Today I'm going to share with you my 5 best tips you should always do when using acrylic paints. And you're gonna wanna stick around because tip #5 is going to go against everything else you read on the internet. Which of the 5 acrylic painting tips in this video was the most surprising to you? Was it #5 or one of the others? Whether you're in an art class, or following along a painting tutorial of mine here on YouTube, these tips will definitely make it a much more enjoyable

When you want to draw (or paint) a figure, don't just start drawing head, shoulders, etc... We look at people all day long but when it comes to drawing them, we need a system to help lay down what's really there and truly see. In order to draw or paint a figure we want to begin by laying down the axis of the body to create a "grid."  Axis are: imaginary lines that help divide the body into planes and help explain orientation. In this lesson we drew in axis for the spine, the

How to draw a face. Michelle and Shannon from MBodied Art Studio teach you the step-by- step way to draw a face that looks good every single time! If you've wanted to feel good at drawing people but never knew how, there is a way to map out a face so it is proportional and will look good every time. Shannon will show you how to use the symmetry of the face to draw it out so that the eyes and nose are all even and correctly placed. She teaches this face map in our drawing clas

Learn a technique for painting 3-dimensional trees! We'll share some color theory, a brush technique and how to use layers to achieve the look you want. This super helpful painting lesson will take the stress away from making realistic and visually pleasing trees so you can feel confident in your next nature-themed painting! Stippling = dabbing the brush, hold it farther towards the end for looseness Color theory = start with darkest greens and slowly lighten Making a shadow

There's more than 1 way to paint a sunset! Shannon shares her favorite blending technique: Cross-Hatching. It makes for a more "painterly" looking sky and you can use it for any subject matter you want! Want to join our Creative Community?! A good place to begin is with our Class Schedule or the Getting Started page! #Denverartclass #Denverpaintingclass #Denverartstudio #Denverpaintingclasses #learntopaint #artclasses #artclass #artschoolDenver #paintingclassesDenver #paintin

Here’s the secret: we’ve got it all wrong. What feels important, what we give so much of our time and energy to, it’s NOT the answer. We actually need to nourish the soul. We need to come back into balance...as people and as a culture. One of the best ways to care for the soul is by making art. It gets you tuned into your inner wisdom. It naturally brings you into flow. Expression is VITAL to the soul. And there's a beautiful energy exchange that happens when you make art

Art Therapy is helpful for people of all ages and its benefits go beyond the field of mental health into many other areas of life. Including an art therapy practice along with other recovery methods when dealing with traumatic life events is essential for expressing our emotions (particularly the more negative ones) rather than letting them control our day-to-day. Making art allows for the opportunity to be fully present in the moment and offers a sense of relaxation and peac

“I can’t make art! I’m not creative. Art is for those people, over there with “natural talent.” If these are some thoughts that go through your mind, we have something to tell you! No one is “naturally” good at art. It truly takes practice to be good at anything. And it really, really helps to have someone teach you and guide you. With MBodied, we have a 5-step system for helping students with NO experience go from “I’m not creative” to “I can’t believe I did that!” We

"Why do you make art?" Hear from the students of MBodied's watercolor class. Common responses to the question are: "because it's relaxing/stress-relieving", "to express my creative side" and "I get absorbed in the process and lose track of time!" Why do YOU make art?? #Westminsterpaintingclasses #Westminsterartclass #Westminsterdrawingclass #Westminsterartstudio #artclass #paintingclass #drawingclass #learntodraw #learntopaint #learntopaintWestminster #artclasses #denverartc

Having a mindfulness practice can really help us be more present and peaceful. But do we have to meditate on a cushion or are there other ways?!! Making art can be a great substitute if you want to get into mindfulness but don't enjoy meditation. Art naturally brings you into the present moment and lets you express your inner world out and onto paper or canvas. Watch the video below to learn more about the connection between mindfulness and art. #artasmeditation #artastherap

Find out the last 2 steps of MBodied's system for helping people overcome this common issue with making art. #Westminsterpaintingclass #Westminsterartclass #Westminsterdrawingclass #art #artandcommunity #artclass #learntopaint #learntodraw #artforintroverts #artasmeditation #destresswithart #stressrelief #newhobby #creativity #Denverpaintingclass #Denverartclass #Denverdrawingclass #Denverartstudio #Denverlearntopaint #Denverarttherapy #Denverwomensgroup #denveradultartclasse

What is the reason most people don't make art? MBodied has a 5 part system for overcoming this common issue! Find out steps 1-3 right now! #Westminsterpaintingclasses #Westminsterpainting #Westminsterpaintingclass #artandcommunity #artclassarvada #Westminsterartstudio #ArtStudioWestminster #artastherapy #timeforart #relaxingthroughart #makingtimetomakeart #Westminsterartclass #Art #artclasswestminster #Denverpaintingclass #Denverartclass #Denverdrawingclass #Denverartstudio

I’m sitting in a roomful of people who are silent, totally absorbed in what they are doing, soft music playing in the background and a sense of community and belonging. This is one of my favorite things as an introvert, enjoying the company of others while totally engaged in what I am doing. Now, we’re not silent all the time. We talk, we laugh and engage. The difference is, that’s not the focus of our gathering. We gather to paint, our focus is on creative expression and

There’s something magical in Michelle’s studio. Some combination of Michelle’s true passion for her art – her actual paintings and, more loosely, her art of shepherding students through learning about painting and themselves – the good conversations in the studio, the freedom to create and learn and make mistakes, and something…magical. I found out about MBodied Art Studio because I wanted to relearn about the art techniques I so loved in high school and then forgot about in

I love the community that is forming among the painters at MBodied! If you walk in during Introduction to Acrylics or Open Studio you will hear people chatting about life, about their painting process, making jokes or singing along to the music. Other times you hear nothing at all. That silence is the absorbed focus of painting known as the “flow state.” Making art can take you into a deep state of presence where it feels like only you and the painting are there. How coo

Manifesting is creating what you want in life. In the bible you can read, “God said, let there be light, and there was light.” That’s manifesting…not as easy for the rest of us though. Why not? Because we are human. Because we have beliefs that limit our ability to manifest. I may want to have love in my life but I may also hold an unconscious belief that I am unlovable. Even though I want love, I can’t manifest love because my belief has a stronger influence than my wa

When a person is diagnosed with illness, our first instinct is to focus on the physical health and alleviate the pain. In addition to the physical health, we should also keep in mind that these individuals also suffer emotionally. Concerns about health can be a source of stress and anxiety, not only for the patient but his family and loved ones as well. The good news is, patients and their families can get through this emotional turmoil with the help of art therapy. Today, ar

A birthday is so special to a child. Looked forward to for months and hopefully remembered long after, its importance cannot be overstated. MBodied Art Studio loves helping make birthdays special by providing a beautiful venue, kind teachers, awesome art materials and lasting memories. For the preschool age birthday (3-6 years old), MBodied knows the excitement and energy of this age group and enjoys hosting art exploration parties. Multiple project ideas and materials are

What is the number one thing that prevents you from creating art? Time or the lack thereof. After all, nobody has free time. School, work, family and all the other responsibilities we juggle on a daily basis offer enough excuse for skipping art sessions. But how do you find time for art when you already have a full schedule? Read on and check out the suggestions below. Not only will you start making art, but you’ll also start changing your mindset. Set limits for computer tim

Regardless of your kid’s natural artistic talent, it’s likely that you feel that every drawing, painting or collage your child produce is a masterpiece. Yes, they are cute, but the refrigerator can only hold so much. Kids have no shortage of inspiration and creativity, and if your kids are like mine, then there’s probably a mini avalanche every time you open the refrigerator. Here are a few ways for decluttering the fridge, preserving your child’s most cherished work of art a