24 May 2026

Art Journal: Watercolor Faces

Many years ago, I bought this children's book from a thrift store:

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, colored pencils, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

I really bought it for crafting purposes. I christened it as my art journal and the pages are filled with collage, watercolor paintings, and even blackout poetry

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

The inside pages make for a fun background, as I did here:

 sakura, cherry blossoms, altered book, book as sketchbook, Ozma of Oz, collage, watercolor, watercolor flowers, flowers, sketching, creative process, blah to TADA, art, thrift store finds, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

The text behind my cherry blossom painting add some dimension.

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

However, with a layer of gesso (I put a small amount on the page and spread it evenly with an expired gift card).

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

This is what the page looks like with a layer of gesso...TADA! The text is still visible but tamed down.

One of the recurring themes in my art journal are watercolor faces: 

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

Repetition and practice help improve my work. These sketches are a mix of techniques I learned from Jane Davenport, Dina Wakley, Amarilys Henderson and the classes I joined on Workshop Week, Summer Creative Retreat, and Sketchbook Revival through the years. 

Ozma of Oz, repurposing old book, art journal, gesso, watercolor paintings, watercolor faces, portraits, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, crafty recycling

I'll keep at it and maybe someday, I can create more lifelike portraits.

Who knows, my work can become surface patterns like the ones I see at the shops:

Zara, t-shirt design, surface pattern design, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias

T-shirt designs, perhaps?

throw pillow, pillow cover, surface pattern design, Bergdorf Goodman, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias, interior design

Or pillow covers? 

That's how we can turn our everyday sketches from blah to TADA!

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