Did it get easier to push yourself out of your comfort zone as you went along? I like the flower pages where you started with a photo and added paint and pen! I also like the colorful paint splotches. Are those decoupaged flowers next to it?
The process was a funny one! Almost every page had a first layer that I was totally unhappy with. About a week or two before the sketchbook event where we showed our books to friends and family, I went over many of the pages with a new idea. I think during the first round I was “trying too hard to do something different” or “do something loose.” The second round I had no time and gave fewer f***s. This ended up helping me do whatever and enjoy the process. It helped that it was a book made out of torn up pages. Bound books tend to give me anxiety about making the stuff inside look pretty. Thanks for your note on the flower page! Underneath the photo flower is actually a painted poinsettia that I was unhappy with. So I pasted the new flower on top of it and added a tape border. Or maybe you mean the first page? Those were color splotches that I later turned into flowers by adding pen - no plan initially. And yes, next to the colorful splotches are crushed flower petals glued (with mod podge) to the page. Thanks for your notes!
Oh wow! Cool! Yes, I was referring to the poinsettia page and also the flower with paint next to the paper towel. Thanks for the details! I'll try your method of combining photos and sketching!
Good on you for pushing your boundaries and getting out of your comfort zone! It's never easy for me to do that, but always worth it. My favorite composition is your half recreation of the hat on a backpack photo, the watercolor aspect is perfectly subtle and so pleasing to the eye! And "Can of beans" made me chuckle.
Hmm, I would have to say that plein air painting is outside of my comfort zone. I have only done it once and, although I loved the experience, I also found it to be kind of intimidating in a weird way! Like there was some unspoken pressure to "get it right" or something. But, at the same time, I do recognize that is a great way to grow my skills and discourage my perfectionist inclinations. I am definitely going to find some time for it soon!
I definitely resonate with that! I've tried only a few mini plein air sessions. My results were never satisfactory. I'd love to try to push through that, too. Keep me posted with how it goes for you! Would love to see some of your upcoming work. :)
Did it get easier to push yourself out of your comfort zone as you went along? I like the flower pages where you started with a photo and added paint and pen! I also like the colorful paint splotches. Are those decoupaged flowers next to it?
The process was a funny one! Almost every page had a first layer that I was totally unhappy with. About a week or two before the sketchbook event where we showed our books to friends and family, I went over many of the pages with a new idea. I think during the first round I was “trying too hard to do something different” or “do something loose.” The second round I had no time and gave fewer f***s. This ended up helping me do whatever and enjoy the process. It helped that it was a book made out of torn up pages. Bound books tend to give me anxiety about making the stuff inside look pretty. Thanks for your note on the flower page! Underneath the photo flower is actually a painted poinsettia that I was unhappy with. So I pasted the new flower on top of it and added a tape border. Or maybe you mean the first page? Those were color splotches that I later turned into flowers by adding pen - no plan initially. And yes, next to the colorful splotches are crushed flower petals glued (with mod podge) to the page. Thanks for your notes!
Oh wow! Cool! Yes, I was referring to the poinsettia page and also the flower with paint next to the paper towel. Thanks for the details! I'll try your method of combining photos and sketching!
I can’t wait to see your creations. I’d love to do more of this, too. I first got the idea from Substack blogger Sonia Otero. Her recent stuff is different but if you scroll back to her posts to the fall of last year you’ll see a bunch of fun collage/drawing examples similar to this. https://substack.com/@soniaotero/note/c-180008933?r=2xt0s7&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
Good on you for pushing your boundaries and getting out of your comfort zone! It's never easy for me to do that, but always worth it. My favorite composition is your half recreation of the hat on a backpack photo, the watercolor aspect is perfectly subtle and so pleasing to the eye! And "Can of beans" made me chuckle.
Thanks so much! The half photos/watercolors are my favorites too. I'd be curious to hear what outside of your comfort zone would look like too?
Hmm, I would have to say that plein air painting is outside of my comfort zone. I have only done it once and, although I loved the experience, I also found it to be kind of intimidating in a weird way! Like there was some unspoken pressure to "get it right" or something. But, at the same time, I do recognize that is a great way to grow my skills and discourage my perfectionist inclinations. I am definitely going to find some time for it soon!
I definitely resonate with that! I've tried only a few mini plein air sessions. My results were never satisfactory. I'd love to try to push through that, too. Keep me posted with how it goes for you! Would love to see some of your upcoming work. :)
Wow, Lana: I love this sketchbook, particularly the images that are half photograph and half watercolor. Fantastic work.
Thanks Barbara! I liked doing those a lot. I should explore/practice that technique some more to see what else may come of it!