Tag Archives: advent

The Jesse Tree for Families Interview with Author Colleen Pressprich

I had the honor of creating the illustrations for Colleen Pressprich’s newest book, The Jesse Tree for Families. I truly believe this will be a great resource for your family this Advent and Colleen graciously sat down for a short interview (and her sweet kids joined in too).


The Jesse Tree for Families by Colleen Pressprich and Illustrated by Amy Heyse can be found at…
Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Bookstore OR Amazon

Colleen’s Website: https://www.elevatortoheaven.com/
Instagram: @colleenpressprich
Colleen’s Author Page on Amazon

Support the channel! Buy Me a Coffee (and support my art supply wish list): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amyheyseart

(Note: Some of the links provided are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This allows me to continue creating free content for Catholic artists of all ages! I only recommend products that I use and love. Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates)

I Illustrated a Children’s Book! A look inside AND how to make ornaments from the book

Here’s a look inside the children’s book I illustrated: The Jesse Tree for Families by Colleen Pressprich. This is a great resource that your family can use during Advent in preparation for Christmas!


This book was a labor of love for both Colleen and myself. It was years in the making with publishing delays, but it’s finally here and I truly think it will be a gift for your family. Colleen did a great job of making the Jesse Tree tradition easy and accessible for families.

From December 1-24th, you read a short passage about a biblical figure or one of the O Antiphons. There is a “Note for Parents” section that helps provide extra context as well as some optional conversation starters. The best thing about the book is that it comes with 2 sets of Jesse Tree ornaments that you can cut out and hang on your tree. I included a quick tutorial in my YouTube video showing 2 different options you can try out to make your ornaments more of an heirloom quality.


SUPPLIES:

Whitewash Wood Ornament Bulbs
Round Picture Frame Ornaments
Mod Podge Matte Finish
Acrylic Paint
Brushes or Foam Brush
Scissors
Heavy books to weight down your ornaments

My mom used a 3 inch hole punch like this one to help cut the ornaments faster

Colleen Pressprich can be found at:
Instagram – @colleenpressprich
www.elevatortoheaven.com
More of her books

The Jesse Tree for Families by Colleen Pressprich and Illustrated by Amy Heyse can be found at
Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Bookstore or on Amazon.

Support the channel! Buy Me a Coffee (and support my art supply wish list): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amyheyseart


(Note: Some of the links provided are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This allows me to continue creating free content for Catholic artists of all ages! I only recommend products that I use and love. Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates)

Behind the Scenes: The Holy Family

Every Advent, I like to work on a personal piece of artwork to help me contemplate the season. I decided to work on an image of the Holy Family after the birth of Jesus. I would work on it a little at a time using my iPad and an art app called Procreate.

Today’s video is a behind-the-scenes look at how I go from concept to sketch to final artwork. It’s hours of work condensed into a short sneak peek look at my process.

This image is also available as a print on my website.

Supplies used:

Procreate app https://procreate.com/

Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Procreate https://amzn.to/3gPASgv

iPad Pro 11 inch https://amzn.to/3KV8Fjw

Apple Pencil 2nd Generation https://amzn.to/3BdAm2D

Procreate Watercolor Brushes https://creatoriq.cc/3mrQUAy

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

How to Draw Baby Jesus

Today is the last of the Nativity drawing series: How to Draw Baby Jesus. All you need is a pencil, paper, and something to color with. I hope you have had fun following along with these Nativity inspired drawing tutorials this Advent.

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers ​​https://amzn.to/3R5lsRI

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip https://amzn.to/3MRMBY0

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip https://amzn.to/3CJR0rf 

Micron Pens https://amzn.to/3EUvjrf

Paper

Pencil

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

How to Draw a Shepherd

In this tutorial, I walk you through how to draw a shepherd step by step. All you need is a pencil, paper, and something to color with. This tutorial is part of my Nativity drawing series.

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers ​​https://amzn.to/3R5lsRI

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip https://amzn.to/3MRMBY0

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip https://amzn.to/3CJR0rf 

Micron Pens https://amzn.to/3EUvjrf

Paper

Pencil

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

How to make an origami Advent wreath

Tired of Advent candles that end up looking like a hot mess? You never have to worry about wax spills, fire hazards, or forgetting to buy candles with this easy to fold origami Advent wreath. If you’re new to origami, I feel like this wreath has simple to follow steps. If you have ever folded a paper airplane, a lot of these steps will feel familiar to you.

I used construction paper, but any kind of paper will do.

Supplies needed:

Origami paper or Construction Paper (1 green 9×9”, 3 purple 4.5×4.5”, 1 pink 4.5×4.5”, 4 yellow 2.25×2.25”) https://amzn.to/3GL5Std

Glue Stick https://amzn.to/3OicUam

Posca Pen (optional) https://amzn.to/3EKuf8N

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

Nativity Series

This Advent, I’m going to be walking you through how to draw different figures from the Nativity scene. I already have drawing tutorials of Mary and Joseph and throughout Advent we’ll also learn how to draw an angel, shepherd, the 3 wise men, and Baby Jesus.

Each tutorial demonstrates how to draw these biblical figures with a paper and pencil. You can color it with your favorite art supplies!

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers ​​https://amzn.to/3R5lsRI

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip https://amzn.to/3MRMBY0

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip https://amzn.to/3CJR0rf 

Micron Pens https://amzn.to/3EUvjrf

Paper

Pencil

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn adver