Sketchbook course continued

 I have watched all the 8 videos in this course now, but I believe I can refer back to them indefinitely.  I thoroughly enjoyed the tutorials and, although it is not my usual way of working, it's refreshing to try a different approach. There was a lot to take in and I am far from finishing my sketchbook, so I will take my time with it over the next few weeks.

This spread used collaged trial lino prints (with added pen patterning), foam and lino printed tissue, graphite rubbing and (just because it wasn't busy enough!) some text.

On this page I utilised oddments of foam and lino printed paper to create a still life collage.

Sketchbook challenge continued ...

Adding more to pages already started.

This spread utilises past sketches, scanned and enlarged to fit within the paint-scraped border.  On the right I have used a fine liner pen to reinforce the inkjet print.  Underneath the tracing paper insert on the left, I have collaged a piece of cover paper from my original handmade book to mimic the colour of the snakeshead fritillaries.

A saved Austrian Christmas card image has been added here and I have used pencil (and imagination) to extend the scene.

Christmas cards

 

Just a sneak preview from the Christmas card production line!

Sketchbook challenge continued

I have spent some time working towards this year's Christmas card, however, I have been able to do a little more on my sketchbook challenge.

The second and third session were about adding more layers to the sketchbook pages - paint, collage, drawing, etc.  It was suggested that there could be a theme running through the book, i.e. shapes, subject matter, format, colour, etc.; working randomly through the pages, rather than feeling the need to start at the beginning and work through in page order.  My efforts seem a bit disjointed at the moment.  I have added more collage, some stamping and some loosely applied acrylic paint.

Lino print on map, plus fluid acrylic scraped onto page

Collage, mostly of printed tissue paper

Collage of handpainted paper and fluid acrylic

Collage with cut out elements

Gesso stamped pattern with overlaid fluid acrylic

Sketchbook and online courses

I have been slow in adding work to my blog this month.  This has been partly because I have been taking a bit of a break after completing the daily Inktober challenge; in addition, I have been working on this year's Christmas card design which is not ready to be revealed yet.

I have also signed up for a short, online sketchbook challenge run by Laura Kemshall - eight videos throughout November (which can be followed at your own pace).  The course is very reasonably priced at £12 - if you are interested, follow this link.

I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to use the beautiful sketchbook my friend Pat made.  The first assignment was to "break the ice" and get rid of some of the blank pages by randomly adding some found papers, etc. - a couple of mine are shown below.  Now to catch up with the second session.

Faux leather cover with embroidered insert - 9" x 6.5"
(handmade by Pat Kitching)

Foam printed paper collage and stitch

Tartan ribbon - machine stitched

Paste paper collage and stitch

Part of a lino print

Another course being released later this month is by Este MacLeod - this will be free, but you need to sign up to her Newsletter (at the bottom on her home page) to receive details.

Happy sketching!

Urban Sketchers November publication

The November issue of "Drawing Attention" is now available to read.

Online Art Exhibition 1st November - 24th December

 

Visit the exhibition here. 

INKTOBER 31st - Finished!

I managed to get my last page finished just before the stroke of midnight!

I much prefer the first side which is more cohesive. The background of the second side proved to be too busy and distracting, although it did make me experiment more with the ink based products in an effort to clarify the sketches.

The last page and title page (Uniball Eye pen plus gold gel pen)

The complete second side

The first side

The folded book giving me 32 sides measuring 4" x 6"