Showing posts with label caran d'ache. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caran d'ache. Show all posts

Monday, January 28, 2013

From Sketch to Color

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Happy Monday! How is your week starting? I have to admit that Mondays are not my favorite. I LOVE the weekends (don't we all?) and I spend the week counting down the days until Friday again. But, I have some coffee in me and spent the morning reading (and snuggling) with my little guy...so I feel ready to tackle the day. :)

Today I wanted to show a journal page that I worked on over the weekend. It had started out as a quick pencil sketch a couple Sundays ago. I am trying to sketch something every Sunday. It's funny. As much as more abstract art is tickling my creative artsy heart, I can never get away from "girls." I say that all the time. I love sketching and painting them. But, when I dream...I dream of painting large, massive abstracts full of color. Maybe that's a vision of what's to come. :) That's what is so exciting...the anticipation of the journey and embracing it all step by step. 


After sketching my girl, I added a thin layer of gesso to prepare the page. The pencil did smear a little bit, but I am totally OK with that. I used acrylic paint and Caran d'Ache watercolor crayons to add color. I find that I primarily use these crayons and gesso to paint in the face. I rarely add other acrylic paint to faces. I do think it would be fun to try that more though. I used my Faber-Castell PITT pens to add definition and color in the small spaces, as well as tracing over the word "loved." I'm using these pens a lot! I LOVE them. If you don't have any and want to add some goodies to your art stash, I highly recommend them. Usually, one of the last steps for me is to go back to add details with an inexpensive Pentel black pen and white Gellyroll. (By the way - just a little tidbit. I was having problems with my white pens working. I started storing them in my pen cup with the tip down & it has made a huge difference. Lol. I know, I know... so brilliant!)

  I am going to add just a bit more to her. I think she needs a little more texture in the background and perhaps some washi tape. Yes! Why not!? I love me some washi tape. Don't you!? I have a growing collection. Where do you like to buy yours? Michael's just recently got in a bunch of new designs. Very dangerous. OK, total obsessive side track! :)


Anyways, have a beautiful Monday my friends and let's go get creative!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Give Love

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Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
It came and went in the blink of an eye, didn't it? It has been such a whirlwind of goodness around here. This thankful girl is typing this blog post from a new, little laptop. My darling Hubby surprised me with it Christmas morning (very sneaky that one).  I am beyond excited to have a computer that is all my own...and portable! :) I am still getting used to the Windows 8 format though! Total learning curve for me. I need to get some kind of skin and sleeve/case for it too...any suggestions!?

Last night, after all the holiday glitter had settled,  I was finally able to do some painting in my journal. It felt really fabulous to just sit and create. I plopped down on the couch, got out my pencil and water soluble crayons, then got my creative mojo flowing. I must have been in a sweet, whimsical mood because this is what I painted...


First, I sketched her out with my pencil. My mind is already thinking ahead to Valentine's Day so love and hearts appeared. :) The page already had some gesso here and there which gave it yummy texture. Remember, I do not waste a thing...so I use pages of my journal to wipe off excess stuff from other projects. I use A LOT of gesso, so heaven forbid if I don't use every last drop.


I used my Caran D'Ache crayons to add color, followed by my water brush to blend. I didn't use anything else. Just water and the crayons. I originally planned on adding some acrylic paint later, but I don't think I am going to. I like her just the way she is.  She's a little cutie.


Here she is in all her Instagram glory. :)
I keep thinking about how important it is to "give love"...even when you don't want to, even when you're tired, even when you are mad or hurt, even when you feel they don't deserve it...give it anyway. I know I need that reminder.

xoxo,



Sunday, September 30, 2012

Sunday "Shine On" Journal Page

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Before the sun sets on this beautiful, relaxing Sunday... 
  I just wanted to say...

  
That's right!
Shine On
9x12 Journal Page
vintage book pages, acrylic paint, scrapbook paper, 
Caran D'ache crayons, and Gelly Roll pens.


Have a fabulous start to a new week!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Problem and Solution

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Problem...
A wee bit of creative mojo loss and a big, blank, white page staring at me.

Solution....
Grab a sweet little pencil and sketch away. Remember to go for it. 
Don't be afraid to put the lines down. Play!!
Work fast and don't think about it too much.
Have fun and use that imagination to create something whimsical...
a big eyed girl perhaps?


Then throw down some of that color with yummy 
Caran D'ache crayons and Inktense pencils. 
Channel all that inspiration...
(Thank you Traci, Danielle, Tam, Kylie, Kristin, Mystele, Jennibellie, & so many more!)
& quiet my inner critic.
Just have fun. Don't care about the crooked eyes...imperfect is beautiful. :)


Snap some pictures with my iPhone to capture it and she is done.
Well, for now. 
I'll be back to add more. 
But, for now...she makes me smile. :)


What is making you smile today?