Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

Preorder the Book

color charts on linen & an art giveaway

I was checking my DMs on Instagram and saw that one of my followers had forwarded a post to me.  She had a feeling I would like it and she was absolutely right.  My jaw dropped and I clicked on the link quickly to learn more about these beautiful swatches of color painted on linen.  Were they, by chance, for sale?!

This is the post that got my heart fluttering…

Cathleen of @815vintagegoods found these amazing color charts at an estate sale.   Unfortunately, they were already spoken for, but I knew immediately I wanted to try to replicate them.  I had never seen color charts on natural linen – only on a bright white surface like a gessoed canvas or oil paper.  Those are pretty, too, but the linen is yummy!

Not only do I love the look of the colored squares on linen, but creating the charts on a mid-tone substrate makes a lot more sense, since I’m usually painting on a toned canvas.  (A toned canvas is one that has a thin wash of color on it to make it mid-tone.)

I found my mind wandering to how these were made.  Was a clear gesso applied to the linen first?  Or was the paint just applied directly to the linen?  Would the oil bleed in that case?

I decided I was going to experiment and try to discover the process, so I can recreate it.

I dug around in my fabric stash to see what I had.  I pulled out some scraps of antique linen grain sacks that I bought years ago and used for an upholstery project.  The shade of the linen was perfect.  Now, I had to figure out what to do with it!

I decided to cut two pieces and clip them onto scraps of MDF with bull clips.  If this idea works, I can attach them to the boards with my upholstery staple gun.  I used clear gesso on one and left the other unprimed to see which method worked better…

I then taped off a grid with 1/4″ masking tape.  I usually measure when I make color charts, but I was just playing, so I eye-balled it.  Measuring devices don’t come out when I’m playing.

I mixed and applied colors with a palette knife to make a thick square of paint. I usually have a method when I’m making color charts, but I just did little color studies with Indigo and Bice, both blues.

The Indigo study was the one that was gessoed.  The paint definitely sat up on the fabric better, but the tape didn’t stick to the gesso as well, so there was more bleeding under the tape.

For the Bice study, I applied the paint directly to the raw linen…

The tape stuck better, but the fabric definitely absorbed a good amount of paint.  The fibers also made smearing the paint on a little more challenging.

I need to try a few more experiments before I decide which way is my favorite.  I also ordered some clear-primed linen panels and a pad, so I’ll compare those to my antique linen fabric as well.

As I allowed myself this creative playtime, I got an idea (which is often what happens)…  Why not create little color studies on antique linen with leftover paints on my palette?  These really are little pieces of art by themselves and I think people would be interested in buying them.  I’ll have to play around with that idea and see if it works.

I love it when one little bit of inspiration can be a jumping-off point for all sorts of new ideas.

And, I’m excited to introduce you to a very talented young watercolor/acrylic artist – Amelia Polder.  She is a part of the Polder family (as in Polder’s Old World Market) and started her own .  I really admire how industrious, artistic, and entrepreneurial that whole family is!

I’ve been following her on Instagram for a while and, in our conversations, she offered to give away a print of her original art to one of my readers.  This is the print that the winner will receive…

There are two ways to enter…

Visit and leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite painting is…

OR

Follow Amelia on Instagram and leave a comment here letting me know you did.

If you want two chances to win, you can do both and leave a comment for each.  The giveaway will run through Monday, March 2, 2020, and a winner will be randomly chosen and announced that week.

Good luck!

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

Instagram Facebook Pinterest Youtube Amazon X-twitter

you may also like

223 Responses

  2. Can you tape it off, apply gesso and pull the tape, once it is dry retape and then paint?

    1. Yes, I am going to try to apply gesso once it’s taped and then paint the squares over it when the gesso is dry.

  3. I did both. The seaside house painting is my favorite. I also want to start painting again. You both have given me the inspiration yo do so.

  5. Thank you for the introduction to Amanda’s art!
    My favorite painting by Amanda Polder on her Etsy shop is from the grouping of Seaside Art – the house on the bend in the road.

  6. Amanda’s art is lovely! I was particularly drawn to the old door paintings.

    Your linen charts are works of art in themselves!

  13. I recently started following her when I realized she wasn’t too far from where I live. I love all her stuff especially anything with mountains, forest or farm. ?

  18. Such beautiful artwork! I love the Seaside painting/ Mediterranean Impressionist/ Mediterranean Cottage. The colors, the cottage-so cute! I love the color charts on linen. My grandson ( he is 12) has started using watercolors. His color charts were gifts at Christmas. I love mine!

    1. I liked Amelia’s Instagram account. It was fun to see her artwork! Your color swatches on linen are great!

  22. Pick a favourite! Her work is beautiful, I always love cow paintings and I really liked the 3 chalet ones as well. I will be following her as well.

  23. Your paint studies are great. I’m still trying to learn. With the Bice study, what other colors did you use with Bice to get so much variety. I’m anxious to try this. I agree that it is a work of art and it gets my heart soaring. I’ve got to hurry; I soon will be 78.

  24. I liked her on Instagram and checked out her Etsy page, really liked the seaside house painting (Mediterranean), and I love what you are doing with the paint swatches. Things like that make such interesting wall hangings. But I feel inspired to get back to painting. Thanks for the inspiration.

  25. I love Amelia’s white and yellow poppy painting! It is so delicate and beautiful. And Marian, I already own your “Nature Calls” watercolor print as well as a pillow with one of your blueberry prints. I so appreciate and envy all your talents as an artist!

  26. Brilliant concept! What is the name of the book that sits underneath your samples? With the lovely “Abe Lincoln” typeface visible?

    I am working on picking up my watercolor studies again and love making color grids as a way of practicing and learning how color reacts.

  28. All of her paintings are beautiful!
    I especially love the one of the little girl in the blue dress holding the flowers in her arms.

  30. I checked out Amelia’s Etsy art. I found several I really liked…the cow, the series of rustic doors, and the sailboats.

    1. Amelia’s painting of the old blue door with the round window above it is my favorite. Her door series reminds me of the wonderful doors you see in Italy.

  33. So I went to Amelia’s etsy shop and was going to say my favorite painting was the girl with horse, but then I saw the seascapes, and then I saw the winter scenes, and then I saw the starry nights . . . loved them all.

  34. I am following her on Instagram and I love her picture with the girl and the black and white paint horse.

  36. Such lovely art – I love the winter light water color picture. Amelia is a wonderful artist.

  38. I was torn between the sailboats and the old doors bu there is something about the brick and the blue in “Old Doors C that pulls on my heartstrings. They are all beautiful!

  41. I’m following Amelia on Instagram now! Thank you for introducing me to her work. I loved all her artwork on Etsy, but especially loved the white and yellow poppies wildflower painting.

  45. Goodness, so many goodies in one post! I love, love the paint samples and can understand your excitement. I have no doubts that you’ll find the perfect solution to replicating them, Marian!
    And thank you for the opportunity to win a piece of Amelia’s art. What a talented young artist. I especially love Starry Night and the Winter Scenes. Delightful!

  48. I followed Amelia on Instagram. Thank you for introducing me to her beautiful work. I liked her paintings of the old doors and the winter art in her etsy shop.

    You’re linen samples are lovely little works of art themselves. Thanks for sharing.

  49. Hi,
    Love the paint studies BTW. I’m now following Amelia on Instagram and would love to win her painting. Thanks for the giveaway Marian.

  50. I followed Amelia’s Instagram & Etsy accounts; I SO love her beautiful style. My favorite painting is The Acrylic Rooster! The colors she used were absolutely unique and perfect. I love so many others, too, but my second fave is the “Boy With Cow!” She is very talented…thank you for sharing her with your “Miss Mustard Seed” family. 🙂

  52. Thank you for introducing me to her. Beautiful paintings, I’m partial to the farm painting. Very talented!

  55. Gorgeous colors in the Seaside Painting/Mediterranean Impressionist 5″ X 7″. Would look so fresh in my Florida kitchen.

  56. I visited her Etsy site and Instagram. Absolutely love the Seaside Mediterranean painting. These color charts are wonderful.

  57. oh, me! I loved these at first sight! Please pick me.
    I love her art. The Watercolor Painting |Watercolor Art | Girl and Bunny Painting | Baby Girl Painting got my heart. On my way to follow her right now! I love these linen studies!!!!

  58. I really like the seaside cottage painting. I would use my imagination about who lives there. Her animal paintings were dear as well.

  59. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Your color studies on linen….may I be first in line to purchase, please?!?!?!? Very serious, I really would love to have one. ?

    Amelia’s work is just beautiful! I love the white & yellow poppies.

  64. My favorite is the seaside white cottage with the greenery painting . The sailboats are nice.

  65. I followed Amelia on IG!! Love the paint studies. As I’m just beginning to paint this is new to me but I love it.

  68. I love her rooster painting. Is there a purpose to painting these squares? I know it says indigo study but not sure what that means. It is beautiful!

  70. Love the seaside French home! Would love to live there.
    Your color studies are so beautiful – the Bice is my favorite group.
    I am not all that familiar with color studies, but you have intrigued me to
    look further.

  72. Following her on instagram.
    She looks very young. Cute story: my great grandson (5) drew a picture of one the Disney cars and asked his mother if she wanted to buy it for $5 or if she could put it on the internet and sell it. He said he needed to start saving money for a house so when he was old he could live by her.

  73. So cute! When will YOU be selling more art? I am dying to own a piece! Thanks for sharing all you do!

  76. I don’t know what kind of paint you are using. but I do know that with acrylic paint the addition of textile medium makes the paint stick to fabric. I always used distilled water with my paints. makes paint flow beautifully.

  77. I love Amy’s Springtime artwork. It’s a promise of what is coming & the colors are wonderful!!

  80. ohhh, those little squares of color remind me of my art classes in college! I wonder if I still have them somewhere. Maybe in the portfolio. They look better on linen though.

  83. Wow what a great artist, love her style. Hmm a favorite on her Etsy page? There’s so many. Winter Snowy Tree scenes is nice. Little girl hugging the chicken is really cute also. Followed her on instagram too. Thank you for the introduction of her work.

  84. Just wondering you could make a mask out of thin plastic and spray the back with spray glue and then paint the samples and then remove the mask, wash and reuse. I would use 505 quilting spray or something similar.

  85. I love Amelia’s painting style. I visited her Etsy shop and I love the Mediterranean Seaside Cottage painting!!! Thanks for sharing her art!

  86. Now following Amelia on Instagram! I love her Sailboats! (just finished watching the Durrells in Corfu on Masterpiece theater).

  87. The giveaway painting is gorgeous! I like all of her work but am drawn to the starry night collections with the northern lights… so pretty!

  88. Love it all especially the farm animals and seaside. Thank you for the introduction . I will be following her on Etsy and Instagram.

  89. I am assuming since you are painting with oils that your sample painting is done with oils and not acrylics? Love it!!,

  93. My favorite painting in Amanda’s collection is from the Seaside Art group. I like the third painting of the white house. Thank you for the chance to win!

  95. Ahat a talent she is! I LOVE the Winter Scenes | Snow Art | Coffee Cup Art | Original Artwork | Snowy Trees | Snow Day paintings in her Etsy shop.

    Also, there is something ridiculously soothing about your color studies in this post – it’s the colors but also the repetition of shape and symmetry. Ahhhh……i can feel my shoulders drop looking at those. which feels like a crazy thing to say.

  97. It was hard to choose one, I loved them all. My favorite is the last one on the page. The one with the two boys sledding. I have two boys and it brought back such sweet memories. Thanks for giveaway.
    Andrea

  98. Interesting that the artist is from the Polder family. In the past year, I have ordered more than a few of their hand carved utensils. Absolutely love having beautiful handmade items to use in everyday life. The paintings are all so lovely, but if I had to choose it would be either painting B or D in the European homes. Love the look of the paint colors on the linen. It’s always amazing how something so simple can look so beautiful. Thanks for doing the giveaway.

  99. Hello, I signed up for Amelia’s IG stories. I love her work, especially the boats and water.

  102. wow her art is amazing hard to choose a favorite – love the red barn paintings and “winter art” – she is so talented will go far for sure 🙂 thanks for sharing, will enjoy following her journey!

  103. I love the Mediterranean sea side painting but her style is unique and so full of life!!
    I’m going to Instagram now to follow and watch her grow along side us all♥️?‍♀️

  104. I was wondering if you might share more on how you do color studies, why you do them and how you use them when painting. How do you mark what colors were used?

    1. Thank you for asking Lori…..I was wondering the same. Do you write down the formulas to how you got that color?

  107. I love her Spring Art Farm Boots with flowers painting. I could see that one in my home. Thanks for sharing her artwork. I absolutely LOVE the paint swatches!! They’re beautiful!!

  113. I loved the picture of a young girl holding a bunny – she reminded me of myself as a child. 🙂

    I don’t know why your color studies photos resonate so deeply with me, but they do – maybe because I love shades of blues and greens?? and texture – the texture of the paint color samples and the texture of the linen was just so appealing to me. Maybe I just love beautiful things and they were beautiful to me.

  117. Very hard to choose a favorite,I . I love the Winter Art, kids pulling sled; The Farm Art, is amazing; The girl with her pony, reminded me of my mother; and I think the Seaside art, Sailing Boat is beautiful. What a great artist.

  118. Oh her work is beautiful! I like the seaside Mediterranean print.
    Those color swatches of yours are divine!!

  121. On her Etsy shop, under her subheading, “Winter” the Red Barn Paintings! Actually, all of her work is beautiful.

    Thank you for this giveaway, Marian. The color studies would sell well, I think. They are beautiful in their own right.

  122. Her paintings are beautiful. Quite a talent! I like any of her paintings with a sailboat! I’m now following her on Instagram.

  123. They are all so beautiful so it’s very hard to choose just one….I love old doors and the stories they can tell…..Love the cottage by the seaside….so peaceful…..Thank you for this generous giveaway….

  127. Beautiful artwork! Love the blues! I’m a fan of horses so I’d pick one of the horse mini paintings as my favorite.

  128. I love the Seaside Painting, which actually shares some similarities with the giveaway painting. She’s very talented.

  131. Amelia’s work is all beautiful, and I loved her farm decor series. I especially loved the horse drinking from the bucket painting.

  132. Thank you for another give away! I followed Amelia on Instagram, and my favorite is the boots with flowers! She is a very talented artist!!

  133. I am following Amelia on Instagram and I visited her etsy shop and love her work! I especially like the boy holding the sheep!!! Thank you for introducing her to us!

  134. I visited Amelia’s Etsy gallery and I love her Seaside art sailboat! Thank you for sharing her work.

  137. They were all beautiful but I’m drawn to the Rooster then Winter Watercolor B. It’s more the colors than subject to me, colors have always moved me.

  138. Hi. I visited Amelia’s Etsy shop. Now I can get lovely gifts for special people x

    Love her work, so clever

    Enjoyed your post on the linen paint swatches. I am inspired by this to play more myself. Been all work
    And no play lately

  139. Thank you for introducing us to this sweet young artist! I followed her IG account. Love all her squares there!

  140. i also visited Amelia’s Etsy shop. My favorite art of hers are the ones with children. She captures their innocence so beautifully!

  142. It’s hard to decide with so many beautiful pieces of art but I am always drawn to roosters. My pick would definitely have to be the gorgeous colorful Rooster!!!

  143. well I couldn’t really choose a favorite painting, I like so many of them. Farm boy, Lamb, all the sailboats, the spring art pieces, the Buildings, the rooster and the seaside building. oh my. so many

  146. Such beautiful, God given talent! I was drawn to her Spring art….especially the boots, and the trees which look as if they are ready to put on their Spring attire!

  148. I love her Seaside painting. And the Doors & the Starry Skies paintings! I love your color charts on linen also!

  150. The color studies are beautiful! How about taping the grid then just gesso the small squares instead of the whole piece off linen?

  151. I know very little about painting, but could you put the tape down first and then do the gesso and then the paint?

  152. Thanks for sharing other artists on your site. I visited Amelia’s Etsy page and found everything to be delightful.

  157. Wow her starry night series, night skies, and the ocean work-so hard to choose a favorite from this young artist!

  158. I love the Mediterranean city and that she painted predominately with blue and white – draws ur eyes to the architecture

  159. I wonder if you just couldn’t mod podge the linen to the boards. Then you have a smooth surface to work with, and don’t have to worry about staples or bull clips even though they add a nice industrial touch.

  160. Amelia is very talented. From her etsy shop, I love the European homes. My dream is to travel one day to Europe.

  161. I started following Amelia on IG. Natalie the cow (dated 5/9/19) is so sweet. Reminds me of the years I spent on a farm in my youth.

  163. Sorry left the wrong email address before.

    She is very talented. I love the farm boots under spring art. And kids sledding.

  164. I started following her on instagram. Looking forward to seeing her art in progress. I loved the acrylic of the kids walking. ?

  172. Visted and Viewed Amelia’s art…favorites are the winter ones, starry night, and the first sailboat one. But all are lovely.

  175. WOW!! This girl is talented!! Thank you so much for introducing me to her!! I visited both her Etsy shop & Instagram page & love everything I saw!!! I’m really loving her paintings of doors & European homes along with the Seaside & Mediterranean ones!! I see purchases being made in the near future!!
    Thanks for this giveaway!!!

  176. First – what a cool idea of the linen paint blocks – what amazing wall art in a shadow box they would make! Love love love the idea – and your take on it is awesome. That was thoughtful of your reader.

    Now onto Amelia Polder’s artwork – she is amazing! What talent she has. I adore her seaside work as I grew up on an island and in the summer time boats of all kinds sailed across the backyard, if you will. But my true favorite – and I
    may have to buy it – is her white and poppies art. The botanicals call to me. I live in a relatively peaceful earth toned world and I have several places in my home that pretty piece would look fabulous.

    Thank you, Amelia for this giveaway, and thanks Marian for being the platform in which to win.

  178. I love Amelias art work! She looks so young. My favorite is yellow and white poppies. I too may be purchasing some artwork soon. I am following her now on Instagram. Thanks Marian and Amelia!

  181. I am following Amelia on Instagram. I love her work and a plus is that Amelia is my grand daughters name! I will have to purchase some of her work!!

  182. Thank you for the introduction to Amelia’s art. I just followed her on Instagram and I’m excited to check out her Etsy shop. As a mom of two young daughters who want to be artists ‘for a living,’ Amelia is a lovely example for them.

  184. Oooh love your linen color swatches, they are art within themselves. I also wen to the Instagram page and followed Amelia, then perused her Etsy shop as well. I love the boots with flowers planted in them or any of the starry night ones. She’s doing beautiful things.

  185. Like you Marian, I am a sucker for cows. I just love the close up of the cow. I also like the giveaway painting. Thanks for the chance to win.

  188. Marian, those linen color swatches are just beautiful! They look like they could be framed as artwork themselves!

    Wow, I really like Amelia’s painting style! The giveaway painting would go perfect with my decor LOL! I checked out her Etsy shop and am in love with her Starry Night Collection of night sky paintings. I’m considering getting the Northern Lights one for my friend who has a birthday coming up — she used to live in Alaska and her favorite thing about being there was seeing the Northern Lights in wintertime! It would be a perfect gift. Thank you for introducing us to Amelia’s work, I love finding out about new-to-me artists, especially if it means we can support women in art!

  189. Absolutely loved the chalet and cozy cabins. Beautiful paintings! Thanks for sharing them and this opportunity. xoxo

  190. I adore Amelia’s paintings! I see many favorites, but I think my absolute favorite is the girl with horse on the beach!

  192. Wow , her art is amazing, I’m now following her on Instagram, and my favourite is the watercolour doors, such colourful and interesting doorways.

  193. Amelia has beautiful paintings! I love the Mediterranean City painting and am following Amelia on Instagram.

  194. You already know I love these color charts. Just too much fun!!

    Thank you for the giveaway to you both!! My favorite paintings are the farm boy set on Etsy, just so sweet!! I’m glad to have found her to follow on Instagram too

  196. All of the paintings are beautiful!
    My favorite would be the Sea Scape and the rabbit.
    Thanks, Amelia for a chance to Win a beautiful piece of your art work!
    Following on Instagram and will be looking at Esty!

  198. I am completely smitten with the vintage color samples on linen.
    I conversed with Amelia a couple of years ago. She’s doing so well and I like her new pieces even more! I follow her on IG (under a different name) and in her shop, I like the Seaside collection. The winter scenes are so lovely but the seaside stood out this time.
    Her whole family is so talented. Thanks for mentioning her work.

  199. Wow, just visited her Etsy shop, she is so talented, hart to choose a favorite, love the girl with flowers or any of the seaside art pieces.

  200. Your paint studies on linen are so lovely to look at, thank you for sharing them and the process; I’m looking forward to learning more as you experiment with them.

    The paintings are all lovely but the Red Barn ones really struck me! They look so cozy, and remind me of my childhood home in northern Minnesota.

  202. Amelia is so talented! I enjoyed viewing all of her work. My favorite is ” White and Yellow Poppies”.

  204. All of her work is beautiful! So calming and peaceful! But as of recently, I’m drawn to the water colors! Swoon!

  205. I love any of the watercolors and the winter cabin painting was a favorite of mine.

  206. I love amelia’s seaside art/ home painting on her Etsy page and I did also choose to follow her Instagram .thank you!
    Bev

  208. I already follow Amelia and the rest of her family on Instagram! I think the way they all work together is #goals. My favorite art of hers is the little girls cuddling critters (a bunny and a chicken)…so sweet!

  210. I wonder if you put the tape down first – then gesso the little squares – after dried – apply the paint…. thinking this might be the best of both worlds!!!! xoxoxo!

  212. All of Amelia’s paintings are lovely but the one with the dolphins is definitely my favorite. I’m glad you introduced us to her!

  213. My favorite is the “Sailboat” painting. I’ve also followed Amelia on Instagram.

  214. I like the Seaside Painting. It reminds me of trips to Italy & France. Your paint swatches look like fun!

  215. Pingback: color charts on linen & an art giveaway - Miss Mustard Seed | Dadne

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

Facebook Instagram Youtube Pinterest Amazon

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Get Early access →

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.
Explore the shop →

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.
Shop Now →

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

Lucketts Spring Market 2026

May 18, 2026

Before I share my Lucketts recap, I wanted to let you know my next original art sale is Wednesday, May 20, 20206, at 1:00 pm Eastern.  For those interested in early access at noon, you can sign up HERE. On Thursday night, we packed our van with oil painting supplies,

Read More

Lucketts Spring Market Wish List 2026

May 13, 2026

I’ve reached that tipping point in my life where I feel like I probably have enough stuff.  No doubt, I passed that point years ago, but hunting for antiques and just the right piece for my house is still so much fun!  I have noticed I walk out of more

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This