Art by Dena
Fine artist, illustrator, writer, & teacher
Online art courses: https://artbydena.thinkific.com/
05/11/2023
Need to de-stress? (Don't we all??)
Here's an amazing way to relax your mind, practice some new skills, and support a meaningful charity all at the same time.
I'm excited to be part of an amazing offer called "Art Bundle for Good."
You get over 100 art courses + resources for only $99 which means LESS THAN $1 PER COURSE.
Included in this Budle are 3 of my courses!
Portrait Drawing Fundamentals ($97 value)
4 Ways to paint Watercolor Clouds ($15 value)
Watercolor: Color Mixing Guide ($29 value)
The best part is that 25% of the Art Bundles for Good profits are going to support Courageous Kitchen, a Bangkok-based charity. My friend John Bardos has raised $118,950 for charity so far.
(I committed to this months ago, if you are wondering why a Bangkok charity when so much assistance is needed here in Israel. In times like these, any light and kindness we can spread makes a difference.)
Please consider supporting artists and charities... and get $5400 worth of resources on on topics like watercolour painting, art journaling, sketching, mixed media, drawing, abstract art, acrylic painting, collage, pastel pencils, colored pencils, creativity and much more.
https://www.art.bundlesforgood.com/?ap_id=+denaa
29/10/2023
Win $5400 worth of online art courses and resources for free!
Includes 3 of my courses and mini-courses!
"Bundles for Good" is an amazing venture created to support artists and give charity at the same time.
You have 3 days to enter this giveaway. After that, you can purchase the bundle for $99 (a steal!!)
Best part: 25% goes to a charity called "Courageous Kitchen," a bootstrapped charity helping refugees in Thailand. As little as $100 per month can get a family off the streets in Thailand.
I committed to joining this project long before the war in Israel broke out. My own courses are now free to Israeli residents (ask me about it!) and I'm also happy to support needy people in other countries as well.
Want to enter the giveaway? Link in comments, or just ask me and I'll send it to you!
Continued prayers for the eradication of evil and greed, and peace and prosperity for all people on earth 🙏🙏
19/10/2023
Support Israel! My friend Leah Luria Fine Art is offering key rings and car hanging accessories for sale, all proceeds go to support Israel wartime charities.
There are really beautiful designs, including that lion which I painted.
Thank you! God bless! 💙💙💙
https://noendlight.com/collections/am-yisrael-chai
15/10/2023
My friend , owner of Skillnosh is offering my 10-part beginner's course "Draw Anything with Colored Pencils" for FREE for 2 weeks for residents of Israel.
Many of us are stuck at home, the kids are out of school, and tension is high. Learning a new skill is both a productive use of time, and can be relaxing and therapeutic. My courses are best suited for adults and kids age 13+
I have some other drawing and painting courses that I can make available as well, so feel free to reach out or forward this to anyone who might be interested.
God Bless 💙
04/10/2023
Would you dodge it, or take it in the heart?
4: DODGE 💘
Copy of "Eros" by Jacques Clement Wagrez
03/10/2023
Inktober 3: Path
I don't know how I expected this one to turn out, but this wasn't it! 🙈🙄 Rushing through something like this was not a good idea!
Hopefully tomorrow will be better!
Pen & ink and watercolor.
Copy of "Reading on the Garden Path" by Albert Aublet
02/10/2023
I think I’d like to use great artwork as the basis for my inktober drawings (as many as I can manage to fit in).
So the first inktober prompt DREAM is based on the painting “Flaming June” by Fredric Leighton.
What I love about inktober is the ability to simply draw for the joy of drawing with no other consideration other than to experiment and have fun.
So I'm also trying out a new pen nib today! Not sure yet how I like it, but I am enjoying the change.
I thought I might color it in, but now I’m not sure. What do you think?
Happy Monday and happy Inktober!! Are you participating this year?
20/09/2023
Portrait Drawing Fundamentals... Things I wish I'd learned years ago!!
My new 8-part course is launching today, and it's on sale for only $47.00 for the next 24 hours!!
Learn how the head and face are structured, techniques for drawing all the features, and what it takes to bring a portrait or character drawing to life!
ArtbyDena.thinkific.com
Do you struggle to draw faces?
Do you want to create portrait art or illustration?
Do you want to understand what you're drawing, instead of copying and tracing?
Check out my new course!! It's 8 lessons, and you can study at your own pace from the comfort of your own home!
ON SALE NOW for only $47.00!!
Price goes up to $97 in the next 24 hours!
Happy Wednesday! ❤
23/05/2023
FREE WEBINAR!
Are you a visual artist, focused on drawing, painting, or illustration?
Do you want to get your work out to the public so you can make sales and get commissions?
Perhaps you feel stuck, and unsure about the next step in your growth as an artist?
Do you have a place online where people can find you, view you art, and contact you easily?
Is the work you're displaying helping you or holding you back?
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT!
Join me for a free webinar, where we'll cover:
⭐How to set up an online portfolio
⭐What work to include and what to leave out
⭐How to get more people to view your art
⭐How to attract clients and sales
⭐Live Q&A for all your questions!
Join me on Sunday, May 28, 2023
6 pm Israel | 8 am Pacific | 11 am Eastern
(Can't make it at that time? I will send you the replay! Just be sure to register!)
More info & registration:
https://subscribepage.io/portfoliowebinar
Hope you'll join us!
Dena
I never wanted to teach. It didn't interest me in the slightest. My younger sister did, and she irritated me (as little sisters do, especially when you have to share a room with them) by playing teacher, complete with grade books, red pens, and her greatest joy in life... chalk and a chalkboard.
We grew up (sort of) and neither one of us became teachers. (She is a very successful leadership coach, which is kind of like a teacher, right?)
Then ten years ago, I was approached by the head a newly-formed art institute in my neighborhood of Beit Shemesh. She asked me to teach, and I said I wasn't interested. She wouldn't take no for an answer. Finally, I caved in. I had no teaching experience, my Hebrew was not very good (still isn't!!), many of the students were older than I was, but if she wanted to hire me, that was her risk.
My first students received a very large does of enthusiasm and lots of interesting demos, but the lessons were jumbled, and my goals were too ambitious for beginners. Over the years I learned how to organize my material and teach at a slower pace, gradually building up their skills and understanding of the medium. I am grateful today that my knowledge and experience is helping others to learn new skills and follow their passion.
Last year, I began creating online courses, to share this knowledge with others. "Watercolor for Beginners" is my 3rd full-length course (in addition to shorter videos and some great free content). My goal is to help people--even those who think they can't draw--to discover and enhance their ability to express themselves and create beautiful things ❤
Happy Wednesday!!
13/03/2023
I asked my daughter if she likes my tomatoes and she said, "No. They're socially off."
😂😂😂😂😂
I love teenagers.
Good news! You too can learn to paint crazy color wheels, fiddly flowers, lumbering landscapes, floundering fish, problematic clouds, embarrassing trees, and bumbling berries!
My new online course "Watercolor for Beginners" will teach you all that, and more! If you practice enough, you might even manage to paint something that won't embarrass your teenager!
(By the way, my friend's teenager is taking the course and she said it's awesome. So there.)
Happy Monday!
27/02/2023
Watercolor painting has existed since ancient times, when cavemen ground up charcoal, mixed it with water, and painted on the walls of their caves.
Luckily, we've made some progress since then!
From cavemen to explorers to the US congress, the history of watercolors is long, varied, and fascinating.
I've created a new video on the history of watercolors!
I hope you will find this journey through time enjoyable, educational, and inspiring!
Watercolor: A short (but fascinating!) history Watercolor painting has existed since ancient times, when cavemen ground up charcoal, mixed it with water, and painted on the walls of their caves. Luckily, ...
One thing I love about watercolor is that it helps us to simplify things, to focus on colors and shapes rather than details.
Watercolor encourages us to relax, surrender some control, and let the magic in.
Anyone can learn how to do it. If that sounds appealing to you, check out my new online course "Watercolors for Beginners" where I will show you everything you need to know to start painting with watercolors!
Use coupon code FB50 to save $50 ☺ Available for the next 24 hours!
Have a great week!
I'm so excited... my new online course "Watercolor for Beginners" is launching on Sunday!
Check out the trailer I put together and let me know what you think!
You can save $50 until Feb 20 if you use the coupon code FB50 ☺
Happy Wednesday!
13/02/2023
Oh sure, watercolor is all fun and games until you have to do it in a classroom or in front of a camera!
"Because watercolor actually moves on the paper, it is the most active of all mediums, almost a performance art." -Nita Engle (watercolor artist, author, teacher)
So, I've been doing a lot of performing lately... some of it improv!
My course "Watercolor for Beginners" is set to launch in less than a week and I've still got lots to do! Wish me luck!!!
Want to learn watercolor painting? Link in comments.
$50 off with coupon fb50!
Happy Monday! ❤
07/02/2023
I created 2 watercolor portraits for Aoifinn Devitt: One of her lovely mother and one of her beautiful daughter and her cello. In honor of February, she had me on her Podcast to discuss "Art as a Labor of Love." We talked about lot of things, including my first commissioned painting, Michelangelo, how to price artwork, and why AI will never completely replace artists.
Hope you enjoy!
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/fiftyfacesfocusprovostelection/episodes/2023-02-06T20_12_07-08_00
I spent nearly all day on this one-minute video!
It's the introduction to a longer video on the history of watercolors. A very BRIEF history of watercolors, since the first minute of it took me such a long time!
Between the research, writing a script, finding the right images, putting it all together and adding captions... whew! That is a crazy amount of work.
(To be fair, I was also researching, writing, and editing the rest of the script, not just the first minute!)
Let me know if you enjoyed it!
I'll post the full video when it's finished!
Happy Sunday! 🥰
I am filming a new online course called "Watercolor for Beginners." 😍
There's nothing quite so beautiful and satisfying as watercolors, but they have a reputation for being hard to manage and frustrating. Have you ever used watercolors? Do you enjoy it?
Happy Tuesday!
26/01/2023
"Hi Dena, I am wondering if I could ask you to do a portrait of my daughter's cat, Tiger, who recently had to be put to sleep unexpectedly.
"My daughter has gifted portraits of beloved pets to her cousins, and I wanted to do this for her. He was a young cat gone long before he should have. I know that our Father will use this to bring her closer to him, but I want to ease her pain."
I was, of course, happy to do so.
Do you think she'll like it?
I have a few more empty pages. What should I draw next?
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I'm thankful for you ❤🙏 God bless!
What can we learn from an egg?
Quite a lot, when it comes to drawing and painting!
Please note: No eggs have been harmed in the making of this video.
(Except for one that I left on the table by accident and my cat knocked over. Apparently, he likes raw eggs!)
If you'd like to watch the full video, I've put the link in the comments below! (Or comment "Link, please" and I'll send it to you!)
If you would NOT like to watch the full video, leave me a comment and tell me why you hate art, eggs, and me. Then go to YouTube and hit "Like" anyway. It will be your good deed for the day. 🙏
Happy Sunday! ☺
13/10/2022
Just because someone enjoys the company of their cats more than most people in the world, does that make them a Crazy Cat Lady?
(Asking for a friend 👀)
I'm late to the Inktober party, but here's my first one for the Day 5 prompt "Crazy Cat Lady House" from the INKTOBER WORLDS prompt list for environment designers by and Audrey Rouvin
This lady is all dressed up for something, but looks like she'd rather stay home tonight. 🐱 Who can relate?
Happy Thursday and Gut Mo'ed!
Putting the finishing touches on a watercolor portrait today!
🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼
Do you play an instrument? I have sometimes wondered if my lack of musical aptitude is standing in the way of discovering one of my kids' hidden musical talents, but it seems that I needn't worry...
My 12 year old recently decided that he must learn to play the keyboard. He was so insistent that within one day we found him a teacher and he went out and bought the keyboard himself. I need to take lessons from him on not procrastinating!!
Hope you enjoy the painting ☺ Happy Thursday!
07/07/2022
Two great ways to join the Jerusalem Women Writer's Seminar this year!
July 19 will be the in-person event in Jerusalem.
July 20 will be an online event so that everyone all around the world can join the fun.
I'll be presenting a workshop on the second day called "The Making of a Picture Book: An author-illustrator collaboration."
You can check out the schedule, list of speakers and workshops at the JWWS website.
Who's coming??
Tag a writer who might enjoy this.
I'd love to see you there 😊
Happy Tuesday!
20/06/2022
When I started creating art courses, I had adults in mind.
That's because the in-person classes I teach are for adults. I get enough of kids at home (bless them). I like the mature company of other adults when I go out to teach 😊
So... when people asked me if my drawing course was suitable for kids, I wasn't sure. I don't teach kids. However, I like to think my explanations and process are so clear that even kids can follow along.
I told people they could try it, and if it wasn't suitable I'd be happy to refund their money.
Well... check out this feedback!!
"Dena’s Draw Anything with Colored Pencils has been transformational for our 11-year-old daughter.
"It’s given her focus and very systematic habits when it comes to drawing and concentration. My wife and I have been amazed at some of the drawings, and we have learned to stop asking: “did you really draw that yourself?”
"We invested in some proper colored pencils once we saw our daughter was serious about developing her art skills. It’s been a great experience, watching the progress."
😍😍😍
But wait!! Here's a testimonial from a grown-up!
"I bought a set of colour pencils over a year ago and watched quite a few videos, but they either had complex explanations or no explanations at all. I took a short workshop, but it was far too short and I didn't see much progress or understanding. Then, I found Dena's course…. The videos are of great quality and the explanations are clear and easy to understand. Dena explains her thinking and painting process really well, which is something I hardly ever found. So far, I'm happy with my progress; now I understand what I'm doing and why."
And that's all I have to say for today, but do leave a comment so more people can see it, and try out this transformational course 😊 Link in comments!
Thank you! 🙏🙏 Happy Monday!
17/06/2022
This year I've been teaching a watercolor class once a week at a local art school for adults, and this week we had our last class. I really did not see that coming. What? The school year is over?? Where does the time go??
I knew we were somewhere toward the end of the year, but being the type of teacher who doesn't check calendars, I was taken by surprise. Good thing I'm also not the type of teacher who prepares long, inspiring goodbye speeches or buys everyone a gift to remember me by 😂
Which makes this portrait from today the grand finale for the year, I suppose!
Congratulations to everyone who’s finishing up a school year 😊 Have a wonderful weekend… Shabbat shalom 😊
10/05/2022
Next week I'll be joining John Middick to do a live (zoom) illustration demo!
We'll be discussing colored pencil and watercolor techniques, and I will show you how I design a character from start to finish using these mediums... plus Q&A.
I am open to suggestions on what type of character to draw!
If you are interested in joining, let me know, and I'll send you the info!
Save the date: Tuesday, May 17 at 11:30 AM Eastern/6:30 PM Israel time.
Happy Tuesday! 😊
10/05/2022
Next week I'll be joining Sharpened Artist to do a live (zoom) illustration demo!
We'll be discussing colored pencil and watercolor techniques, and I will show you how I design a character from start to finish using these mediums... plus Q&A.
I am open to suggestions on what type of character to draw!
If you are interested in joining, let me know, and I'll send you the info!
Save the date: Tuesday, May 17 at 11:30 AM Eastern/6:30 PM Israel time.
Happy Tuesday! 😊
04/05/2022
It’s not totally finished, but it’s as far as I got in a 2.5-hour class demo 😊
27/04/2022
Do you have a favorite animal?
I don't know if I could pick a favorite... I love cats and dogs. When I was a kid all I wanted in life was a cat. And I read all the horse books I could get my hands on and thought horses were spectacular.
The big cats are incredibly beautiful, too. And I love watching water birds floating and dabbling in the water... so peaceful.
My least favorite animals are monkeys. Too close to humans perhaps, I think they're just creepy. Gorillas are cool, though.
How about you?
Plus, if you want to capture the beauty of animals on paper, I have a new Colored Pencil course called "Drawing Pets & Wildlife"! Learn to draw at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home. PM me for details or check out the link in the comment section below.
Happy Wednesday!! 🦆🦢
Videos (show all)
