within constraints can spark ideas you might never have explored otherwise. Plus, the satisfaction of creating art from what might have been discarded is deeply rewarding.

Creating art isn’t about how much you spend; it’s about how you see the world and express it. So grab what you have, explore new resources, and start crafting your masterpiece today!

You can check out this link here to find great art supplies for a little expense. This is an affiliate link and I get a few pennies if you use it.

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DIY Art Supplies: Getting by on very little as a beginning artist

Leave a Comment / Art, Crafts, creativity, DIY Art Supplies, Family fun, painting / admin

I’ve been on this kick lately about making my own art supplies. I mean, we all know how pricey those art store trips can get, right? Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about using tools and materials you’ve crafted yourself. It’s like adding an extra layer of creativity to the whole process. Let me share a few of my favorite DIY art supplies with you because I don’t think we have explored this possibility before. You can check out our other posts here.

making-paint

First off, let’s talk about homemade paint. If you are making it for your kids, it’s surprisingly simple to whip up and so much fun. All you need is some flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Mix equal parts of flour and salt, then gradually add water until you get a nice, smooth paste. Divide this mixture into small containers and add a few drops of food coloring to each. Voila, you’ve got yourself some homemade paint! It’s non-toxic, easy to clean up, and perfect for those spontaneous painting sessions.

But if you are making it for yourself and artwork, you may want to read this article that tells you everything you need to know about making your own paint for art: https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-techniques/make-your-own-paint/

paint brushes Next up, brushes. If you’re like me, you probably have a drawer full of old makeup brushes you never use. Guess what? They make fantastic paintbrushes! Just give them a good wash, and they’re ready to go. You can also experiment with different textures by using household items like sponges, feathers, or even leaves as brushes. The unique marks they create can add an interesting twist to your artwork. I personally enjoy using cheap brushes from the Dollar Store that you buy in the children’s toys aisle. There is also the home improvement aisle for cheap painters brushes which are great for laying water down for watercolor. To learn more about it, here is an article on making brushes, https://www.instructables.com/Making-your-own-paintbrushes/, or here is a video about how to make 18 different types of brushes, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwnE2InucYQ

Now, let’s talk about journals. If you’re into junk journaling, making your own journal is a must-try. You can use old book covers or even cardboard for the covers. For the pages, gather all those scraps of paper you’ve been saving – old letters, receipts, magazine pages, anything goes. Bind them together with a simple stitch or use a hole punch and some string. Not only does this give you a completely unique journal, but it’s also a great way to recycle materials. We have explored this topic in the last few posts and you can read them here.

Speaking of recycling, let’s not forget about making your own collage materials. Instead of buying expensive papers, start collecting interesting textures and colors from everyday items. Wrapping paper, fabric scraps, even food packaging can be transformed into beautiful collage elements. It’s all about seeing potential in the mundane.

paper-mache-clay-recipe- Oh, and if you love working with clay, you can make your own air-dry clay at home. Mix 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of cornstarch, and 1 1/2 cups of water in a pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens to a dough-like consistency. Let it cool, then knead it until smooth. This clay is perfect for making small sculptures or ornaments and hardens nicely without the need for a kiln. There are other recipes available on the internet and my favorite is the paper mache clay you can find the recipe for here.

One of my absolute favorites, though, is homemade ink. You can make ink from all sorts of natural materials like berries, walnut shells, or even coffee. For berry ink, mash up some fresh or frozen berries, strain out the juice, and add a bit of vinegar and salt to help preserve it. You’ll be amazed at the rich, vibrant colors you can get from something so simple. Here is another take on making your own inks and these are absolutely gorgeous! https://www.tanyaval.com/alaskablog/inkmakingbasics

Homemade inks

I hope you give some of these DIY art supplies a try. Not only will you save some money, but you’ll also add a personal touch to your art that can’t be bought in a store. Plus, it’s just plain fun to experiment and see what you can come up with. Happy creating!

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