Understanding layers: why I hide collage below layers of paint

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For a long time, I simply did not understand the importance of building up layers in art journals. I looked at mixed media artists with astonishment. Why would they do that, I’d wonder, as they put down beautiful scrapbook paper on the page, only to hide it under gesso and layers of paint. Or I’d watch in utter fascination as they laid down beautiful doodles and stamps and stencils, and then again hid it under layers and layers of paint.

But why? Those looked like complete paintings too!Continue reading→

Take 10: How to create stunning art journal pages in 10 minutes a day

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I hear ya – you’re busy, what with work, home, socializing, blogging…all the other roles, responsibilities, and activities that make up your day. Where and how will you find the time to make art, you wonder?

What if I told you to take out just 10 minutes a day? You know you can do it – after all, we spend a lot more than that mindlessly scrolling through our Twitter and Facebook timelines!

But can you really create an art journal page in 10 minutes a day?Continue reading→

Release your fear: create art with wild abandon

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release fear comparison create wild abandon

Fear of paint, of art, of creativity is something I’ve come across over and over again. People constantly say they can’t paint, or they can’t draw. But I say that everyone can paint. Yes, everyone.

Think back to your childhood – chances are that painting and drawing were your favorite pastimes. But as you grew older, you suddenly started thinking that you cannot paint.

Why?Continue reading→

Plein Air painting + my travel art journaling supplies

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When I think of plein air painting, I think of the impressionists and my absolute favorite artist in the whole wide world, Claude Monet.

Water-Lilies-and-Japanese-Bridge-(1897-1899)-Monet

Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge, Claude Monet

Plein air is nothing but the act of painting outdoors. Artists would typically scope out the landscape, find an area of interest, set up their easels and start painting what was in front of their eyes. The colors, quality of light, interplay of shadows, everything was as true to the time of day and season in which they were painting.Continue reading→

Just print: Printmaking made easy

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Printmaking is a beautiful, though complex art. You have to first design your print, then etch or engrave it on metal plates; or use blocks of wood to create woodcuts and wood engravings; or linoleum to create linocuts. These are then inked and printed onto paper or fabrics. There’s also the screenprinting process, where screens made of silk fabric are used to create a print.

Red Fuji southern wind clear morning

All of these methods produce some beautiful works of art, and the results of each vary slightly. While we cannot recreate these exactly, there are a number of ways in which we can create stunning prints much more easily. These prints can be standalone works of art, used as a foundation on which we can build up a larger piece, or a part of our original library of printed papers that we use as collage elements in our art practice.Continue reading→

Harness the power of water: 5 fun painting techniques

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Over the last few days, we’ve talked about brushes and collage, creating abstract art and examining art deco patterns to gain some inspiration for our art journal pages. Today, let’s look at some fun ways to add paint to paper.

5 fun painting techniques

Drips: This is one of my favorite things to do. Use some watered down acrylics or acrylic ink, stand the journal upright, and watch the paint drip down the page. Take a look at the super short video below to see this technique in action.Continue reading→

Collage: a quick and dirty primer

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Most of us have created a collage at some point or the other – most commonly as teens, when we pasted fun photographs of friends and family on some chart paper, or put together a vision board with some images and text. But collage can be so much more than that!

Getting started with collage: supplies

Gather together images, newspaper and magazine clippings, painted and handmade paper, ribbon, thread, photographs, and anything else that can be glued onto a page or canvas board and you have the makings of a collage.Continue reading→

Monthly Tarot forecast for April 2017

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I can hardly believe that we’re almost in April already – how this month has flown! But you know what that means, right? It’s time for your monthly Tarot forecast for April 2017! Here are your cards.

Monthly Tarot forecast for April 2017

Remember, this is a general reading, and my intention with this one was: What do my blog readers need to know most for this month.

This three card reading looks at our blessing, challenges and how we can make the most of the month ahead.Continue reading→

#KashmirDiaries: Naranag – Where nature and history meet

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Sometimes things happen by chance, and they turn out to be absolutely wonderful – like our day trip to Naranag. We had originally set out for Sonamarg, but encountered a major jam on the way. So our driver suggested we turn back and go to Naranag instead. We had passed the turn-off a while back and had been wondering whether we would have enough time to visit it on this trip. Turns out, we did!

Shepard’s huts built into the hills, Naranag, Kashmir

The road to Naranag is steep, winding and narrow. Lined by small villages on one side and gorgeous valley views on the other, the drive itself is beautiful.Continue reading→

April A to Z 2017: The Artists Toolbox

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I’m doing it again – participating in the Blogging From A To Z Challenge, that is! Last year’s experience was exhilarating, and I’m eager to do take it up again this year.

the-artists-toolbox

All through the month of April, I’m going to introduce you to the tools, mediums and supplies that are the staples of an art journaling artist, as well as introduce you to some styles and techniques that you can incorporate into your work.

Here’s what you can look forward to next month:

A run-down of the basic tools that you need in your toolbox – paper, brushes, scrapers, found objects and the like.

A close look at the supplies (geared towards art journaling) that you need in your studio, as well as an introduction to various acrylic mediums. This will be invaluable for anyone wanting to start an art journal and wondering what materials they would need to get started.

An introduction to various art movements and techniques that will help you to get started on your artist’s journey.

I do hope you will join me on this month-long journey, and that it will inspire you to pick up paints and paper and dive into this exciting hobby!