Moleskine Watercolor Notebook as a Watercolor Diary
In 2015, I recorded one of my most popular free videos called Farewell to Summer with Watercolors. At that time, I was practicing basic watercolor techniques and wanted to see how they would fit with the process of following a reference photo.
Now when I am preparing for the new class Watercolor Journey, I went to my archive and looked at that piece again. I was interested in the actual location more than the techniques – how our front garden had changed during the years and seasons, and also: how it’s going to change as we currently have big plans for the garden.
Moleskine Watercolor Notebook as an Art Journal
This spring, I have realized that there can be a straight-forward but hooking connection between watercolor painting and memory keeping. I picked up an old Moleskine Watercolor Notebook and started making little watercolor sketches that record either the outer or the inner world. This kind of creative play between the reality and the imagination make the most out of watercolors and their many techniques.
My watercolor diary – as I now call it – is not just a technique sketchbook. It’s a nonlinear expressive journal that is sometimes very grounded, other times more other-worldly. I have a couple of rules that I try to follow on every page:
1) Don’t pencil-sketch the page before painting.
2) Get creative and let loose in one way or another.
Live Broadcast – Keeping a Watercolor Diary
Next week, on June 13, I am showing this small art journal and sharing some ideas on what to put on the pages. Come and join this live broadcast, save your spot here!
Watercolor Journey – Early-Bird Sale Ends on June 10th!
Before we meet, do sign up for my new class Watercolor Journey before the early-bird sale ends on June 10th (midnight, PDT)! Watercolor Journey is especially for you who admires traditional watercolorists but who wants to be more loose and contemporary in your approach. If you find sketching, perspective painting, careful shadowing and copying boring, but want to learn tips and tricks to let watercolors do half the work for you, you don’t want to miss this class!
Connect the dots between watercolor techniques and creative expression – Sign up for Watercolor Journey!
Don’t Underestimate Your Scribbles! – Watch the Video!
This week, I have a video for you about the topic that I am really passionate. It’s about scribbles and how they are a part of an artist’s path. Believe me, ugly notebooks can be the best thing to boost up your creativity. Your scribbles matter!
Scribbles
In the video, I have divided my art into three categories: scribbles, sketches, and paintings. Here’s an example of a notebook page with scribbles:
Sketches
And here are some of the sketchbook pages that I show there (for you to pin if you like pinning!).
“Walking the Dog”
“Play”
“One Eye”
Paintings
Here’s a closeup of the painting that I am working on in the video:
And here’s a detail of another painting in progress, also shown in the video:
See my paintings in progress and buy my art: paivieerola.com
Don’t Underestimate Your Scribbles – Watch the Video!
Join Bloom and Fly – Move Forward with an Inspiring Community!
Bloom and Fly is a community for you who wants to explore visual and adventurous ideas, get feedback and suggestions for your art, and connect with like-minded art enthusiasts. We have a private Facebook group, monthly themes, live sessions, and weekly opportunities for practical help and feedback.
Bloom and Fly is geared for those who have been creating for some time. It doesn’t offer regular step-by-step walk-throughs where everyone creates the same project. You will get ideas, tips, and process photos around the monthly theme but if you are a beginner, buy one of my self-study classes (for example, Inspirational Drawing 2.0) to accompany your membership!
Registration is now open for Spring season (April – June 2018): Sign up here!
Mixed Media Sketchbook as a Tool for Self-Discovery
This week, I am talking about using a mixed media sketchbook or an art journal in a new way.
Mixed Media Sketchbook – Watch the video!
Bloom and Fly! – Set Your Goals and Start Creating!
My community Bloom and Fly is for all who want to start and keep on creating. You can get help and encouragement for any art project, and we also have monthly themes.
January’s theme is “Mixed Media Sketchbook as a Tool for Setting Your Goals.” You will get ideas on how to use a sketchbook or an art journal for creative goals. Rather than feeling restricted, you will feel energized by the possibilities behind the goals. An art journal can be a playbook that keeps you moving forward!
Make sure that 2018 is your year of art – Join Bloom and Fly!
Lazy Art Journaler? – Try This Method!
Do you keep an art journal or a sketchbook? Are you struggling to find your motivation for filling it regularly? Try this method, geared for a lazy art journaler and for those who have big creative blocks!
“How to” for a Lazy Art Journaler
1) Create one small area at a time like you were slowly building a map.
2) Write down your thoughts. They can be roads from one area to another.
3) Accept that you are stiff and conventional when you begin. The beginning is the home base, and it should make you feel safe and grounded.
4) When you leave the home base and move to the next small area, just focus on creating different than what you have so far.
5) Don’t overthink. One area can be only one spot of color that you feel drawn to. Then add a small dot or line of another color to embark your imagination.
6) You can travel far in one sitting, or stay near the home base. One journey to your imagination can last weeks if that’s what it takes to fill the page.
7) If you want the page to be coherent, repeat some of the elements once in a while.
8) Artists are explorers. Never underestimate the meaning of this practice. Be open to what you can discover. When you are far away from your home base, take risks! In the end, it’s just paper and pigment, and any filled journal beats an empty one!
Get More Inspiration for Creating! – Join Bloom and Fly!
Bloom and Fly is a new community for everyone who wants to stay inspired and move forward in art.
We’ll start the new year with the theme “Mixed Media Sketchbooks for Setting Your Goals”. You will discover fun ways to get a grab on what you want to create in 2018!
In February, we’ll dive into the world of Rococo and Marie Antoinette and you’ll get ideas for any style of art. In March, you will get jumpstarts for adding abstract elements to your art. Whether you like realistic or fully abstract art, starting with abstract elements can boost your creative process.