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

1 Awesomemazonly Sketchbook Activity - Painting & Drawing Tips

Are you up for a Challenge? 

 A Sketchbooking Activity that will keep you entertained for days?

And when you are done, you will feel sooooooooo good.  And will have some NEW thoughts about your own practice.

Ok. Put your confidence on high and give this a try.  

DUCKS IN THE WATER - Mixed Media 

See a full view of DUCKS ON THE WATER on Youtube here.   (Be sure to like and comment while your are there. 🤗)

For this Activity you need to first prepare your paper

1.  Cut 6 pieces of paper, 5.5 x 7.5 (I used Rivas paper and Arches 140 HP.  Use any paper that is strong and thick enough to take paint.  Watercolour paper of any kind is good.)  You can have more than 6 panels but keep it to even numbers)

Panel 1 Monoprint

2.  Add random colour to your papers using 2 or 3 colours.  I prepared my paper as Monotypes.  (See last post: Have you tried Monotypes There is a write up and video to help you .)  If you don't want to to prints on your paper than just make random marks with your 3 colours like I did with my Monoprints.  You can collage things to your paper or stencil things.  Anything to give it a marks but try and not let them get too dark so your ink work will show.

Panel 2 - my Monoprint - random colour that has interesting textures, shapes . . .

3.  When dry take your papers and arrange them in some kind of order.  I laid mine out horizontally as I liked the look and feel of that arrangement.  Tape them together with the tape on the back.  Fold them up like an accordion.

You're ready to draw. . .

Now settle down, I know your confidence just dropped a bit.  You can draw whatever you like. Flowers, buildings, people, landscapes . . .

When walking with Max I saw some mallard ducks and decided I would draw ducks in the water. (I am a wildlife artist so you knew animals would be in there somewhere.) Totally random idea that had nothing to do with my colours or their shapes.

Just a few of my duck pictures for reference

I searched through my photo references for ducks.  I am out at Riefel Bird Sanctuary a lot as I have work in their gift shop so I have lots of duck pictures.  I picked a few that had ducks doing different things.

I looked at my first page and decided a duck could peek over the painted area and drew him in.  I then began to make the painted area more bush like.  As I moved to the next page it had lots of marks on it and decided to make them into grasses and hid a duck in the grasses.

Panel 1 & 2 once I started drawing

That is where I stalled  . . . .  

I needed more ideas as to what could be along the water's edge. (Confidence low, for sure.) Fortunately Max and I walk regularly in a wooded area by a small stream and I could take some pictures and get ideas.  You might have to wonder the internet a bit.  (Remember, I did say this was going to take you a few days to finish)  I also realized I needed more than a little shading to make things work. (See Tools as I introduced more tools into the drawing part.)

Got some great ideas for things to put along my water's edge from these pictures.  Really loved the fern in the rock cluster in the bottom picture.  

Of course, ferns, bushes, tree trunks, rocks, branches, leaves . . .  They were all there.  I started drawing a few of these. (Confidence Way Up again.)  Always I am mindful of what I am drawing and not paying a lot of attention to the colours that were already there.

Panels 1-5 WIP - Realized I needed a another panel as I couldn't make an accordion book with only 5 panels!!

Sometimes I  captured a blobs into my leaf or rock but I mostly stayed true to my images and let the colour fall where it wanted to.  To me this is the fun of it.  Seeing how the colours suddenly make something so interesting in a way I never would have painted it.

Didn't use a lot of materials to complete my pictures.  They were added as the need arose.  

Tools: 
My choice of tools also developed as I went and as needs arose.  I need shading and values - I decided to use Herbin Perle Noire Ink.  It gave me great grayscales that matched my ink and didn't add more colours to my picture. 
I used 08 & 05 Picma Black Pens.  (found the 08 gave a stronger line)
Steadler Fine Tip Ink Pen.
Pencil to do some layout. 
Black Coloured Pencil to shade rocks and give them texture.
White Charcoal pencil to lighten the acrylic blobs.
Molotow One4all Acrylic Pen to give me a shot of white, when I needed it.

 Don't hesitate to use other things to meet your goals. 

Lots happening in this panel but after putting in the shading and softening some of the colour with the white Charcoal it turned out pretty nice.  

Yes, this project will keep you busy for awhile.  Yes, your confidence will ebb and flow as you work through it.  Yes, it is almost never ending as there will always be a little something more you can do.  And Yes, you will be very pleased with it when you're done.

But you're not done yet. . . .

Next post I will show you how to finish it up to make that Awesomemazonly Sketchbook.

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. 

 (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

Build a Background, from Abstract to Realism: Painting & Drawing Tips

Have you every built a large puzzle? 

On a dark and cold winter day, doing a large 1000 piece or 2500 piece puzzle is loads of fun.  Well, for many it is.  Sorry if it is not your 'thing'. It can even become quite addicting!!

Northern Pintail on the Wetlands - 16 x 20 matted $550

Building a large puzzle demands lots of organizational skills ie. separating the pieces into useful piles.  Each piece by itself really looks like nothing.  Just a blob of colour.  Sometimes several colours.  But really just a blob, by itself it tells the eye very little about the puzzle.

But the tiny blob begins to grow . . .
As you work on the puzzle you find other little pieces that fit to your first piece.  With each piece comes more information for the eye/brain to interpret. Your work with your painting is the same, especially with the background.

Start with abstraction . . .
When I start a painting, I often start with the background and work forward.  With my painting of the Northern Pintail Duck, this was certainly the case.  Using my colour scheme with a wet wash, I suggested wetlands melting into the sky.  If you cover the duck's head and just focus on the background it really just looks like masses of colours.  There is really nothing for the eye to 'understand' and bring meaning to.

Abstraction starts in the background but tighter and tighter detail tell the story. 

A few Sharp Edges begins the story . . .

Notice what happens as you move down the painting (this really is moving from the back of the background to the front of the background) there are suggested shapes. By themselves nothing.  But the dark green edge suggests a waterline, the dark clumps suggest tall grasses at the water's edge. Suddenly your eye says, "hey, those are billowing clumps of grasses and there is even a bit of water in there."  Your eye sees meaning.

Tighter and tighter detail tells the story to the eye  . . .
As your eye moves into the Mid-ground there are more abstract shapes but also sharper edges.  The green and gold washes become reflections of the wetland grasses and the blue becomes water.  The background recedes and becomes flatter. The tight detail of the duck crossing over the background and mid-ground offers more reassurance to the eye.  "Yes, this is a duck, those most be grasses, water, reflections"; everything makes sense.

Sharp and Crisp ends the story  . . .
The sharp, crisp grasses poking out of the water in the foreground, confirm the tale.  The eye completely understands what is happening and how to interpret the shapes and colours.  It is happy.  And of course, so am I.  Using these tools, I used the power of suggestion to give an interesting and realistic background for my picture.  This is also the kind of background that delights the eye as so much is left for it to interpret. Every eye loves that challenge.

Block out the duck with your finger as you look at the isolated background 

To really get a feel for how the bits of detail work at each level, isolate each section with your fingers and see how abstract they really are.  Then slowly move your fingers to allow a little of the suggested details show.  Notice how your eye immediately gets to work and 'makes sense' of things.  (Actually, I guess it really is your brain doing all the work, your eye just feeds in the information. )

Painting Backgrounds is a subject that has interested me alot.  I have talked about it many times.  Here are a few posts on the subject, if you put 'painting backgrounds' into my search box on my blog you will get more to see.
Backgrounds that Paint Themselves 
What's Going on Back There
Painting Those Pesky Backgrounds

Next week, another look at Backgrounds to Foregrounds - the Planes in the Picture.

My Etsy Store is always OPEN: Etsy - WendyMouldsArt

Originals, prints and Instant Printable Cards for all Seasons available.

 Special Note:  Instant Digital Valentine Cards are now Ready - Print, Fold and Give.  They are great for Pet Lovers, featuring Cats and Dogs - of course Max was my inspiration for the dog drawing!

Special Opportunity Coming Up:

Marketing Workshop - Let's Get Your Art Out There!!  

Sunday, Feb 24, 2019  10-3pm with Wendy Mould, AFCA

Need a focus for your Marketing Strategy?  Unsure where to start, where to head next? Marketing takes so much of your time away from the Studio, learn where to focus your energy and ways to maximize your time.  At the end of the day you will have plans and be ready for Action. 

 Cost $84 Tx Incl  

Working with Wildlife Artist Wendy Mould, AFCA bridges the gap between the Entrepreneur and the Artist in the Marketing World.  Contact Wendy to Register. 

Artists reading this post also find the following valuable:

Matching Colours to Values here
Playing with a Very Limited Watercolour Palette here
3 Ways to Turn Drawing Despair into Action here

How to Find your Starting Point 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

From the Itty-bitty to Humongous, Values Matter - Painting & Drawing Tips

NEW WORKS FROM THE STUDIO OF ART BY WENDY

I love to paint miniatures.  I mean really, really small art pieces.  Miniatures are a very intimate type of art.  Where the humongous pictures want you to stand back, my little pictures invite you to come close and enjoy their fine detail.  This type of art has been popular since the Middle Ages.  Its main uses was to provide a portrait of a loved one that was small enough to wear as a necklace or carry in a pocket or pouch.  By today's standards those type of portraits were small.

MOM & POP WOOD DUCK - watercolour, 2.25 x 4

Miniature Shows today will accept pictures up to 12 square inches, 3 x 4 or any combination of measurements to that size.  I like the 3 x 4 inch size but I am always challenging myself to go smaller.  My latest pieces, Mom & Pop Wood Duck and Wood Duck Waddle measure 2.25 x 4 and 4 x 2.25 respectively.(9 sq. inches)  They are off to Levis, Quebec for the International Miniature Show, held there every 2 years.  This is a major show with pictures coming from over 173 artists and 21 different countries. I am very excited to have my little guys part of the show.  

WOOD DUCK WADDLE - Watercolour, 4 x 2.25

Whether you are working with an itty-bitty or humongous painting the same principles are important.  In working with these little portraits I was reminded of the Values.  You often hear painters say it doesn't matter what colour it is it is, it's the Value that is important.  As one that struggles with the hot/cold colour choices in my paintings I find this a ray of hope when I am 'stuck with my colour choice'.  

 By Values I mean the shades of gray from White to Black. Whether your work is in colour or black and white, each part has a value which is interpreted by the eye. 

Value Scale- White is 1 and Black is 11 (some scales go to 9 or 10)

I decided to use the magic of the digital world to see the differences of value with my little guys.  My Wood Duck was happy to oblige as a model. 

Original Picture - Backgroud is a 2/3

Original Picture - head and upper body have the Punch and your Attention

  

Mid Value - Background is a 5/6

Background Value pushed up to a mid tone - head and upper body still have some punch but now the white markings on the chest are competing and will need to be toned down.  

Dark - Background is a 8/9

Background Value pushed to the upper limits - there is still a focus on the head but other markings are pulling the eye around.  They will need to be adjusted to get a good eye movement happening.

As you can see things change a great deal when the value around them changes.  Note my watermark, which is the same value throughout almost disappears in the final example.

So how does this help. . . .

1.  Looking at the values of an image in black and white removes the pull of that favourite colour and helps you see what is going on in the painting.
2.  Value affects the focus point or area of emphasis in the picture
3.  An area can be muted by placing similar values beside it.
4.  The Bigger the contrast in values the more emphasis on that area.

I find it interesting to note that the really dark value looks good with my Wood Duck.  The background value is now darker than his body which now appears lighter.  The mid value is the only one that I feel is not effective for my little guy.
Which one do you like best?

I am off to Scotland soon and focusing on my Travel Journal.  Time to get your journal ready, there are lots of tips in my Travel Journal Series which starts  HERE.

Great Opportunity to get some help with drawing: My  Drop-In and Draw Sessions  for May are Monday, May 8 & 15,  10-12pm, or  1-3pm.  Expressions Art Gallery, 227 & Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge.  June Dates: Monday, June 12 & 19, 10-12pm & 1-3pm.  Still 1 Spot available in each. 

       Bring your sketchbook and your project and come draw.  I will be happy to give you a few pointers as you work on your drawing.  $15 Pre-Registration Required. Contact Me.

June 11- Art on the Farm, Kilby Historical Site, Harrison Mills. Join us for an Awesome ART Filled Day - sketch on the farm, join in hands-on drawing and painting sessions, see the sights.  My Hands-on Sessions will be at 12 & 2pm.  We will be drawing one of my flower favourites, Blackeyed Susies.  Have coffee and fresh pie afterwards at the cafe.  My personal favourite.  No registration, cost site fee only. 

 Etsy Shop now Open: WendyMouldsArt  Come on In!!

Special Offer: 3 Horse Cards = 1 Pack = Instant Download for only $12

 My 3 Horse Doodle Cards LET'S RIDE, LITTLE ONE AND FREE SPIRIT are 1 Digital Downloads Pack at my Etsy Shop.  Yes, you can print and personalize your own cards instantly. Your family and friends will love them. They are great for any occasion. See the story of their creation 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. Keep up with all the art events by joining my email list (see sidebar on my blog)

 Have a great artful day,
Wendy