Is Your Sketchbook Ready for YOU? Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Inside my New Leather Journal - My Title Page (Don't forget to put your information on your book, in case it gets lost)

Sun is shining, temperatures are climbing. 

 It feels like time to Start Something New.  

That is how I feel this time of year. One of my "New Things" is a shiny new sketchbook.  For Christmas this year my sister gave me a lovely leather bound book which she picked up for me on our trip to Scotland last year.

Isn't that a cool, clasp for the Journal?  And I love the stitching.  

This book is just so special.  When I handle it, I think of all the great times we had in Scotland, the sense of history and life of Edinburgh and the wide open hills of Isle of Sky.  Its like being there again.
The leather binding of the book is soft and supple to touch. The clasp is quite old fashion and quite unique to me.  And the paper, is just awesome.  It seems to take water, ink and pencil beautifully.  And there is lots of it.

But there is the Pressure. . .

You know what it is like, that new book.  Those bare, clean white pages.  The desire to have everything perfect.  I know the feeling.  I have books that were never used because of that pressure.  I was determined that wasn't going to happen with this book.

Want to know my secrets?

Get your sketchbook READY for YOU.

1. Decorate some of the pages: stickers, symbols, shapes.  Keep them on the sides so there is room for a picture or writing.  Whichever you like to do with your book.  I like to do both.

You just knew that I would have some of my Doodle Art in my Sketchbooks - It makes great page decorations

2. Paint/Colour some of the pages: I take 2 colours and paint the pages to make an interesting back drop.  I like to leave some white spaces and generally have a darker area in one of the 4 sweet spots on the page.  I always do both sides. Keep my colours muted enough so my drawing/writing over top will show but dark enough to have life as well.

I love the colours on this page.  My drawing of the plane taking off at Blansford Lake WIP, mixes well with the colour shapes.  The unfinished part on the left gives you idea of how it was when I started.  Don't worry about 'finding something in the colours', just draw.  Notice how interesting the water and trees are on the left.  They just blend to meet my drawing. 

3.  Leave the first page blank: The title page often claims Sooooooo much importance, defuse it by leaving it blank.

4.  Don't fuss about the Cover: I personalize my sketchbook covers, more on that later.  It really turns them into a special treasure for ME. Just pick a book with a hardcover and get it open.

You might think This is just Fussing and NOT being a REAL Artist, however,

Prepping Your Book is very Important. WHY? you ask:

1. Decorating the Pages: Helps get your creative juices flowing.  Some days you are just not up to doing "big" things, but you want to 'do' something.  Little pictures on the side of a page, adding a stamp or two, colour a bit - Lifts your spirits and gets you on the Creative Path again.

This is from my Scotland Travel Journal.  I prepped the page with symbols of Scotland and then used it for pictures and notes when I got there.  It really finishes the page nicely without me feeling I have 'to fill it' all in one sitting. 

Another Before and After page from my Scotish Journal - Opening up to that page really makes you feel Happy and Excited to add a few notes and small sketches.  

2. Paint/Colour some of the pages: Just adding colour to the pages with your favourite mediums helps you learn about your book.  Does is grab the paint? Will it take a lot of water? Will the pages wrinkle and warp? Can I work on both sides of the page or will it 'show' through?  Answering these questions will help you understand what you can and can't do with your book.  It sets you up for success.  (See example above)

3.  Leave the first page blank: Once I get into my books, that first page loses its 'preciousness" and I have no trouble filling it. See my title page at the top.  I like how the colours of my wood reflect the colours of my book.

4.  Don't fuss about the Cover: I personalize my sketchbook covers after I get into them.  It depends on their purpose.  If it is a special travel book, I want a cover to reflect that. I want it to be a special treasure for ME.  If it is more of a catch all practice book, I will leave it plain. (More on that in a later post)

Your sketchbook is your Best Friend, enjoy it.  Don't let that Pressure wreck it for you.

I will be busy with my shows for the next two weeks but my favourite Urban Sketcher, Liz Steel, an Australian, has alerted me to a Sketcbbook Revival Free On-Line Workshop.  It sounds like it will give you some Great Ideas for your Sketchbook.  It runs April 23 - May 4 but available til May 18.  I plan on picking up on some of the workshops after my show. 

See you in two weeks but in the meantime:

There is still time to. . . .
             Beef up Your Drawing Skills in a Fun Way

Learn the power of 'the line' and 'the Rehearsal' - feel the free flow of ink on paper.  Join me in a Spring Creative Card Class.  You will be using Butterflies and Flowers to create Whimsical Cards for any occasion.(See Samples in Last Post Here)  Just imagine the fun of giving such personalized cards to family and friends. Cost $35 supplies included. Contact Wendy to register.  Classes are small and fill up fast.

Schedule:
Saturday, April 21, 10-12pm, Art by Wendy's Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey  4 Spots Left

Wednesday, April 25, 1:30-3:30pm, Mandeville Gardens, S. Burnaby  1 Spots Left

Are you ready to try something new? You will be surprised how new skills and ideas can creep back into your work in so many ways.

My Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  

Spring Shows and Classes: 

 Artswest Spring Art Show & Sale  Sunday, April 22, 10-4pm. 
Sullivan Hall, 6306 152 St. Sry.

Winter Rains means lots of New Works!! – Come see what Artswest Artists have been working on this winter. Artswsest is a group of Local Artists working in a variety of mediums, show features Original Art, Raffle, Refreshments, and More.

Paints'n Bloom Spring Show & Sale -
Thur - Sat,  April 26-28, 10-4pm

Gardenworks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr. Burnaby

Featuring Award Winning Artists Audrey Bakewell, AFCA & Wendy Mould, AFCA  

Pre-Event An Artfilled Day:  Wednesday, April 25

Gardenworks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr. Burnaby

1.  Beginner Watercolour Class 10-12pm  Full

Learn the secrets of Watercolour, the Big Wash, Wet into Wet, then drop in those Sprinkles of Detail to bring it all alive.  Just in time for your summer fun. 

2.  Creative Card Making Class 1:30-3:30pm  1 Spots Left

Start your Spring season off with a fun afternoon of making Creative Cards for those special people in your life; Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthday, Friendship, Thank You's are more meaningful with personalized cards created by you.  Learn tricks and techniques to put your ideas into action.   

Workshops $35 each, all supplies included. Register Now with Wendy 
They have a wonderful little cafe there which I highly recommend for lunch. 

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: 

 Monday: April 30, 10-12pm or 1-3pm, Tuesday: May 22, 10-12 & 1-3pm  Monday, June 4 & 18, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.

Expression Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

How to Find your Sketchbook Friend - here

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

3 Steps to Putting Magic into Your Art - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

How to find the Right Sketckbook Friend? Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

A Friend: : a person who you like and enjoy being with. (Merriam-Webster)

In your daily life you feel the touch of friendship in many ways.  Golfing, Curling, Dog Walking, Fine Dining are activities I enjoy.  With each, I have special friends I spend time with.  Not all my golfing buddies like curling and dog walking in the rain will test many a Friendship.  However, they are all people I like and enjoy spending time with. 

Working on the little tray on the airplane - My Sketchbook Friend is first on my list when I pack for a trip. 

As an Artist your Sketchbook is your BBF.  Well, it can be if you find the right one!  

When I first started drawing I really didn't understand why I should have a sketchbook.  I had one and I used it, because all the books said I should but I didn't understand why.  Now, I have many sketchbooks and it is first on my list, no matter where I go.  Why the difference?

Why a Sketchbook?

I love to use my books for Practice, to journal my trips and to collect special treasures I find on the way.  

1. Practice: Skills only improve with practice and a sketchbook lets me practice anywhere. Airports, shopping centers, doctor's offices, playgrounds, hikes, . . .

2.  Encourager: Having a record of your progress and seeing your growth in skills is a great confidence builder to do more

3.  Try out new things: Trying out new ideas, materials, methods in the confines of your sketchbook is nonthreatening.  The fear of looking/feeling/doing something 'wrong' is not the same as working on a big canvas or sheet of paper

4.  Collector: Your journal becomes a collector of your thoughts, inspiration, little treasures, souvenirs, postcards, and more

5.  Captures the Moment: It becomes a kind of meditation as you sketch your subject you feel, see, hear, taste, smell the experience.  These things come alive each time you look at those pages in a way no photograph can.

Meet some of my Friends - large Canson 9 x 12 for Studio Work (dry medium), Bateman Book (Ink) camping, smaller books all for travel or grab and paint/draw ( Canson Mixed Media, Moleskin, Strathmore Visual Journal (Mixed Media) Stillman & Birn)

Which Sketchbook is Right for You?

This is the tricky part, just like your people Friends, your sketchbook has its own special talents.  My golfing friends love to walk but very few have any interest in bundling up to walk in the rain with Max and I.  Only a few of My Walking Buddies like the idea of standing on ice to curl late at night.  Your Sketchbooks are the same.  No one Sketchbook will do Everything.  Well maybe one or two are close but . . .

Once you accept their differences you will find that rather than just one BBF, you have several Sketchbooks to hang out with.  

How to choose your Sketchbook?

1. Purpose: Is your book only for writing your thoughts, gluing things in, drawing designs, painting or a mixture. A bound book will not expand as well with all those bits and pieces as a coil bound book.  Also thick books will become cumbersome with lots of inserts, thinner books are better.

Portability is Important: You can not pack loads of materials and a big sketchbook when you are on the trail. 

2. Portability:  Is it just for Studio use or do you wish to carry it around.  In the Studio large sketchbooks are wonderful for planning big, drawing gestures and more. You have time to develop big ideas. 9 x 12 inches and larger are great.   But if you are wanting to take your book out and have it easily available the 5.5 x 8 inch book is my favourite.  I know some artist use a purse size book 4.5 x 5.5 or smaller  but I find that too small for my hand to rest on and draw with.  

Using different Mediums require different types of paper

3. Mediums: This is where the real problem lies.  The weight and type of paper in the book effects the cost.  Cartridge papers are good for pencil, coloured pencils and pen, for writing and gluing things.  If you are careful you can even put a little bit of water to your watercolour pencils.  I try and pick paper that is smooth but substantial.  Thin paper means glued objects will sag and my writing shows through to the other side.  Watercolour books are expensive but if you want to use lots of water they are the way to go. Mixed Media books are good too, but feel the paper and make sure it is thick.  I find there is lots of variance there.  I don't like the pages wrinkling after being wet or my paint and ink work showing through to the next page.

4. Practical Points: 

.. Hard covers give you support whether working inside or out.  

.. Solid pages are better than perforated pages as they allow for drawing right  across the binding. Sometimes I work across the left and right face of the pages. 

A flat book with no perforation allows you to work across both pages.  

.. Book  opens flat.  There is nothing worse than a having pages flipping at you as you draw.  

.. White Paper is more versatile than coloured pages but coloured pages offers an opportunity to try something new

.. Landscape verses Portrait Orientation.  I have both, but the portrait format seems to be my most common one.  The long thin landscape books are fun though, it is nice to have a different format.  

Now that it is Spring, Art Stores have Sketchbooks on Sale so head out and snap a few up.  They will become your Best Friends in no time at all.

Have you found 'the One'?  The one sketchbook that works for you? I would love to know your secret. 

Once your have your book, Crack it Open and Get Started.  Next post - Drawing Tips to Get that Sketchbook Working for You.

Want to Beef up Your Drawing Skills in a Fun Way?
Learn the power of 'the line' and 'the Rehearsal' - feel the free flow of ink on paper.  Join me in a Spring Creative Card Class.  You will be using Butterflies and Flowers to create Whimsical Cards for any occasion.(See Samples in Last Post Here)  Just imagine the fun of giving such personalized cards to family and friends. Cost $35 supplies included. Contact Wendy to register.  Classes are small and fill up fast.

Schedule:
Saturday, April 21, 10-12pm, Art by Wendy's Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey

Wednesday, April 25, 1:30-3:30pm, Mandeville Gardens, S. Burnaby  2 Spots Left

Are you ready to try something new? You will be surprised how new skills and ideas can creep back into your work in so many ways.

My Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  

Spring Shows and Classes: 

 Artswest Spring Art Show & Sale  Sunday, April 22, 10-4pm.  Sullivan Hall, 6306 152 St. Sry.

Winter Rains means lots of New Works!! – Come see what Artswest Artists have been working on this winter. Artswsest is a group of Local Artists working in a variety of mediums, show features Original Art, Raffle, Refreshments, and More.

Paints'n Bloom Spring Show & Sale - Thur - Sat,  April 26-28, 10-4pm

Gardenworks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr. Burnaby

Featuring Award Winning Artists Audrey Bakewell, AFCA & Wendy Mould, AFCA  

Pre-Event An Artfilled Day:  Wednesday, April 25

Gardenworks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr. Burnaby

1.  Beginner Watercolour Class 10-12pm  Full

Learn the secrets of Watercolour, the Big Wash, Wet into Wet, then drop in those Sprinkles of Detail to bring it all alive.  Just in time for your summer fun. 

2.  Creative Card Making Class 1:30-3:30pm  2 Spots Left

Start your Spring season off with a fun afternoon of making Creative Cards for those special people in your life; Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthday, Friendship, Thank You's are more meaningful with personalized cards created by you.  Learn tricks and techniques to put your ideas into action.   

Workshops $35 each, all supplies included. Register Now with Wendy 
They have a wonderful little cafe there which I highly recommend for lunch. 

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: 

 Mondays: April 2, 16 & 30- 10-12pm or 1-3pm, Tuesday: May 22, 10-12 & 1-3pm

Expression Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

3 Steps to Putting Magic into Your Art - here

Time to Crack Open that Travel Journal - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

Have you Felt the Freedom of the Line?

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

Have you Felt that loose free stroke as it dances across the Page?

That moment when you are alone with the line, it is alive and  . . .

 there is No Fear.

Times Gone By - Ink, Sketchbook Entry

Funny, when you think about it, how can drawing a line take courage.  But it does.  I think whether you work with a brush or pen, that moment of Fear hits everyone at some point.  When I first started drawing those Fearful Moments were common occurrences.  I painstakingly drew everything in pencil and then even more carefully traced over it with my pen.  Yes, the drawings were good but . . .they did not have the liveliness of a Free Flowing, Fluid Line.

Poppies - Pen and Ink - Use contour lines to capture the fragile edges of the petals

Steps to A Lively Line:
1.  Study the contour of your shape.  The Poppies were drawn by studying the contour of the petal.  Eye on petal, pen on paper.  As the eye moves along the poppy, the pen moves along the paper.  This will give the petal edges a very free look.  Challenge yourself to leave at least 2 breaks in a long edge as you go.  The large petal on the top right poppy has a break which really adds life and interest to that petal. Use a small dot on your paper to mark where you want to start and end and then draw the petal edge freely.

 2.  Do a Rehearsal to draw a swiping line.  The stems in the poppy picture need to be drawn in one continual line.  This is where a Line Rehearsal will leave you free to draw a lively fluid line.  See my last post on Doing Line Rehearsals for more information on this.

Heron In the River - Ink, Graphite & Coloured Pencil

3.  Use a Gesture to draw. Gestures are freely drawn lines, intent on capturing the pattern or shape.  Often they are not mean as a final line.   To capture the movement of the grasses in Heron In the River, there was first a series of gestures suggesting the pattern of the grasses.  These lines were then refined: some made darker, some thicker, some lengthened, some had little dots and squiggles added to them or beside them.

4. Loosely Block in a Shape.  This is a hard one.  If you are not careful you will end up drawing everything and then tracing over it again with a pen.  Not the lively line you wanted.  Challenge yourself.  As you practice give yourself brief directions as to where you want your lines.  For example when drawing the Poppies, I suggested dots to mark starting and stopping points.  For the picture at the top Times Gone By,  the placement of the the main elements, foreground log, tree and stump, were drawn with straight lines and a box.  This gave me the confines of each shape.  Then using contour line drawing I was free to draw the bark and shapes of the shadows and edges within each element.  My favourite part is the log left of the tree. I have a favourite spot in all my drawings.

5. Remember Shadowing covers a wealth of unwanted marks.  This Step is more about combating the Fear in Drawing rather than a technique. Remember, Mistakes are only unwanted lines that can be incorporated into your work.

Once an ink line is drawn it is permanent. A little different from lines in paint, which can be painted over or lifted.  But in the ink world we have our secrets too.   A permanent line can be made to disappear.  Shading, with crosshatching, covers many of those lines making them texture.  If you look closely at the truck of the main tree in Times Gone By, you will see I changed my mind on the spacing for the bark grooves.  They were too close together so I drew new ones.  The old ones were covered by shading and actually add a lot to the texture and movement within the tree truck.

Directional lines can work the same as your Shading/Crosshatching.  In the Poppies, there is little crosshatching to cover a stray line.  However, within each petal are a few directional lines.  Adding just a few directional lines can camouflage many a wayward line.  The key here is add only a few.

6. Practice Drawing with Pen and Ink. Pick up you pen and go for it.  Your sketchbook is your friend, it loves a drawing of lively fresh lines.  Let it be your place of refuge.  Confidence is the strongest defense against Fear.

 Do you have ways to beat the Fears and draw free loose lines on your page?  Share your thoughts, every little trick helps.

Spring is hear and time to get ready for moving outside with your work.  My sketchbooks are calling me.  My next few posts will be focused on working with my Sketchbook Friends.

Want to Beef up Your Drawing Skills in a Fun Way?
Learn the power of 'the line' and 'the Rehearsal' - feel the free flow of ink on paper.  Join me in a Spring Creative Card Class.  You will be using Butterflies and Flowers to create Whimsical Cards for any occasion.(See Samples in Last Post Here)  Just imagine the fun of giving such personalized cards to family and friends. Cost $35 supplies included. Contact Wendy to register.  Classes are small and fill up fast.

Schedule:
Saturday, April 21, 10-12pm, Art by Wendy's Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey
Wednesday, April 25, 1:30-3:30pm, Mandeville Gardens, S. Burnaby

Are you ready to try something new? You will be surprised how new skills and ideas can creep back into your work in so many ways.

My Etsy Store: WendyMouldsArt  is always open and new things added all the time.  

Spring Shows and Classes: 

 Artswest Spring Art Show & Sale  Sunday, April 22, 10-4pm.  Sullivan Hall, 6306 152 St. Sry.

Winter Rains means lots of New Works!! – Come see what Artswest Artists have been working on this winter. Artswsest is a group of Local Artists working in a variety of mediums, show features Original Art, Raffle, Refreshments, and More.

Paints'n Bloom Spring Show & Sale - Thur - Sat,  April 26-28, 10-4pm

Gardenworks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr. Burnaby

Featuring Award Winning Artists Audrey Bakewell, AFCA & Wendy Mould, AFCA  

Pre-Event An Artfilled Day:  Wednesday, April 25

Gardenworks at Mandeville, 4746 Marine Dr. Burnaby

1.  Beginner Watercolour Class 10-12pm

Learn the secrets of Watercolour, the Big Wash, Wet into Wet, then drop in those Sprinkles of Detail to bring it all alive.  Just in time for your summer fun. 

2.  Creative Card Making Class 1:30-3:30pm

Start your Spring season off with a fun afternoon of making Creative Cards for those special people in your life; Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthday, Friendship, Thank You's are more meaningful with personalized cards created by you.  Learn tricks and techniques to put your ideas into action.   

Workshops $35 each, all supplies included. Register Now with Wendy 
They have a wonderful little cafe there which I highly recommend for lunch. 

Drop-In & Draw Sessions: 

 Mondays: April 2, 16 & 30- 10-12pm or 1-3pm, Tuesday: May 22, 10-12 & 1-3pm

Expression Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge,

Choose a morning or afternoon session. Bring your sketchbook or project and come and work.  I will be happy to give you pointers.  $15 Pre-Registration Required.  Contact Wendy Here. 

Good Follow-Up Session to the Marketing Workshop: 

April 9 - Building Your Online Presence with Wendy Mould, AFCA 6-8pm. Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC. $20 nonmembers $15 members.

How to Find Your Starting Point in a Drawing - here

3 Steps to Putting Magic into Your Art - here

Time to Crack Open that Travel Journal - here

 Be sure to like and share my posts.

You won't miss a single one if you Follow by Email or Like my Facebook Page.

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy