sketchbook ideas

Just Make Marks

inspiration, mark making, masking stencils, mixed media printmaking, sketchbook ideas, stencils, techniques / /

I am learning that it is enough to just make marks. Joyful marks are even better.

mixed media journal page

Sometimes I can get caught up in needing to know why. Then I usually get stalled by the thinking in my head.

artist book page

The thing is when I just make marks and then more marks and then even more the result is a piece that is uniquely mine.

There is plenty of time in the domain of not knowing. There is some time when the marks seem precious.

When I can accept these states:

  • not knowing
  • dissatisfaction
  • preciousness
  • exploration

then I often get to a place of discovery or satisfaction.

mixed media printmaking

My new favorite mark is spraying pigment through found “stencils.” I diluted watercolor and put the mixture into a small spray bottle.

watercolor in spray bottles

If you try this method be sure to protect your table from the over spray. I love how fast it dries and how transparent the layers are.

found stencils for spritzing technique

All my classes are about mark making of some sort. See if there is one class that interests you.

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Sketchbook revival – get inspired

book arts, sketchbook ideas / /

I am happy to share, that I am one of guest artists in this year’s sketchbook revival. It’s free so sign up today.

There are 30+ FREE art lessons over the course of two weeks. Some will resonate. You decide. I have participated as  student for the last few years and always got new ideas for my art practice.

Once you register you have access to three welcome lessons. I just enjoyed the French Link book binding tutorial by Chanel Ly. I have made a little french link sketchbook and I am waiting for the glue to dry.

french link binding

The daily lessons will start on September 23rd.

I am sharing the Upside Down Thumbnails exercise on October 1st.

thumbnail studies

There are extended bonus options available too. Hope to “see” you in class.

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Letting sketchbooks evolve

combined techniques, drawings, mark making, sketchbook ideas / /

I have been working in 6 sketchbooks at once for the last few weeks. I started working this way so I could let wet marks  dry and still be in the flow.

working in multiple sketchbooks

I  do like having multiple books going at once but it can get a bit scattered too. So I started using a theme and that seemed to help the mark making flow.

letting sketches dry

Some of the “themes” that I have used:

  • draw 30 trees
  • add 20 flowers
  • fill in with birds

loose watercolor flowers

This gave me a goal that I could work across several sketchbooks at once. These 3 subjects were easy to add to my existing marks.

stylized horse drawing

Most recently I have been playing with stylized horses. These drawings are a work in progress. It is a challenge to work through ugly renderings. I find I like the simple loose line drawings best. A horse sketch needs more of a whole page compared to birds, flowers and trees.

fill in with bird drawings

If you are looking for a little sketchbook inspiration and instruction then check out the self-study online classes available now.

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Dig out your art books

sketchbook ideas / /

I usually get my books from the library. But I do have a few that I purchased.

Art books for inspiration

Today I pulled out a few in search for sketchbook inspiration. I got a few ideas right away and did not get through the whole stack.  So I encourage you to gather a few art books that have been on the shelf for a while and flip through them for fresh ideas.

Poetry

I was reminded that I like to do black out poems and collage poems.

collage poem

I am not sure I should even call them “poems”. They are a collection of words that moved me and they may not make sense. But they are fun to do.

found words poem

I like to do black out poems in large print books. It is easier to highlight the words.

black out poem

REX RAY

inspired collage was project number 2 that I chose to do. I really love his early magazine collage project.

REX RAY

I like the simple shapes and non-precious material. I think the sheer volume of his collages is part of the impact. I did a couple of simple collages. I tried to embrace the less is more approach.

rex ray inspired collage

So I encourage you to gather a few art books and look for sketchbook ideas. And as soon as you have one idea stop looking through the books and execute the idea. Jump right into action. Or you can check out the classes that I have available as self-study. Enjoy!

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