Junk Journal Update #2

"I don't think about art when I'm working, 

I think about life." - Basquiat

Happy Spring from me to you!

I have updated my current classes - click here.

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[Tutorial] Watercolor Art Journaling with Stencils

Watercolor art journaling has been a real stress reliever lately.  There's just something soothing about letting the color flow around the page.  These pages are pretty simple and take no time at all.  In this tutorial, I want to share with you how to use stencils in your art journaling process.

Note: Using a pen to outline the stencil gives it a hand drawn look.  Outlining can also help you draw attention to your focal point.

Here's the step-by-step:

1. Tape the stencil down to your work surface.  You can see in the photo I only covered the very edges of the watercolor paper.
2. Wet the open areas with clean water first.  Then add in your colors of choice.
3. Next, walk away.  The trick is to let the stencil sit in place while the paint dries for a while. About two mins is long enough then remove the stencil.
4. Once dry - add more layers and outline if you want.

Here is a list of the stencils I used by DecoArt (affiliate links): Branching Out, Indian Ikat, Mandala, Feathered Friends.  I love the feathered friends stencil so much - I used it three times in three different ways.  

My paint palette is Art Minds from Michael's.  If you have any questions or try this out please tag me on social media I'd love to see it!  (Facebook)  (Instagram)

Do you struggle with drawing faces?  If so...  Click Here.

Junk Journal Update #1

I've been playing a lot with black lines and color.  When I get up early in the morning my mind is still half sleep - it's the best time to just paint because I'm not thinking too hard.

I will keep you updated on my progress.  Thanks for all of your awesome comments from last week's watercolor painting.  Have a great weekend!

I made a video on How to Make a Junk Journal if you would like to check it out.

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Watercolor Art Journal Share - My Process

How do you feel about your painting process?  Do you have a routine?  I've noticed a few new habits in my painting process and want to share them today.

The reason why this is coming up now has to do with me trying to take more risks with my art. Instead of pushing away my weird ideas I just work with them.  Here are a few things I've noticed....

1. I keep a small journal by my bed to sketch ideas late at night (before I go to bed I usually get a flood of ideas!).  I know some people get great ideas in the shower or at the gym.  I try to write it down even if I never use it.  
2. I make a larger sketch to see if I even like the idea.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
3. If I do, I move on to painting...I go dark to light (even with acrylics).  Not the darkest dark.  I will build up shadows keeping track of highlights and fuss with it until I'm done.

I'm really liking watercolor journaling.  The medium is going to take me a while to get used to since at first I tried to use it like acrylics.  The more I experiment the more I learn....

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What are some of your creative habits? Comment below!

Art is Home For Me - Studio Update

Thanksgiving was different this year.  New state, new home, and a break in tradition.  It's exciting, don't get me wrong but the whole family wasn't here so it just wasn't the same.  Next year when November doesn't creep up on us maybe we can plan ahead.

Lately, painting has been a comfort for me.

Ink illustrations have become a part of my everyday life now.  Over on my instagram you can catch daily sketches.  

A good friend of mine asked for a tattoo illustration.  She's a Gemini and knew exactly what she wanted.  I presented three sketches to her and she loved this one.

If you would like a tattoo or portrait illustration email me at msdaniellerenee2@gmail.com.

I recently received good news that I made the Canvas Corps Creative Crew.  Be on the look out for new projects from me in 2016!

Have a great week!

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Awakening: Mixed Media Art Journal Page

After Inktober I had to reevaluate my artwork.  For a whole week it's like I was in a creative block. I tried to paint and make a video but nothing was coming together.  

Last Sunday my mom and I went for a hike and I took as many photos as I could because I thought it might help me get out of my funk...and it did!

I guess with me working and sketching everyday I ran out of steam.  Fresh air and exercise brought in new inspiration and ideas.

I put together a list of Fall Inspired Creative Prompts for November.  If you need a boost it's here for you to download!

Feel free to share & Pin this image!

The first prompt I chose was Awakening.

I have to say that this page is not my normal style.  It's a bit looser and feels a bit more realistic then what I normally do.  But I love the direction my work is headed.

Supplies Used:

Paint: Americana, Craftsmart, Grumbacher acrylic paints

CARAN D'ACHE gauache paint

Ranger - Sticky Back Canvas

Michael's - Craft Felt

Bird Stamp - handmade

Blick - Handmade Papers
Wooden Box - Hobby Lobby

Reeves Watercolor crayons

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Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop - Open Registration

Good Afternoon,

I'm excited to announce that I will be a part of The Gratitude Junk Journal Workshop hosted by Tiare Smith!  Join our 30 day workshop with 8 talented artists for step by step video and written tutorials!  

For the month of November you will get lesson after lesson of top notch art journal fun.  We will be focusing on what we are grateful for and how to incorporate that into our art journals.  Click here to read the instructors bios!  We have a blog hop coming up soon so stay tuned!

When you sign-up using my special link you will receive: 

• Access to my class as well as 11 other unique journal page lessons
• Private access to our FaceBook Group
• Downloadable PDFs
• Tons of mixed media tips, tricks, and techniques

CLICK TO SIGN UP NOW for only $39! 

Registration closes October 31, 2015!

I wanted to give you an exclusive sneak peek photo to my class!  If you love owls like I do this class is for you!  You will receive a start to finish detailed video (and downloadable PDF) showing you how to draw and paint this fall inspired art journal page.  Feel free to share this post with friends and family!!

Thank you so much!  I hope to see you in class!!!

***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  If you purchase a product after clicking the affiliate link, I will receive a small percentage of the sale with no extra cost to you.  I appreciate your support!

Art Journal Sketches & ATL Botanical Gardens

Hey Ya'll!  I really hope you all had a good week!  I was able to push out ten art journal sketches this week.  Sometimes I try way too hard to get everything perfect and I get blocked.  I loosened up and didn't use an eraser (until the last one) and just sketched whatever came to my brain.  I was able to record four of the charcoal sketches.

I picked up three canvases from Michael's a few weeks ago and plan to re-paint a few of these. Letting go really was fun.  This was only part one.  I have part two coming soon...not to sure if I will record it or not.  Anyway, I just hope you are inspired to open up and try a few new things.

Two weekends ago we went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  This place was insane!  I've never been anywhere like it.  I took a billion pictures and wanted to share them all!  They have an amazing restaurant inside where I ate something called Parisian Monsieur.  Ya'll I don't know how to say it but I cleaned the plate.  Click here to see a photo of it.

This sculpture is made up of plants and flowers.  I wish I could see her everyday!  

They have room after room of plants and flowers.  The bottom left photo shows the canopy walk.  It feels like you're in Jurassic Park.  The butterfly doors are in the children's gardens.  I want some in my house one day.

If you ever come to Atlanta PLEASE visit the gardens, you will not regret it!  

(Bring your walking shoes though!)

Have a blessed weekend! 

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[Video] How to Make a Junk Journal

What is a junk journal anyway?  It's a journal made up of leftover paper scraps, photos, memorabilia, journaling, and recycled junk mail (hence the name "junk journal").  It can be anything you want it to be.  

I had to purge a lot of my scraps before I moved so I used some new products.  The journal itself is Recollections and I picked it up from Michael's.  I plan to do a ton of drawing and painting in this journal.  Getting printed photos in there is also a goal of mine.  I don't print photos like I used to.

I hope you enjoy this video.  It's just one idea of how to start your journal.  I will keep you updated as I add more.  Check out my Journals Pinterest board for more ideas.  Click here to see my progress!

Have a great weekend!  And please let me know if you've ever made a junk journal?  I'd love to hear!  Sharing with Paint Party Friday, MMW, WWYOW 

29 Faces #1 | Curly Girl Painting

I just have a quick share for today.  I've started the 29 faces challenge for September (a little late) and here is my first girl!  Please enjoy my process video below.

Have a great day!

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[Video] Mixed Media Art Journal Entry | Empty Nest

It's the 1st of September and I'm a video making fool!  I've put it off for so long, it feels good to put my ideas into action.  Anyway, the trees are slowly starting to shed their leaves and you can see a lot of the nests left behind.  Whenever the weather changes I feel so inspired.

A lot of the times the background will get completely covered up.  Sometimes I just have to cover the white page first and then the ideas start to flow.

I have a few fall inspired projects coming up and looking forward to sharing.  What about you?  What do you like about fall?

If you are new to my blog, subscribed to my YT channel or signed up for my newsletter I just want to thank you for spending time with me.  I hope you are inspired by this post and get to do something creative today!

[Video] Visual Journal Flip & Studio Update

Happy Friday!  I have finally started my YouTube channel again!  I had one a few years ago and I wanted a fresh start so I'm back now.

Every Tuesday you should see a new video from me.  That might change if I start a series but for now I will post here on Friday's and on YT on Tuesday's.  I already have next week's video ready to go! 

This week just flew by.  Here is a snapshot of what my desk looks like....

I'm working on paintings to submit to an art show and printables for my ETSY (coming soon).  I've started in on a new art journal and having fun with that.  I'm ready for the weekend and would like to know what you are up to so leave me a comment down below!  Don't forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

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Visual Journal Girls + New Items In The Shop

It's been a while since I've been in my journal or painted faces.  It felt really good to put some paint down.  These were the last two blank pages...this journal is now complete.  Hopefully my new SD card comes in soon so I can do a YouTube Journal Flip video.

I just played with lots of layers.  This is the direction I plan to go in my new journal.  My work feels so random sometimes.  I get discouraged because I guess I'm supposed to be building a consistent body of work but I end up painting whatever comes to mind.  Oh well, one thing I know for sure is that I love painting faces...it's a challenge for me every time.  

For now, I'll go where my creativity takes me.     

I've been fascinated by space lately...I had some wooden door signs in the vault so I pulled them out and started painting.  I would like to paint more signs and incorporate portraits in some how.  I think that eventually all the ideas I have in my head will come together at some point!

I have these posted in my ETSY.  Please take advantage of this coupon code APAINTEDCOUPON as it will take $3.00 off of your purchase!  The couple code will be good until the end of September.  I have a few more paintings going up next week.  Have a great weekend!

Linking to Paint Party Friday/Art Journal Everyday/Mixed Media World/Art It Friday

Birds at Sea - Visual Journal Progress

I'm a navy brat.  I grew up by the water and it's just a part of our family.  Now we have to drive about 4 hours to get to the beach.  I really miss it.  I remember collecting feathers, shells, and rocks along the shore.  The waves were the best part.  Some days we would be out there all day long. There is a lake about an hour away and I'm hoping we can visit more often this summer.

   

In my last post (hummingbird), I shared the inside of a tag page I'd been working on.  I kinda felt like I had a break through.  Sometimes I feel like "is my artwork going anywhere"?

And the answer is yes!  I do feel like I'm gaining momentum.  I can honestly see the benefits from the 30-Day Doodle and 30-Day Painting challenges.  I created a freebies tab on my blog.  There your can find the 30-Day Painting challenge, check it out as I will be adding more soon.

I'm in the middle of writing an E-Course which seems a bit intimidating.  I've taught art classes in person but never online.  My computer skills are so-so and it's something I'm trying to work around.  

Monday's Post: (click photo)

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How do you feel about your artwork?  I'd love to hear.

Completed Visual Journal Page - Hummingbird

This page from last week is all done.  I remember when I used to draw something and the painting looked nothing like sketch.  I tried to remain calm during the painting process.  Sometimes I panic, so I keep my reference photos close to guide me along.

Each painting is like solving a puzzle.  You have to keep trying pieces until they fit.  The more I paint the more I learn about myself and what I like.  I remember being stuck in my cubicle thinking  "I should be outside right now".

When I came to the backside of the tag I had this complex design in mind but it looked forced.  I photographed these flowers on my last walk...it was odd how they were dead while everything else was just blooming.

Well, hope you have a good day!

Linking to Paint Party Friday.

Work In Progress - Hidden Tag Pages

Last week work was so crazy.  I didn't have a lot of time in my sketchbook.  The page on the left is further along and I feel good about it so I decided to share it today.

I used tags and washi tape to create hidden pages.  Spring inspired of course.

I like to use a white charcoal pencil to sketch out my ideas (and to make corrections).  If it doesn't work I can just wipe it away. 

Do you have a WIP?  Please share!

See my tips for Painting Everyday

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Click here to see the completed page.

Back Cover Art Joural - Cicada

Thank goodness for Spring.  It seems like everything is waking up.  I finished the back cover this morning.  I go through highs and lows.  Half the time it's like what am I doing and then it's, oh ok I like it now... What do you like most about early spring?

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