Lessons in Lettering

I've been practicing my lettering skills a bit and I thought it would be fun to share a little example of how I created the lettering in my post from last week.

 I began by writing my words in my sketchbook in pencil and then outlining them with permanent ink. 

I added an extra line to each letter where the down-stroke occurs and then went back and filled the spaces in with my permanent pen.

I like this technique because it looks so much like calligraphy without the fancy pen.

 I added a heart and a border.

The blue and red additions are watercolor crayons.

The border squares and dots were created using sharpie pens.

How fun is that?

I'll probably cut this out and use it in my art journal somehow.

-Kristi

Leftovers

Here's a recent page from my art journal, created with acrylic paints and pens, and some snippets from old book pages.

It began as a wipe-off page, meaning that when I had extra paint on my brush from other projects, I wiped the leftovers onto this page.

I can't stand the sight of an abandoned dollop of paint just hardening in a puddle. I must find a way to use it!

I like coming back to these "leftover" pages and seeing potential in them.

I think Forrest Gump would agree that art journaling is also like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!

Art Doodle Love

Have you seen this little gem of a book, Art Doodle Love, A Journal of Self-Discovery by Dawn DeVries Sokol? Here's what the author herself says in her introduction: "There are many steps to creating a layered, mix-media art journal page, but these techniques can be overwhelming to someone just starting out. I've provided prompts and painted pages to give you a jump start into art journaling. The ideas and backgrounds will be there for you, guiding you into that creative zone, and these pretty pages become even lovlier when you doodle and draw all over them, adding bits of ephemera to your heart's content."

I acquired this beautiful book a while ago, and every once in a while I thumb-fan through the colorful pages, dreaming of the day when I will fill them with my amazing doodles. Well, I've decided to begin already. Doodling is out of my creative comfort zone, so this certainly will be a journal of self-discovery!

Here's a look at my "intention page" in process. I am loving the look of acrylic paint pens on these pages with varying sizes of black pens to outline. I tried a few copic markers, but they bled through and I didn't like it. I'll add some handwritten journaling about my intentions on the left side and then move on to chapter one, entitled "Finding the Mojo."

Sound like fun? Want to join me on this creative journey? I'll be posting every couple of weeks about this project and I'd love to have you play along and link us to your doodle creations. If you don't already own a copy of Dawn's book, you can purchase one in our Paper Pals Online Shop.

-Kristi

Art Doodle Love Book

InLinkz.com

Intro to Art Journaling Workshop

What another fun and amazing Intro to Art Journaling Workshop today!  So much fun! Pin It

Introduction to Art Journaling Workshop

Intro to Art Journaling Workshop - $40
Saturday,  March 3rd
10:00 - Noon and 1:00 - 4:30

 In this beginner Art Journaling workshop we will be creating an art journal from watercolor paper using a simple pamphlet stitch. We will then spend time discussing & creating different “base” backgrounds for our pages using a variety of mediums; including acrylics, watercolor crayons, mica sprays, inks, pastels and stains!    We will then add texture with rubber stamps, stencils, modeling paste, collage and more!  Supply list:  paper towels, baby wipes, variety of paint brushes, water cup/dish, bone folder, apron.

No art experience required!!   

Instructors: Karen & Julie

NEW Art Journaling Workshops!

Join us for this NEW workshop series starting in September.  We will meet Sunday afternoons to create  ART in your own handmade art journal.  Each month we will explore new techniques and play with new mediums.  

 

Art Journaling Workshop - $25
Sunday, September 11th,  1:00 - 4:00
Join us one Sunday a month to create ART in your own handmade art journal.  In this first workshop we will be creating our art journals from watercolor paper using a simple pamphlet stitch. We will then spend time discussing & creating different “base” backgrounds for our pages using a variety of mediums; including acrylics, watercolors, watercolor crayons, mica sprays, inks and stains!  Supply list:  paper towels, baby wipes, variety of paint brushes, water cup/dish, non-stick , matt, bone folder, apron and a metal ruler.    No art experience required!!  Instructors: Karen, Kristi & Julie