THE ART OF CREATIVE PRACTICING
In my courses, you'll always have my enthusiastic permission to take inspiration and copy the included exercises and illustrations as part of the creative process! After all, my intention is to help you become a better artist. By studying and replicating the course content, you'll acquire valuable techniques, develop a deeper understanding of telling stories without words, thoughtful compositional content, along with formulating essential processes that cultivate your creative voice. Practicing the art of copying, or what I like to call creative practicing, will help you establish a strong foundation and open the door to discovering your one-of-a-kind signature style. - Danielle
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
In our time together, I'll help you discover the beauty of each color and the stories they are ready to help you share through your art. You'll create and document limited color palettes, boost your confidence in choosing colors, and dive into watercolor layering studies. In addition, you'll learn to scale your compositions in a fresh way and explore mechanical pencil mark-making. By the end, you'll have a ton more confidence with color palettes and choices, pencil, and watercolor techniques, changing up the scale of your illustrations.
All my courses include detailed videos and coordinating handouts and worksheets. In this course, you'll learn to create portable, limited color palettes that will challenge you to produce your own unique colors. After building our palettes, we'll explore color mixing through simple queries and tweaks. We'll then delve into exercises highlighting the role of composition in storytelling, focusing on various watercolor washes, layering techniques, and mark-making. We'll wrap up with a creative 'give-it-a-spin' illustration project featuring a vibrant globe filled with color, imagination, and some of your favorite things!
LET'S EXPLORE!
Join me as I explore how to integrate pencilwork, watercolor, and a variety of mixed-media supplies with a focus on your interpretation of color. Pairing mediums and techniques that you are familiar with and adding something new an imaginative twist can be a wonderful way to elevate your artistic voice in new works that you'll dream up.
Secret Stories.
The color palette you use in your work tells secret stories. We'll explore color and how it makes you feel and add in a bit of color theory. Let's make sure the stories they tell are yours!
Feel Color.
Create limited color palettes that convey feelings, memories, and even people, places, or things that you love. It's a beautiful way to add heartfelt emotion to your illustrations.
Mix it Up.
Thumbnail practice isn't just for planning compositions. Let's practice watercolor techniques and a super fun way to find the perfect mixes of unusual color combinations.
A Color Narrative. The following is a sampling of the curriculum and a list of supplies for this course. Most of the supplies I use are artist-grade and are a more significant investment than student-grade. I highly encourage you to use what you have and take notes while watching the videos for the first time. Then, invest in the supplies that will truly enhance your own art.
XO, Danielle
Example Curriculum
Creative Essentials are the short list of basic supplies that I use in all my classes.
- Artist-grade watercolors (pan or tube)
- Watercolor-only brushes
- Artist-grade paper (140 lb., cold press)
- Mechanical Pencil (.3 mm lead) and white vinyl eraser
- White ink marker
- Tube of Artist-grade traditional white gouache
- Mixing palette (white porcelain dish works as well)
- Clear Jar/clean water
- Paper towels
- Table Salt
Course-specific Supplies are tools and materials that I use during this course. As always, I highly encourage you to use what you have, make notes, and only invest in what you really need to add to your creative toolbox.
- Clear Drying Glue
- High Flow Acrylic Paint (Golden Titanium White and Carbon Black)
- Lollypop Sticks (Wilton Lollypop Sticks)
- Mixed-Media Journal (Watercolor Dori from The Messy Nest on Etsy)
- Scissors
- Ultra-Fine Point Permanent Black Marker (Sharpie)
Please note that the supplies used in this course may not be available where you live or may have been discontinued based on the original course release date. If you’re having trouble finding a specific supply, you can try searching for art supply substitutions online. There are many resources available that can help you find alternative supplies that you can use instead. You’ll find the brand-specific creative tools and supplies that I currently use tucked away in all the corners, shelves, and drawers of my studio on the STUDIO page of my website.
Kind Words.
A Color Narrative gave me the insight and exercises I needed to expand my art in the most colorful ways! I spent too much time making and referring to color charts only to be disappointed in my choices when I was done. Danielle's way of looking at color is way better! -Shannon K.
Meet your Instructor.
Hello, I’m Danielle Donaldson. With my trusty mechanical pencil (and eraser), a plethora of watercolors, a penchant for imagination-filled detail, and sprinkle of mixed media experimentation, we’ll adventure together and make some creative magic.
Helpful Handouts.
All courses include a coordinating Handout Packet in PDF format that serves as a tangible reference of the video content and includes insight into my creative process. It also provides an opportunity to continue growing your creative skillset after the course is complete.
CURRENCY. This course is priced in USD. REFUND POLICY. Because you have immediate access to the content of this course, I am unable to offer a refund. QUESTIONS? Send an email to [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours for response.
FAQ'S
How long do I have access to this course?
The course comes with lifetime access and all lessons are downloadable as well.
What is included and how long are the videos? Scroll up to Course Curriculum. In addition to the videos, courses always include coordinating (PDF) Handout Packets.
Is this course suitable for all levels? All levels are always welcome! I try to teach to the middle in my courses. That means beginners might need to practice more and rewatch the videos more than once to grasp techniques and concepts. Advanced artists can use the content to elevate their style by taking bits of the course and infusing them into their own style.
Is high speed internet needed for the course?
Yes. You'll need a good internet connection to watch/download the videos.
Should I buy all of the art supplies used in this course? I highly encourage you to watch the videos and review the handouts prior to investing in new supplies. If you have fallen in love with watercolor and want to continue working with them, I do feel that to get the most out of watercolor-based art, you should consider investing in artist-grade paint, paper, and brushes.
Please visit my STUDIO page on my website to explore the current tools and supplies I use to create my art.
Do you have an online community for your courses? The Danielle Donaldson Art Room is a private Facebook group for participants in all of my courses. You'll find the information to join once you have signed up and have access to the course.
I have a question about this course and can't seem to find the answer. I am happy to help! Please email me at [email protected]. Please allow 48 hours for a response prior to reaching out again.