Last week I managed to complete four of the “taster” lessons from Tamara LaPorte’s Kaleidoscope session. T tried to choose lessons that used a medium I wasn’t comfortable using or a subject that I don’t typically draw/paint. Two of the subjects were portraits and those I tend to lean towards, but the medium was different for me, or the subject was different.
The first one I completed was a lesson from Christa Forrest and the subject was a Black woman. I made mine a little older (thus the blue hair). I liked the mixed-media aspect using collage elements for the background and dress and using colored-pencils and paint markers. She looks a little wonky, but that’s okay.
Ethnic Portrait
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1518" width="489" height="653" srcset="https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-4.png 652w, https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-4-225x300.png 225w" sizes="(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px" />
Wise Woman
The second one I completed was a street scene done in watercolor of Santorini, Greece. The instructor was Toni Burt, and the medium is watercolor. The goal is to be loose and that’s an element of art I struggle with. Additionally, I still am not comfortable using watercolor but keep practicing and my comfort level is growing.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-7-764x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1521" width="529" height="700"/>
Next was a mixed media leopard on watercolor paper. This was something WAY out of my comfort level. The artist, Eulalia Mejia, uses acrylic paint on watercolor paper. The end result is a paper that has a leather-like texture. I don’t usually paint in this type of style but like the end result. I’m thinking of using it as a journal cover – what do you think?
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1520" width="550" height="550"/>
Leopard with Embellishments
Lastly, I used watercolor, acrylic inks, and pens to follow along with the lesson from Tamara LaPorte. This is by far my favorite and I titled it “Music Is Her Name.” She reminds me of so many people in my life who have or had red hair.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-5.png" alt="This is a watercolor portrait in the style of Tamara LaPorte. " class="wp-image-1519" width="566" height="707" srcset="https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-5.png 754w, https://create4today.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/image-5-240x300.png 240w" sizes="(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px" />
In the end, I was sorely tempted to sign up and pay for the year-long Kaleidoscope course. I didn’t because I am already signed up for the year-long Let’s Face It Course at Kara Bullock Art School (https://karabullockart.com/) and falling behind on the lessons as it is. I may do the Kaleidoscope next year as it is typically offered each year. For more information, you can follow Tamara LaPorte at https://www.willowing.org/
If you sign up for her newsletter, she will give you a free mixed media e-course. She also frequently offers other freebies and discounts on her classes. If you’d like to know more about my creative practices, please sign up for my newsletter below. I promise to not overwhem you with email.
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