June 2016 – Katrina Karen

How I Continue to Learn Painting Using Watercolors

I am often asked what websites to visit when learning how to paint. I would immediately reply, “Youtube!”

My watercolor art journey started two years ago and I have learned a lot since then. I still continue to learn. Albert Einstein said that once you stop learning, you start dying. So I chose to learn unceasingly (Well, with leisure on the side).

I often refer to Anna Mason’s tutorials when it comes to botanicals. I love to paint flowers. Here is her tutorial in painting a rose:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83C5oitfM2I]

Here is my version using one of her watercolor painting of a rose as a model.

Two years ago, I came across a tutorial on how to draw a realistic eye.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ25OngOLts]

I think I have improved the technique since then.

I continue to practice. I think it is the best way to learn. Put on the 10,000 hours of work and eventually, I get better than the last time. Here are my recent original botanical paintings.

I also follow a lot of watercolor artists on Instagram. I am currently part of the @wgcollab on instagram, where different watercolor artists share their painting techniques every day. Follow us there to learn more techniques. Use #wgcollab16 hashtag to find the videos. The videos are also posted on Facebook via Watercolour Gallery’s page. Here is my painting video I made for this month.

[facebook url=”https://www.facebook.com/watercolourgallery/videos/1207394052625664/” /]

July is also the World Watercolor Month. Find inspiration using the hashtag ‪#‎WorldWatercolorMonth‬ on Facebook and Instagram.
Follow my instagram page: @katrinacenteno
Like my Facebook page: Katrina Karen Art

How to Add Your Own Handwriting to Your Photos

I posted this photo last February.

Russ asked this question:

This is now the tutorial I promised four months ago.

Let’s write the word “explore” in this photo which we shall refer to as a background photo.

Steps:

1. Write the word in paper. I would write different versions.

2. Take a photo of the written word. Tip: Find a well-lit area when taking the photo. Avoid shadows.

3. Open the file in Photoshop. Check image size. Click on Image>Image Size. Take note of the width, height and resolution.

4. Create a new file. Click on File> New. Set width, height and resolution the same as the image size of the photo. Make the background contents as transparent.

5. Choose which handwritten word you want to use. Cut and paste into the new file.

6. Make the stroke more prominent by adjusting threshold level. Click on Image>Adjustment>Threshold. Set threshold to 171.

7. Delete the white background. Click on the Magic Wand Tool. Click on the white area and press Delete on the keyboard. Repeat the procedure in the remaining white areas. You are left with this:

8. Select the word, copy and paste into the background photo.

9. To change the text to white, click on Image> Adjustment> Invert. I moved the text to make it more visible.

I hope my instructions were clear. Comment or email if there are questions. Hope this helps you personalize your images with your own handwriting.

Transitioning

I was walking the dogs early this morning and I already saw a number of kids carrying their bags to school. Summer vacation is definitely over. Since the end of May, I have slowly gone back to my routine. I am back to working out regularly. Although you can see me crossing out rest days more often than crossing out the scheduled workout, I am happy that I still get to exercise at least three times a week. It is better than nothing.

My erudite uncle left all these books since he finished reading all these before he left. I have finished one book and I plan to start a new one. I also caught up with some TV shows I have missed.

I have cleaned my closet and have done some laundry. I have a lot more to tackle but I am taking baby steps. We are still experiencing El Niño. Weather is hot and every simple movement I make leaves me sweating so I work slow to minimize the sweating. Sweat and I are not a good mix.

I have done most of the errands and obligations I need to finish.

I had the time to do some art.

This is for the Watercolour Gallery collab I am doing. Follow @wgcollab and @watercolour_gallery on Instagram.

I also bought pearlescent watercolor from itrydiy.com so I tried them on this painting. Can you see the sheen on the petals?

My friend, Jasmin, requested me to paint this jasmine for her.

I was also able to insert some practice. The rose is not perfect. I will try again to make it look better. Hopefully.

I am doing art and I love it!

Tinting The Home Windows

When you want to keep the home cooler without using more electricity, consider applying window tint. It’s similar to tint that you would see on a car and offers many of the same benefits, if not more. Home window tinting is an easy process to complete as the film is applied to the inside of the window. It can be removed at a later time if you no longer want it on the windows.

If there is nothing on the windows to block out the sun, then it can lead to health issues for those who are in the home. Sun exposure for long periods of time during the day, even without being outdoors, can result in an increase in skin cancer as well as an acceleration of the aging process. Wrinkles might develop sooner, and you might notice spots that begin to develop on the skin.

Sunshine coming through the windows can begin to fade the color of the furniture. Even with drapes and curtains on the windows, unless you keep them pulled to the side for periods of the day, you will begin to see the colors fade on the material. The tint will protect the furniture and other items in the home by not allowing the direct sunlight from reaching them.

You can save money on cooling cost as the tint will reflect the amount of sunlight that enters the home, which will keep the home cooler. It will also help trap warmth in the winter so that you don’t have to use as much electricity heating the home.

Another reason to use window tint that you might not think about is to maintain your privacy. When there is tint on the windows, it makes it difficult to see inside the home. You can see outside, but the darker surface of the tint usually faces outward, making it harder for others to see what you’re doing during the day and into the evening. This can be a deterrent for those who might want to try to break into the home. The tint can also be added to the home for decoration as it can create a modern and sleep appearance.