My Make with Paint journey is sponsored by Make with Paint and DecoArt, Inc. As always, all opinions shared are my own.
There are 2 skills that for as long as I can remember I have always wished that I possessed… painting and singing. I used to think you had to be born with these talents but my thinking has evolved. Well, at least on the painting part… there is no amount of training or practice that is going to turn this voice into a Whitney or Mariah, let’s keep it real.
While I’ve become much more comfortable with let’s say “casual” canvas painting, I have still been crazy intimidated to tackle more fine art techniques. That’s why I was so excited (and a little nervous) to be given the opportunity to try Make with Paint, a program which offers online classes for people who want to learn to paint. Each video series includes 3 easy do-it-yourself projects that teach progressive skill development and the how-to’s of painting through video and written step-by-step instructions. At the end of each video lesson, you’ll have a new set of skills and a finished project! You can go at your own pace (I did a lot of rewinding and re-watching, especially at the beginning) and get pro tips throughout each video on brush strokes, creating colors, texture, watercolor effects and many more.
You may have heard (well, read) me joke that I want to be Lucy Akins (creator of Craftberry Bush) when I grow up. She is a phenomenal artist and an inspiring designer who happens to be one of my favorite bloggers, so imagine my delight when I learned that she was the artist teaching the video series!
Part of the gift in watching and learning from Lucy in the 3 videos is that I realized that if something goes awry during the painting it doesn’t mean I have to chuck it and start all over (or get frustrated and just quit). She gave me permission throughout her tutorials to embrace the “quirks” and imperfections because they make the piece uniquely mine. And if there is a what may seem like a major painting catastrophe, everything is still not lost as there isn’t much that can’t be fixed later.
While the 3 projects increase in difficulty with their intricacies, I hope you’ll agree that mine also increased in quality as I became more comfortable practicing the techniques I learned along the way. You can see my finished projects below. First was the flamingo, then the cockatoo and last the toucan. Can you see the progression? I love having these tropical pieces on display in my office, doesn’t everyone need a little bit of the tropics in their workspace? 😉
Have you also always wished you could paint but just didn’t think you could? Make with Paint will start your painting journey. I’m so excited to continue to practice and hone the skills that I learned in the videos and now I know that I can do it.
Good news for you on starting that journey! The Society of Decorative Painters is offering the opportunity for one of my readers to win the entire Make with Paint Kit and video series! In addition to the videos, you will get everything you need to create the 3 pieces that I painted… templates for each design with carbon transfer paper (in case you’re like me and also don’t have an innate sketching talent), watercolor paper, a journal, paint brushes, step by step printed instructions and all 10 DecoArt Americana Acrylic paint colors that you will use for the 3 designs.
Enter to win below and even if you aren’t the lucky winner, you can get started with Make with Paint for 25% off of the kit and videos combo by entering promo code LYDIA25! Good luck, I would love to hear (and see!) how your painting journey progresses.
Heidi @ Happiness is Homemade says
These are seriously gorgeous! ALL the heart eyes!
Lydia says
Thanks Heidi! xo
Tamika says
Cool!!
Ronald Randolph says
what a great site
Lydia says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Mirna says
Sign me up! I’m getting those ASAP! Love the pictures and opportunity for a painting teaching lesson!
Lydia says
That’s great Mirna! Good luck! 🙂
Megan says
I’ve tried going to their website and it doesn’t seem to load! 🙁
Lydia says
I’m sorry you’re having trouble Megan! I’ve tried a few times and it’s loading fine for me, maybe try again?
Melissa says
Thanks for the encouragement to push myself to try this.
Lydia says
My pleasure Melissa, enjoy! 🙂
Ann Thompson says
I really love your paintings. Wish me luck that I can paint, too!
Lydia says
Thank you so much Ann! I never thought I’d hear anyone say that to me, haha! You can definitely do it, too, I promise! I’d love to see your creations!
Emily says
Lydi, your paintings are beautiful! I am pretty comfortable with abstract watercolors, but anything with detail intimidates me. I am definitely going to check out these kits! And how amazing that Lucy is the instructor!?
Lydia says
Thanks Emily! I know, right?! Lucy gave such amazing instruction.
Pat says
This really shows how easy it is to begin to paint and have some beautiful pieces of your own!!!!
Lydia says
Exactly Pat, I’m glad you think so too! 🙂
Chris says
Wow beautiful
Lydia says
Thanks so much! 🙂