I recently was inspired to get back into painting like I used to, but I needed a good excuse to sit and paint the day away. I can't just paint for painting sake. So I decided to create a painting for my dear friends Lindsay and Blake's daughter Lane (who was turning 1 the next week). Her room is being re-decorated to a woodland theme so I wanted to take the painting in that direction, obviously. I had also seen stacked paintings widespread lately and wanted to try my own take.
My favorite medium to paint in is watercolor...possibly because it is so forgiving and also very soft. You can make a mistake and it never looks like a mistake. I do miss painting in oils and acrylics, but I thought this was a good project to start.
Here's where I started....
I painted the back layer first (the easiest one). I only had to paint down to a certain level on the page since I knew it would be covered up by the next layer.
I never had a certain amount of layers in mind, but I just judged as I moved along. Here are the first 3 layers. Sky-Mountains-Hill. I cut each layer out of the watercolor paper and layed them down in order to see where my next layer should start.
The little fox was fun! I wanted to incorporate 3 or more animals (which led me to later adding the bears on that first hill).
After it was all finished, I layered them up in the order and levels I felt fit and taped pieces of cardboard to the back of each paper. This kept them spread out from eachother achieving the 3D look. Then, I stuck it inside of a shadow box and was done!
Happy birthday little Lane! It's been awesome seeing you grow....
Want to see more examples of this adorable technique? Click here: 1, 2, 3, and 4!
What do you think?
P.S. Today is the VERY LAST DAY you can enter to win a $150 gift card. Click HERE to enter now!
This is a masterpiece!!!! What a treasured gift to receive!!!
Posted by: Jean | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 07:32
Thank you!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 07:44
Oh my goodness, this is adorable!! I love this. Definitely something I'll have to try for myself. I could use some cute art for my dorm this fall, after all ;)
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Heather | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 07:57
Oh yes and post it! I want to see how yours turns out!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 07:58
What a beautiful painting! It's not fair that one person can be so talented ;) I've recently been getting back into drawing. It's nice to be able to change mediums every now and then. Keeps things interesting.
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 08:18
I love sketching and drawing. It's something I want to play more with too!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 08:22
So glad to see you painting as you have such a beautiful gift of it! The shadow box came together so beautifully! I want it in my studio!
Love & Lollies... Jessa
Caked Vintage Blog
Posted by: Jessa Belle | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:14
Thank you so much Jessa Belle!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:19
This looks great Violet! What a cute idea.
Posted by: Anna Z | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:22
Thanks Anna!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:28
i really really like this. I haven't painted in awhile but this is inspiring me to do so!
Posted by: maddie | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:37
Oh thanks Maddie! Post it if you do :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:44
oh gosh, that watercolor painting is absolutely fabulous!!!!! love!
xo TJ
Posted by: TJ | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:44
Oh goodness thank you!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 09:51
OMG that's so lovely, i love it!
XOXO, Collage Minimalista
Posted by: Paula RL | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 15:54
I can not believe you did that yourself. It looks amazing. Lane is one lucky girl.
Posted by: Cazz | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 16:38
That is seriously sooo cute. i love it!
Posted by: Jessica | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 17:30
Awww thank you Jessica!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 17:45
Haha thank you!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 17:45
Thanks Paula!
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 17:45
That sure is one awesome painting! Its so cute violet! JUST like your name!!
-Britney of Lemonwood and Honey
Posted by: Britney | Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 01:55
You're so sweet Britney! Thank you :)
Posted by: BlythePonytailParades | Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 05:56