Dea Lenihan's Blog, page 2
January 6, 2021
TOP FIVE Colored Pencil Blending Mistakes
There are many types of colored pencils on the market. From the cheapest to almost-crazy expensive, they have one thing in common--to get good results they need to be blended. But it is not as easy as it seems!
Watch this video to see the most common colored pencil blending mistakes, and how easy it is to avoid them.
(This image is from my coloring book EVERYDAY MAGIC. Buy Artist's Edition on ETSY.)
December 30, 2020
Thumbkins GIVEAWAY!
Thumbkins are little creatures that kid's can create, and today I am going to give away a copy. Just watch this video and enter:
It is super-easy--kids dip their fingers into paint, press it onto a page in the book, and VOILA! They have a Thumbkin! They can create snails, aliens, butterflies, jellyfish, flowers, or anything else they can think of--and I will help with my CREATE-ALONG You Tube videos.
The book is filled with 28 perfect scenes for kids of all ages to fill with any kind of critter they can dream up. They can use paint, crayons, pencils, or markers. Kids of all ages will have fun.
The videos can be found on YouTube at Doodle Bug Art. Each page will have a Create-Along video, but you can start with the first three today.
Thumbkins is available HERE at a special but temporary introductory price, so buy now before the price goes up.
Watch some videos HERE!
Thumbkins Are Here!
Thumbkins are little creatures that kid's can create, and everyone needs a little help to fill
It is super-easy--they dip their fingers into paint, press it onto a page in the book, and VOILA! They have a Thumbkin! They can create snails, aliens, butterflies, jellyfish, flowers, or anything else they can think of--and I will help with my CREATE-ALONG You Tube videos.
The book is filled with 28 perfect scenes for kids of all ages to fill with any kind of critter they can dream up. They can use paint, crayons, pencils, or markers. Kids of all ages will have fun.
The videos can be found on YouTube at Doodle Bug Art. Each page will have a Create-Along video, but you can start with the first three today.
Thumbkins is available HERE at a special but temporary introductory price, so buy now before the price goes up.
Watch some videos HERE!
December 15, 2020
Welcome to The Twelve Days of Christmas Coloring!
Jingle Jingle!
Welcome to my family-friendly coloring series, The Twelve Days of Christmas Coloring.
First, download the image so you can color along with the YouTube videos. We will be doing ONE day every day until Christmas, when we will finish off with one of the most well-known birds in the world--The Partridge in a Pear Tree!
Please feel free to share this image with your friends and any groups you may be in.
Download 12 Days with Holly
Download 12 Days No BorderWatch the first video here--all videos in this series are linked below the video on YouTube in the information box below video.
Hope you enjoy this image, and also hope you will join my coloring gallery on Facebook so we can all share the masterpieces we have created! Click here to join.
November 19, 2020
NOTEBOOK WINNERS Announced
Congrats to the winners of the GOOD VIBES ONLY GIVEAWAY!
Watch video HERE for winners.
Winners! Let me know what notebook you selected so I can zip it out to you right away.
November 6, 2020
GIVEAWAY for Good Vibes Only Notebooks!
So many people like to journal these days. Some write morning pages when they wake up. Many write in a prayer journal.
I am one of those people!
Coming Soon!
I love notebooks and pens, but never had any luck finding the perfect one. And IF I happen to find the perfect book, it was either so thick that it was hard to write in or take with, or so expensive I did not think it was worth it...so I designed my own!
Available Here--Just Click
Each notebook has between 90 and 120 pages, just enough to so you can take the notebook with you without weighing down your purse, bag, or backpack. And the covers, are cute, sassy, and smart, just like you!
SO--I am having a GIVEAWAY for THREE notebooks! All you have to do is go to my new Facebook page and LIKE or FOLLOW page. Leave me a note below so I can enter you in the giveaway and you can tell me which notebook is YOUR fave!
CLICK here for Good Vibes Only on Facebook.
Life is too short for boring notebooks! Enter now for your chance to win one of my new notebooks. The covers and smart and sassy...just like YOU!
October 24, 2020
DRAWING AND COLORING CONTEST! Kids and Grown-Ups Enter NOW!
Watch this video to hear how to enter. It's easy! And THREE winners will got a copy of TEENY HALLOWEENIE and also an I AM AN ARTIST T-SHIRT from Mirror Image Clothing.
Can't wait to get the book? Click to BUY NOW
Stay tuned!! Drawing for kids coming sooooon!! See some of the colored images below.
July 31, 2020
Drawing for Fun with Black, White, Brown and Grey Conte Pastels on Tan Paper
Pastels are much softer, can cover an area much faster, and are super dusty. They do not hold a point as long as a colored pencil, and need to be sharpened often. They can create very painterly looks with a more controlled feel.
In the video below I am coloring this printed ink image of a hummingbird using only four colors. Please feel free to download and work along with me if you like. Enjoy!
CLICK HERE to download hummingbird to draw along!
Here's the video! All items I mentioned are listed here and under the video. Click below to watch.
Conte Pastel Pencils: https://amzn.to/3fhV4RG
Strathmore Tan Toned Paper: https://amzn.to/30k004u
Strathmore Tan Tone Paper (Smaller Pad): https://amzn.to/3hVrx1R
Conte Sharpener: https://amzn.to/2EvlliH
Starter Brushes: https://amzn.to/3k0t9ta
Coloring Dreams Coloring Book (more pretty images): https://amzn.to/3gp8tJi
Thanks for stopping by! xo
October 29, 2019
EVERYDAY MAGIC Release
The Amazon's version's images are each featured twice, so you can share, or redo, or try again if you make a mistake. Perfect for colored pencils. Cover colored by Ronda Francis, back by contest winner Frantiska Stara.
Buy here!The Etsy version is printed on lovely, textured, artist grade paper. Perfect for watercolor paints, markers, colored pencils, gel pens, or pastels. Each of the 30 images is featured once in this innovatively bound book. Since there are no holes, punctures, or the need to cut the images out of the book--they are easily framed or hung as is.
Buy here!Both images are on sale for a short time. Watch the flip-through here.Thank you for watching! Hope you enjoy the book! xo
October 10, 2019
Why Coloring and Art Can Be Therapeutic
Shutterstock photo from Africa Studio
It seems that creating art is a type of meditation...calming, centering, and "an active training of the mind that increases awareness and emphasizes acceptance of feeling and thoughts without judgement and relaxation of the body and mind." (The Washington Post)
Most will also agree that art seems to take us elsewhere, a place of peace and healing, where we can escape from the stress of everyday life. Turns out this escape is actually good for us, too. Art helps us connect to our inner selves, the true beings we were meant to be. When we listen to our own, very often negative thought loops, we can create self-doubt, insecurity, and fear. Hobbies like drawing, crafting, and coloring allow us to break free from this mind-chatter and get into a free-flowing, alpha wave inducing flow, something we very much need. Alpha wave biofeedback has been used to treat depression and anxiety. (Psychology Today)
Speaking of brain waves, "alpha waves are produced when you are awake but relaxed and not processing too much information, such as first thing in the morning, just before you go to sleep, when you're daydreaming, or practicing meditation. Alpha activity has been linked to a reduction in stress, anxiety, discomfort, and pain. It may also boost memory." (Caba)
Meditation is not for everyone. Sitting cross-legged on the floor and focusing on a tone or trying to have no thoughts seems counter-intuitive to calmness to some. Yes expert after expert claim the benefits of the inner stillness and mind-emptying that meditation creates. How wonderful to know that when we create art, we are creating the same type of benefits for ourselves, along with an outward expression of this work that we can look at, share and enjoy. Eckhart Tolle writes, "All artists , whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness," which is just the state--or non-state--that meditation is trying to create.
Not every artist or colorist is on social media, but Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms are the perfect place to find others who have the same hobbies as you do. Studies have shown that loneliness is a very stressful state. Coloring groups, art pages, and drawing communities are a great place to find like minded people, and possibly some new friends. Some say being an artist can be a lonely endeavor, but now there are ways to connect even if we have to stay home.
One final word, you do NOT have to be Leonardo da Vinci to experience the joy and benefits of art, coloring, or crafting. Find your thing and do it with gusto...and do not seek approval from anyone.
Here's your homework...get two blank sheets of paper, or coloring pages, and, with NO attempt at GOOD RESULTS, draw or color something just because you want to. Maybe use colors you have never thought to use, or a different medium, color outside the lines if you want...JUST GO FOR IT. See where you end up. Take your time or hurry up--just don't be attached to the outcome. See what happens...you might be surprised.
XO
P.S. I'd love to see what you end up doing. You can find me in my coloring gallery on Facebook, or in my studio. dealenihan@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
CLICK HERE to see my ETSY Shop, ArtbyDea.Follow me on Instagram.
