#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Draw A Bird Day, Draw A Bird Day, Drawings, Etsy, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Forest Goddess – Step by Step Watercolor Painting FAQ and Tips!


“Forest Goddess” 
a Step by Step watercolor painting FAQ and Tips.

Today post feature the release of my new painting titled “Forest Goddess”!

Who follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart  had already seen some images of this painting posted as WIP  “work in progress”. Today I am releasing the finished piece and posting all the photos here. This is a post different from my usual. And if you are a beginner artist or a creative you will find some good tips. From time to time I have been asked many interesting questions about my creative process while working on a watercolor painting. Today I will use this post to share my answers to some of these questions and write about the steps I take while creating my paintings. This isn’t a tutorial but I will guide you through my process and giving some good tips that works for me. I have just completed this painting “Forest Goddess” and while working I took several photos to show you the work in  progress from the starting sketch to the end, which will help to illustrate my answers to the questions. For this post I have selected three interesting and helpful questions for now I will answer and give a tip to these ones, maybe in the future I will make a FAQ page.

1) Question:  What does inspire you?
I get asked this question a lot,  isn’t the first time that I answer that inspiration for me can come from anything, I can be looking outside the window, or reading, or while I am walking in nature or browsing on internet and more. Anything can inspire and it can happen anytime, anywhere I have just be ready to receive my inspiration and transform it in a tangible painting!

>Tip: A good thing I always do and this is my tip for you is to always carry a small notebook or sketchbook a pencil and a pen to take notes or for a quick sketch, take it with you especially when you’re on the go out of home or travelling, because when an inspiration or idea strikes your mind, it will go away very fast as it came, so it need to be captured on any sort of paper if you want to work on it later on! This is good to do, not just for artists, but also for writers or anyone that has a creative mind and makes creativity a part of their daily life.

Stage 1 Inspiration and pencil sketch – For this painting I was inspired looking at images of wildlife, trees and animals and I got in the mood  to create an ethereal goddess inspired by the beautiful nature of the forest. Here below you can see my pencil sketch and how my inspiration of this beautiful imaginary Goddess begin to come alive. I made my sketch on watercolor paper because this is the medium I chose for this painting.

Forest Goddess -Sketch – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

2) Question: Do you paint/draw from your imagination or from what you see around you?
This is a good question! I actually draw or paint very often from my own imagination or from memories I have, I also love drawing from what I see around me. It depends of what I am drawing or creating. Sometimes I use reference photos if I am sketching something realistic or something that I never sketched before.  To be precise on a realistic drawing I refer to images. But many times I paint straight with the watercolor on paper without even make a prior pencil sketch. I like to do that especially with flowers. I like to let the watercolor flow and create the shapes then guide of my brush. When I paint faces I prefer to make my pencil drawing first and then lay the watercolors. In  “Forest Goddess” painting I made the drawing from my own imagination reference. I love to bring imaginary faces to life that’s how I made the pencil sketch that you see in the photo above. I haven’t used any reference photo for her face. Drawing faces without reference isn’t easy especially for beginners, you need to practice a lot and get familiar with face shapes, eyes, nose, lips, facial expressions, it takes time and practice to memorize and be able to create faces without photo references.

>Tip: Practice a lot observe everything in detail, challenge yourself to draw daily not just to train your imagination and memory but also your hand. At first keep drawing easy things, many times with photo references, then when you feel more confident, try drawing without photo reference and see how much your memory works from your imagination. I don’t want to discourage anyone but keep in mind that takes time, consistency and perseverance. Don’t stress about it enjoy the process it’s not a race, just love what you’re doing and you will see how far you go.

Forest Goddess – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Stage 2 start painting with watercolor – At this point my painting is at the begin of stage two. After the pencil drawing I am starting with the watercolors on the face. I decided that I wanted to use a very delicate palette because I want this portrait to look ethereal and I limited myself to use just three or four colors the most. In my imagination  I have seen her figure very delicate,  light, airy, heavenly, and the dominant color was white that’s how she appeared in my mind. She is  wearing a headpiece symbolizing the nature and it is a crown made of small roses and thin branches. She has beautiful long hair moved by a light breeze and is wearing a white celestial dress trimmed with gold. I painted this portrait leaving the background purposely white to give lightness showing the beautiful grain of the watercolor paper.

Forest Goddess – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 On this photo you can see that I started to paint her hair playing with the tones of gray creating light and darker shades to emphasize the hair movement. At this stage I have been pretty pleased with the lightness of the outcome and got struck on what to do next. I loved this barely use of watercolor in contrast with the pencil sketch and I have been debating if keep going on with my usual style adding the use of ink pens and line work. I loved already how it was just like this and I was afraid to ruin it with the definition added by the pen work. I had to think…I took a break of a couple of days to go back on later and see how I would feel about it.

3) Question: What do you do when you get stuck on a painting?
Every artist get stuck at times it’s normal and part of being an artist. When you get stuck means something and you need to listen when this happens. The first thing you need to do is leave everything and “STOP” walk away from your artwork put it away where you cannot see it. Take a deep breath and go to do something else, leave your studio, go out to have a walk, do something that distract yourself. Come back only when you’re ready to look at it again, it can be after one hour or days only come back when you feel ready to give it a serious look, contemplate in silence and observe, then ask yourself what is needed in your painting and you will get the answer, your painting will tell you just looking at it.

>Tip: When you get stuck take a break “Stop” everything for a while do something else. Come back later when you’re ready and listen what your painting is telling you. Never give up on a painting, if you’re not ready go back to it again later.

Forest Goddess – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 Stage 3 decisions and final touches: At this point I was at stage three I came back to my painting after being a part with it for several days! And I have decided to go on with the ink pen and doing some fine line work, I used Copic Multiliner pens with #0.1 and #0.03 tips this will  leave the painting just more defined but still have a feeling of lightness. I also used touch of gold ink on the head-piece the thin branches of her crown are in gold ink and on the dress neckline there is a gold trim. I gave a touch of white ink just to give more contrast in her hair.

At this point my painting is finished! I am really pleased with the outcome and I hope that you like it too. Today I release the Limited Edition Art Prints for this new painting and it would be available for pre-order here on my Blog first.

One last question for this post….

4) Question: Why did you chose the medium of watercolors?
During the past 20 years, I evolved in my passions, experiencing my artistic visions and taught myself other skills and art forms that I love to work with such as digital art and photography. Watercolor painting came to me naturally into my life. I never took a watercolor class. I also enjoy acrylics and mixed media, but my favorite medium when I paint is watercolors. I love the fluidity, transparency and elegance of this beautiful medium. Experimentation with different media and exploring new techniques is something that I always loved to do. I like to explore the horizons of my creativity and see where it takes me.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to tray new mediums and form of art, there is a lot out there to experiment and work with.  Open your horizons to find your voice.

Forest Goddess – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo  

In this last photo you can see what art supplies I used to create my painting I will list them here in the “Details”!

Details about my watercolors:
 My watercolors usually are outlined with black and white ink pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle,  Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #01 and 0.03 . White and Gold Gelly Roll (Japan) pens. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil a THINEX Vintage Pencil Carmine Red 425T.  Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .


You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries here on my Blog you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my collections of watercolors paintings and illustrations are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints   here on my Blog!
Some of them are also available on my Etsy Shop CarolinaRussoArt.

Please follow me on my Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

#CarolinaRussoArt

 

I hope that reading this post inspired, helped and motivated someone!
Keep creating!

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Draw A Bird Day, Draw A Bird Day, Drawings, Etsy, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Hummingbird – #WorldWatercolorGroup #DrawABirdDay

Hummingbird – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso

   
– April new watercolor month challenge:  Spring Things

Today’s word prompt for the monthly challenge at doodlewash  is  “Hummingbird”.

I see beautiful hummingbirds green color with red head, I see them daily flying around the backyard and posing on flowers and tree’s  branches! They are so tiny like two inches and they fly super fast! They make a very cute sound. Today my painting portrays a colorful hummingbird. I made this painting without my usual ink outlines but just watercolor. Today  I mean tomorrow is #DrawABirdDay I think that in our #worldwatercolorgroup we still celebrating this each 8th of the month, if we still do my Hummingbird join that event too. ❤

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors usually are outlined with black and white ink pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle,  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib. I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my collections of watercolors paintings and illustrations are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints   here on my Blog!
Some of them are also available on my Etsy Shop CarolinaRussoArt.

Please follow me on my Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

#DrawABirdDay

 

Have a great and creative weekend ❤ 😉

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Nest – #WorldWatercolorGroup

   

Nest – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso


– April new watercolor month challenge:  Spring Things!

Yesterday prompt list for the monthly challenge at doodlewash was  “NEST”  I am joining in this month whenever is possible.

Yesterday prompt was “Nest”  sorry I have posted this late for yesterday but is good for today.  Also if my day was busy, I am happy I managed to paint. I love “Nests” I think they are so precious and beautiful almost magical when it happens to came across one. I painted an illustration of a traditional nest but with blue eggs.

I have read some interesting facts about blue eggs: “The eastern bluebird lays the smallest blue egg – approximately 4/5 of an inch – of all the songbirds that lay blue eggs. The eggs of western and mountain bluebirds are slightly larger than the eastern bluebirds, but smaller than the eggs of robins, blue jays, starlings, thrushes and catbirds.” (Source:  sialis.org)

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black, white pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle,  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black and Dark Red ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib. Traced with a vintage Thinex Carmine Red 425T pencil. I painted on a mixed media sketckbook.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolors paintings and illustrations are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints   here on my Blog!

Please follow me on my Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

 

Have a great and creative day ❤ 😉

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Umbrella – #WorldWatercolorGroup

Umbrella – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso

   
– April new watercolor month challenge:  Spring Things!

Today prompt list for the monthly challenge at doodlewash is  “UMBRELLA”  I am joining in this month whenever is possible.

Today the prompt in Charlie list is “Umbrella” I painted an illustration of a traditional happy walk under the rain. I love to ear the sound of rain while I am about to sleep it is very calming, I also love the smell of the rain on the grass or near the ocean. I grow up in Italy where rains often during Winter time and I quite miss it now, because here where I live in California, the rain is like an event when it happens! But I have to say that this past month we have been pretty lucky to enjoy some days of good rain that turned the surrounding hills in a beautiful intense green color which is rare to see!

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black, whithe and dark red pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle,  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black and Dark Red ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib. I painted on a mixed media sketckbook.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolors are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints 

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

 

Have a great and creative April
and maybe sometimes during Spring we still need an umbrella! ❤ 😉

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Butterfly – #WorldWatercolorGroup

 

Butterfly – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso

   


– April new watercolor month challenge:  Spring Things!

Today prompt list for the monthly challenge at doodlewash is  “BUTTERFLY”  I am joining in this month whenever is possible.

Today the prompt Butterfly couldn’t be missed!  I love butterflies so much that I have a tattoo with a Monarch on my foot.  The butterfly has elegance, beauty and gorgeous colors they are just stunning and they have a beautiful meaning:
Butterflies are deep and powerful representations of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. The Christian religion sees the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life” ( Source gardenswithwings.com)
Today painting is a quick one that I sketched very fast. I had no much time and I am working in between several work in progress paintings, so I am glad I was able to manage my first watercolor of the month.

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle,  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib. I painted on a mixed media sketckbook.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolors are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints 

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

Have a great and creative April! ❤

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Challenge, Creativity, Custom Portraits, Doodlewash, Drawings, Ethereal, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Spring a Blythe Inspired Art Portrait

Spring – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso

       
 Happy St. Patick’s Day!

Today My watercolor painting is the portrait of “Spring” a lovely and delicate creature, she has lovely long green hair braided with flowers and beautiful intense big blue eyes. I am inspired by the unique and beautiful Art Dolls custom-made for collectors. Better known as “Blythe Dolls” I love to paint and drawing Blythe dolls they are really pretty and one of the characteristics is that they have an over sized head and large beautiful eyes over a smaller body which make them a great subject for Pop Surrealism Art. Blythe dolls from years acquired a cult following of collectors, photographers and artists around the world. It’s always a joy to paint a portrait inspired, I came across lately to other artists following this inspiration and it is amazing that Blythe dolls acquired a cult following of collectors and eventually, photographers and artists around the world, if you are not so familiar with this you can read more about it here on Wikipedia.

My painting portrays an image of the coming Spring Season with her vibrant green hair and fresh flowers she is just there in the grass enjoying the beauty of a sunny day and I think she is also perfect to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day I wish to all of you a great one!

Details about my watercolors:
 This watercolor painting is outlined with black and white ink pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier,   Ink pens used are a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib  and a COPIC Multiliner #00.3 and Pigma Micron #05.  I painted on a  8 x 11 inches mixed media sketchbook.


This watercolor painting is available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition here on the Blog Art Prints   or on my Etsy Shop
Custom Portraits like this one, are also available for Commission Contact me for details.

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

Have a wonderful day! ❤

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Warm – #WorldWatercolorGroup

     

Warm – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo


– March Challenge:  Paint What You Love!

Today prompt list for the monthly challenge at doodlewash is  “WARM”  I am joining in.

Today the word warm made me think at many of you out there that still have snow lately (you know I love snow!)  I have seen via social media lots of snow here in US, in other States than where I am, which is sunny and a little bit too much warm now for the season, over  80 degree feels like Summer during day time, especially this week. The weather has been little crazy playing hot and cool after the needed rain we had two weeks ago. Seems next week we will cool down!
Today painting is more of a cute illustration and is inspired by the latest snow, and my little girl need to keep warm! This is a quick one that I sketched very fast on my Hobonichi Planner!

Warm – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib. I painted on a Hobonichi Planner (Japan) over Tomoe River paper a very thin, lightweight paper great for fountain pens and not so wet watercolors.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolors are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints 

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

Have a great week and stay warm! ❤

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Avant garde, Challenge, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Ethereal, Etsy, Fantasy Art, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Surrealism Art, Uncategorized, Watercolors, Ylia Adventures

New Release – Gooddess Of The Night – #WorldWatercolorGroup

     

Goddes Of The Night – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo


– March Challenge:  Paint What You Love!

hosted by Charlie’s at doodlewash today I am not following the prompt list, but I am joining with the release of my new painting.

After all, the theme of this month is “Paint What You Love” and so I did, creating my new painting titled “Goddess Of The Night” this painting is also inspired by my character ©Ylia and the Series created during my participation to InkTober 2016.

Goddes Of The Night – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  I use the set l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box,  Ink pens used:  Pigma Micron Black ink #02, a Copic Multiliner #03, a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib and a Pentel Pocket Brush. I painted on a mixed media paper sketchbook size 8.5 x 11 inches.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolors are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints 

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

Have a great weekend!

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Ordinary Backyard And Gardening – #WorldWatercolorGroup

     

Backyard Gardening - Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso
Backyard And Gardening – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso


– March Challenge:  Paint What You Love!

today  start a new month and a new challenge for March hosted by Charlie’s at doodlewash today prompt list says  “ORDINARY”  I am joining in.

This month I will join the challenge whenever is possible it wont be every day but anytime I can fit in! For today my share for “Ordinary” is a fast watercolor sketch representing a corner of a backyard garden I can say that I see this corner from my window! 😉

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib . I painted on a mixed media sketchbook.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolors are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints  

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

Have an Happy March! ❤

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Etsy, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors

A Pink Feather #WorldWatercolorGroup

     

A Pink Feather - Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso
A Pink Feather – Original Watercolor ©CarolinaRusso

 

– February Adventure:  Natural Beauty!

tomorrow is last day of Charlie’s  February Adventure and challenge, this month I only have joined few days because I have been working on commissions. Today prompt list says  “FEATHERS”  and I am going to join   doodlewash  

I love feathers their lightness and their beautiful colors that distinguish the beauty of birds. A feather inspire in so many ways not just for a painting and illustrations often are beautiful subjects for photography or poetry. I like to collect feathers that I find lost in nature, there is always something special about them.

Details about my watercolors:
 watercolors are outlined with black pens. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box  Ink pens used  Pigma Micron Black ink #02 and a black ink  Pilot Prera fountain pen fine nib . I painted on a mixed media sketchbook.

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  pages, there are several Galleries by theme or events, you find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.


All my watercolor paintings and illustrations are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints 

Please follow me on Instagram account dedicated to my Art! @carolinarussoart

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup

Have a great week! ❤

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com