Sketchbook Practice: Art Journaling with Megan Wells

Hi! I am pleased you're here.

I've maintained a sketchbook practice for several years now and I love learning new ways to fill its pages.

Today, let's learn some techniques from Megan Wells. She did this class on Workshop Week. 

Apart from a sketchbook, we will need: paintbrushes, watercolor paint, water, markers in different colors, white gel pen, black acrylic paint, white paint. 

To get rid of the blank white page, Megan suggests adding different paint colors all over the page.

When the base layer is dry, add some water on the page with a paintbrush, then add a drop of paint on the water -- see how the paint spreads like blots. Let this dry.

With the same method, you can tip the sketchbook to achieve some drips. 

Splatter is another fun way to add color to the page. Dip the paintbrush into the paint then gently tap the paintbrush above the page to get different-sized dots. Let this dry. 

With black ink and a paintbrush, draw some leaves and flowers randomly on the page. Work with odd numbers. Add flowers with a lighter paint shade (ex. blue or purple) for added dimension.

Megan likes to add black paint in certain areas of the layout. 

While the black paint dries, she adds more color to the flower petals and leaves using markers. She adds lines (using black paint) to add more depth to the flowers and leaves. 

With a white gel pen, add designs in the areas with black paint: lines, dots, crosses, mandalas, even words or phrases. These designs tame the black areas and are very meditative as the patterns are drawn repeatedly.

Here are other pages from Megan's sketchbook:

Here are two versions I made in my very own sketchbook:

I enjoyed the process and the many layers that emerged with just paint. This is such an inspiring way to turn a blank sketchbook page from "blah to TADA!"

Want more crafty ideas delivered to your inbox? Please subscribe here.  

People Sketches and a Gift for the Grandparents

I'm glad you're here!

Over the years, I've been practicing my watercolor skills. Sometimes, I like to experiment with faces:

This is a sketch of my friend Jenna who lives in Macau. She has a beautiful apartment with large windows and she is a mom to many potted plants. I sent this to her and she was so delighted by the surprise in the mail.

This is a sketch of me and my niece Kirsten. I made an imaginary spot in the garden with giant flowers shading us from the sun and each of us lost in a book.

I made this as part of the #100dayproject in 2020. It was the height of the pandemic and people all over the world had to wear a mask to stay protected from COVID-19.

Also during the pandemic, my husband and I worked from home. One day, I made a sketch of the people he talked to on a regular basis on speaker phone. Not having met or seen them, I made these drawings based on their voices ("she sounds like someone who wears pink and pearls"; "he sounds like he surfs during the weekend.") I showed these to him -- only two of these faces matched what they looked like in real life. Oh well.  

I made this for my friend Irene. It's a family portrait that I gifted her for her birthday.

These are attempts in self portraits. 

I also made this sketch of my grandparents. They've called heaven home for many years now and I miss them so. Sometimes I wonder what we'd talk about if they were still around. Would they be savvy enough to do a video chat? Would they take selfies? 

This painting may not exactly resemble my grandparents but it captures their love. I think I'll frame it. 

I found this small gift box with a window. 

If I put the sketch inside, might it work as a picture frame?

It does...TADA! 

Maybe you or your kids can make a drawing of your or their grandparents (frame optional) that you can present to them on National Grandparents Day on September 11. This will definitely turn their day from "blah to TADA!"

Thank you for stopping by today and if you'd like to subscribe to my blog/newsletter, you can leave your e-mail here. 

A Watercolor Painting Collab

My friend Terri proudly announced that she was starting a new hobby--watercolor! I only had encouraging words because making art is a good alternative to scrolling on your phone, it promotes mindfulness and creativity, and has been healing for me, personally.

To support and enable her, I suggested a collaboration. I call it Claire x Terri Creative Collab.  

On postcard-size watercolor paper, I made these painting on one side:

Spring Blossoms

Frozen Desserts

Under the Sea Creatures

I left the other side of the page for Terri's own watercolor paintings using the prompts I started.

I mailed these to her (she lives in Canada) with the hope that she gets excited about our team project.

However, these postcards never made it to her. Sigh.

So I sent her a new batch (praying with all my might that they would get to Terri this time around):

Then she sent me a message that the envelope arrived...TADA! She was also excited to start. 

On the left side is my fish.

And on the right side, Terri added her octopus. Isn't he cute? We call this piece, "Keep Swimming."

On the left side are a few flowers I drew.

And on the right side, Terri added more blooms. We call this piece, "Secret Garden."

On the left side, I painted an ice cream cone and a soft serve cone. 

And on the right side, Terri painted some lollipops. We call this one, "Sweet Treats."

She even said, "Thank you for coming up with this idea. I enjoyed it so much! We definitely have to keep this going." We're planning to do doodles next. 

If you have an artsy pal, why not try it out?

And that is how we turned some blank pages from blah to TADA!

*****

You may subscribe here if you'd like my future blog posts delivered straight to your inbox and you can follow me on Instagram for more crafty ideas.

Bookmarks That Say Thank You

I celebrated my birthday in April, my second one in quarantine, but I didn't really mind because I feel more connected to old friends from across the globe because of technology. I get text greetings and we are able to hang out on video conferencing platforms. 

This year, a group of my dearest friends surprised me with a virtual birthday card. The theme was "arts and crafts" (they know me so well)! 

Each one of them made a craft, showed it off in a photo, and they wrote me wishes that really lifted me up and are giving me a boost of confidence. The crafts ranged from hand lettering, painting on canvas, coloring pages, poetry, drawing, decorating gift bags, and flower arranging. I hope that as they created they felt a sense of calm and a feeling of pride when they finished. 

I got so tickled with their masterpieces! As a thank you, I made them these bookmarks:

They are hand-painted and hand lettered with watercolors and the concept is a like a jigsaw puzzle where each person perfectly fits into a bigger picture. 

I started with a blank watercolor sheet, a paint brush, and my reliable watercolor palette.

I decided on a repeating pattern, choosing happy colors like yellow.

Two kinds of yellow! Because these friends are sunshine and positivity. We always have a good time. We laugh at the corniest jokes. We also offer encouragement when some of us are having a rough season. We pray for each other.

A blue moon because real friends are rare and must be treasured. 

Some tears, both happy and sad, that we've all shared together.

And a final touch of rosy pink. This is the backdrop I painted, symbolic of our friendship...TADA!

According to an article I read recently, this is what is described as meditative painting: "being mindful and present while putting paint on paper."

I marked the painting into 12 equal parts.

Then cut out the pieces.

I painted the name of each friend, saying a prayer for them as I did it: "Dear God, thank you for Lisa and our years of friendship. Please give her good health and strength, bless her family, and please meet her needs."

I did the same for each name that I wrote. I sent a photo of their bookmark to the recipient and promised to give it to them personally when it's safe to see each other.

We're scattered all over the world and yet our bond remains strong.  We are different but we've proven that we go so well together. 

That's why today, I celebrate friendship and all the rewards that come with it, including receiving the most thoughtful birthday surprise. Friends definitely transform life from "blah to TADA!"