Christmas Decor—Last Minute Additions

 

Yikes! Christmas is only a week away from YESTERDAY!  I don't know about you, but I have a lot to do in a very little short amount of time.  The hubs and I are blessed with a large family, but that means a lot of traveling next week, and a lot of gifts to find.

I also did not finish decorating our little home for Christmas—so I made this printable to finish off a bare wall—time to put this one up!

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

A Castle In The Sky

A little while ago I was asked to paint a Scottish castle.  Due to the small size of the image I was working off of (it was from a phone and only about an inch and a half square), this was more difficult than I had originally expected.
The client asked for the piece to be black and white, though I did create a version in color for my own benefit—I just love color too much to let it slip completely by me!

 

 

My first attempt at watercolor and architecture combined.  I am not much of an architectural artist, though it is entertaining when I do have the opportunity to experiment with it!
 

    All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Watercolor Portrait

 
My first watercolor portrait.
I created this shortly after my last post—you know, the one where I complained about not having enough time to paint?  So I neglected the laundry and painted instead.

I was a little nervous about paint this, and have put it off over the past few weeks for fear that I would not be able to perform as I would like with the watercolors.  Though it is not perfect by any means, I am at least satisfied that I am able to model the shape of the face in a similar way to how I would do with my colored pencils.

Who knows? The enjoyment that I experienced while painting this piece may require a repeat attempt! :)

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

See Ya' There

Another week without much painting, though I am hoping to get back into it next week.  Until then, here is a small piece that I made on Wednesday and casually dropped on my husband's desk with a sticky note that said "see ya there..."

In case you're wondering, yes, he took the hint ;)

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

December Calendar

Since the November desktop calendar went over so well, I decided to create another one for December!  You can find both this download and the iPhone background in the "free downloads" tab above :)

This is not my favorite painting, though I did enjoy painting the christmas bulbs... I might have to do a collection of those in the future :)  But I was surprised to find that I really had much less time to paint this month, despite our lighter schedule in general.  I am glad that I planned ahead and painted most of my Christmas card designs earlier this year.

        All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Small Business Sale!

In honor of national small business day, I am offering 15% off any purchase of $14 or more!

Today only, use code smallbiz15 at checkout :-)
All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Botanical Ballerinas

My botanical dancers, featuring the "Poppy"(left), and the "Black Eyed Susan"(right).   

 

In my opinion, there are two types of girls in this world.  Either they a) have dreamed of being a ballerina at one point in their life, or b) they are lying.

 

 

Well, regardless of what I think,  I have really enjoyed my ballerina drawing obsession over the past few days (you will probably have noticed that I switch between obsessions quickly).  It has been a 2-day passion this time (so far), resulting in many sketches of ballerinas yesterday(examples shown above), and transferring 2 into watercolor form today.

Now is when you should sympathize with my husband, who hasn't gotten a well-thought-out meal in a few days due to my drawing motivations.  Oops, sorry honey!

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Merry Christmas, Deer

This piece was both inspired by and originally created for my father-in-law.  I firmly believe (and I don't think that I'm alone) that there is nothing that he loves more than to go hunting, so obviously I had to incorporate something of the sport he loves into his Christmas gift.

The expression is also inspired by him.  This is about how it happens: he sits quietly while we run around decorating for Christmas and fussing about everything, while he just looks blankly at the extra "nonsense" until he can't help but laugh at us.

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Throw Back Thursday: Drawing Glass

I recently attended a conference with my husband, and fell into drawing the glass goblet in front of me at the banquet.  It did not turn out very well because the pen I had at my disposal was not fit for the purpose—it only had two modes: off or blot.  And because I was trying to at least pretend to listen to the speaker, my goblet was a little crooked! Haha
However, it made me very sentimental. I love drawing glass.  It's challenging, but can be very rewarding!  I haven't drawn glass in a long time—and I have not ventured to PAINT it at all yet.  Part of me feels as though glass is something that must remain sacred to my beloved colored pencils.

Below are some drawings from my undergrad.  The first piece was done in my Junior year (2010) and has been in 3 shows.  The middle piece was one from my Freshmen year (08) and has been in 2 shows, and the final piece was a monochromatic study—not showcased.

"Reflections", 2010

2008 (too young to care about titles)

Monochromatic Study, 2010

 

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Feathers Among My Flowers

I was called back to my love of the small feathered creatures this week, but I could not paint even a little budgie without adding some flowers (my current obsession).  This was just a quick painting, but I really enjoyed doing it—I wish I had more time to work!

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Society6 Discount

Just a heads up!  Society6 is offering a special discount on my products until November 17th!

FREE SHIPPING!

 

   

 

 

Woo-hoo! I might take advantage of it myself and purchase my "Noel" pillow—just in time for the Christmas feelings to explode out of me ;) 

 

 

Follow this special link to get the discounts: SPECIAL LINK
 

      All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Initial Thoughts

I've been obsessed with floral watercolors lately.  Seriously.   I dreamed that I was painting them the other night.

I feel like I finally figured out how to work out these flowers—how to make them look the way that I want, or at least a whole lot closer than I have been doing.  And it is also starting to feel so much more natural to me.  I am almost feeling my way along rather than trying to force my hand to work.

Though this I am also feeling braver with color.  While I have always loved a variety in hue with in my artwork, but the saturation was muted—I don't feel as timid, as though I need to "test out" my stroke in a soft tone before rushing in with the full vibrancy of the color.

Considering adding a personalized section to the shop.  What do you think?  Would you be interested in initial-ed or monogrammed stationery like the item I have listed above?

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

One Flower, Two Ways

Just a quick post—as my life is getting crazier with the holidays coming quickly!

The other night I took a break from "life" (aka, dishes) and I enjoyed playing around with a couple different styles.  While I can't seem to understand watercolors, I can't tare myself away from them!
I LOVE it when other people paint with watercolors—their loose and expressive methods make me swoon!  But I can't do it. Haha, I'm a realism girl who dreams in an impressionistic style.

Anywho, both of these styles are not exactly like what I typically do—which do you prefer?

      All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

My First Noel: A Christmas Wreath

Christmas is in the air!   **deep breath**  

Uhh... well, it's coming, trust me.  And it's time for another Christmas illustration reveal!

Available on Etsy or Society6

I love the classic qualities of this—embracing old memories with new ideas and coming out with something harmonious.  I love decorating for Christmas, and I am especially excited to hang this original when the time comes (I am normally a strict "after Thanksgiving" Christmas decorator, though this year I might have to make an exception!).

Anywho, I love the typography mixed in with the classic winter wreath, and the red bow gives it a little bit of a vintage vibe, which is also something that I love!

You can find this piece in flat note card form at my etsy shop or as a print, pillow cover (I LOVE the idea of the pillow cover and may order one myself! haha) or folded note cards on Society6

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Free Desktop Calendar Download

This desktop calendar (along with a matching iPhone background) is available for FREE under my "Free Downloads!" tab.
 

I hope you're enjoying this lovely November as much as I am thus far :) 

      All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Sketchbook: Felines

Just some quickies between classes last week.  Pictures of cats seem to follow me around lately and I can't help but draw them sometimes:

 

Though I will probably never have a cat myself (reason enough being that my husband is incredibly allergic to them), I have grown fond of their funny ways lately.

Maybe because so many of our friends have opened their homes to these personality-stuffed creatures and I find myself in tears laughing at the funny things that they do?  Probably, I'm a sucker for anything that will make me laugh.

    All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Farewell October, Hello November!

Here is my seasonal sketch for fall / Halloween... a day late.  Ah well, I decided to spend time with family instead of finishing this and I can't honestly say that I regret it for a moment.

Farewell October.  I don't always give you the credit that you deserve, but I did enjoy you this year.

 

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Seasonal Birds... Winter

 

I have begun a series of illustrations depicting various birds perched in incomplete "wreaths" that compliment the season that they are celebrating.  Above is my first to reveal: a winter / Christmas style bird.  I considered adding snow but I'm still a little cautious to use "s" word at the moment.  Maybe another rendition in the future?  Maybe.

 

Below are some of the sketches that I revealed to my faithful instagram followers yesterday.

 

My "Halloween" design was not thought of until last night (since I officially began to work on this little series only yesterday), and thus remains unfinished until tomorrow at least.  Which, of course, is a day late—rats! (or should I say... "bats"?)  Oh well... commissioned work comes before pleasure!

      All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Sketchbook: Peonies

Peonies are my very favorite flower.

I just love the romantic design that they have—voluminous petals that are so dainty and soft.  Even though it's fall (and peonies bloom in the SPRING), peonies are what I gravitate towards when I itch to draw a flower.

Thank goodness for photography!

      All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission