Make a No Sew Sketchbook - Painting and Drawing Tips

Have you ever imagined what it is like to climb a mountain?

DUCKS IN THE WATER - A DIY Sketchbook Project - Mixed Media $300
See full View Here 

Days/weeks of planning.  Finally Climb Day arrives.  Off you go.  Heavy pack pulling on your shoulders, hot, sweaty days. Cold, hard nights sleeping on the ground. Misty rain in the early morning. Sliding in the mud.  But always moving forward.  Moments of joy. Moments of despair.

Suddenly it is all over. . . .  your at the Top!

Then that Special Moment happens.  You look around and pose for a picture.  The one that says "You DID it!"

Whatever your special project, there is always that special moment when you give it that 'final touch'.  The one that says "This is Special, I DID it!"

Simple Supplies can really add that SPECIAL Touch

Today's blog is about that Special Finishing Touch. . . .

My project 'Ducks on the Water" was a big one.  No, not quite as big a deal as climbing a mountain but certainly had just as many ups and downs as that climb would have.  There were moments when I was intoxicated with success.  But there was also moments of  deep despair.  What am I doing? What should I do now? were my constant friends.  Now the main part is done.  (See last post for Ducks on the Water Project info)

But it doesn't yet say "I did it!". . . . 

To do that I want to finish it into a Sketchbook - An Accordion Book (a No Sew Sketchbook).  This make it special.  This makes me feel "I did it." When I look at it I am filled with joy.  My confidence rushes to the top of the mountain.

Thin Double sided tape works like magic but glue sticks work well too. 

How to make a No Sew Sketchbook:

1.  Gather Supplies:
Simple things can add that special touch.  2 heavy weight supports: mat board, backs of writing pads, even cereal boxes.  Cut them the same size as your paper. 
Glue Stick or double sided tape
Ribbon: plain, coloured or elastic.  (I used the thin elastic ribbon)
Scissors
Prepared Pictures for the Cover and Back

Monotype prints prepared for the front and back cover - approx. 4 x 4 (on mat board) 

2.  Prepare the cover and back
I decided to follow the flow of my book and used two more monotype prints for the front and back cover.  I then drew duck pictures and shore scenery on them.  I attached the front cover picture with my tape and did the title lettering. (see post Have you tried Monotypes? for more info)

3.  Assemble the book
Before attaching the back picture to the back cover I first fixed my elastic ribbon.   I cut my ribbon to a length that would go around my book (loosely) and knotted it. I then placed it on the good side of the back cover and taped it in place.  I placed it approx. 1.5 inches (4 cm) from the open side edge of the back cover.  I then covered it by taping the back picture on top of it.  This ribbon will now be able to loop around the front cover of my book and keep it closed when not in use.

Back Cover: Note how the elastic ribbon is buried under the picture and looped around the back. 

 If you used regular ribbon you would have two pieces placed under the picture so they could be brought around to the front and tied to keep the book closed. 

Now Attach the Back Cover to the back of the last picture using your glue/tape.
Attach the Front Cover to the back of the first picture in your book.  Fold pages into an accordion between the two covers. 

DUCKS ON THE WATER ($250) - Click to see a video view of the book.  

4.  ENJOY!!!

Next Week - COMPETITION TIME!! - Mixed Media Paint Off  

 Battle starts on May 10 and pictures complete and posted May 16.  A full report as I compete. Very excited to be part of this first ever Online Paint Off Competition. 

Outdoor Sketching Classes Starting Soon!! 

Yes, I will take 2 in a class for Outdoor Sketching starting as soon as the weather is more stable.  Covid  Rules and Social Distancing will be followed.  Sessions 2.5 hours, in local North Surrey Parks, Tuesdays 10-12;30 or Saturdays 10-12:30.  $45  Get on the Wait List Now. Contact Wendy 

WENDY MOULD IS ONLINE:  

I 'm Now offering Private Mentoring/Coaching ONLINE

Want to make pictures that sing?  Move your Art Career forward?  Get a handle on your art business?

Let's Talk

Imagine, your own personal coach, in discussion with YOUR images:  Discussing your goals; Ways to move your artwork forward.   Sessions: 30 minutes each

Package: 3 session: $75 + tx       Flexible Booking Schedule

Contact Wendy to book your session - Send me your pictures and let's Get to Work!

Get a Taste for Online Learning with my Blog & Video Combos: 

1.  Have you tried Monotypes?   - Blog post with video link on how to do Monotypes and ways to incorporate it into your art. 

2.  One Awesomemazonly Sketchbook Activity - Blog post with video link on a great Sketchbook Activity to inspire and challenge you.  

 (Be sure to like and comment while your are there. 🤗)

Great Opportunities for Fraser Valley Artists: 

Arts Council of Surrey 
 Artist Calls: 

Info@artscouncilofsurrey.ca for Entry Forms

1. Together  . . . apART - Juried Art Show hosted on Arts Council of Surrey Website. Digital Entry. Deadline May 15.  People's Choice Award.  Free to enter. See website info for information on Show  Theme

2. Arts 2020: Juried Show with Cash Prizes for 5 Different Categories.  Hosted by Arts Council of Surrey and Surrey Art Center.  Digital Entry.  Deadline: June 5.  Free to  Enter.  No Theme. 

When Life settles down: 

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

Drawing/Painting lessons in graphite, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils Or any combination of these.
Flexible Schedule, at my Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy

5 Things that can spark a series of Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you ever worked on a Series of Paintings?  

Do you paint random pieces or are your works interrelated?

Is this a limiting exercise or not?

ROBINS: SIGNS OF SPRING - Nearly done 

From a marketing stand point, working in a series is wonderful.  You have a standard product.  You have a statement that covers all the work.  You have One central focus for all your marketing energy.  Sounds like a marketing dream. 

However, there is one problem . . 

As an artist you are not a machine.  You can keep producing the same material but eventually it will become stale.  You will lose interest and your work will reflect that.  And on the other end, your buyers may become weary of seeing the same thing. 

Ok sorry, I don't mean to confuse . . .

Are series a good idea or bad?  I feel they have lots of merit but at the same time they need to evolve and change.  If their purpose is to preserve 'the sameness' not such a good idea. In my mind, a series takes you on journey to explore.  You take ideas and work with them.  Finding your voice as you feel your way.  They cause you to think and expand your ideas.  When you feel you have told your story, they end. 

I have started a series.  Not sure how big it will be.  For now it is 3 pieces. 

Decided on a background and my main colours

What sparks a series?

1.  Your emotions: For me it was my struggle to mix my pen work into my wildlife art.  I had just completed my work on my Inktober Tangles 2019 project and I was pumped.  I wanted to do something with my tangles and patterns.  (Read more about Inktober Tangles 2019 here.)

I liked the 3 different views of this fellow - his quirky character called to me.  

2.  Your eye is caught: Like most of you I have huge folders with photos I have taken.  Mine are all about wildlife I see and settings that would work for them.  My photos are overtaking my life.  I was trying to sort, delete and file some of my pictures from this summer.  I know, an endless task.  Suddenly my eye was caught by a robin.  I had several shots of him, wondering about the yard.  Hmm. . . . I thought.  I can do something with him.

One was working well so definitely time to start planning the group

3.  Chance: My husband was busy making wood cradles for me as I needed some custom sizes for some commissions.  Of course, being the frugal person I am, (read cheap, if you were one of my kids) I suggested he cut up the scrap and make some small cradles for me.  We figured he could make 3-5 x 7 wood cradles.

Robin: On his Own - WIP  As he started to grow I began to really see how my other birds would fit in. Surprisingly my husband thought he looked interesting.  Hmm. . . maybe my robin will interest others.

4.  Desire to meet a challenge: As I walked the trails with Max I thought of my challenge - realistic birds (my robin) and abstract shapes (my tangle patterns).  What? How? Somehow, out walking with Max I can create better than in my studio.  Here my mind is free to ebb and flow in different directions.  An idea began to form. Suddenly I knew what I wanted to do. 

Robin: Curious - WIP  My second piece started to take shape. Now, I was starting to get excited.   I could see where I wanted to go.  

5.  Time: Christmas Commissions done, Christmas was over, and I actually had a bit of time on my hands.  Those robins were restless, my pens were calling, my paints were wet.  I couldn't stop myself.  I jumped in. 

What sparks a series for you?  Are they a small collection or large bodies of work? Have you considered the pros and cons of working this way? 

ROBIN: ON HIS OWN - Ink & Watercolour - 5 x 7 mounted on Wood Cradle $115

In continuing the discuss, you might find the following posts of interest: 

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 1
Looks at creating a series from the artistic point of view; benefits to the Artistic Soul. 

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 2
This looks at the benefits of creating a series from a marketing point of view.  

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 3
An interview with an artist, Jane Appleby, who spent a year working on her series.  

Do you Know Your Subject - Part 4
Short interview and examples of other artists and their thoughts on work in series.  

Art by Wendy Studio/Gallery is always Open

Looking to move your Drawing Skills to the Next Level?

Book a 3 Pack of Private Lessons with Me - 3 Lessons 2.5 hr each $225

Drawing/Painting lessons in graphite, ink, watercolour, watercolour pencils or coloured pencils Or any combination of these.
Flexible Schedule, at my Studio/Gallery, N. Surrey. 

Gift Certificates Available 

February is Marketing Month for Artists!!

Each February I offer an all day workshops “Let’s Get Your Art Out There!!”
2020 Date: February 23, 10-3pm

Having trouble getting started or knowing where and what to do?

This workshop gets your Marketing Plans fired up to new and more successful levels. Learn the basics of today’s Marketing World, learn how to develop markets both online with Social Media and off line in your community, learn how to develop a productive network, and set up a Marketing Plan that will work for you. Taking this workshop is a valuable step in moving your business forward. Workshop runs 10-3:00 pm with a lunch break.    Class limited to 8 people

Cost $90 Tax Incl      Pre-Registration Required, contact Wendy      Gift Certificates Available

Save the Date . . . . . 

January 18, 2020 - Opus Langley Demo:  Put WOW! into Your Mark Making with Wendy Mould, AFCA, CDM  11-12:30pm and 2-3:30pm.  Free but must Register: (604) 533-0601  Morning session is full but still some room in the afternoon.  

See you there!!

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, Prints, Commission Work and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

Be sure to like and share my posts to keep me coming into your box, 

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy