The recent one I signed myself for is the Watercolour worshop [Flower & Wreaths Edition] with Sze Too from Stickerrific. I'll be honest and admit that this was something that I've been eyeing at for the longest time. However unlike her Food Edition workshops, this one is rare and hard to come around.
So imagine my response when classes were finally available for the flowers & wreaths edition. I wasted literally no time in booking my spot for the class, paid for it and also somehow managed to
Then it wasn't long before the day I had been excitedly looking forward to has arrived. And I should also mention that I have zero experience with painting, especially with watercolour as a medium.
 |
| Napping meow |
 |
| *losing my shit right about now* |
Sze Too is definitely a cat person cause she has three of them that just happily roam around the store. The pretty space is pretty much their territory which explains why I found all three casually lazing about at just any corner they liked.
 |
What was provided to us was some watercolour paper (200gsm thick), a stencil drawing of a wreath with several kinds of flowers and then a set of flower themed stickers. Initially I thought that was a special gift for all of us that attended the class but it's actually for us to use as a reference when we paint later.
I still think it's a present and I like it.
 |
| "Go away, human" |
Once most of the students were seated then the class officially started. First Sze Too explained to us the very basics when it comes to watercolour painting like the different kinds of paper, sizes of brushes and also why some brands of paint costs more while some are cheaper. When I say expensive, it really is and can cost more than a hella good meal for three people.
I would explain it all but then this would be a hella boring post. It's better if you attend one of the workshops and find out for yourself. :3 Just know that there is a big difference between the cheaper and more expensive watercolours, more to do with the finishing and colour payoff.
You know, kinda like why some girls are willing to pay more for a make up product when there's a cheaper alternative. Same concept just different... Things and category altogether. hahaha. But the idea is the same la, cheesus.
 |
| The artist & her new batch of students |
- Wet-to-dry method where you just pick up the colour you want and then painting it straight onto the paper. Simple & straightforward.
- Wet-on-wet technique which is as the name suggests; first you wet the paper with clean water first before dotting down the colour then just let it bleed onto the paper. This creates a very pretty effect.
- Gradient style is pretty cool and very helpful in creating shadows. First you paint on a heavier colour in the beginning, then add a little bit more water after that stroke and gradually add a little more each time. I like this but it's harder than it seems.
There are still a few more but I can't exactly remember what they are exactly. So I guess that means you'd have to pay a visit to the workshop if you want to learn more. (;
 |
| My attempt. |
Don't like that la. She's been painting for a long time and she's mad artistic ohkay, give chance please. I'm still learning and am making her teach me when we meet up for painting sessions. On top of girl talk of course, that's a big no brainer right there.
 |
| Tower of treats. |
I wasn't too sure what the drink was exactly, but I really liked how it was super chilled and sourish. And the treats, I liked them all because they're all dainty looking but also very yums.
 |
| Leaves painting. Fail. |
General idea is, the flower/tree/plant/whatever that's furthest from us will be lighter in color and the ones that are closer to us, the color will no doubt be of a darker shade. So this way, you can create an illusion of depth to your painting just by layering, creating very nice effects as many layers are added on.
Not as easy as it seems - especially the branches that takes a whole lot more control than one would think. Since the color has to be super light, your pressure on the brush can't be too heavy and you'd really have to get it done in one swift motion. It was a struggle for me at first.
 |
| I tried. It's the effort that counts. |
The only thing is I am super terrible at painting so mine never turns out how I imagine it to be. Not without plenty of patience & practice till I get it right.
 |
| Taking a break. Flatlay FTW with all the colours & art. |
Little did I realise until I tried the technique myself how flipping difficult it is.
 |
| My finished results after a two and a half hour class |
But I mean, I do wish that I could come up with something half as pretty as this and the amazing thing is, the artist painted these in a rush. However effortless it seemed, the results still turned out to look super nice. Though Sze Too did say midway through the class to not expect too much for now. After all she's got years of practice and experience in her brushes which explains why she's so good at her artworks. So it would be rather crazy to think that we would immediately be perfect artists after one workshop.
In other words, I need to remind myself to practice more and not give up even if the first few times are going to look absolutely horrid.
Though be warned, if you do not have much self control when it comes to spending then I suggest that you be very careful. Once you enter the store and see what there is to offer, you might just empty out every single cent in your bank account for all the things that catches your eye.
Especially if you are a sucker for pretty things like me.
Every corner is filled with different things and there's nothing you can't find here. There's a side of the store where they have all the important tools for calligraphy, from different coloured inks and many kinds of pens too.
But from what I could tell based on the examples given, different kinds of nibs gives you a different effect and also can tailor to suit what you're comfortable with.
Quite a number of them were very vintage looking stickers of flowers and food, very pretty and I was trying my best to not haul a handful of them into a basket. But I learned some self control that day. Trust me, you'll have a hard time resisting the urge to buy everything in sight.
Also, POSTCARDS, plenty of them. There are again the vintage themed kinds and some painted/illustrated by local artistes even. Very nice but I didn't buy any.
 |
| Say bye Luke! |
Also, practice. Lots and lots of it to get better or else those few hours at class is just going to waste.
In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette,
which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.
- Marc Chagall
Actually I don't even mind driving myself all the way to Jaya One to visit the store and sit there to paint all day. Who knows, maybe all the artistic vibes will motivate me to paint more rather than stare at my phone for long.
