The Little Bluebird Gallery Blog

I’ve been painting with some different supplies and playing with ideas. I thought it would be fun to show you what I’ve been using and hopefully … Read More

  I found the cutest little magnetic frames! Let’s put some tiny paintings inside these and paint one more floral painting! Try my free lesson and … Read More

In this week’s video, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what I’ve been working on in February and sharing something that has truly helped me … Read More

Watching another artist paint always inspires me to get into my studio and create, too! In today’s video, I am painting over a practice floral that … Read More

  If your acrylic paintings feel too bright, harsh, or “straight-from-the-tube,” this short color mixing lesson will help. In this video, I’m showing you a simple … Read More

  This month in my studio, I’ve been slowing down and allowing myself to create art gently. I mention my membership in the video. You can … Read More

I’m working on an ornament today and trying to get my creative ideas flowing again. Want to paint these with me? You can find the full … Read More

Hello there!   In the video below, I am in my studio doing a little painting and sharing a tip that will help when you are … Read More

  Take a peek inside my latest sketchbook! 🌸 In this video, I share: Personal paintings I’ve created just for fun Step-by-step tutorials from my painting … Read More

Do you have certain colors that you naturally gravitate towards? I do! I also have colors that I’ve avoided for some reason. In this week’s video, … Read More

This week’s video is a short and quiet one, but I hope it will inspire you to paint! I love to watch other artists create. It’s … Read More

Rearranging my studio gave me the spark I needed to get inspired again—and now I’m working on some big, beautiful floral paintings! If you’re craving a … Read More

I recently painted over a landscape painting I wasn’t happy with—and ended up creating something I truly love. In this video, I walk you through the … Read More

  Last week I shared why I believe in mastering one subject before jumping around—and today I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I still … Read More

If you’re feeling stuck in your painting journey or frustrated that you’re not improving faster, you’re not alone. In today’s video, I’m sharing the one thing … Read More

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin with painting, this video is for you. Today I’m sharing three things I wish I … Read More

If you’ve ever stared at your painting and thought “Why does this still feel so stiff?”—you’re not alone. One of the biggest things I hear from … Read More

So many artists assume that loose painting means sloppy, rushed, or totally unplanned—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In this video, I’m breaking down … Read More

Want to loosen up your painting style? In this video, I’m sharing 3 simple tips to help you paint more freely and expressively. Whether you’re feeling … Read More

🍋🎨 Enjoy the calming process of painting as I create a vibrant lemon acrylic painting. No talking—just soothing music and brushstrokes as the artwork unfolds. Let … Read More

  Want to loosen up your painting style and create a beautiful sunflower without overthinking it? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to paint a … Read More

Watch as I paint a loose floral in acrylics with simple brushstrokes and blended colors. No talking—just relaxing music and the painting process. 🎨 Want to … Read More

    Did you know that warm and cool colors can make your paintings feel more dynamic? In this video, I’m showing examples from my own … Read More

  I used to struggle with finding my art style. I kept searching for what I loved, but nothing felt quite right—until I flipped the question. … Read More

  In this video, I’m slowing down my paintbrush and showing you how I create petals and leaves in a loose and expressive style. If you … Read More

  Want to loosen up and have more fun with your painting? In this video, I’m showing you how I use simple notecards to create little … Read More

  Ever wondered how to use a sketchbook to improve your art and stay inspired? In this video, I’m sharing a flip-through of my sketchbooks and … Read More

  In this video, I’m painting two little wooden eggs and giving them a fresh, spring-inspired look! Then, I’ll add them to a beautiful cloche I … Read More

  I am really rough on my paint brushes but that’s ok! I use the old ones to create interesting marks and creative ideas in my … Read More

10 Lies People Believe About Art   I hear it all the time….”I can’t even draw a stick figure.” Where is all of this negativity towards … Read More

Varnishing Mixed Media Art Varnishing mixed media art can be tricky. There are no limits to mediums when you are creating mixed media art, but there … Read More

This piece is a new exploration and also a bit of a revelation! In this one painting I see elements of influence. I see ideas gleaned … Read More

Hi there, friend. I’m Amanda, and this is my story! I’m a mixed media artist, and I love to use a variety of mediums on a … Read More

This is harder than it might seem. Painting in a messy, painterly, impressionistic, loose style doesn’t come naturally for most people.   “How do I loosen … Read More

Where do I begin? This is a question that I get asked pretty often. There are many ways to help yourself to get started with a … Read More

Sometimes I get questions about how I do everything that I do with my online business and take care of our home and family.  Spoiler alert! … Read More

Sometimes I get overwhelmed and burned out. When I do, something inside my creative mind has to be allowed space to just paint without an agenda. … Read More

I love painting with acrylics because there is so much that you can do with them! In this video, I am painting with acrylics on galvanized … Read More

I’ve been painting irises and thinking about how I don’t know everything that there is to know about painting. Let’s chat about waiting until you know … Read More

  Teaching artists often tell their students to take what they have learned in their classes and make it their own. In this video I give … Read More

I’ve been painting a lot of roses recently and am beginning to see some patterns. For instance, not every petal has to be perfect for the … Read More

If you’re new to painting flowers, but are looking for a fun and easy way get started with acrylics then this video is perfect for you! … Read More

The rich brown backgrounds in my most recent paintings may have you wondering what paint I use. Painting is one of the few things that I … Read More

  Fear is the enemy of creativity. Let’s paint flowers and talk about ways I have learned to overcome fear.   This painting is available for … Read More

Have you ever tried painting with a palette knife and got frustrated? Have you ever wondered how artists get that textured, layered look that shows brush … Read More

Not all reds are created equal. Some brands that are labeled with the same hue end up looking totally different when you mix them when white. … Read More

Hi there! It’s me, Amanda, and I have a new relaxing painting video to share with you! I’ve been working on several coastal paintings for my … Read More

Lately I’ve been searching for ways to relax and create some peaceful moments in my day. Watercolor is not my usual medium of choice, but I’ve … Read More

This video was recorded live on my Facebook page. I’m playing with watercolors and challenging you to take a few minutes every day to create. Just … Read More

Do you like practicing your acrylic painting ideas on paper but find it hard to keep flat? This art tip is pretty simple but helps me … Read More

This video will show you how to paint a single rose with a palette knife using acrylics. I hope you enjoy painting with me!   Here’s … Read More

This video is a quick tip about using color in your acrylic paintings. Beginner artists sometimes use paint directly out of the tube and this video … Read More

Color swatches can help you plan ahead! I like to make swatches of my paints so that I can really see the color when I am … Read More

This lesson is pulled from my online workshop, Hydrangeas: A Flora Workshop. If you’d like to learn more about painting hydrangeas with a brush and an … Read More

This video was pulled from the tutorial library inside my membership, The Creative Community! You can take these elements and put them together to create your … Read More

In this video, I teach you how to paint a creamy white pumpkin on a dark and moody background. This lesson is part of a longer … Read More

In this video, I’m adding texture and finishing up the edges on this pumpkin cutting board. I love painting on found objects and you can easily … Read More

Just like art, success is really very subjective. In this video, I am talking about the idea of being a successful artist and how I believe … Read More

While I’m not selling originals right now, I AM selling my artwork. It’s complicated, but I’ll explain.    

  I found these cute little frames at the thrift store and wanted to flip them. I used acrylic paint, mixed media paper, and some glue … Read More

  I love a good pink mix but sometimes it’s hard to get right. In this video I’m going to show you how to create a … Read More

I love thrift stores and finding items that I can use to paint on! Today I have a thrifted chalkboard that I’m working on. Come hang … Read More

  One of my goals for this year is to paint more often. Sometimes it’s hard to do that when you aren’t in a creative mood, … Read More

  I was asked about my glass palette that I use for painting with acrylic paint. It’s a simple little set-up and it works well for … Read More

(This post contains affiliate links.) I love the vintage bells that I’ve been seeing in home decor everywhere these days. They are so beautiful and shabby! … Read More

  This week’s “Tuesday at Two” live session over on my Facebook page involved texture, acrylic paint, and a palette knife! Watch and learn how to … Read More

  Having a good balance of technique and intuition is key when you are wanting to paint in a loose style. In this video, you’ll learn … Read More

This week in my Tuesday live video on my Facebook page we played with paper and created mixed media mushrooms! This idea can be used on … Read More

  This video is a replay of my weekly live time on my Facebook page. Sometimes I get stuck and need help getting back into my … Read More

Framing art can really elevate its beauty. In this video I show you a little trick to create original canvas art customized to fit beautiful frames!

Supply List -Small and Medium flat brush -Heavy Body Acrylic Paint in these colors: Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Manganese Blue, Burnt Sienna, Mars Black, and Cad … Read More

This week I’m planning a new schedule for myself, painting a tropical landscape, correcting a swan painting, and chatting with you! Hope you enjoy! Link to … Read More

  Relax and enjoy the process of painting a spring landscape in acrylics! If you’d like more info about the library of painting tutorials that I … Read More

Relax and watch as I paint a spray of vintage-style flowers in acrylic paint. This one began with a light background that didn’t make me happy, … Read More

This week I’m sharing my process as I create a floral painting in a vintage vase. Hope you find this one relaxing and enjoy it! This … Read More

This week I’m painting a landscape with a pond and a little white farmhouse. Hope you enjoy seeing a little behind-the-scenes from my art studio! This … Read More

  This tutorial is pulled from the past. I created it for my Creative Community membership, and it’s one of hundreds that are now archived in … Read More

  This week I’m vlogging. Join me as I varnish a painting, go thrift shopping, scan paintings, and show you my newest digital skills.

Want to paint a little white house with me? This video is a recording of my weekly live video over on my Facebook page. We painted … Read More

This week’s Tuesday at 2 tip is all about painting on paper! Did you know that you can use watercolor paper with acrylic paint? It’s a … Read More

  Welcome to my latest tutorial pulled from my weekly Tuesday at 2 live session on Facebook! In this video, I’ll guide you through the simple … Read More

This tip is so helpful if you are guilty of saying things like, “I can’t even draw a stick figure”. Use this to build your skills … Read More

  This video is a quick tip to help you finish your canvas paintings fast. I talk about a few different ideas that you can try, … Read More

In this video, I give a simplified explanation of value. Value is what gives depth to a painting and it’s often the thing that beginner artists … Read More

Muted colors bring a calm and classy vibe to paintings, and I use mostly muted colors as my color palette. If you want to add a … Read More

  Quick and Easy: DIY Acrylic Color Wheel with Red, Blue, and Yellow! Let’s get started with a fun DIY – making a color wheel using … Read More

  This canvas was very heavily textured, and I wanted to reuse it to create a landscape. To smooth out the deep lines of texture, I … Read More

We all must begin somewhere, and I believe that all artists begin by imitation. We see something that inspires us, and we give it a try! … Read More

I love creating anything floral, and painting flowers is one of my favorite things. However, drawing is one of my least favorites because it feels tight, … Read More

I have a Christmas tree with a snowman theme. It’s a newer tree, so I don’t have many ornaments yet. Since I need more, I’ve been … Read More

   I was recently asked this question…”How do you choose a background color for your painting?” In this video, I give you some tips and … Read More

I’ve been painting pumpkins and having so much fun! I still have more to add to the shop, but you can see what’s available now here: … Read More

  Go with me to my local art supply store and see what I bought! This is the first time I’ve tried vlogging out in public … Read More

I finished her up and she didn’t turn out at all like I had expected. She’s a peaceful nature lover who puts her trust in God. … Read More

   I’ve been revisiting a design that I had a lot of fun with a few years ago. If you have been following me for … Read More

I’ve been playing with interiors lately and love that I can create and design everything from wallpaper to flower arrangements in these imaginary settings. It’s almost … Read More

It’s been a while since I just painted something for fun on a live video on Facebook. I was in the mood to paint birds in … Read More

Welcome to my art vlog! In this episode, join me as I update an old painting, box and ship an order, add wire to the back … Read More

Throughout my artistic journey, my style has changed over and over again. When I started creating art, I was heavily influenced by whimsical collage work and … Read More

  I think roses are my favorite flowers to paint. Painting roses in acrylics in my sketchbook makes me happy and relaxed. I hope this video … Read More

    I paint a lot of flowers and with those flowers you need some greenery. Most of the time I use sap green and mix … Read More

I love painting in sketchbooks, but they don’t always work out like I want them to. In this video I test 4 different sketchbooks using acrylic … Read More

  I was asked this question in a live Q&A time inside my painting membership, The Little Bluebird Creative Community. This is a little color swatching … Read More

This tutorial is all about color temperature. I have fun playing with a reproduction of one of my favorite paintings by Van Gogh and give you … Read More

This week I’m swatching new paint colors and playing with clay! Join me in my studio and find out what I bought at the art supply … Read More

This week I’m sharing this lesson that’s pulled from my Creative Community membership painting library. I know how hard it can be to loosen up and … Read More

I love to make old things like new. I love rearranging furniture, making a room more cozy, giving my website a new look, changing aesthetics of … Read More

I love playing with loose strokes and unpredictable supplies. This tutorial is a fun warm up, and it can turn into something very pretty! Hope you … Read More

Painting flowers is my favorite and this flower is one that’s perfect for my palette knife. Foxgloves are beautiful flowers and I hope you enjoy painting … Read More

Watch as I begin with an idea and then use that small study to produce a full painting.  

Clouds are one of my favorite things to paint. You can really get some great fluffy texture using a palette knife. Let me show you how … Read More

In this behind the scenes art studio vlog, I’m creating a tutorial for my art & art biz membership, The Little Bluebird Creative Community. This video … Read More

I can’t think of another flower that says spring is coming better than daffodils. Let’s paint some and look forward to sunshine, green grass, and all … Read More

If you are feeling stuck, frustrated, or crippled by the thought of finding your style as an artist, this video is for you!  

I love using a palette knife to get loose and textured artwork! Let me show you how!  

  Mentioned in the video: The brushes I mentioned are actually a variety pack from Walmart. I am not an affiliate for Walmart, but you can … Read More

What if I told you there was a magical key to success for finding your art style, creating an online business, growing on social media, and … Read More

Painting with a palette knife is a quick and fun way to paint sunflowers loosely. I love the painterly look you can get from using this … Read More

Painting on paper is a great way to be economical with your painting practice. I find that it allows for more freedom and less anxiety. However, … Read More

Palette Knife Painting   I love palette knife painting and especially love painting flowers. Hydrangeas are the most fun and probably one of the best choices … Read More