If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ll know that my word for the year is Create.
This is the very first art journal spread I created this year, to remind me of my word whenever I open my journal.
And since the word is create, it’s only fair that I tell you how you can create a similar piece, isn’t it?
It’s quite straightforward, and a lot of fun!
I’m guessing by now you’ve realized that I love painting girls. While most of my girls are whimsical, I’ve been wanting to experiment a bit more with form and abstraction. This is one of my first few attempts.
I’ve deliberately left some of her features undefined, but she’s not yet as abstract as I would like.
It feels like a risk to make her disappear some more…
Yesterday I told you about my struggle to draw a mandala. Today, I want to show you my first ever unicorn and phoenix drawings. Unlike the mandala, which made me cry buckets of tears, these were fairly straightforward. I got them right on my first practice run, and then I just took a deep breath and drew them out on the page.
Sure, the unicorn could use some more work – his mane looks like it’s stuck on to his body! – but for a first try, I’m pretty happy with him! And I’m totally in love with this phoenix! In fact, I recently reimagined her in another piece – you can take a look see on my instagram feed, and while you’re at it, do follow me there too!
I’ve long been drawn to mandalas – to their symmetry, their beauty and, most of all, to the calmness that they evoke. But I’ve always been afraid of trying to draw them. This year, though, I finally took the plunge.
And it was so hard! Whoever said dividing a circle into 12 equal pies is easy, is lying! I wish I could show you how many pieces of paper I crumpled up and threw and how many tears I shed just trying to draw those 12 symmetrical pies. By the end of it, I’d much rather have been eating apple pie, and I’m not even that fond of it! And when I finally did manage to get it divided up, drawing symmetrical shapes in that circle gave me nightmares!
This angel was among the first few paintings that I did this year. Around the 10th of January, I think. As I read the words I chose for this spread, I’m struck by just how prophetic they’ve been!
Tune into your highest, elder self, and allow that being to lead your desires, intentions, and actions.
I’ve been led down new paths, found some completely unexpected teachers and guides, and embarked on an inner journey that I didn’t even know I needed to excavate, examine, and transform. And as I work on that inner journey, I’m realizing that as much as it is healing me, it is also a story that needs to be shared.
I love painting whimsical girls, and I love giving them colorful hair. Don’t you think their bright blue hair looks exciting? I almost I wish I could color my hair robin blue! *laughs*
On this spread, I was experimenting with face structure and with using black. Believe it or not, black used to (and sometimes still does) scare the bajeezus out of me! It can easily overwhelm a page and make it seem dark and depressing. But used like this in small quantities to frame the page, and with pops of color added on, I think it looks quite nice, don’t you?
Like these whimsical sisters? You can buy art and canvas prints, notebooks, laptop skins, and more featuring them in my Cupick store. I’ll be adding more stuff on there regularly, so do follow me there for updates!
If you want to learn how to art journal, sign up for my monthly newsletter, Gypsy Wanderings, and get a free copy of my ebook Art Journal 101. Click for details.
I drew her in my moon journal this year. A reminder to evolve – to be brave enough to emerge from the cocoon, to break down the walls I’ve built up to protect myself, but which only keep me entrapped and prevent me from growing.
It can be a slow process, this metamorphosis from a protective cocoon to a butterfly. But it’s such a beautiful process. Creation and destruction, much like the cycle of life itself, don’t you think?
Do you need a reminder to evolve? You can buy art and canvas prints, notebooks, coasters, and more featuring this piece in my Cupick store. I’ll be adding more art work on there regularly, so do follow me there for updates!
If you want to learn how to art journal, sign up for my monthly newsletter, Gypsy Wanderings, and get a free copy of my ebook Art Journal 101. Click for details.
Kick your Zentangles up a notch by drawing them on a painted background. Add some shading around the image (in my case a butterfly) to make it pop up and out of the page.
I created this piece using acrylics on watercolor paper. I used a Derwent Inktense pencil for the shading, and sketched a spiral fly path with a white pen to use as a journaling block.
This is an easy way to create coasters, greeting cards, or a small art piece for friends or loved ones. Just put on some music, and Zentangle away!
Want to learn how to art journal? Sign up for my monthly newsletter, Gypsy Wanderings, and get a free copy of my ebook, Art Journal 101. Click for details.
And head over to my Cupick store to buy art and canvas prints, notebooks, coasters, mousepads and more featuring my art.
It’s the guide I wish I had when I started art journaling!
Art Journaling 101 is designed especially with the beginner in mind. The eBook is geared towards those who have or prefer to work with limited supplies – or are suffering from art supply overwhelm and want to simplify their stash, if only for a while!
A Zentangle tile that was gifted to me recently
Yes, it’s a real thing! The Zentangle® method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction, and an increased sense of personal well being. And all you need to get started is paper, pencil and a black pen.