THE ART OF CREATIVE PRACTICING
In my courses, you'll always have my enthusiastic permission to take inspiration and copy the included exercises and illustrations as part of the creative process! After all, my intention is to help you become a better artist. By studying and replicating the course content, you'll acquire valuable techniques, develop a deeper understanding of telling stories without words, thoughtful compositional content, along with formulating essential processes that cultivate your creative voice. Practicing the art of copying, or what I like to call creative practicing, will help you establish a strong foundation and open the door to discovering your one-of-a-kind signature style. - Danielle
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
As we work side by side, I'll start small, teaching you to illustrate on a small-scale, draw and paint overlapping objects, simplify compositions, and trace objects to build your creative muscle memory. You'll also explore how to develop textures and mark-making with liquid frisket and use the "ugly" colors on your palette. By the end, you'll have a deeper understanding of the steps needed to create elements, the value of tracing when learning how to draw, improved watercolor techniques and color-mixing, and an ever-expanding love for small-scale illustration.
All my courses include detailed videos and coordinating handouts and worksheets. In this course, the curriculum includes handy tips, technique-based exercises, and limited palette projects featuring an array of adorable animals - from lions and giraffes to kittens, gnomes, and an octopus.
LET'S DISCOVER!
Join me again as I create a focused learning environment with limited color palettes, watercolor techniques, an imaginative small-scale drawing applied to five perfectly adorable animals. By the end of this course, you'll be a more confident illustrator that can apply what you've learned to any animal you like!
Stack Stuff.
Using a worksheet filled with an array of rectangles, you'll learn to fill in the blanks with side views of a giant pile of pillows.
Glaze Again.
Learn to paint a unifying wash over an octopus followed by a series of glazed layers to build visual depth while clarifying the arms.
Mask It.
Liquid Frisket is one of the hardest tools to work with in watercolor. Learn my best practices while creating interesting patterns.
Art Troop No. 5 | 2. The following is a sampling of the curriculum and a list of supplies for this course. Most of the supplies I use are artist-grade and are a more significant investment than student-grade. I highly encourage you to use what you have and take notes while watching the videos for the first time. Then, invest in the supplies that will truly enhance your own art.
XO, Danielle
Example Curriculum
Creative Essentials are the short list of basic supplies that I always have handy for my artwork and courses.
- Artist-grade watercolors (pan or tube)
- Watercolor-only brushes
- Artist-grade paper (140 lb., cold press)
- Mechanical pencil (.3 mm lead) and white vinyl eraser
- White ink marker
- Tube of artist-grade traditional white gouache
- Mixing palette (white porcelain dish works as well)
- Clear jar/clean water
- Paper towels
- Table salt
- Craft dryer (Ranger)
Course-specific Supplies are tools and materials that I use in this course. Some are integral to the project, while others are just for fun and experimentation. I highly encourage you to use what you have, make notes, and only invest in what you really need to add to your creative toolbox. When available, the specific details and brand names I use are in parentheses.
The following Daniel Smith Paint Colors are used for the limited palettes over the course of the five lessons but feel free to substitute what you have on your current palette.
- A Pride of Lions | Rhodonite Genuine, Pyrrole Orange, Rose of Ultramarine, Hematite Genuine, Bismuth Yellow. Additional supplies: All white paper towels, sewing machine, or needle and thread.
- A Solitary Octopus | Quinacridone Purple, Blue Apatite Genuine, Serpentine Green, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Kyanite Genuine. Additional Supplies: Pitt pen #133-Magenta-Fine point.
- A Pillow-fort of Kittens | Nickel Azo Yellow, Indigo, Lavender, Naphthamide Maroon, Pyrrole Red. Additional Supplies: None
-
A Journey of Giraffes | Cobalt Violet, Indian Yellow, Graphite Gray, Rose Madder, Deep Scarlet. Additional Supplies: Liquid frisket, cotton swabs, and Canson Illustration Paper.
Please note that the supplies used in this course may not be available where you live or may have been discontinued based on the original course release date. If you’re having trouble finding a specific supply, you can try searching for art supply substitutions online. There are many resources available that can help you find alternative supplies that you can use instead. You’ll find the brand-specific creative tools and supplies that I currently use tucked away in all the corners, shelves, and drawers of my studio on the STUDIO page of my website.
Kind Words.
I loved the first series so much that it was an easy decision to sign up for the next one. More great ideas and cute animal projects. My favorite is the adorable kittens. I illustrated one with pups, and it turned out great! I love how easy it is to change up the animal now that I know how to do it. -Alex W.
Meet your Instructor.
Hello, I’m Danielle Donaldson. With my trusty mechanical pencil (and eraser), a plethora of watercolors, a penchant for imagination-filled detail, and sprinkle of mixed media experimentation, we’ll adventure together and make some creative magic.
Helpful Handouts.
All courses include a coordinating Handout Packet in PDF format that serves as a tangible reference of the video content and includes insight into my creative process. It also provides an opportunity to continue growing your creative skillset after the course is complete.
CURRENCY. This course is priced in USD. REFUND POLICY. Because you have immediate access to the content of this course, I am unable to offer a refund. QUESTIONS? Send an email to [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours for response.
FAQ'S
How long do I have access to this course?
The course comes with lifetime access and all lessons are downloadable as well.
What is included and how long are the videos? Scroll up to Course Curriculum. In addition to the videos, courses always include coordinating (PDF) Handout Packets.
Is this course suitable for all levels? All levels are always welcome! I try to teach to the middle in my courses. That means beginners might need to practice more and rewatch the videos more than once to grasp techniques and concepts. Advanced artists can use the content to elevate their style by taking bits of the course and infusing them into their own style.
Is high speed internet needed for the course?
Yes. You'll need a good internet connection to watch/download the videos.
Should I buy all of the art supplies used in this course? I highly encourage you to watch the videos and review the handouts prior to investing in new supplies. If you have fallen in love with watercolor and want to continue working with them, I do feel that to get the most out of watercolor-based art, you should consider investing in artist-grade paint, paper, and brushes.
Please visit my STUDIO page on my website to explore the current tools and supplies I use to create my art.
Do you have an online community for your courses? The Danielle Donaldson Art Room is a private Facebook group for participants in all of my courses. You'll find the information to join once you have signed up and have access to the course.
I have a question about this course and can't seem to find the answer. I am happy to help! Please email me at [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours for a response prior to reaching out again.