Mixed Media Art. Photography. Inspiration.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Journal Pages : Doodles and Inspiring Things


Hi there.  It's me again.  
I have a couple more art journal pages to show you.  We'll start with the left side.  



This is how it started out (below).  I really liked it and I thought "Oh, I'll just doodle a bit more and be done with the page after a few washes of color, but...


Turns out my trusty, water-proof Micron pen isn't so trusty or water-proof like it says!!  Grrrr!!
So after it turned into a muddy, faded mess (below) I held back a few choice words and instead decided to try to turn it into a happy accident... 


I'm gonna be stuck on the couch for a while longer until my foot heals and I'm going stir crazy right now!  In an effort to try to make the best of it, I figured I might as well take an online art class so I can enjoy myself a bit.  So I signed up for the awesome Sketchbook Delight class by Alisa Burke.  I already have the supplies on hand and I can work on most of the class "homework"on the couch.  Yay!

So.... in one of the class videos I had just watched she used a white pen to pop out some highlights...
Oh yeah!!!  I have EIGHT (I just counted) different white pens!  I forgot all about them and how I love them for taking a boring journal page and bringing life to it.  Out came one of my favs, "Souffle" by Sakura.  It goes on clear but dries opaque, shiny, and kinda puffy.  I tried to take a photo at an angle so you can kinda see it in the light (below).  It's a great effect against the muddy background!!  I love happy accidents!


So that's how Alisa Burke and my trusty white Souffle pen saved the day.
 And my journal.  
And kept me from saying bad words.

Moving on... one of the things Alisa said to do is identify the things that inspire you to draw.  I hadn't really thought about this too much lately so I decided to write them down in my art journal as a "go to" for when I need inspiration.

My new favorite journal page!
I wanted to just draw out a few of the items on the list to spice up the page...


but then I got a wee bit carried away and drew out everything on the list... and then some!!  Turns out everything on the list is there for a reason.  You know... because they inspire me to draw.  Yup.  So as I tried to choose a few of them to draw I kept wanting to draw the next one, and the next one, and... you get it.



I learned a lot by doing this page.  First, I do still enjoy drawing after all.  I thought I hated it and would suddenly suck since I've been concentrating on painting... but hey, if I could draw a tiny Taj Majal then I guess I'm not doing too bad.  

Second thing I learned is architecture is a HUGE inspiration for me... especially if it's old and involves stonework.  Yup, it's good stuff.  Many of the things on my list are a form of it.  Hmm... do I have a secret desire to be an architect?  Nah... too much work.  I'll just admire it and hopefully make some cool art inspired by it.  And I'm so glad that I now have this page to remind me of this.  Thanks Alisa Burke!  Can't wait to do more "class stuff" and see what else comes of it!

I'm just wondering... how many picture are too many pictures?  Is this too many?



What about now?  Too many?  I like a lot of photos.  Just wondering if you're feeling it.  Or not.

How about now?

13 comments:

Manya Keseloff said...

These pages are amaaaazing!!!

Diane said...

See...there's a reason for everything....if you didn't hurt your foot, you may never have re-discovered your drawing skills and these little insights about yourself. And now you've created these very cool journal pages!

Lesley Edmonds said...

This is definitely NOT too many photos :) And as Diane says - this is the reason you hurt your foot haha!!

I am a HUGE fan of Alisa and you are prompting me to do this course. My drawing skills are not billiant and the idea of keeping a sketch pad/journal is very appealing to me. I love to peek inside Alisa's sketchbook on her blog.

I hope your foot heals well soon, Esther, but in the mean time - keep drawing.....

I love your doodle page - with the added souffle is kinda looks metallic...

x

JessiVille said...

Hi E! It's been so long since I was able to stop by... I'm so sorry about your foot but you are creating such beautiful journal art while you recover! I went back to your last post - LOVE Breathe journal pages!!! And these current pages just blow me away. Fab-u-lous! Want to take Alisa's class too one of these days when my life calms down a bit.

Wishing you a speedy recovery my dear!

Jessi xox

Single Stone Studios said...

I love peeks into art journals!! this was fun. And your page was totally saved. They both look awesome!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting...did it take you long to come up with the list? I know whenever I am asked "probing" questions, I tend to over think it. Your pages are so lovely as usual. Hope you heal quickly.
Cheers,
Leah

Kathryn Dyche said...

Such great journal pages, love what you did.

Jo-Ann Dziubek-MacDonald said...

I don't think there can ever be too many photos! Love your work here, and I LOVE all the little closeups! Thanks for sharing your story on the pens...good to know what can happen with water and now we know how to fix it! Your work is gorgeous!

Seth said...

A doodle doesn't quite seem to capture this amazing page. I would just call it art!

Jester said...

Wow, fantastic pages - they must have taken you ages. Love the Taj Mahal and Eiffel Tower!

Mandy said...

yummity yum yum yum....live it all and love that white....the little lantern in blue is gorgeous...you clever chicken you...xxx
...

Kristin said...

Ah, TG in the house!!! Actually, before I read your question, I was going to comment that I like all the photos - especially the really detailed shots. My favorite part is the paint palette but I LOVE the entire thing and LOVE all the detail - it's really amazing! And we're both on the same journaling page (so to speak ;)
Hope you're doing well - so happy that you found a class to keep you busy while laid up - that was such a good idea!! xoxo

Lisa Graham said...

Amazing detail! I love the right page and your list there.