Sunday 26 October 2014

Art Journal Pages - the 201 progression continues into transfers

Hello lovelies!


This is the final installment in my art journal 201 progression, as it was the final class in the series yesterday. 

The final class is about transfers.  I know, transfers can be tough, and I probably shouldn't be teaching these in an introductory art journaling program... but my logic is that I want my students to complete the 6 classes with a toolbox of techniques that will enable them to do anything they want on a page.   And transfers are an important part of being able to do that.

So we do 2 transfer techniques in class - tape transfers and gel transfers.  I pre-prepare skins for the students and discuss the technique, but we don't have enough drying time for skins to cure properly, so its a toughie to do in class.


Here's the transfers page from the first iteration of Art Journaling 201:

and here's the second. 
This page has a bit more collage than the previous, as I want to introduce the students to the concept of mixing their techniques.   Often I find that they will compartmentalise and have a page of "texture" and then a page of "transfers".  In Art Journaling 202 we start to explore the ideas of using multiple techniques on pages as well as mixing up our techniques and media.

So I will be a bit quiet on the blog for the next few weeks.  The packing men arrive early tomorrow morning (7.30 am), to move my house interstate, and I have to clean before my tenants move in.  I've got a day at the races Saturday, and then its off to Perth to house hunt in a week before starting my new job. 

'till next time

~Liz

Friday 24 October 2014

Frantic

Hello lovelies,

Things around here are crazy, cray-cray, mad! It's 3 days until the moving company arrive to pack my house... and I am still frantically trying to get things done.

So you may remember the photo of my art studio whilst I was in the throes of filming my last art journaling 201 classes:
This is what it looks like now:

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Art Journal Pages - the 201 progression continues into Texture!

Hello lovelies!

Well its time for some more art journal progression. It's Class 5 - Texture.

I really love creating all kinds of texture in my art journaling. There is something soothing about a page you can feel as much as you can see it. I love taking my books and flip through them, sometimes just to feel the pages.


Actually, I even think, next to making the pages, the flipping through the books is the biggest perk of having an art journal. I made many paintings over the years and I usually create lots of texture in them. Don't get me wrong, I love making them, but when they are done, they are done. You hang them somewhere and that's it. 

Next to the tactile nature of art journals, I love that they are small, all different, open to experimentation and a great way to practice new techniques. I can just go in, do something when I feel inspired and move on when not. They are patient and there is no pressure. The beautiful thing is, I don't even have to like what I did. There are no mistakes in art journaling.

Here's the "extreme texture" page from the first iteration of Art Journaling 201:

and here's the second.  It's very similar, as this technique is always going to provide a fantastic finish.

Saturday 11 October 2014

New art journal videos

Hello lovelies!

I have a little treat for you today.  A new series of videos demonstrating how I alter my journal.

This is a bonus lesson for my 201 students to help them when the need to learn how to thin out pages - primarily because the last lesson was on embedded "extreme" texture, and so nowmany of mystudents will have a journal that will no longer close properly.

The videos also include a full demonstration of preparing a page background, inserting transparencies and discussing how to add a fold.

All great techniques / know how for you to have in your toolbox!

You can find all my free videos on my vimeo channel here, or under the tutorials section of my blog here, or you can watch them by clicking on this post title and bringing up the whole blog post.

'till next time

~Liz


Friday 10 October 2014

Art Journal Pages - The 201 progression continues to Collage week

Hello lovelies!

Well its time for some more art journal progression. It's Class 4 - Collage!!

I love to collage - it's a go to thing for me if I have an artistic block.  I love to leaf through magazines and cut stuff out for later. Just immersing myself in colour helps to set my muse free. Here's the class page from the first iteration of Art Journaling 201:
and here's the second.  It's very similar, but I think that the finish is better. I've used more transparent gesso as layers on the way through, and have had more practice with the vagaries of magazine pages and matte medium (less wrinkles).

Wednesday 8 October 2014

home sweet home

Hello lovelies!

Some music to inspire you - I've got a nostalgic 70's vibe going on at the moment!


I had bought this class by Kate Crane last month (before I knew that I was moving), and have completed the first 2 classes. Both classes feature houses, hence the music!
 
Kate's background techniques are great fun to do, and as an artist & teacher she is not afraid of using colour, which I appreciate.  I trialled a product I found in (one of) my favourite art shops,a reasonably priced gesso panel.  I must say that it is lovely to work on, as well as being only 5"by 4" so you can achieve a result really quickly!

Do yourself a favour and check out Kate's blog whilst enjoying the music :)

'till next time

~Liz

Tuesday 7 October 2014

change baby

Hello lovelies!

Well, change it is a coming.... I'm on the move.

After 12 years living in Melbourne, and almost 20 years living on the East Coast I'm heading back to Perth to live. I've been offered a job that I really can't refuse with one of the electricity companies there.

So, I am frantically organising a move of 2720 km  - that's about 1700 miles in the old money.  To give you some perspective, its the equivalent of moving from New York to Texas (literally and figuratively!), or from London to just past Istanbul.  Here's a map, even google thinks it would be a long drive (hence I am flying).
My house here in Melbourne is now on the rental market, and hopefully I will have a tenant before the end of October.

But of course, renting my house out means rental inspections... so my studio has had to go from this:
to this:
AND HAS TO STAY THAT WAY!!!

Do you know how hard it is for me to keep my studio area neat and tidy and to produce things sans my extra working desk.  

I'll keep you all updated on progress, as well as posting some art that I have been able to do on my tiny desk...

'till next time

~Liz