Finger Print Self Portrait

So its been two weeks since my Wishful Wednesday post and this is the second project from that list.  Yay for getting stuff done.  I really liked the idea of a thumb print with journaling, however I ended up using a print of my index finger.  It was more interesting, there is a scar.  I used a pencil to trace all the print lines of my enlarged copy of my index finger.I used a very fine pen to add all the journaling, I started out with the date and the “who am I” prompt and just did free writing.  It went by quickly, but it did take me about an hour to do all the journaling.  Once I had it all filled in I erased all the pencil lines, they are visible in the picture above. Here it is all finished with the pencil lines erased and next to the original.  Now I need to figure out how to incorporate it into one of my sketchbooks.  If you want to read more about the “Holley portraits” check out this link, there are also more examples of this type of self portrait.

Zentangle Part 2

Good news, after getting some more supplies I went back and fixed my original not pictured one from yesterday.  The key was some white gel pens, I just blacked out the parts I didn’t like and went back in with the white pens, I love the negative effect too!  I need more practice, there are parts that I really love and others, not so much.  I may need to fill an entire sketch book with these, sooooooo relaxing.

If you want to see some patterns and their names check out TanglePatterns (I like how the patterns scroll across the top) and here is another great resource Zentangle Patterns, I’m sure there are more great sites like these, leave a link for you favorite, I’m hoping to move to more complex patterns next.

Zentangles

Zentangles are everywhere these days, I’m surprised that this is the first time that I made one myself.  If you do an image search on Google the results are inspiring and varied. 

I decided to uses several different pens to get different thicknesses for a little more interest.  Zentangle one was a partial failure and will not be shown, it seems I was trying to hard to make it arty.  I would also like to note that if you are trying to hard the process is not as fun as when you just relax and doodle.  Once I got it figured out it was fun and relaxing.  I think I could easily fill a whole book of these, and I just might.  I would like to make one and incorporate words next.  I definitely need some new, special pens for this and maybe a new sketchbook too! 

Have you tried making zentangles? what did you think of the process? and do you have any tips for a newbie like me?

Art Journaling

I greatly admire art journaling and I repeatedly fail in my attempts.  I have the journal part down and the art part down, but when I try to put them together I fail.  I think it’s a layering issue.  I also think that I make them too sketchbooky (new word), more of just an idea and how to execute it instead of thoughts and feeling too. 

See, sketchbooky.  The left one is my sketchbook, the middle is the beginning of a collage style book for Halloween stuff, and the one on the bottom is some more just straight up sketchbook stuff, I definitely need layers!

I have a nice collection of books on the subject and I just bought another one last night, it was to visually inspiring to leave at the store.There are a lot of repetitive techniques in all of these books (packing tape transfers, watercolor washes, printing bubble wrap), but this one did have some good new ideas (a calendar and great prompt suggestions) and I really enjoy the artistic style of the journal pages in this book.  Maybe I should just work through it page by page making samples of all the techniques and see if that gives me the look I want.

I also really admire the ability of some artists to share their journal pages, it makes me wonder if they share it all or just the pretty, nice, happy, positive stuff.  I write about a lot of private things and I don’t think that I want to share all that (journaling is my therapy).  I want to get all of those feelings out on paper, but I don’t think everyone needs to read it.  What do you guys think? keep it private, share it all, or share some blurring out the private?  And if you art journal, who do you find inspiring?

Have a super crafty weekend!

Sketchbook Goddesses

I had so much fun making my little goddess doll yesterday, I thought I would design a few in my sketchbook, just for fun.
For these I cut paper dolls out of black paper and uses a white gel pen for the designs, my favorite is the one on the right.

For these I used the other patterns from the site where I found the mini goddess pattern. Just some watercolor, sharpie markers and a fine tip pen. I like the green one the best. I would like to make more of these goddesses, maybe I'll paint the next one.

Calender Journal

I really admire this journal. I have tried many times to make something along these lines, but after spending an evening making the pages I often forget to write every day. I thought I would start with a weekly one and work up to a monthly one.

I would like to make a set of stamps for events that reoccur like birthdays, working, etc. and definitely stickers, no one can have to many stickers.

Beloved Companion Shrine

I want to make a shrine for my cat Mango, who was put to sleep in December. I wanted to have him cremated and buried with me when I die, but that was just not possible. I've been working on sketches and I like the way it looks, but there is an empty spot in the lower right side that deeds something, maybe a short prayer or verse.

I have the perfect box to use it is roughly 4" X 6" and 2" deep with a lid. The Bast figure I have fits perfectly inside. I will be making an embossed metal frame for Mango's picture. BTW I did some research online and found out that disposable aluminium pans work for embossing. I made a sample and it was a lot easier than the soda cans. For the lid I want to cut a round window. On the inside of the lid I will have the story of adopting Mango.