How I get from a pencil sketch to a stretched canvas print

Todays blog is about giving you  a glimpse behind the scenes and showing you how Kids Art gets  from a sketch on paper to a completed canvas print, like this fairy one below.

Fairy on a mushroom - watercolour print on canvas

First I start with the sketch

Sketch of fairy on mushroom drawing

 This is the first painting that Iused the medium of Watercolours, all my other paintings up until now have been acrylic, but I wanted to have a play with my watercolour pencils. You can use watercolour pencils two ways, one colour the paper in with the pencil and then wet the pencil with a wet paintbrush. Or you can dip the end of the watercolour pencil into water and paint/colour in on the paper. I like to colour in first and then wet the coloured in area with a wet paintbrush.

Starting to paint with watercolours

 Once the areas are painted, I go over each area and highlight and put shadows which helps give more a 2d effect and adds depth. After the painting has completly dried I use a water proof black tip pen and outline the painting.

Doing the finished touches on painting

 Once I am happy with the painting and feel that it is completed, I scan the painting using a scanner. This puts the image into a digital format as a jpeg or a pdf file. When you scan you need to change and adjust the contrast and brightness to get the artwork as close to the original as possible.

Scanning the finished painting

  I ended up with about 4 different digital files using the different settings during the scanning process. To see which one will be as close to the original as possible, the only way to really see this is to do some test runs on the canvas itself. In the photo below you can also see the other watercolour paintings that were painted around the same time, and I tested them all in this canvas run so that I would not waste and canvas & I wanted to see how the colours would print.

Test run - printing artwork onto canvas

 Once the artwork has been printed onto canvas it is then treated with varnish and stretched over a quality wooden frame. It is stapled at the back and picture cord is attached so that the canvas print is ready to hang when it arrives at its destination.

Stretching canvas over wooden frame

 The artwork continues around the side of the frame and around to the back. The completed canvas print is 20x25cm.

Completed stretched canvas print with other Kids Art products

 The completed canvas print is then hung onto the wall using a ordinary household picture hook. I am really happy with the result. The canvas print looks so close to the original watercolour painting, that it is hard to tell it apart from the original.

Completed Fairy on Mushroom canvas print hanging on wall.

I have decided to paint a few more fairy and mushroom drawings to match this fairy painting.

The Fairy painting is now for sale on the website - http://kids-art.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33_83&products_id=556

Cheers Chantelle

kids-art.com.au
All artworks are the copyright of Kids Art

Alphabet Design

This week I decided it was about time to get that idea of an Alphabet collection for Kids Art into a tangible product. The thing that spurred me on was realising that my 5 year old, does not "really" know his alphabet, which for some reason I just assumed he did. I guess its that whole no 4 in line kid, where as a mum I just take it for granted that I have taught him these things.

So first step, I already have an alphabet design placemat. Available in 2 sizes an A4 & a A3 size.

Alphabet Placemat - A4 & A3 size available

 I manufactured an A3 size and got him to take it to Show and Tell ( which all his classmates call me, as my name is Chantelle, I can see that confusion, Chan & Tell). We donated the A3 placemat to his class, as they were all blown away by that fact that his mother is so talented at painting, (blush shucks, horror), how easy it is to mislead young children into your awesomeness.

So then I thought I need to get a canvas together to hang on his wall, so that he can read it every night.

Alphabet Stretched Canvas Print - 30x30cm

That has been now done, compelted and is up for sale at the Kids Art website.

Then I thought well, it needs to have a matching growth chart. Surely? Doesn't it? Well it is also now done, printed, hanging on the side of his cupboard and is also up for sale in the Kids Art website,

Alphabet Growth Chart

Now there is also a personalised version, if your heart is so inclined.

Alphabet Growth Chart - Personalised with Name and Date of Birth

Then I decided, well we have got to have a clock. Tick tock, tick tock (The Hunger Games quote for all  you fans). I could not come up with a design. I asked my fans on my FB page, their opinion. I love it, it is the perfect way to get immediate feedback, and they are always honest, upfront, and happy to help. Before FB I had to rely on either my hubby, the 4 boys, and then I had to put the product up for sale and wait to see what happened.

The 3 designs I asked the Kids Art fans for help with.

So what did I decide, well I went with Option 3 and made it available in 3 colours, black, blue and pink.

Kids Art Alphabet Clock - black border

Kids Art Alphabet Clock - BLUE border

Kids Art Alphabet Clock - PINK border

What do you think? Have I made the right decision with the clocks and the colours, come on, dont hold back, you know you want to give me your 2 cents, or pence (is that correct for UK?)

Anyway, new ideas are always brewing in my head, I have decided that I need a personalised alphabet canvas print. ie A is for Audrey, or B is for Benjamin etc etc. and I will let the customers choose the colour of the letters, (surely I am technical savvy enough to work that out on the website). By the time I post this Blog from Draft to Published there should be a photo below. If not, then I have been slack... lol

.................. SLACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have another great idea, have you noticed I think all my ideas are great? This has also come about from son 4, and i think if I write it here, I will remember to design and make it. I want to type his name in that font that is like little dots and then he writes over the top. I have no idea what the font is called, but surely my FB buddies will be able to help. So the plan is to put it onto a placemat, which is laminated cardboard, and then if he using a whiteboard marker he should be able to wipe it off. I do need to test this theory and make sure that it is correct. Maybe I should also add the whole alphabet, ohhh now theres a good idea. So his name up the top. and then the alphabet all below like they have in those handwriting books. Oh oh oh, I could do his whole name, not just his first name. Oh I am on fire here, don't hold me back.

The only thing is, when am I going to find the time to do this?

Cheers Chantelle

www.kids-art.com.au