I'm back! Thank you for checking in.
Ack! I'm so sorry!
Seriously sorry.
I started this project to make myself make time for
art journaling the scripture that I want to keep hidden in my heart and head
all day long
not just for 10 minutes in the morning. You know?
I want to remember what I'm learning, and then have a record of it.
A record of what God is doing and working on in me.
That was my motivation.
I also want to make art journaling accessible and doable for you. for everyone.
Because I believe that there is something inherently spiritual about creating.
not just art, but creating anything.
I am connected to my creator when I create.
When I use the gifts that I've been entrusted with.
I have good reason to be gone.
Check me out...
a have an agent.
no i'm not making this up.
no, it's not my mom.
I've been dying to someone to "call my agent".
I'm beyond excited.
I'm not sure what it all means quite yet, but I'm excited.
I'll tell you all about it in a post very soon.
I've been staying up and meeting deadlines and chasing kids and teaching first graders.
But I am back to you now.
okay, today's lesson...
Day 4: Doodle First, Paint Next
This is so simple!
And fun. And super easy to travel.
but since I moved my studio into the garage I can't find it for the life of me.
So I found this simple set of Reeves cake watercolors,
which will totally do the trick.
I'm a firm believer in buying cheap supplies at first,
until I know I want to stick with something.
Then I'll invest my life savings into art supplies.
Too many times I have spent tons of money
on supplies for projects, only to never use them again.
Can you relate?
A few tips on watercolors:
Watercolors are like salt. You can always add more, but it's tough to take color away.
Paint from light to dark. Start with your lightest color (such as yellow)
and move to your darker colors(such as blue or black)
Always have paper towels at hand for blotting extra paint away.
Watercolors have a mind of their own. That's why they bug me. A lot.
Be open to whatever they choose to do.
I promise it'll be different than what you wanted them to do,
but different can be good. It's a good reminder that we are not in control.
Just go with it.
Materials:
Extra fine point Sharpie
Watercolor paper
Watercolors
1. Start by creating your words & then doodle around them.
Try to get out of your head and in the zone.
That is the beauty of the art journal: no critics. no expectations.
just fun and play. and it might take you a while to silence the inner critics.
but I urge you to push through until you do.
There is freedom and joy in that place.
And the only way you get passed the critics, is by pushing through them.
And it takes practice. It gets easier and easier with practice.
Here are my line doodles:
2. Paint your doodles.
A word: I don't love it, but I like it.
I'm only finding out what I love by trying lots of different things.
Keep practicing and your own personal style will emerge from a place that you didn't even know existed. I promise. Keep going and trust yourself.
And you will look back and say... I did that.
I know this is the longest post ever, but I had to catch up!
I have 3 more posts for today,
and 4 for tomorrow to be all caught up.
Please link your journaling in the comments below.
I'd LOVE to see what you're doing!
Thank you, thank you, thank you x 100 for hanging in there with me.
Happy journaling.
P.S. I hate the watermarks. HATE them.
I think they ruin the whole thing, but it is a necessary evil.