Art Journal – Relax

4 May

The Three Muses theme this week is Stripes so I made a page in the new journal. I started with the red stripes and an idea, but the page took off in it’s own direction. It’s been a long time since I worked in a journal this small and it’s a challenge. I almost started making a bigger one yesterday but decided the challenge would be good for me so I’ll stick with this one for a while. I did find a nice little perk with having the spiral binding at the top: the book will stand on it’s own for display.

I got my sketchbook from The Sketchbook Project yesterday. I was a bit shocked. If this is an improvement over last year’s sketchbook, I would hate to have seen last years! Watercolor is definitely out for this paper and I don’t think I can even use an ink pen without it showing through the page badly.  Colored pencil may work but the paper doesn’t have much texture, so you couldn’t do any color layering. the paper is not sketchbook paper at all, but more like office printer paper. I may have to rebind with new paper. It is only held together with 2 staples so it won’t be hard to get the old paper out, but I’ll have to punch holes or somethingto sew in the new paper since I don’t have a long arm Stapler.

ETA: I don’t mean to discourage anyone from the sketchbook project. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. I’m sure it will still be fun! I will just need to put some thought into what media I want to use and if I should rebind before I start.

 

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19 Responses to “Art Journal – Relax”

  1. Lizbeth May 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm #

    You must be very happy with how it turned out. I love it!

  2. Louise May 4, 2011 at 12:43 pm #

    Great Artwork…

    I like the little note to relax…

    Louise

  3. Kaylene Maalste May 4, 2011 at 12:45 pm #

    The design is very subtle and works for me.

  4. Rosie Rowe May 4, 2011 at 8:24 am #

    I love the boldness and your strange bird!! You know, not everyone got the reference to inktense! I often do stuff like that to see if anyone actually reads my posts or just looks at the pics!!

    PS – thanks for the sketchbook project info. Will pass it on to friends who want to get on board… That’s really deterred me!

  5. johanna May 4, 2011 at 8:46 am #

    the bird is so unique, really like it! great colors!
    and good to get that information about the sketchbook project…

  6. B @ Sweet Limes May 4, 2011 at 9:06 am #

    Wonderful shape to the bird, and the use of stripes is great. I can’t think outside the box like that yet, when I think stripes it’s only the literal stripes that come to mind. I hope my brain won’t be so literal forever!

  7. Bev May 4, 2011 at 9:56 am #

    Great use of the small page! Love that bird and the overall page design. This is a great addition to our collection of stripes for this week’s challenge. Thanks for insight on the sketchbook project, by the way.

  8. Voie de Vie May 4, 2011 at 1:38 pm #

    Today’s art journal installment is wonderful – a very strong visual.

    In terms of the Sketchbook Project, they did say they were using 70lb paper. :( I read that and knew that the paper would be flimsy. I’m definitely still going to do it, but I agree with you that it makes for some tinkering with medium. Acrylics are definitely out.

    And in terms of my fiber – I can’t believe you haven’t had a WIP in a month! No such thing happening at chez Voie de Vie. :)

  9. Anonymous May 4, 2011 at 3:42 pm #

    The challenge definitely paid off; it’s a fabulous, arty piece. I love the stylised bird.

  10. Jackie May 4, 2011 at 3:43 pm #

    The challenge definitely paid off; such a fab, arty piece. I really like the stylised bird.

    • Anonymous May 4, 2011 at 4:06 pm #

      So Arty and I love the bird xx

  11. ann May 4, 2011 at 4:13 pm #

    That is my comment just above I forgot to fill in my name So I am not Anonymous lol

  12. Jenny May 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm #

    What a stunning sketch..LOVE that stream lined bird and the RELAX reminder :)
    Also…I just wanted to check to see if you’ve tried to email me your address (so I can get your print sent off!) I’ve not received anything so far at loveandpeas@hotmail.co.uk and I’m wondering if I may have accidentally deleted it as spam mail??!!eeek! Would you mind emailing me again!?
    Thanks XXX

    • admin May 4, 2011 at 5:10 pm #

      Thanks! Yes, I sent it right away. I’ll try sending it again.

    • Jenny May 5, 2011 at 10:11 am #

      Yay..I am now in possession of your living abode :) yahoo works! Its all very peculiar!x

  13. AJ May 4, 2011 at 5:51 pm #

    What a terrific take on stripes. I love the cool feel of it. Such a great reminder to just relax!
    AJ

  14. Christine Gomes May 4, 2011 at 7:42 pm #

    Your take on STRIPES is very unique and beautiful too. Good luck with your sketchbook.

  15. Darla May 4, 2011 at 8:10 pm #

    Very interesting entry for “stripes”. I’m going to look through some of your earlier posts.

    Darla

  16. Amanda May 7, 2011 at 8:06 am #

    hey, found you from the strathmore site – what a colorful page!

    re- the sketchbook project- maybe pre-gesso the pages? i’ve seen people make decent sketchbooks out of compositionn notebooks that way- though never tried it myself.

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