Art Journaling: Lessons from Kasia Avery

Have you ever tried making an art journal? It's essentially a from of self expression using a sketchbook and mixed media like paint, collage, and journaling. Travel albums, bullet journals, and inspiration boards are a few examples of art journals.

I've dabbled in simple art journaling in the past but I'd like explore a little bit more, this time with the help of mixed media artist, Kasia Avery. 

She has a book called "Creative Wanderlust" that allows anyone to bring their inner artist to life through art journaling and intuitive mixed media.

Here are some of valuable insights I picked up while reading her book:

1. Let go of perfection and limiting beliefs

We are our biggest critics and a common stumbling block to making art is the idea of what the end result should look. If we expect ourselves to create work like that of Picasso or Van Gogh, then we'll feel defeated. Kasia, instead, suggests we define art this way:

2. Choose an art journal and create a supply kit

There are many options to use as an art journal like old books or handmade books using paper remnants. I'm on a mission to whittle down my paper stash so I'm using individual sheets of paper to make my art journal pages. Then, once I'm done, I put the pages in a binder. I also have my sketchbook (watercolor paper) as an alternative: 

I have a small art table where I work and my materials are already laid out -- when I see them ready, it's an invitation for some creative time:

My art journaling supply kit includes: acrylic paint (black & white), 

paint (watercolor & gouache), brushes, modeling paste, gesso, and paper.  

Not in photo: scissors, glue, magazine pages & smaller paper scraps

3. Learning how to use gesso

Gesso is a water-based medium that gives a toothy layer to paper so that when we apply paint, it sits on top of the gesso instead of being absorbed into the fibers of the paper. 

Kasia suggests to apply a thin layer of gesso on your paper (especially the thin ones like tissue) and letting this dry completely. 

Here I am testing gesso for the fist time. I used white gesso applied with a paint brush on printed tissue. The upper part of the tissue is just a layer of paint. The lower part of the tissue started with a layer of gesso, then paint was added on top of the gesso. Notice that on the bottom part, you can't see the design as clearly as the upper part. The tissue also provided a less delicate surface (no fear of tearing) with the layer of gesso.     

I'll keep experimenting and let you know what I discover. 

4. Before making a spread, choose a color palette and a focal point 

Limiting the colors when making an art journal spread helps create a mood and tell a story. That's why Kasia recommends swatching our colors before we begin. Another decision to make early on is the focal point. It's the first thing you see when you look at an artwork like a drawing, word, splash of color, strong pattern or handwritten text. The focal point should stand out.

An art journal spread made using a paper bag, watercolor, and a Sharpie pen.

5. Create a ritual for your art journaling practice and assign a mindfulness reminder

In the book, Kasia also says, "Having certain practices right before you start creating will take your art journaling to a whole new level. It will immediately put you in the zone, giving your inner artist a sign that this is their time to sparkle, explode with color and go absolutely wild."

Here are some of the things I like to do when I start an art journal page: I light a scented candle and play some music to help me process my thoughts and feelings. Then I write down an intention for the spread I am about to make. I also determine how long I want to work and set a timer. When I'm done, I applaud myself for showing up, whether or not I like the page I created.

Kasia also recommends having a mindfulness reminder: "Choose an object that will bring you back to being in the moment every time you see it. It could be sticky notes you leave around your house or a little precious stone you always have in your pocket and every time you touch it, it reminds you about appreciating the now." The mindfulness reminder I chose is this ceramic origami crane (meant as a chopstick rest but I use it as a paintbrush rest).  

Here are some of the spreads I painted using the prompts in the book:

Prompt: What does it mean to you to be kind to yourself?

Prompt: What makes you feel at home? When and where
do you feel most yourself?

Prompt: Write a letter of reassurance to your inner child.

And finally:

I hope these tips will help you turn a blank page from blah to TADA! as you embark on your art journaling journey.

*****

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Art Journal: Watercolor Faces

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

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. 

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

 

The text behind my cherry blossom painting add some dimension.

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

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: 

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. 

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:

T-shirt designs, perhaps?

Or pillow covers? 

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

*****

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Boho Floral Hand Lettering

Watercolor and hand lettering are some of my favorite ways to make art. I also love that there's always something new to learn. 

I learned this technique, boho floral hand lettering, from Kelly Klapstein at Workshop Week. 

This is what she made: a framable artwork that combines line drawing, watercolor, and a quote done in brush lettering...TADA! 

She used a light pad to trace the flower onto her paper (but we can use transfer paper, a transfer pencil or drawing the flower freehand). Then she used a waterproof fine liner pen to trace the outlines and add details. 

She painted watercolor circles, allowing them to dry in between adding a new color so they don't bleed. 

Once the paint was dry, she added the quote (also with the aid of a light pad). Using an alphabet stencil or freehand lettering are other alternatives. 

Here is my attempt using quotes that I've come across recently:

A tiny version in my small sketchbook...TADA!

A useful reminder that can be framed to decorate a workspace...TADA!

This lovely quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien. 

And finally, a motto I use whenever I turn blah to TADA!

I hope this inspires you to practice your lettering as you ponder wise words and affirmations. 

*****

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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!

*****

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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!"

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