Fluid Art Flowers

Class now open

Only $67.00

 

I’m so excited to share my love of fluid art and mixed media with you wonderful creatives! In this course we will use fluid art to create a flowing background, either with fluid acrylics or alcohol inks. Then we warm up with one of the most relaxing and simple methods of pressing paint together called Decalcomania. Delicate flowers created from our warm-up are applied to the final piece, followed by embellishments to bring it to life.

This class will walk you through how to create a work of art that is truly a reflection of your individuality. I share my process in detail, but I also deeply encourage you to be true to yourself by asking you to choose materials, mediums, and colors that speak to you as an individual. The “Inspired” word in the title of this class is purposeful, and I believe each of us has a distinct genuine gift to offer as we filter our art through our heart, mind and energy.

Lastly, I want you to embrace what fluid art is all about. It's a GIFT in the practice of letting go of the outcome, and just going with the flow. In fluid art, no two works of art are exactly alike. This means you have to release expectations and simply flow with it. It is a great motto for life and I practice this each time I create art using fluid mediums. I can’t wait to see where you take these techniques and all your beautiful creations!

This course is for all levels, whether just beginning your creative journey or needing to feel inspired with a new technique.

 
 

Class Now Open!

Only $67.00

{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }

Here's a description of each of our special projects:

 

WarmUp Lesson - DECALCOMANIA ~ FLOWER POWER

Decalcomania - hard to pronounce but easy to do and it may be the most fun technique you have ever tried! You get gorgeous results with zero skill, zero planning, minimal prep and easy clean-up. By pressing paint into plastic-coated paper, beautiful patterns, designs and depth are created. I then show you how to use a balloon (or blown-up glove like I do) to further enhance the flower shape if you so desire.

This lesson is not just your warm-up, it is the basis for creating your mixed media flowers and the process could not be simpler or more relaxing. Use this lesson as an opportunity to explore colors and how they work together. Once you have your FLOWER POWER, you will be able to choose the colors for the background painting. Don’t skip the warm up, because this step is crucial to creating the final project.

 

FLUID ART BACKGROUND no. 1 - ALCOHOL INK ABSTRACT

If you choose to use an alcohol ink background, this will be the lesson for you! I’ll show you how easy and freeing it can be to play with alcohol inks. Even with a limited color palette of 3-5 inks, the fluid watery movement of the inks are fascinating as they evaporate into patterns and shapes right before your eyes.

You can use air or tools to manipulate the inks, but you can also simply pour them on and swirl them around, allowing them to dry naturally. Watch the magic happen as little delicate lines form in the drying process.

At first, the loss of control may feel foreign and uncomfortable, and that's okay! Since there is no “right or wrong” way in an abstract, use the opportunity to really let go of the outcome and enjoy this method.

Watch the Video titled, “Alcohol Ink Supplies” to go over the basic supplies needed for using alcohol inks, and my top favorite inks that I use in almost every alcohol ink painting

 

FLUID ART BACKGROUND no. 2 - SIMPLE ACRYLIC POUR for BEGINNERS

If you want to explore acrylic pouring and this is your first time, this is the lesson for you! We are going to create the most simple, but beautiful abstract acrylic pour background using just 3 colors of your choosing, a palette knife (or credit card/plastic) for swooshing the colors around, and a little bit of tilting to cover the sides.

The magic in the pour happens when you see the colors flow together, and beautiful lacing and cells can even appear if you use one metallic paint - like a Decoart Extreme Sheen color.

Staying in the same color family in the color palette of your choosing, makes this technique almost fail-proof! So if you just want to keep the background simple and easy or this is your first go with pouring, this is a great starting video to showcase your flowers,

You MUST watch the videos titled, “Acrylic Pouring Basic Supplies” & “Paint Mixing Tutorial” to go over the basic supplies needed for pouring with acrylic paint and how to mix your paints to make them fluid.

 

FINAL PROJECT BACKGROUND no. 3 - FINAL ACRYLIC POURED BACKGROUND

This will be your background for your final project (or additional background if you’ve done the others). If you have some experience pouring paint, this background will be a breeze. If you are just beginning, I keep the techniques easy to follow.

I show you how to drizzle your paints in stages, layering for depth and textural effects. I will show you exactly the brands of paints used if you want to replicate the colors exactly. But, as always, I want to encourage you to use your own color palette and choose your own paints.

You MUST watch the videos titled, “Acrylic Pouring Basic Supplies” & “Paint Mixing Tutorial” to go over the basic supplies needed for pouring with acrylic paint and how to mix your paints to make them fluid.

 

FINDING THE FLOWERS - CUTTING & OUTLINING OUR FLOWER BLOSSOMS

From our warm-up, I show you how to find the flower petals hidden in the patterns created by the Decalcomania technique. We use scissors to cut them out, and build the flower blossoms that will adorn the fluid art backgrounds you have created.

If desired, I’ll show you how to enhance the shapes of the blossoms with white gel pen. This step is great for when you feel like “doodling”, and I often put on my favorite podcast or movie in the background and doodle away.

 

FINAL COLLAGE & EMBELLISHMENT - AFFIX FLOWERS & ADD VINES & LEAVES

We are finally to the part where we can see it all coming together as we put our flower petals together and collage them onto our backgrounds. This process is like a puzzle as you piece together each petal or flower, deciding where they will go. It's a relaxing challenge to find the right composition, flow, and feel for your piece.

Then we “affix” them to the background, and begin adding vines and leaves using acrylic ink. This helps give the feeling that the flowers are not just floating, but an integral, interwoven part of your painting and those finishing touches bring it to life!

Class Now Open!

Only $67.00

{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }

 

Special Bonus Lessons…

  • GENERAL SUPPLIES & THEIR USE IN ALCOHOL INK PAINTING

  • 3 TYPES OF MASKS FOR AI SAFETY

  • BASIC SUPPLIES FOR ANY ACRYLIC POUR

  • HOW TO MIX YOUR PAINTS FOR ANY ACRYLIC POUR

WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?

  • You have always been interested in fluid art, but felt intimidated by the process

  • You already practice fluid art and want to take it to the next level with embellishments

  • You want to learn techniques you can apply to any mixed media project regardless of the mediums you normally use

  • You want to have a relaxing warm-up that you can do anytime to spark creativity and color play in your daily studio practice

  • You want to feel INSPIRED!

 

 

HERE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF Heather’s WORK

Class Now Open!

Only $67.00

{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }

 
 

Supply List

This is a list of what I’ll be using in this class. It's important to note that not all these supplies are necessary.

If you choose only to do an alcohol ink background, you only need alcohol ink supplies, decalcomania and general supplies. If you choose to only do the acrylic poured background, you only need those for the acrylic pour, the decalcomania and general supplies.

Many of these supplies you might already have as an artist, and throughout the course, I am constantly encouraging you to use the paints, colors and tools you already have. Included in this class are 2 art supply videos - one for alcohol inks, one for acrylic pouring, and a bonus alcohol ink mask & safety supply video in case you want advice on purchasing a mask for using alcohol inks.

 

My Top “Must Haves” List: These are my go-to alcohol inks for almost any piece that I do. I recommend having them regardless of the colors you choose.

Decalcomania Supplies

 

Alcohol Ink Supplies - Choose Colors that you might want to try. I highly recommend buying the “must haves” + 3 other colors. These are beautiful ink packs that make a great “starter” kit for alcohol ink painting.

 

Tools For Blowing Ink: All of these tools are fun to have, but not necessary. They range in price from $5-$135. Blowing the inks with your mouth or a straw is not advised.

Alcohol Ink Basic Supplies: 

Acrylic Pouring Basic Supplies: 

  

General Supplies for Fluid Art: 

  • Latex Gloves to protect your skin

  • Plastic tablecloth to protect your table surface

  • Absorbent Pads (aka: Puppy Pads) are great for absorbing fluid art

  • Paper Towels

  • Water

  • Acrylic Substrate - Canvas or Wood Panel for Acrylic Pouring

  • Alcohol Ink Substrate for Alcohol Inks - The same Grafix plastic used in the warm-up will work for the alcohol ink background as well.

  • Gorilla Glue Gel XL - the best way I’ve found to affix the grafix to painted canvas

  • White Gel Pen (I like Arteza 3-pack)

  • Detail Brushes - for fine details like vines and leaves. I like Daco set but you can use what you already have.

  • Daler Rowney Acrylic Ink in Black & Pearlescent Green - these were the colors used in the final project.