Our DIY Catholic Art Pilgrimage

I recently got to go to Italy to explore some of the incredible art and architecture in Rome and Florence. My family, friends, and I put together a DIY Catholic art pilgrimage. It was a quick trip, lasting only a week, but it reignited the creative fire in my soul.

Here are some of the places that we went…

In Rome:
The Spanish Steps
The Trevi Fountain
The Pantheon
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
Santa Maria Maggiore
Santa Maria della Vittoria
Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica
The Vatican Museums

View from the top of St. Peter’s Basilica

In Florence:
Santa Maria del Fiore
The Uffizi Galleries
Galleria dell’Accademia
Pitti Palace
Boboli Gardens
Ponte Vecchio
Santa Croce
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Signoria

Outside of the Uffizi Galleries in Florence

Places we ate:
Al Passetto di Borgo (i rigatoni alla norcina is said to have been a favorite of Pope Benedict’s)
My Sugar
Pino’s
Retrobottega
Gustapizza
Acquacotta

In Florence, we stayed at this sweet little convent that was within walking distance of all of the places we visited. We highly recommend it!

Resources that were helpful:
Rick Steves’ Pocket Rome travel guide
Rick Steves’ Audio Europe Travel App (free audio tours of every major site we visited)

There are so many great YouTube channels that offer helpful planning tips. Here were the ones I referenced the most while planning:
RomeWise’s YouTube Channel
Kacie Rose’s YouTube Channel
Gregor Brown’s YouTube Channel
Stay Fabulous’ YouTube Channel
Happy to Wander’s YouTube Channel

Filming Gear

Camera: Insta 360 Go 3

(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)

How to Draw Saint Faustina Kowalska Step-by-Step Catholic Art Tutorial

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to draw Saint Faustina Kowalska step-by-step. We use simple lines and shapes and you can color her with your favorite art supplies.

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

If you want to draw a more detailed Divine Mercy Jesus for her little painting that she’s holding, you can follow along with this tutorial: How to Draw Divine Mercy Jesus

Original artwork created by Amy Heyse

Supplies needed:
Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip
Micron Pens
Zeyar Twin Tip Permanent Markers
Paper
Pencil

My Cat Pencil Pouch

(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)

Simple DIY Mass Set for Kids Catholic Craft

My church’s talented VBS/Religious Education leaders came up with this adorable DIY mass set as a VBS craft to help kids learn about the different items used during mass. You can customize your set however you like and I bet you might already have some of these supplies at home.

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

Supplies needed:

Cardboard Box
Felt (red, green, purple, white, etc)
Birthday Candles
Wooden Dowels/Spools
Thin Craft Foam or Cardstock
Yellow Pool Noodle
Gold Pipe Cleaners
Popsicle Stick
Small Gold Cup (I found these mini champagne glasses that would be a good option)
Small Gold Plate (I found these mini truffle plates that would be a good option)
Toilet Paper
Red Marker
Puffy Paint
Glue
Rhinestones/Gems

(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)

How to Draw Saint Augustine of Hippo Step-by-Step

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to draw Saint Augustine of Hippo step-by-step. We use simple lines and shapes and you can color him with your favorite art supplies.

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

Original artwork created by Amy Heyse.

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip
Micron Pens
Paper
Pencil
My Cat Pencil Pouch

(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)

Sidewalk Chalk Saint Art

In today’s video, we’re creating sidewalk chalk saint art! All you need to do is pose your body, trace, and color.

Today’s video also features the artwork of some really talented Catholic artists who have created more advanced murals and installations. You’re definitely going to want to check them out! They graciously allowed me to share examples of their work in this video.

Amy Rodriguez @amyrodriguez.art on Instagram
Jessie Labrie Wagnon @wagnon.studios on Instagram
Brie Schulze @brieschulzeart on Instagram

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

Supplies:

Sidewalk Chalk

(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)

Supporting Catholic Artists: Markets, Vendor Events, Culture Nights and More!

In today’s video, we’re talking about art events hosted by Catholic parishes that I have been fortunate to participate in over the last few years. I don’t do a lot of vendor events, but I think they can be a fruitful way to support artists and involve the community.

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

Things I try to pack:

Stands/Easels/Baskets for displaying my art
A table/chair (if your event doesn’t provide them)
Tablecloth
Money/Ways to Accept Payment (like Square readers or Venmo)
Business Cards
Pricing Information
Snacks and Water!

“Stained Glass” Cross – Learning Watercolor Techniques!

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through different watercolor techniques that will help you create a finished “stained glass” cross painting.

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

Original artwork created by Amy Heyse.

SUPPLIES

Watercolor paper taped down to a sturdy surface
Brushes (I used my Kolinsky travel watercolor brushes)
Watercolor paints (I used Master’s Touch Watercolors)
Salt
Saran Wrap
Paper towel
Water cup
Pencil
Masking tape
Isopropyl alcohol
Optional: black marker (I used a Zeyar Twin Tip Permanent Marker)

Techniques Demonstrated:

Resist
Wet on Dry
Wet on wet
Color Dropping
Gradient
Color Blending
Lift
Salt
Saran Wrap
Glazing
Dry Brush
Alcohol
Splatter

How to Make an Origami Immaculate Heart of Mary Step-by-Step

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to fold a simple origami heart step-by-step. We use extra paper and markers to turn it into an Immaculate Heart of Mary. A fun craft for a feast day, Valentine’s Day, or just because you love Mary.

Support the channel! Buy Me a Coffee or something from my art supply wish list: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amyheyseart

Original artwork created by Amy Heyse.

Supplies needed:

9×9” square piece of red construction paper
Scrap piece of yellow construction paper for the flame (about 4×6”)
Sword paper is 1/2 a sheet of computer paper (4.25×11″)
Optional: 4-5″ square pieces of colored paper for the roses
Glue stick
Bottled glue works well for the origami roses
Scissors
Sharpie
Colored Pencils
Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers
Pencil

You can follow along with my Sacred Heart of Jesus Origami here!

(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.)

Origami Holy Spirit Dove Tutorial

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to fold an origami Holy Spirit Dove step-by-step.

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

Original artwork created by Amy Heyse.

Supplies needed:

Square piece of paper
Something to color with!

(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)

How to Draw Saint Dymphna Step-by-Step

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to draw Saint Dymphna step-by-step. We use simple lines and shapes and you can color her with your favorite art supplies.

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

St. Dymphna was one of the first saints I ever painted and I have prints and stickers available in my Etsy shop.

Original artwork created by Amy Heyse.

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip
Micron Pens
Zeyar Twin Tip Permanent Markers
Paper
Pencil
My Cat Pencil Pouch

(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)