Today I’m sharing with you the beginning stages of an art journal project. Little bits and pieces of paper everywhere and mat medium sticking to my fingers! Wet washcloth is a must. When we were little, Mom used to carry a wet washcloth balled up in aluminum foil when we traveled. Precursor to Wipees, I guess. But I digress.
Beginnings
Laying out some elements
I’m working on this art journal page within the framework of an online workshop. It’s really good for me because not only am I learning a few tips here and there, but it’s also helping to get me into SuzeStudios and actually work. “Work” is the operative–and most workable–word in this paragraph. I even worked in a few underlines to help you.
It’s a *journal page*so I added a bit of free-form writing as the instructor said to do. She also suggested shading with a charcoal pencil to give depth to the piece. So that’s what you can see here. We were also to add color with oil pastels. Oddly enough, I forgot to take a picture of that stage. But the whole piece, which I’ve worked on for a couple of days, is very vividly colorful at this point.
Shading & journaling added
The last instructions for the week included adding a diluted gesso wash to tie the entire piece together. After that, there was the option to touch up with oil pastels once again. I think the gesso layer really dulled my piece, but there are two more weeks’ worth of instructions, so maybe we are going to add paint.
Gesso overpainting & more oil pastels
It’s kinda fun and kinda frustrating to have to wait and see what the instructor is going to come up with next. Until then, I may make some other pages. I have been sketching a lot too and may convert one of the drawings into a journal page. Now you are up-to-date on the latest project news!
If you are thinking of reblogging these images of my original artwork, please ask permission first. Thanks!
~suze.
I like this. It seems Jungian.
But my question is:
Are you “the instructor”?
Wow…this is so funny because I also know someone with the online name “YerPA.” Small world. To answer your question, “No, I am not the instructor. Feel like I could be and if I were, I would not have assigned the gesso wash without saying ‘it will dull your porous papers,’ but since I am the student, I decided to keep with the program and TRY it. I have recently noticed that when I’m a student, I often don’t know yet what it is I need to be learning and I usually think it’s something else. Thanks for asking.”
Oh…I forgot to comment on the Jungian thing. “That’s freaky!”
Really cool-looking – I LOVE seeing it grow and change! I could send you a map… of what area, exactly?
I looooove this! So fun to get to see your work evolve.
I love maps, and I started a map-like collage, but then I got lost (ironic, eh?).
Thanks, Bevie…I’ll take any interesting maps you don’t want! Quinners, you are funny. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hey girl, we need more updates. Eagerly awaiting the next installment. hugs, n