Achoo!

It’s that time of year I guess, battling a nasty head cold.  Ugh!  I did feel a tad better yesterday though and was able to finish a couple of journal pages.  I love being able to make art even when I don’t feel good.  I have a little tote bag that I threw a few simple tools in and went downstairs to sit in my comfy chair with my feet up, jammies on.

Inside the bag were, water soluble crayons and colored pencils in my favorite colors, a graphite pencil, blending stump, XS Pitt Pen, Signo White Gel Pen, and a water filled brush.  

And my Moleskine journal.

Having only a few tools is stress relieving and relaxing.  No decisions about colors, pens, or paints, just freedom to create. 

I started with sketches and built on that adding color with the crayons,
doodles, and journaling.  I found an interesting trick with the White Gel Pen:  you can write with it and then use the water soluble crayon over the top and it acts as a bit of a resist allowing the pen to show through.  Just make sure it’s dry first!
I hope you are feeling well, use that hand sanitizer for more than transfers!!  And find time for art today, even if it’s just a few minutes.  It really is the best medicine:-)

Art at the Speed of Life

One of the questions I get asked most is, ‘How long does it take you to paint a portrait’? I really had no idea. All of my work is done is small increments of time, as I squeeze my art life around my family life. A layer here, a load of laundry there, some paint, pick up kids, you get the idea. I’m sure most of you can relate. So today I thought it would be fun to do a 9×12 portrait, and record the whole process. Everytime I could get to the studio for a few minutes, I taped while I worked. In the end it took 1 hour and 11 minutes. I then made a little video in fast forward mode to share the process from start to finish.

Here is the video, enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuqNCf5T23s

This was done on a 9×12 hot press watercolor block using Golden Fluid Acrylics, ephemera, charcoal, water soluble crayon and graphite.


available in my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27326537

Another Journal Page to Share

I am so loving this journal. I started this last night and finished it first thing this morning, before breakfast but not before coffee-lol! Nothing ever before coffee. I love the large size of this journal too. It feels good. I love working so ‘loosely’. These crayons allow you to do such quick portraits and the black lends a unique feel to the pages. I’m thinking this one will find it’s way to canvas. I just love the quote.

Only Three More Days Until Shades of Grey!

What is the key to using the fabulous Pitt Brush Tipped Pens? What are their secrets? Peer through the keyhole to take a glimpse of some of the page samples from my Shades of Grey Journal Workshop.
This workshop will cover several techniques I have discovered while concentrating on Shades of Grey, including ‘painting’ with Caran d’ache water soluble crayons. Combine these techniques in a timeless Moleskine Journal and you have a winning combination.

To find out more about this workshop or to register, visit Creative Workshops.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Well, I’ve just posted the last week’s lesson for my workshop. What a fun journey and what completely amazing students! I have so enjoyed seeing their pages progress and what was once scary to some is now fun and exciting. You can see their pages here for yourself. I am already working on my next workshop where I will share the fun of Pitt Pens and water soluble crayon in lovely Moleskine journals. You can find out more about this workshop here. Gill has provided a link to her journal site offering class supplies with a discount for workshop attendies. http://www.journalcraft.co.uk/shades-of-grey—workshop-supplies-39-c.asp
Thank you for making this workshop so enjoyable!