Journal Page Play

I finally finished up one of Tam's lessons from LB 2014.  I'm gradually getting back into doing some journal pages and paintings! It's been a challenge to keep up with creative projects with work and marathon training lately. Last weekend we had an extra day due to some ice that cancelled school, so I took advantage of it and started another journal page! 

The page below is the lesson, Sacred Inner Eye by Tamara Laporte. It was primarily created by using Dylusions inks and Posca Pens. I chose to write a quote versus what Tam had us do in the lesson, so my page turned out a little differently. I like the bright colors, but think the eye might be a tad on the creepy side. ;P Either way, it sure was fun using the Dylusions inks. I love that product and think that the colors are incredible!

Journal Page FINISHED! 

The following page is the result of a lesson taught by Mika Diaz. I learned so much in this lesson!! I loved the collage elements, additional layers, and the use of tracing paper (who knew tracing paper had so many uses??) It didn't quite turn out as I had hoped and the end result is a little zombie-ish in appearance, but it was fun and I learned a lot. I would use this technique again, but would definitely not try to do too much on top of the tracing paper once it was glued down. So...what do you do when a journal page doesn't turn out quite right? I say....play with it in various photo apps and make it look even quirkier!

Here's the original. Not only does she look like a zombie...she appears to be a very sad
one too!

Let's give her a little twist. I created this using the Pic Lab app...as if that wasn't obvious. :)

How about a "stache" and a little hat to put a smile on her face???

Washing away all the color....hmmmm?? 

For the last two I can't remember which apps I used with each picture, but I did use PIC TAP GO and Pixlromatic. I just kept playing with various filters and messing around with the original until I came up with a quirky version I liked. 

Creating anything is all about experimentation...whether you end up loving the final version or if it was just a learning experience. It's all about play!! 

Works in Progress and New Books

Unfortunately, I haven't had much time for creating....even over the short holiday break. Life has just been busy and it seems like every time I turn around I'm sick with some virus or another. This school year has just been that way. I guess that is part of the deal when you work around 800+ students a week! I've been working my way back from sickness this past week/weekend. Lots of vitamin C, probiotics, and rest. I'm starting to feel like a permanent extension of the couch. Times like this definitely make you appreciate wellness.

Last weekend, before I was sick, I started one of the lessons from my Life Book 2014 classes. While I haven't finished the entire lesson, I did make a nice start....

Beginning of a new journal page. This lesson is taught by Tamara Laporte. 

I have taken two years of the Life Book classes and loved them, but didn't sign up for LB 2015 since I wasn't even able to finish last year's lessons. My goal this year is to finish my 2014 classes and experience various activities in a couple of new books I purchased with gift cards over Christmas.

 Drawing and Painting Beautiful Faces by Jane Davenport was just released and came recently in the mail. It looks fantastic! I'm looking forward to starting the lessons inside this title. I've starting reading it today and have been learning a lot about different types of supplies. I took a moment to flip through the book and was amazed at the step by step process that Jane uses to show students how to create whimsical faces. Not only does each facial component receive a detailed explanation, but there are also tips on keeping things symmetrical, in proportion, and various types of shading. In addition focus is given to skin tones and various hair styles. Wow. I'm amazed and I haven't even started using this book yet. I think it is going to be one of my new favorites! Looking forward to sharing some things from this one very soon.

Jane Davenport's new publication, Beautiful Faces

I've had my eye on 20 Ways to Draw a Tree, by Eloise Renouf, for quite awhile. It's actually a workbook  that provides various things from nature to illustrate with blank pages for practice throughout the book. I've done a little doodling of mushrooms, birds, and flowers so far. There are several other titles in this series as well, such as 20 Ways to Draw a Tulip...a Butterfly....etc. It's a fun book to get the creativity up and running!

Time to Doodle!

Finally, I also purchased How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine Holmes. It's actually a guide for students and teachers, as well as hobbyists and self learners. The guide provides step by step instructions for drawing a variety of things from shapes and forms to animals and even a few lettering techniques.  I think this book will provide some fun sketching opportunities...not to mention I know I will be learning some new things.

Let's DRAW!!

Hopefully it won't be too long before I can share some of the great things I'll learn from these titles. Looking forward to doing some creative work very soon!