Journal Pages and a Thank You

Here are two journal pages that are quite different.  They are pages that were not created to be shared with a class but rather my own personal pages.   When I create journal pages for class examples I am careful to guard my privacy.  And, of course, we should all maintain our privacy.  But I have tended to be more guarded than most artists I see with blogs.  

Why?  Well, I'm sure some of it has to do with stuff in my past.  But I think some of it is just part of the "how" that I am.  As a result, I don't share my work nearly as much as I should and I have tons of things I've never shared.  I am currently working on a rather large project that is the culmination of lots of small projects.  I've mentioned that before.  And I will share more later when the time is appropriate.  Right now, it is too soon.  But as I've been working on this project, things have been stirring inside me.  Feelings that call me to share more, to be more transparent.  Or maybe transparent isn't the right word.  Maybe just less invisible.  

So, anyway, I've had the creeping crud for several days and have spent most of my time in either the recliner or on the couch with my attention in my laptop.  Although my nose and cough have not enjoyed these days, they have gifted me with abundant time to look around at other artists.  I'm always in such a hurry that this feels quite the luxury.   It was in this time of exploring that I discovered Jennifer Frith of Jenny's Sketchbook.  Go look at her site.  It is fun.  

Jennifer shares lots of her journal pages.  And she has some demonstration videos that are fun to watch.  Although my style and Jennifer's are not exactly the same, they seem to have a similar heart to them.  We share a love and closeness to animals and I see in her art the delight I hope my art also emits.  I felt quite drawn (no pun intended, haha!) to her journal images and found parts of myself on her pages.  I kept wondering if this is my long lost sister.   LOL!  The funny thing is that, although my name is not "Jennifer", my first name IS Jennie.  -just spelled differently.

So, thank you to Jennifer Frith, whom I have never actually met or spoken to.  

I will be sharing more now.  

I will dare to be out there more.   

And these pages are the beginning.    The elephant began with a compelling urge one day to draw an elephant.  The colored designs came later and took days and days.  I usually only journal for about 20 minutes at a time.  And I do it as a part of my prayer life.  Artist's pencils were used for everything on the page except the writing and the black outlines on the elephant.  Those were done with various markers - Pitt and Sharpie colored pens.  The background was done with watercolor pencils.  I rarely use anything but various pencils in journal pages.  I find it a challenge to get the looks I want using only pencils.  If one is not trying to accomplish a fine art watercolor painting, watercolor pencils will do most of what you want on a journal page.  And, frankly for me, it is about using what I have rather than investing in more supplies.

The vase was drawn in graphite about a year ago.  I'm not sure what was going on that day that I drew a wonky lopsided vase with flowers leaning the other direction.  Freud would probably have a hay day with that!  Just recently I've added the watercolor.  This is very different than my usual style and I am really surprised at how much I like it. 

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

New Faces and More

This winter has been one of pondering and looking at old things with a new eye. I am moving in a slightly different direction with my art and it has brought about some necessary introspection.  Now, in the description of this blog I say that my art focuses on the delights of life, mostly on the relationship between children and animals.  And that continues to be true.   And in recent years I have spent much more time creating pencil art than painting or working in collage.   And that continues to be true.   The truth is the changes stirring now may seem much bigger to me than to the one viewing the art.   We'll see what you think in time.   As my pondering has been on a very personal level, I've not shared the process.  But soon I will begin sharing the artistic results.

In the meantime, I have completed two more faces for the 100 Faces in 365 Days project.  These faces are quite imperfect as they are journal faces and not polished completed portraits.   But as I perpetually tell my students, journal pages should be fun and free from the confines of perfection. And so I share them here.

This tiger cub is Derwent Graphic Pencil on Moleskine soft cover journal.  The paper is not the best for blending graphite and it is buckled as a layer of paint was added to the back of the page on another day.  I do like the expression in his sweet curious eyes.

This is a pretty small drawing (about 3" x 4") done with Derwent Tinted Charcoal on Strathmore 500 Charcoal Paper.  I've never been fond of charcoal paper as I don't like the grid-like texture.  I was hoping the 500 charcoal paper would have a less invasive texture than what I had experienced previously in lesser charcoal papers.  And it was better.  But the grid still shows more than I prefer.  

I usually use Vellum Bristol Board paper or Mixed Media Paper for charcoal.  It has enough tooth to cooperate with the charcoal but has no distinctive texture to distract from the drawing.  But its white and I yearn to draw on colors.  

I love the colors of the Strathmore Toned Paper.  The particular gray and Kraft brown are so pretty and they look amazing with the Tinted Charcoal.  But the paper is just a bit too smooth to work as well as I would like with charcoal, especially to get detail in shading.   I contacted Strathmore pleading with them to make Bristol Board Vellum in the Toned Paper colors.  They said they would consider it but asked me to consider their 500 Charcoal papers.  Besides the ever present charcoal grid texture, the charcoal paper colors are not the same as the nice pretty Toned Paper colors.  And so, I am back at square one.   So, that's my 2 cents on that matter.  

I am joining the bandwagon for Bloglovin'.  I know, I know.... I'm a little late on this.  But, better late than not at all, right?  I'd love for you to join me there.    Follow my blog with Bloglovin


 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons