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1. For the Christian artist. If you're looking for a spiritual gift to give, this is it. I love it when two daily practices merge to make an extra enjoyable daily habit. Art and scripture study, together, that's wonderful. Shanna Noel's daily scripture books are colorful, spiritual and leave room for artists to doodle, paint, or write whatever inspires them. It's a great thing to do together with kids or for some me-time to connect with the Almighty. Love them.

2. For the foody artist. People who like food and art, like me, look at food differently. We like it displayed nicely with beautiful colors. Honestly, I don't think we can help it. It's always a delight to have fun making art with food. And when I bring out a beautiful display of finger foods, everyone is happy. Not sure if it would be a good gift by itself? Then add the charcuterie board book to help inspire.

3. For the acrylic lovers on the go. This acrylic palette is my new fave.  If your artist likes small pieces, working in an art journal, or traveling this is the perfect palette. It keeps acrylics paints from drying out, getting moldy, and making a big mess. This company is brand spanking new, so their bigger palette may or may not be ready by Christmas, but that's what I'm using in my new Christmas tutorials. They sent me their palette to give them feedback. This palette is the best out there for acrylics my friends. They started on Kickstarter, but you can now see if the larger palette is available on their site redgrassartist.com.

4. For the artist that needs help keeping it all together. I love to have my paints and supplies in one place. For kids, having one thing to grab makes the process more enjoyable for everyone. I use this easel for plein-air because keeping it all together keeps me sane. If you have someone on your list that has supplies but needs a space for them, this is a great start.

5. For the art loving kids and grandkids. Have an art lover on your list that's just starting out? It's a great idea to give them an art kit with a variety of supplies. I honestly hated kits when I was a kid because the supplies were so crappy, I would get frustrated. But don't you worry, this is a great one. If you're thinking less kit and just a couple of supplies, Arteza is a great brand for beginner art supplies. They even have a drawing kit too.

6. For the artsy designer. If you know me at all, you know I love color, sorry Joanna Gaines. My home (actually an RV because I travel full time) is a mix of beach, boho, and pops of color. Anyone who loves design, is going to love this book, even if they don't particularly want to decorate in this style, it's eye candy to a design lover.

7. For the artsy reader. Oh, can I really narrow it down to one book or magazine? Not really. But, this magazine has stories of all kinds of artists doing their artsy thing in their unique spaces. I love, love, love magazines, this one especially. Each time I get the new issue, I'm giddy. If you give the subscription, it's a gift that gives all year long. If you're looking for more of a book, I have favorite watercolor, mixed media, acrylic, and art business books, check them out in my favorite supplies list.

8. For the textile loving artists. Some people like to make art with string, like crochet, knitting, cross-stitch, and I confess on occasion I'm one of them. The new thing to try these days is the punch needle technique. You have probably seen pillows in the store that use this technique. I linked you to my first punch needle project I enjoyed. There are also cute kits on Etsy, I love this one! And of course once you get the hang of it, you can create whatever you want with whatever colors you want! 

9. The best dressed artist. I'm a believer in what we wear tells people about who we are. I'm also practical, and what is more practical for an artist than wearing an artist smock. This is the one I enjoy, and of course I have added lots of paint to it over time. It's super stylish and I love all the pockets.

10. For the artist in business. Hint: guys love this gift! And I perhaps carry some masculinity with me because I love, love, love this way to carry all my important business stuff with me. Mmmmmm, the smell of leather gets me every time. 

11. For the artist that needs to chill out. Okay, sometimes artists can get tightly wound. It's always great to dab some essential oils and take some deep breaths, but what we really need is noise cancelling headphones so we can stay in our little world we are creating with our art, maybe listen to some inspiring music as we do that.

12. For the luxury loving artist. Oh, we all know that an artist can paint with inexpensive brushes, but do they want to? Nah! If I have the choice to paint with the highest quality hand-made brushes in the world made especially for my specific needs, I'll take it. That's exactly why I have these brushes. They are my absolute favorites, a delight to use always and frankly I love that they look so freaking good! An artist who has these to reach for, is a lucky artist indeed.

13. For the baby you hope becomes an artist. I admit, I had hopes that my kids would love art. I have to say, that letting them play with artsy things from the get go, worked. All my kids are super creative and talented when it comes to art. So when it comes to setting your kids up for creative success, as soon as they can wrap their tiny hands around these, give them paper and watch them scribble. Plus you don't have to worry if they try to eat it, as they always do.

14. For every artist. Artists love new art supplies. Even if they have them already, because it means more art and  possibilities. This is a list of the basic supplies I use in my tutorials. But, if you think your artist is ready to explore some new stuff, check out my art journal supply page. Art journaling is all about exploration, so getting them a journal and some new things to try is a great idea! I use things like...

• Colored pencils (or inktense pencils)
• Oil pastels (or color crayons work too)
• Artist Pens (Permanent markers also work)
• Pebeo Mixed Media Discovery Kits 
• Acrylic Mediums such as inks, pouring medium and flexible modeling paste
• Watercolors
• Stencils 
• Powdered Pigments 

15. For the artist that can't seem to find the time to make art. I know, I've been there. But here is the thing, I'm busier now than I ever was when I made that excuse, and I do art all the time. How? I make time. So it's time to get that artsy loved one of yours a way to plan their time, so they can fit in the things that they love. And maybe, add a sticky note with a day and time you can help carry the load so they can create. They will love it, and you will too because we can be our best selves when we get to do the things we love.

Blending with acrylics can be tricky, especially soft transitions from one color to another.  There are several reasons acrylics can be harder to blend with so, in this lesson I'm going to teach you how to overcome each blending obstacle and share with you several blending secrets. It isn't necessary to use every technique to blend. Try some of the different ways and use what works for you. 

Problem #1 - Acrylics dry fast, so there is less time to blend. Acrylics will go into a sticky stage quickly and once the paint becomes tacky, trying to blend is impossible. 

Solution: Make your acrylics "open time" or blending time longer. There are several ways you can do this...

1. The Sta-wet Palette: This palette keeps your paints wet on the palette without having to use sprays. Paints are already beginning to dry before you even get it on your canvas, decreasing the blending time. But on the sta-wet, your paints are wet from the beginning increasing their "open time."

Tip:  If you don't have a sta-wet palette and want to see how it works, use a Tupperware container instead. In a square Tupperware container add wet paper towels on the bottom (not dripping wet). Then add wet copy paper cut to the container size on top of the towels. Add your paints on top of the paper. It is not as great as buying the sta-wet palette, but it is similar enough to see how it works. Then just add the lid when you store it and your paints stay wet for days.

​2. Add mediums that keep acrylics from drying too fast. Acrylics have several mediums that can be added to the paint that slow down drying time. I have this lesson here if you want to learn more about them. Adding slow-dri medium is a great option, as it reduces the drying time by 40%. ​

Problem #4 - I see streaks and lines.

Paint over an area more. Blending takes time and the more you work over an area the more it blends. You will often see me go over an area several times just to get it to blend. I also work side-to-side for skies and in circles for round objects. The more I work side-to-side or round and round the more the colors are mixing which is what creates soft blends.
That being said, new artists can easily over-blend an area making a muddy mess. Don't overdo it. Once it looks good, leave it alone.  Just remember, blending needs more working over but everything else needs less.

I have several tutorials that you can practice blending with me. The tutorial below is a favorite! In the tutorials that demonstrate blending and glazing. Come paint along! As a Createful Art Member you can get the reference photos to help you paint along with me. If you haven't already signed up, it's an incredible deal for all the perks (weekly art lessons, ref. photos, color mixing videos, bonus content and more!). 

Fall is in the air and I feel like celebrating by showing you how to make some pretty autumn home decor. Learn how to paint this autumn red maple leaf in this, step by step, acrylic painting tutorial. This lesson is easy enough for beginner artists. See what you need to paint this with me below. 

​Learn how to paint a realistic sunflower in this, step by step, acrylic painting tutorial. This lesson is easy enough for beginner artists. 

The entire world is enjoying World Watercolor Month! Which is in the month of July, every year!  What a great way to celebrate such a wonderful art medium. If you would love to take part this year in the artsy celebration, I share how to get started and where to find some great watercolor projects below.