How I painted a canvas custom painting for a nursery

My husband's sweet friend contacted me and asked me to do a special painting. She is having a baby girl around late December and wanted to use the painting as the focal point of the room as well as the inspiration for wall color, bedding, etc. I also have to tell you that this gal is gorgeous. As in, we all wish we looked half as good as her while we were pregnant. She is a doll!

Now first off, what an honor! I know that when I was expecting my two pumpkins decorating the nursery was one of the most supreme delights. What you put into the baby's space or room defines you hopes for your sweet little baby. Working on this felt really special.

But...custom orders are intimidating! Especially to a newbie like me. You worry a lot about whether you are heading in the right direction. You feel really self conscious too. When you are painting for yourself it doesn't matter if you mess up. You just get a new sheet of paper or whitewash the canvas. When it is an order you don't want to waste time! Who wants to dilly dally? Thankfully this painting was a fun assignment and right up my alley. I enjoy doing whimsical, sweet, children's paintings.

 

These were the guidelines or suggestions I was given:

-Acrylic or Oil Paint
-Large canvas painting 2x3 feet (a really great size for a kid's room)
-Pretty
-Soft
-Calming
-Color: pinks, purples, yellows, soft blues, and greens
-Dahlias
-Little girl on a swing with dark hair and a white dress

And then the process:

So I first started sketching with a pen and paper.

Then I wanted to get a feel for the colors and the setup, so I made a collage in photoshop using photos I manipulated. You can do this too! Collect some favorite pictures from the internet from sites like Getty Images and use them as inspiration or a model for what you want to create. The internet is such a great resource for artists. Especially when doing human forms.

Collage made in Photoshop to give an idea for colors and setup.

Next came color blocking the sky light blue and the ground green.

Next I tried something different from normal: I mod podged torn tissue paper onto the canvas. It gave it a cool, random crinkle effect and since it was a lustre finish it had a glossy gleam to it. I made the mistake of painting a sky with gloss before, but I ended up loving the effect! When I painted images on top of it they would lack the gloss, so when the painting was angled a certain way only the background would gleam! The effect shows off most during sunset.

After that dried I started to work on the clouds.

Then came the meat of the picture: sketching the details.

I drew the tree limbs, the girl, and some flowers. I got bored drawing the flowers and just decided to paint.

And then finished!

I hope this helped anyone that is starting to paint or that is starting to get custom work orders! What is wonderful is that if you like it, then you can make art prints of it. Sometimes something that is requested isn't normally something you would do...but ends up being a hit! So take a chance on it.

Just be YOU :)

Let's Get Digital

Sooooo, after being urged by a family member and also a friend, I have decided to sink my toes into creating digital clip art.



Here is my first set:

And I am giving you a freebie! This is a PNG image of a teal butterfly resting on a pink flower. If you click on it you can save it. It is in 300 dpi, so it is a nice quality. You may use this for personal use only. Understandably, you are not allowed to resale this image or use it to make product to sell.

This set is super cute and girly. It has pink, mint, teal, and green going on. Here is the rest of it in the shop.   

Meanwhile I have been busy planning a top secret, super exciting project. I can't wait to tell everyone about it! And after that I have two more special projects to work on. This girl is so happy to be busy!

Here is a little saying I made using the clip art: Be Grateful. I think we need to be saying thank you for our blessings all the time.

On the home front Calvin started kindergarten. He LOVES it. He just adores his teacher and is excited every morning to go to school.

Here he is on his first day with Dusty the airplane backpack, Kermit the Frog lunchbox, and a huge smile :) Oh, and Velcro shoes because Kindergarten teachers spend a third of their day tying shoelaces.

When I get the chance to edit a few more pictures I am going to have to do a post about our summer vacation. We took a family road trip (2 grown ups, a 5 year old and 2 year old!) from SoCal up to Oregon within one week. Yikes! It was fun, but there are some stories to be told!! This picture above is from Solvang, California. It was the cutest little town EVER. I wish we could move there. It is enchanting.

I hope everyone is adjusting to Summer being over. I have a feeling Fall is going to go by too fast and before you know it Christmas will be here!!

Butterfly Silhouette with Tropical Flowers Painting

Here is my newest canvas painting!

 

Butterfly Silhouette with Tropical Flowers

16"x20" on a gallery canvas with acrylic paints. 

©Heatherlee Chan, Lady Poppins

 

 

I can't help but love it.

 

 

A butterfly? Check.

Pink? Check.

Flowers? Check.

Modern? Check.

Something my husband would not be happy if I hung up in the living room? Check.

 

The last ten years I have been doing paintings as gifts, so the main goal was to make someone else happy. If I wasn't doing that, I was trying to paint something for our home that was something my love and I agreed on. But now? I just LOVE painting things that I get excited about! I'm sure if I weren't married with three kids I would have the girliest house. 

 

What things would you paint or create if the main goal was just to make YOU happy?

 

 

 

I have the original and prints available in the shop.

Red, Pink, Purple, and Gray Flower Watercolor Painting

I wanted to paint a really light and pink watercolor, but as it usually turns out, I couldn't avoid color.

 

I love paintings that are neutral and use minimal color, but when it comes to creating them, I just can't do it!

 

BUT, this Volland and Art Deco inspired flower watercolor isn't too bad done up in red and purples.

 

Reminds me years ago when you used to see those sweet gals from the Red Hat Society.

 

I thought that was so cool. But in my club, we will wear big hats and turquoise!

 

Here is the listing in my shop.

 

I can make print requests if needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miz Jackie

My friend Jackie turned 25 last week, so I painted her a picture of flowers. It was my first time doing flowers, so I was kind of nervous about it. She was so cute when she opened it! She said it looked like it belonged in a Nicholas Sparks novel. I love that girl :)

The painting was 12x12 and it was fun painting the thick sides. I love to do that so they don't need to be framed.

Happy Birthday, Jackie!!!