Archive for September, 2021

Small Arteza Journal

Friday, September 3rd, 2021

I’ve been trying out some different journals recently and I saw the Arteza 3.5 x 5.5 inch watercolour book. They have 110/GSM watercolour paper.

My first impressions on this little book are positive. They were relatively inexpensive and I’ve done my first piece in one.

This piece was done with an acrylic background, with flowers drawn with a Sharpie and coloured with Tombow Markers and an acrylic paint pen.

The pages held up well, and I am looking forward to seeing what else I can throw at it to see how the paper performs.

Unlikely Places

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

My latest art journal entry was a joy to make and came together quite quickly. I am learning to create without judgement, and I am having a great time journaling.  I started doing art journals during Covid lockdown and it helped me get through the worst of it.

Now that I have been doing it for several months I am going to keep at it for my regular artistic practice.

I painted the background with Distress Paints. I love the colours and how they are reactive to water, but also when they dry they are permanent. They are amongst my favourite paints. I layered up the background. I used an old text rubber stamps and Tim Holtz stencils in the background to add interest and texture.

The flowers were then drawn in, and painted with gesso. After that dried I coloured them with Distress Crayons by smearing them with my fingers and blending the colours with more gesso. It added a nice subtle dream like quality to the colour of the crayons. Distress Crayons are creamy like lipstick, and also water reactive. I love them.

I outlined the flowers in highlighted them in acrylic paint pens. I also drew the spiral border with them.

Last I printed out a quote on the computer, coloured with with Distress Crayons and adhered it to the page with Modge Podge. “Love is like wildflowers, it’s often found in the most unlikely places.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

This was a very relaxing make and it was very therapeutic.

I’m back – it only took a decade!

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

After a long absence , I have gutted this blog and I am starting over. I’m all for fresh starts. Many things in my life have changed and I have hopefully grown as a person. This blog will focus on my artwork and tutorials, and where I find my inspiration.