Watercolor Flowers - Some Basic Techniques

This tutorial highlights the methods of two most commonly used water coloring techniques: wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry. Wet-on-wet means wet paint applied onto the wet paint and wet-on-dry means wet paint applied onto the dry paint. The techniques are not very difficult to master and are fun to try too. Both the techniques produce different effects altogether. The wet-on-wet needs a little experimenting to understand its effects since the colors will spread onto each other and you will need to blend them to get the desired effect, while wet on dry will give sharp edges to the shapes and is comparatively an easier method.

Water Color Flowers: Basic Techniques

The following flowers were painted using both the above techniques and you will understand the different results produced once you try them yourself. 

Before you start, here are the following materials required:

• A Paper of any size. If you are a beginner, you can use any paper to start with to practice and master the techniques.
• Some Brushes suitable for watercolors
• Water

Flowers painted using Wet-on-dry technique:

For this technique, first you need to apply one layer of painting. Once it dries, you can apply another coat to highlight or add shades or outline the border, as required using the same color or darker shade of the same color or even a different color.

Example 01:

In the painting below, I have first made a flower using a light yellow shade. Then, once the base coat dried, I applied a shade of orange just to highlight the flower's edges and applied some shades to the petals. Thereafter, I applied the black spots at the centre of the flower.

Example 01: Flower painted using wet-on-dry method

Example 02:

Here, the rose is also painted using the same technique as above. First I applied a light layer of pink, and once it dried, I applied a layer of yellow.

Example 02: Flower painted using wet-on-dry method

Example 03:

Here, I made a base layer of light orange color. Once it dried, I highlighted a few circles with a darker shade of orange. In a similar way, I made the leaves too.

Example 03: Flower painted using wet-on-dry method

Flowers painted using Wet-on-wet technique:

For this technique, you need to apply a second layer of painting before the first layer of paint dries and try to blend each layer with the other to get the desired effect.

Example 01: 

Here I first applied a layer of dark pink, and before it dried I applied a wash of black paint also onto some petals.

Example 01: Flower painted using wet-on-wet method

Example 02:
Here, I applied a base color of light orange and while it was still wet, I dipped the same brush in a little black color and applied over a few petals and blended it to get the different shades of the flower petals.

Example 02: Flower painted using wet-on-wet method

Example 03: 
Here, I applied a base coat of one color and while it was still wet, I applied another layer of the same color loading the brush with more color of the same shade and blending it with the existing layer.

Example 03: Flower painted using wet-on-wet method

Try these basic techniques, experiment with different colors and shapes and you will certainly be able to master the basics. 

Recycle Magazine Papers to something Useful: Origami Envelope

What would you do with magazine papers or newspapers that would otherwise end up in trash. Try some origami instead. We all know the importance of paper and why there is the need to reuse and recycle them. 

You will be surprised to know that despite the digital boom, every household and the corporate world using digital and electronic gadgets, the use of paper however has not reduced. We are using more and more paper every day for different purposes. If we cannot reduce the use of paper, we can play a small role ourselves in recyling them in whatever way we can. A data says that each ton of recyled paper can save 17 trees, 3 cu. yards of landfill space, 4,000 kw of energy and 7,000 gallons of water. This represents around 65% energy savings, around 60% water savings and 60 pounds less of air pollution. Isn't that wonderful!

Recently, I had an Origami Workshop with one of the leading industries in UAE. I was glad that I got this opportunity to show the benefits of practising Origami and the role of Origami in recycling and reusing paper waste. Origami techniques can be used to make a plethora of useful things that would come handy in our day to day lives or can be used in schools and offices too. The options are endless such as: envelopes, bookmarks, pencil toppers, stationery holder, visiting cards cases, wallets, photoframes, coasters, card holders, boxes and containers, and much more...

Origami - Recycle and Reuse Papers

Origami - the art of paper folding, doesn't preach you to use colored sheets only. Infact, Origami is a great way to recycle paper. Instead of using expensive colored sheets to practice origami, it is better if you use newspapers or magazine papers to fold the complex models before you get the steps right. Not only will it give an idea of how your final model will look, but will also tell you about the right size and type of paper to be used. For example, an origami model that requires several folds, would work best using a thin quality of paper. Similarly, if you need to make several folds, it will be a difficult exercise if you use a small sized paper. So, its better you try folding them several times using newspaper or magazine papers, before you make the final origami project. 

Here's a brief tutorial that shows how you can make an envelope from a magazine paper.

The design and pattern on the magazine page will affect the final outcome of your origami project. Hence choose your paper accordingly. 

The papers used in the tutorial below are around 8"x12" rectangles cut out from an old magazine. We need to cut them into squares. So here's how we cut them into squares without using any tools or measurements.

Magazine papers for Origami

Hold the top left corner and fold it to touch the bottom edge as shown in the picture below. You will get a triangular shape, but make sure that the bottom edges are aligned perfectly. Cut off the remaining rectangular part to get a square paper.

Cutting a rectangular paper into a square

You will get squares of around 8"x8", depending on the size of the magazine paper.

Square papers from rectangular sheet

Tutorial for folding an Origami Envelope using a Magazine paper

Step 01: 
Start with a square sheet of paper, keeping the side you want to be used on the top as shown. Here the size is 7.5"x7.5" square paper.

Step 01: Start with a square paper keeping the colored side on top

Step 02:
Fold it into half along the diagonal. Keep the coloured side or the side you want to be seen on the top.

Step 02: Fold into half diagonally

Step 03:
Now, take the top flap and fold it down to touch the bottom edge at centre. At this step you can glue the flap to the bottom or leave it as it is.

Step 03: Fold in the top flap to touch the bottom edge at centre

Step 04:

Now, take the left corner and fold it in as shown. Actually the bottom edge can be divided into 3 equal parts aproximately. You can use a scale to measure and mark the edge using a pencil into three equal parts if required. Then it makes it easier to fold the left corner to about one third part over to the right side. Glue the flap if needed at this stage. 

Step 04: Fold in the left corner to about 1/3rd part over to the right

Step 05:

Similarly, take the right corner and fold it to about one third part over to the left side. Don't apply glue at this stage.

Step 05: Fold in the right corner to 1/3rd part to the left side

Step 06:
Fold the flap back touching the right end as shown.

Step 06: Fold the flap back touching the right end

Step 07:

Open the small flap as shown.

Step 07: Open the flap

After opening the flap, flatten it well to get a square shape as shown. This will help to seal and secure the envelope without the use of any glue.

Step 07 (contd.): Squash or flatten the flap to get a square shape

Step 08:
Fold the top corner of the envelope down and crease well.

Step 08: Fold the top corner down

Done:

Tuck the top flap of the envelope into the bottom square pocket you formed in step 07.

Done: Tuck in the top flap into the square pocket as shown

The envelope is ready. The top flap is secured into the bottom square. You don't need any glue to secure it further and a beautiful envelope is ready to use.

Origami Envelope from recycled magazine paper

The final size of the envelope is around 3.5"x 2.75". You can use a bigger sized sheet to get a larger sized envelope.

Make some envelopes with the magazine papers or fold them into interesting origami creatures. Its your choice if you want to recycle and reuse the paper to make something useful or make something for fun. Rest for sure, both are better options than to just throw these beautiful, glossy and colorful sheets into the trash bin.

Origami using Magazine papers

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Highlights from the Origami Workshop to celebrate the World Origami Day

Art Hours celebrated the World Origami Day that falls on the 11th November by conducting an Origami Workshop, by inviting Parents and children, beginners and seasoned origami folders; Art Hours had invited parents also to participate with their child, so that not only are they involved in spending some quality time with their kids but also they learn and explore more about Origami and its applications.

The response was not overwhelmingly high since it happens that many around us are not aware of what Origami is or the implications of practicing Origami. Many do not know that Origami is more than just folding a paper; it has its applications and implications in mathematics enabling one to understand geometry, fractions, proportions, symmetry, visualize 3D geometry and more. It is more than just an Art form. Origami creations have been floating all around the world but very few people probably appreciate and practice this art form. 

Origami models on display for the Origami Workshop

We began the session with a quick round of quiz on Origami wherein the participants could choose their own questions; it was a fun activity for all the participants but the aim was to create an awareness regarding what is origami, its forms, its invention and more...

Quiz round during the Origami Workshop

We had two groups for the workshop; one for the beginners and another one for the origami enthusiastic students who had folded many models before. 

The beginners began with an easy model of the heart that they could use as a bookmark too. This was followed by a fun activity, folding the pinwheel, and pinning it onto a wooden stick that they themselves had to scoot and search for. Since the workshop was taking place outdoors, it was not a tough task for them, instead, it was fun as they ran around the garden area searching for a wooden stick/stem to fix their pinwheels on.

The main origami model for the day was to make a basket filled with some origami flowers. It was a tough model to start with for all the beginners but they were all filled with energy and patience and they didn't give up till the end. One of the virtues, that Origami teaches us all is Patience and to never give up.

Origami Heart bookmark, Pinwheel and a Basket of flowers

At the same time, the Origami enthusiastic students were folding some tetrahedrons, cubes, and octahedrons; a challenge they all gracefully accepted and successfully completed.

Modular Origami: Folding Origami Cubes and Octahedron

One misconception people have about Origami, and I say this because I gathered this experience from my previous workshop experiences; many think that Origami is an art form done or practiced by females only or by kids only. Hence, during this workshop also, I found that the Fathers of the kids were happy to watch their kids participate from a distance and none would participate with the kids, thinking that it was a childish activity or rather it was too kiddish. How I wished they would've participated with their kids leaving all their inhibitions and doubts!

The Origami Workshop ended with every participant enjoying the process of folding some beautiful models that they could carry with them to their homes. Art Hours thanked all the participants and presented some handmade bookmarks as souvenirs.

Thankyou Bookmarks by Art Hours

All in all, it was a workshop filled with energy, enthusiasm, and patience and lots of fun as well. Looking forward, to conduct more such workshops and hoping for more fun times ahead.

It was a small effort from my side to reach out to people and encourage them to learn Origami. I hope more people learn and explore Origami and understand its benefits.

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Handmade Diyas from Salt Dough: Budget friendly Diwali DIY

Diwali is over...the five days of festivities are over!

I wake up in the morning only to realize that the festival time is finally over and I have to get back to the daily routine...we feel so awful when we come in terms with the reality...call it post festival depression or whatever, nothing could change how I felt the way I felt!

As I went about the house clearing up the things and removing decorations from around the house, I collected the colorful diyas we made just before Diwali. It's an activity we don't do every year, and Diwali also was just a few days away...but we gave it a try all the same...better late than never!

Here's a picture of the few Diyas, we made from Salt Dough for the Diwali celebration this year. 

Salt Dough Diyas

And while I am at it, let me share the recipe for the salt dough diya too. Maybe, next year some of you could give it a try. It happens that you will find flour and salt in every home in the Indian household and it turns out that this diyas are budget friendly too. So here's presenting a budget friendly Diwali DIY that you should really try for, next year, same time.

Recipe for Salt Dough Diya:

Dough (Atta or Maida-refined wheat flour) - 1 cup

Salt - 1/2 cup

Water - Enough to knead the flour ( I used about 1/2 cup)

Method:

Mix the Atta or Maida with salt (here I used Maida and salt), and then add water gradually as you knead them or else the dough would end up being too loose. Once, the dough is ready you can start making the diyas, or you can also refrigerate them in an air-tight container to use later. In fact, I used mine after a couple of days only.

The dough kneaded with using the above proportions yielded about 8 medium sized diyas; the size was big enough to hold tealight candles. To shape the diyas we used the same method as per the tutorial I posted earlier for making diyas using air dry clay. You can view the same tutorial here. We made the diyas experimenting in different shapes and sizes; we made some in the shape of a mango leaf, a couple of pentagons and hexagons and a heart shape too.

I experimented by trying to bake one of the diyas in the microwave and the result was disastrous for it just got burnt in a couple of minutes; probably the temperature was too high. I wasn't in the mood to burn the rest of them that my daughter and I had both made with so much patience and hard work. So I left them to dry in the sun to let it dry naturally. It took nearly 4 days to dry off completely.

Salt Dough Diyas before drying

Once the diyas were left in the sun to dry, I kept on checking them everyday on their progress...All of them had dried from the top but the bottom surface was still wet...so I had to turn them over so that the bottom surface would also be exposed to the sun and would eventually dry out. Finally, on the 4th day, I found them all dry and ready to be painted.

Sun-dried Salt Dough Diyas for Diwali

Once these diyas dried, I found they had shrinked in size - a little wee bit. We used acrylic paints to add colors. It was just a day before the Kali Puja, and we left the Diyas to dry again - this time the paint had to dry. Finally, the wait was over and the result was beautiful. We had some beautiful handmade decorative diyas ready to be used for the Diwali nights. And yes, they were budget friendly too!

Hand-painted Salt Dough Diyas for Diwali

Hope you find the tutorial useful. Do share your views and ideas if you try making them. Hoping to hear about your experiences too and learn from them also.

Do share this tutorial with your friends and family too.

Thank you for stopping by...have a good day!

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