I’ve been looking over all my pages recently and am truly amazed how far I’ve come in just a little over a month (I made my first pages on the last day of February).
I seem to create my pages in two ways:
1. I do the journalling first, then add paint and images based on what I’ve written. I write lots when I do this, often filling the whole page. I have something on my mind and I’m determined to get to the bottom of it. For example, in the pages below I’ve written about my reoccurring back problems and the disappointment of another month going by without falling pregnant. It is emotional (whether happy or sad) and cathartic. While writing, a word or sentence jumps out at me and there is my overall theme for the page. Everything flows from there.
Type 1 pages: “Handle with Care” and “Peace through Trust“
2. I start slapping paint on a page, then wait and see where it takes me. I find this process incredibly fascinating since the page seems to evolve by association. This colour/ texture/ whatever makes me think of…(fill in blank), although it’s not done quite as consciously as that. These pages are less wordy than the first kind. They are usually snapshots of whats on my mind, visual projections of what I need to focus my attention on. In that sense they are a lot more intuitive than the first kind, although it has to be said that once I get to the painting stage the first kind is done by gut feeling too.
Type 2 pages: ” Commitment” and “Be Bold, Dream Big“
I’m not mad about the page I made for the month of April, but I do love that quote by Cyril Tourneur: “I shine in tears like the sun in April”. I think it is so beautiful. The bottom layer of paint and writing on the “Be Bold, Dream Big” page is actually the Sweden side of the original “Two Lives” spread that I painted over.
I now feel ready to take the next step. I especially want to work on my drawing skills. So far I’ve managed to get away with just using basic outlines of people or pictures of myself/ clip art, but if I’m going to keep doing this, and I am, then they are a bit limiting. I would also love to learn some new art journalling techniques. I may also start taking part in some art journal prompts, if they speak to me, to challenge myself a bit more. It won’t be until Aoife is back at preschool after the Easter break though (she has another week at home), so will have a little time to look up a few alternatives.
Hi CArin,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a sweet message.
I really love looking a people’s art journals. I really need to start one of my own.
Hi Carin!
Loved looking at your journal pages and reading about your techniques! Like the idea of painting after the journaling, gives it a layered look. I will have to experiment with that some. Sure is nice to meet you, and I hope that you have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by to see me!! Hugs!
Carin… I just found your new blog a couple of days ago. I wanted to wait to post until I had time to really look over it. How absolutely beautiful! This blog is so you… I can feel it. I hope you don’t mind if I visit you often. I’ve missed you so. xx
Carin,
I absolutely love the “tick, tock” page… the colours, the meaning, the composition… wonderful. I, too, am dreaming of getting pregnant and that clock is getting louder and louder.
You know I’m a fan of slopping the paint down first, but I think it’s important to do what your gut tells you first. Sometimes I will write and then completely cover it all with paint. Good luck with the drawing, I keep hearing that it’s all just practise, but I still suck. hehe.
Much LOVE xoxo
Thank you so much for stopping by mine, Diane! I loved your art and will visit your etsy shop as soon as possible! Gotta have me some of that!
Thanks for visiting, Shelly! I can’t wait to try out some of the techniques I’ve seen on your blog and Flickr.
Oh hello Sara! So nice to see you here! Come by as often as you can, my friend! *big smiles*.
Thank you so much Paula! I used to draw a lot and thought I was pretty good at it (more so with objects rather than people), but am very rusty. I’ve heard “drawing on the right side of the brain” by Betty Edwards is very good. I’ve had it in my bookshelf for years, but haven’t used it yet, so I think that will be the first book I go to.
I really like the drawing on your back pain page and the tick tock page is gorgeous. I love the way you journal with your art. That’s how I would like to do it. I tried to find one of those art journals at the art supply store, but wasn’t sure what I was looking for.
Thanks Lisa! I just got a (couple of) normal spiral bound sketch books from amazon (see here). This one doesn’t say it’s suitable for acrylics, but so far it has worked for me as long as I’ve primed the page first. I know others love moleskins, also available at amazon.
I’ve been enjoying your silhouettes, and every time I think of doing one myself I end up drawing a face! My hand has no sense of discipline. 😉
Love the colours for tick tock.
Have fun on your next step!
Thanks Mon! You always were a rebel lol 😉
For just beginning to art journal I think you’re doing some really great pages.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and for the nice comments you left. I’ll be back to visit again.
Thank you very much Janet for your kind words!
love your journal pages..like the colours
Thanks Lorraine! And thanks for visiting!
Hm, okay. So just a sketch book with heavy weight paper, I guess?
Yeah!
Your journal pages are lovely – they feel very ‘real’. I think I will have a go at writing something on the page first – I haven’t done that yet. Kate x
Thanks Kate! Can’t wait to see what you turn out using that technique (you often use old text under your paint though, don’t you?)