Tuesday Tips and Techniques: Take A Workshop!

SAME MATERIALS - NEW TECHNIQUES


We all have our favorite "go to" art supplies, and no matter what your's is, there's someone using it in a way that you've probably never dreamed of before!  Taking a workshop whether online or in person, is an excellent opportunity to view your materials in a fresh, exciting way.

WORKSHOP WITH JOHN SMOLKO

"The Kiss" by John Smolko

I had such an opportunity this past Saturday when I attended a colored pencil workshop with John Smolko. (View more of John's work HERE).  The workshop was sponsored by my instructor, Jennifer Kosarco, and CPSA. The moment I viewed John's work, I knew it was a workshop that would enhance my creativity.  His work is full of color, vibrancy and movement, and I was eager to learn his technique.  

THE TECHNIQUE

The main objective of the workshop was to teach us rendering and blending with line, and color blocking in areas with line and scribbling.  We began by practicing the scribble and discussing color choices.

We continued by choosing a block letter and after drawing the letter, we began color blocking and shading the letter.  We filled in the background and were given additional information on color choices and color experimentation.  

We followed this exercise by working on portraits from photos that we brought with us.  I chose a photo from my photo file of National Geographic images.  I was captivated by this gentleman's beard, mustache, and the folds of his turban.

I would be hard pressed to describe the excitement I felt as I learned this new technique!  The very act of using line differently breathed a new life into my work, and I've been obsessed with this method of drawing since the workshop.  I've worked on this portrait every day, and I'm at a point where I'll set it aside and look at it again next week to see what I need to add.

Adding the layers of color has been a fascinating exercise in color juxtaposition and experimentation.  There are 14 colors in this drawing at this point, and some of the darker areas have up to 8 layers of color.

MAKING A TECHNIQUE YOUR OWN

The fun part about learning a new technique is "making it your own".  I'm already thinking of ways to incorporate this technique into not only my journals, but in my acrylic paintings.  How fun will it be to use this technique by squeezing craft acrylic straight out of the bottle?  I can't wait to give that a try.  In the meantime, I started using this technique on a new spread in my moleskin journal. (more on that tomorrow).

I hope you're having fun each day and finding new ways to enhance your creative muse, and I hope that if you     get an opportunity to take an art workshop, you'll give it a try.   Wherever your journey takes you, remember to "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

PHOTO OF THE DAY

"Red Sky at Morning"

I took this photo early one morning about 2 weeks ago as the sun was coming up over the rooftops.  The saying "Red sky at morning, sailor take warning...", proved to be true as thunderstorms rolled in later that afternoon and evening.

Happy Easter!

Signs of spring are everywhere!  

The Forsythia is in full bloom

The potted chives are up and thriving

And today, I took my art supplies to the deck!

I took my hard boiled eggs -

And I decorated them just for you!

"Happy Easter"!  I hope you're spending it with those you love in the way that you desire, and I hope that, as always, you                                 "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Playing with Water Soluble Pastels

Here are pages from my journal that I did last week.  I hadn't played with my water soluble pastels for awhile so I took them out one evening.  I didn't want to turn on any lights, so I decided to sketch by the light of the television as Keith and I tortured ourselves with the Food Network.

I used an ochre yellow pastel and began sketching.  I began with a fluid line and before I knew it, I was sketching faces.  The next day, I softly blended the features and I liked the ghostly appearance that resulted.  I darkened some of the features and added hair with a black pastel and did more blending.  I added blue to the shadow areas and more faces with the same blue, softening each layer.  

I continued playing with my pastels and another face emerged.  I recently discovered that I can print right to left writing each letter backwards as easily as printing normally.  Who knew!  I had no idea I could do this and it was a fluke discovery.  I incorporated printing in this style on this journal spread and I think it adds to the overall feeling of mystique created by the chiaroscuro.

Speaking of faces, my colored pencil drawing is coming along nicely.  I'm really enjoying my very laid back class.  My classmates are awesome and we're rapidly becoming friends.  I've learned a lot about colored pencil - mostly that it's nothing to be hurried!

I'm not finished with her face, but the self proclaimed "queen of color" had to get away from the skin tones for awhile and add some color!  The leaves are a pain (it crossed my mind to put a head wrap on her!), but I decided to stay true to the original image.  I only work on her during class.  The lighting there is fabulous!

I've also been using colored pencil more in my journal.  This detailed spread is collage (The sun/moon mirror, the tree and the head, torn from an old Design Tuscano catalog), Pilot VBall pen, and Prismacolor pencils.  I worked on it mostly in the evenings.  It was inspired by my prompt for March 10th: "I don't want to", and the song by Gavin Degraw, "I don't want to be".  The writing is lyrics from that song.

I hope you're having fun in your journal.  I hope you're experimenting and breaking through "blocks" that you may have.  Most of all, I hope you're finding time each day to "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Contemplative Creativity

I've been in a quiet, contemplative mood over the past couple weeks, and my journal pages have certainly been a reflection of that mood.  As a side effect of my drawing class, I've taken to journaling in the evening after dinner using my new favorite pen, the Pilot VBall fine point, and colored pencils.  I've still been using glazes as well as some collage.

I've worked on this mandala over the last few weeks.  It's colored pencil and pen.  It was a soothing, contemplative exercise and I thought about a lot of different things as I worked on it.

This spread began with glazes and I finished with craft acrylic and colored pencils.  I've been obsessed with birds lately, maybe because of my delight at their return as a sign of spring and warmer weather.

This spread is an illustration of my struggle between the physical and spiritual world, the search for inner knowing, and the path to Spirit.

This spread began with doodles.  I had two scraps of paper with leftover, predominantly yellow glaze and I wanted to see how my pen would write on them (worked great!).  I put them aside and began sketching with the pen.  When I don't have a specific direction for my journaling (which I didn't with this), I almost always began with organic shapes.  I ended up sketching these flowers that I later filled in with colored pencil.  The four strips of orange/turquoise paper are paint saturated paper towel that I save for re-purposing.  This spread is about life being a matter of perspective.


I hope that you'll find some time this weekend for personal reflection and observation.  I also hope that as always, you'll make time to "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Colored Pencil Drawing Class

My colored pencil drawing class is so much fun that I also joined for March.  I'm learning a lot about colored pencil, but I'm also enjoying the creative atmosphere and getting to know the wonderful men and women in my class.

My drawing is coming along nicely.  All the tiny swirls of layering are beginning to take shape and the face is coming to life.

Week 3 I began mottling the face (adding shadows and highlights)  This was an exciting phase after layering the basic skin tones.

Last week was even more exciting as I began making the darks darker and making the highlights brighter by adding white.  I also used a blending pencil (a pencil of wax with no pigment) to blend the colors and soften the edges.

In yesterday's class, I made the darks even darker and added lines to her face.  I added more detail to her lips and eyes and adjusted some of the colors on her forehead.  I also began adding the dark areas around her face and her headband.  I was happy to take my attention away from her face and concentrate on her headband.  

You know me and color, so I was thrilled to get away from the skin tones and pull out Canary Yellow and Poppy Red for her headband.  Next week, I'll begin working on the leaves of her headdress.

Drawing has been a quiet, contemplative experience.  I only work on this drawing during class, but I've found myself drawing in my sketchbook more and more.  It really helps to step away from your norm as a creative soul.  It's always good to see things from another perspective and engage your psyche in a different way.

Whatever your choice of medium, I hope you'll experiment with something new.  Remember to take time for yourself and "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

She's A Maniac!

First of all, welcome to February!  A month for love and lovers, and a month closer to SPRING!  I know we're already into day three, but I'm happy to say I've been busy with art activities this week including writing an e-zine article, judging an art show and taking my first colored pencil drawing class.  In addition, I've been trying to put one of my creative muses in check!  So...let's catch up.  This is going to be a lengthy post, so pull up a comfy chair and bring along your favorite beverage!

My "inner child muse" is a maniac!  Every year, she comes out after the holidays and because she has more time to look at fabulous art on the Internet, she wants to try EVERYTHING!  She's like an out-of-control 5-year-old constantly wanting this and that.  She seriously had me thinking about ordering an encaustic wax kit a couple weeks ago, and she keeps nagging at me to do some more silk screening projects.  I finally had to put my foot down.  I had to remind her that I still have unfinished mosaic projects and scads of stamping supplies and inks that have been untouched for months.  I told her I need to make use of the supplies I already have and that there's much more creative experimentation to be had with them.  She's not real happy, but she'll recover.  I was able to quite her by taking a colored pencil drawing class.

I judged an art show on Tuesday, and as it turns out, the Jennifer Kosarko (who hired me to judge) is teaching a drawing class on Wednesday mornings.  I had my first 3 hr session yesterday morning.  I'm using this photo from my picture file, torn from an old National Geographic magazine.  I really want to learn how to capture skin tones accurately. 

I learned a lot yesterday!  I confirmed that I am indeed, heavy handed.  Jennifer's method of colored pencil drawing requires layers, upon layers of color, and a very light hand.  It took me three hours to get to "light hand".  This method is tedious, exacting, and methodical.  All of the things I am not.  It is also very time consuming.  Colored pencil will never be my main medium, but I am having a lot of fun learning these new techniques.

Jennifer first enlarged my photo so I could trace it on a light box.  (I've altered the image making it darker so you can see it! It's much lighter and less grainy than it appears here.)  That was the first "something new" for me.  I've never used a light box before.  (Using the light box shortened the amount of time I would have spent accurately sketching in the face.)  We're using Prismacolors (ironically I gifted myself with a 72 tin earlier this year) The first color I was instructed to use was Lemon Yellow, applied in tiny, lightly applied circles.  I didn't reach "lightly" until I started on her neck.  This was followed by a layer of Peach, leaving the lips alone until 4-5 layers down the road.  Jennifer completed the eye instructing me along the way.  There are 5 colors in the eye.  My next layer will be Blush Pink.  I can hardly wait to see the finished skin tone.  I'm sure it will be rich and full of depth.

I created around 8 journal spreads for the e-zine article.  Here are a couple of cropped images.  I used an Asian inspired stamp on the jacket.  That's the first time I've incorporated a stamp into any of my journal pages, and it was a lot of fun.  I'll be using stamps again.  I also used water soluble crayon, craft acrylics and colored pencil in this spread.  I'll be talking more about the e-zine when it comes out next month.

Here is another cropped image taken from a 2 page spread.  I spent over an hour cutting out scads of flowers from a gardening catalog, and I even found a couple butterflies.  This spread is an homage to Frida and includes an interactive window.  I applied heavy body gesso to the background and used blue craft acrylic.  I applied the cutouts with a glue stick.

So, that's what I've been up to.  I'm still playing catch up, so I'll be posting Tuesday Tips and Techniques, Wednesday's Word and Thursday's Child tomorrow - on a Friday.  Gotta love it!

I have to share one more thing with you today.  My dear twitter friend and Angelia's Art Journals follower, Luna Raven, nominated me for a Shorty Award.  I'm so surprised and honored!  This sassy gal has got it going on herself, so take a trip through her blog - you're going to love it!

I've posted a link to the Shorty Award nominations on my sidebar, so if you'd like, cast your vote for me or one of the other fabulous 1,000 nominees in the art category.  In the meantime, have a fabulous day and remember: "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Playing with Colored Pencil

My art goodies that arrived last week included Prismacolor Premier colored pencils and Verithins.   I've tried different brands of colored pencils, and I have to say that for the money, I like Prismacolor hands down.  They are richly pigmented and go down very smoothly.

I left my jammies on and piled into the bed with a new journal, my pencils and hot, steamy coffee.  Armed with my supplies, I watched a couple movies beginning with Gorillas in the Mist and ending with another favorite, Good Will Hunting.

I didn't have anything in mind except to play with colors. I felt like a little kid with the "big box" of Crayolas!  I really splurged and bought the box of 72.  My first box of Prismacolors had been a gift of 36.  The first thing I had to do was sharpen them.  I love that the tin included a sharpener.  I bet I can keep track of this one - maybe!

I randomly began sketching in the leaf.  From there, I drew the eye at the bottom and the page evolved from there.  I experimented with layering different colors for skin tones, and I included about 5 different colors for the eye.  I continued with the stripes and glass reflections and ended with the fish.

It's not complete and perhaps never will be as I've grown bored with it already.  What I haven't grown bored with are the colored pencils.  I really liked using the Verithins for details such as the eyelashes and I think they would also work nicely for adding fish scale too.

I hope you're inspired to pull out your colored pencils or other supplies that you haven't used in a while.  Let your imagination run free and embrace your creativity!  As always, "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Materials For Creative Journaling

PART TWO

Most of the materials for "Creative Journaling" are easily found at your favorite local dollar store or super store.  You may need to visit your local craft store to purchase watercolor pencils.  If you are already a practicing artist, you probably have most of these materials on hand already! 

1. Composition Notebooks.  I recommend using the original black/white Composition notebook. I have tried some of the composition notebooks with cute, brightly colored covers, but I found the quality of the paper to be too poor for extensive handling.

2. Watercolor pencils.  Buy the best you can afford.  You'll be happier with the richer pigments.

3. Colored pencils. It's possible to find satisfactory colored pencils that are on the inexpensive side.Try Crayola's.  The pigments are rich and they have a smooth texture.

4. Pencil Sharpeners. Yes, I said sharpenerS as in multiple.  Years ago I used to watch an oil painter named Bill Alexander on PBS television.  He believed in washing his brushes frequently to avoid muddying his colors.  He used to say, "First, you are brush washers, then painters."  I say, "First you are pencil sharpeners, then journalists!"  There will be lots of pencil sharpening!

5. Colored Markers.  Once again, as with most art supplies, buy the best you can afford.  You'll be happier with the quality.

6. Fine or extra fine point Sharpies.  I use these for writing in my journal.  They write nicely on almost any surface.

7. Old Magazines, newspapers, junk mail, receipts, doodles. Don't limit yourself to the types of magazines you like to read.  There are amazing photos and fonts in that "Guns and Ammo" magazine that you would NEVER dream of having in your possesion.

8. Glue sticks.  I use Elmer's. I found a mega pack of them at our local wholesale club for around $6.00.

9. Scissors. A small pair for cutting single letters and other details.

And there you have it!  The basic list of materials to get you started on your way to "Creative Journaling".  I'll talk about each item in further detail as I explain the method.  See you next week!

NEXT WEEK: PART THREE "EXPLORING THE METHOD"

Creative Journaling - The Method

PART THREE

Prepping Your Pages - Page preparation is key in the Creative Journaling process.  Page preparation addresses several important factors in establishing journaling as a routine, enjoyable experience.  As a life long artist, I know first hand the anxiety that's triggered when facing a plain, white canvas or paper.  In the back of my mind there's always the little voice uttering, "don't mess it up".   Making those first marks on the page are always a little intimidating - until now.  But, before any marks are made, pages need to be torn - No more worry about maintaining a "perfect" book  now!  There are several reasons for tearing pages.  The main reason is to keep your journal from being too bulky to close. Gluing in additional papers without eliminating some of the pages would make your journal too bulky.  Another reason I like tearing pages is that it's symbolically and psychologically freeing.  It removes any feelings of  formality that you may have regarding your journal.  Save your torn pages for doodling or staple them together as a notepad.

Getting Started - Open  the cover of your Composition Notebook  (From now forward known as Journal!) Leave the first page intact and tear out the 2nd page just inside the red margine line.  ( It's important not to tear the page out to the binding - you don't want to destroy the integrity of the remaining  pages by loosening  them at the stitching.)  Now, flip the 3rd page over.  The back of page 3 and the front of page 4 are now the 1st "spread" in your journal.  The back of the first page and page 3 will eventually be glued together, but first, it's time to add some color to the 1st spread!

Using Water Color Pencils - Using water color pencils seems less intimidating to the "non artist" than using watercolor or acrylic paints, but I often prep my pages with paints now.  Using pencils has several advantages that I think are important - especially to those who are just finding their creative voice.  The very act of "coloring" begins to quiet the left brain and the analytical thought process, while at the same time allowing relaxation and the creativity of the right brain to come forward.  You begin to "zone out" and become engulfed in the current moment of applying color.  Secondly, using pencils allows for better control when using water to blend the colors together.  To begin with, I recommend selecting only 2 colors for your first spread, a dark tone and a light tone.  Select 2 colors that you find pleasing together and that appeal to you. For today's demonstration, I've chosen Blue Violet and Pink Madder Lake Loew Cornell water color pencils.  Remember to have your pencil sharpener handy - you're going to need it!  Begin applying color to your pages in random splotches.  This is not the time to make spirals, stars, or flowers.  You are just applying color.  Alternate using the tip of your pencil with the side of your pencil. Use a combination of rough, heavy strokes and light, soft strokes.  Make both jagged strokes and swirly strokes.  Overlap your colors in some  areas and leave some white paper showing in others.  Go "into the zone" and let your hand guide you.  Once you have applied all the color, moisten a paper towel with water and wring out the excess.  With the moist paper towel and  a light stroke, begin blending the colors together.  Play with using circular motions on straight, jagged lines and blending curved lines straight across.  Be sure leave some of your darker strokes  intact for contrast and interest.  Set your journal aside to try for 5 or 10 minutes.

Using Collage Materials - While your spread is drying, pull out a magazine and begin tearing images and words that appeal to you.  Don't analyize or question what you're drawn to.  Just tear it out of the magazine.  If you flip back a page to look at an image, stop questioning yourself and tear it out for your collection.  Try to avoid removing entire pages and take just what you need.  I store my larger images in a pocket folder (a large ziplock bag works nicely,too.)  I keep my smaller words and images in sandwhich bags.

Working With Your Spread  Now take a look at your dried spread.  What images do you see?  Are any of the shapes familiar to you?  Draw an outline around anything recognizable to you.  Begin filling in these shapes with color.  Don't be afraid to introduce new colors into your spread at this point.  Use whatever suits your mood including markers, colored pencils, or additional applications of watercolor pencil.  Think about the images that you see.  What do they mean to you?  Did you tear anything from the magazine that you want to incorporate into your spread?  Now is the time to do so.  I also suggest gluing your pages at this point.  In my example, I found a clown figure on the left side of my spread along with another smaller image of a cartoonish looking male.  On the right side, I found the image of someone with their arms crossed. 

As I completed adding color to my spread, I contemplated the addition of collaged items.  Nothing that I pulled from the magazine fit the mood of the spread so I didn't add anything; however, this is the point at which you may find that you need to add an image or word.  If you don't use what you pulled from the magazine today, save it for future consideration. 

The Anaylyis  This particular spread was easy for me to analyize.  Thursday next week, it will be two years since my mom died and she's been on my mind more so than usual.  She collected clowns and I connect them with her.  On the right side of the spread, I see myself, arms crossed, trying to keep my feelings inside.  As I colored in my clown, I thought of Mom and all the happy memories that made us laugh.  On the right side of the spread, I wrote her a letter and told her how much I miss her and how much a part of my life she still is.  I don't know what's up with that funny looking dude next to the clown!

What did you find in your spread?  Did you gain new insight about yourself or another?  Did it help you express an emotion that you might have kept hidden from yourself?  Did you find the solution to a problem?  Was it just a freeing exercise in creativity? 

This method of journaling will eventually lead you to experience all of the above.  Make a commitment to allow yourself the expression of creativity and self discovery.   Take an hour and prep a week's worth of pages.  This makes it easy to journal on a daily basis and totally eliminates the "white page syndrome" that can block creativity.  Stay tuned for more helpful hints and journaling prompts, and feel free to post any comments or questions you may have regarding Creative Journaling