Cheap paper bags are beautified with loose painted florals.
Painting florals on cheap paper bags has become a surprisingly effective way for me to loosen up before tackling more intricate florals on canvas or even working on my commissioned pet portraits. The painted paper bags serve a purpose - I use them to package larger commissions.
Moreover, as I am using leftover paint from other projects, or getting rid of remnants at the bottom of tubes, I feel like I am accomplishing something worthwhile. I do hate wasting even the most inexpensive paint.
In the photo on the left, you can see that I was using up mostly purple and yellow paint from another project.
Favourite inexpensive substrates.
Paper bags or kraft paper for wrapping parcels have become a favourite substrate of mine.
The brown paper adds a rustic backdrop that allows me to layer colours and shapes freely, letting pieces of collage show through here and there. And honestly, a lot of the collage pieces were painted over. Oops!
At times, I layer over the paint with markers or tempera sticks.
As I paint, I find myself getting into the flow, making it easier to translate that loose, natural energy onto canvas later. (that’s my hope).
As I ran out of grocery bags, these purchased white paper bags will do the trick.
Freedom of florals on paper bags.
There is a freedom to painting on paper bags that I am unable to achieve elsewhere – not even in my sketchbooks.
I know it sounds strange because a sketchbook should be a place of experimentation and having fun with the process. However, I have found that even in sketchbooks, I tend to want each page to look “pretty”. Not so with paper bags.
There’s something really special about embracing the spontaneity and flow of creating without any boundaries. It’s a moment of joy on paper—bold, bright, and free. These are techniques that I am learning from Amanda Evanston at Insider's Studio.
Painting florals on cheap paper bags has become a surprisingly effective way for me to loosen up before tackling more intricate florals or other art on canvas. The texture of the paper is rough, unpredictable, and imperfect, which gives me the freedom to experiment without the pressure of creating a “perfect” piece.
It’s a great way to practice brushstrokes, colour combinations, and composition in a low-stakes environment. Admittedly, I don’t worry at all about composition. This is really pure fun.
Because the paper bag is inexpensive, I’m not worried about wasting materials if I make mistakes. This approach helps me get out of my head and into the flow, making it easier to translate that loose, natural energy onto canvas later.
I feel like a child again, warming up for my creativity, allowing me to embrace the “what ifs” and playfulness before diving into more refined works such as florals on canvas or my pet portraits.
Share your techniques.
I would love to know what techniques you use to loosen up in your creative practice? Maybe you have a specific genre of music you listen to when loosening up? Maybe you dance paint on large canvases, obliterating the white while letting the paint drip and splatter wherever it wants to go? Contact me or share below! We grow as artists when we share with others.
Do check all the guest artists who have shared their work on my website over the years.
Quite lovely Louise.
Thank you.
Very inventive and eyecatching, Louise. When they’re done as a bag, there’s even a hanger to hold them on the wall.
Thanks Graham.
What a wonderful collection Louise, and it was nice to look back on the guest artists you introduced everyone to.
I often go back and read those posts and marvel at all the wonderful art that creatives from around the world, including you, my friend, shared with me and my readers. Thanks for stopping by.
Dear Louise your new example for creative work is fascinating. Congratulations to this idea!!!! I love every single bouquet of flowers. The bright blue, red and orange colors you used are wonderful!!!!
These are so much fun because I feel no pressure to make these beautiful. Just adding wild colours improves the look of the paper bag. Thanks Birgit.