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The #1 Surprising Reason for Creative Blocks

Michelle Baker, MA

The #1 Surprising Reason for Creative Blocks

I've worked with hundreds of adults who are taking art classes and they come to me when they're feeling creatively blocked. They're usually feeling frustrated that the art isn't looking the way they want and it's getting them down. But what I ask often surprises them. I don't want to know what brush they're using or how much water they're adding. I ask, "What is the reason that you're in this class?" And they usually say, "to learn something new." "to get back into art." "to

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Michelle Baker, MA

5 More Painting Tips You Should Always Do When Using Acrylics!

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

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Michelle Baker, MA

Top 10 Mistakes Beginner Acrylic Painters Make

Painting can seem hard at first, without guidance or previous experience, it can be easy to make mistakes. So here are some of the most helpful tips I have found for beginner acrylic painters who want to improve their painting skills, and sharpen overall creativity. Learn how to avoid these 10 mistakes beginner acrylic painters make: 1) Not making enough paint. 2) Not using enough paint on the canvas. 3) Spreading paint too thin or squirting paint on top of each other. 4) Not

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Michelle Baker, MA

Secrets to Conquering Creative Blocks

You may not know this but paintings and drawings have a "hard stage." It's in the middle of your process somewhere, you've been trucking along, feeling good... and all of a sudden you don't like it. And you don't know what you don't like! Something is off and you're feeling deflated, discouraged and wondering if you have to start over. Shannon likes to call this, "the ugly stage." 1st lesson: this is NORMAL!!! It doesn't mean anything about you as a painter or drawer. (insert

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Michelle Baker, MA

Figuring out Figures

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

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Michelle Baker, MA

Desert Landscape Shadows

Create your rocks and ground with warm colors. To begin, paint the "middle color" of your rocks (not the darkest or lightest value). For my rocks, I used Burnt Sienna and added a little Red and Raw Sienna to make it even warmer. This was my base rock color. I added blue to this to create the shadow color (blue is the compliment to orange). Use the shadow color to lay out the edges of your rocks and start giving them shape and dimension! Feeling inspired?! This lesson comes fr

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Michelle Baker, MA

Cross-hatch blending technique

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

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Michelle Baker, MA

One Thing Hitler Can Teach Us About Art

Did you know that Hitler banned modern art while he was in power? He declared it was “un-German” and held an exhibition in 1937 called the “Degenerate Art Exhibition” to mock the art and convince viewers to see it as a symptom of an evil plot against German people. The curators even hired actors to mingle with the crowds and criticize the works. Why did he go to such lengths to slander modern art? Hitler was trying to control people’s perceptions through art. He wanted ar

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Michelle Baker, MA

Why Make Art Wednesdays

"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

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Michelle Baker, MA

Why Most People Don't Make Art: Part II

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

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Michelle Baker, MA

Abstract Art is Freedom!

Did you know most kids stop making art around the age of 11 or 12? At this point in cognitive development, kids begin to want their art to look real and if they can’t accomplish this feat they give up on art altogether. Many adults have affirmed this to be the story of when they stopped making art. I tend to agree, if art had to be realistic, I wouldn’t enjoy it much either. But that's the thing…it doesn’t have to be like anything! That’s why I love abstract art, it allow

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The Truth about Creativity (and why you don’t make art as often as you plan to)

Michelle Baker, MA

The Truth about Creativity (and why you don’t make art as often as you plan to)

I know I’m not alone here when I say that my intentions to make art greatly outweigh my actual art making endeavors. I’m not alone because I know the truth about creativity as I’ve seen it play out the same for every person I’ve known: creativity is a discipline just like going to the gym or going to work. Sometimes you don’t want to do it and sometimes you have to make yourself do it. “You can’t force creativity!” Yes, yes, we like to believe creativity is this fleeting

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(720) 443-1994

8781 Sheridan Blvd #6041

Westminster, CO 80031

MBodied Art Studio

(720) 443-1994

8781 Sheridan Blvd #6041

Westminster, CO 80031