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Moving My Art Around . . .

First, I must say I feel badly about not having posted to this blog more often. I read it all the time and so enjoy the company and the inspiration. I devoted all of last year to my iPad Studio Workbooks -teaching artists to create their art (and art journals) on the iPad, but this year, I am craving the feel of my real world sketchbooks, watercolor paints and pencils for awhile.

Inspired by some artists here, I decided to try the Stilman & Birn Beta sketchbook and fell instantly in love. It has everything I have been searching for since before I even started keeping actual artist journals. I have always painted on Arches 300 lb cold press paper and never found any comparable feel in a book before. The Beta pages are not as heavy, of course, but watercolor behaves in a similar way.

One thing I love to do in my journals is collect the random sketches I make all over the place (including in my iPad), and create a more comprehensive collection. I really think in the long run, it will be my artist journals that will comprise my most precious life works - to me at least!

So, I was really thrilled when I discovered how beautifully the Beta book accepted transfers made with my Sheer Heaven process (the Zeta book does also). This means I can move work from anywhere into a single journal.

The spread I posted above is comprised of two transfers of a sketch I made years ago while preparing a workshop, watercolor wash and painting, and a poem I wrote very recently. I did the type on the computer, printed reversed on Sheer Heaven and transferred to the journal spread - right over the wash.

I have posted a complete step-by-step on my own blog to show how, exactly, this spread came together. You can see that here:

http://www.wisdomwoman.com/whatever/

Hopefully, I will be a more familiar face around here. Cathy does such a wonderful job of keeping this blog delightful!

jessica

Inspired to Try....

A while back on FB, Jamie Williams Grossman posted about the book she was working in.  An 8 x 10 inch, 16 page book made from one sheet of watercolor paper!!!

Of course there were many questions in the comments about how????  Jamie was very sharing and gave the website address for the directions and also mentioned that it could be fashioned smaller using a half a sheet. It would be approximately  5 x 7 inches.  Now, that's my favorite working size.  I must do this!

Here is the link Jamie gave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z6qmXGRrsE

This is my 5 x 7 adaptation and below I've provided directions on making a basic book.  The sky is the limit for what you do with it :)

I painted the cover, page borders, splatters and marsh images with FW Acrylic Inks.

Please click to enlarge images.  This book has 16 paintable surfaces.

You'll want to use Fabriano 140# watercolor paper as it doesn't crack when folded. I tore my sheets so I could get an uneven edge. I use hot press as I like writing on the smooth surface.

Your book will be as precise as your folds.  Take your time and you'll be happy.  I practiced on  a 15" x 22" sheet of drawing paper.  I'm glad I did!

Happy journal making!

Artist's Journal Workshop

Artist's Journal Workshop, a group on Flickr.

Lots of lovely work in our Flickr group! If you keep an artist's journal--or want to!--please feel free to join us!

Just look at how many new pieces have shown up there in just a couple of days.  I'm working on a slideshow to put on the blog, too...

Artist's Journal Workshop

Artist's Journal Workshop, a group on Flickr.

Looking at ways to share our Flickr group...