Monday 27 September 2021

I made a watercolour journal

I recently made myself a watercolour journal, following an online workshop with France Papillon.  The journal course information is here, if you are interested.   It has a nice material cover which is loose at the moment, but once the pages are complete, they can be added into the journal cover with an elastic cord.   This allows the pages to grow if other media is added to them. The pages are bound with a sort of coptic binding, so that they lie flat when you want to work on them.  I found the binding a bit tricky and it certainly isn't as tight as it should be, but for a first attempt, it's fine. 
I had a go at an abstract page with added doodling in black and white pen, inspired by a Youtube video (Nianiani) here.
This iris painting was one of the six I did for part of my art journal mixed media course (Wanderlust 2021)
Here is another of the six iris paintings. (This journal was a good place to put them).
(image from Amazon)
I would like to be more confident with watercolours, particularly loose, abstract images,  so bought this book to help me with that.  Although I don't necessarily subscribe to some of the author's ideas, I do like a lot of the lessons.
This is my first attempt at one of them - Ancient Song - using a poetry/ballad rhyming scheme (ABABBCBCAC plus D) and choosing colours to correspond to the letters.  The D was the addition of gold.  I really enjoyed this and will do it again with different colours. I will also use a fine liner pen to add the vertical lines, rather than the chunky pencil crayon I chose - I think it will look better with a more delicate line.  There are lots more really lovely lessons to try, so I will enjoy working my way through them. 

12 comments:

  1. I have painted in oils and acrylics in the past but could never get on with Water Colours. I do love the effect of them though. Maybe I should give it another go.
    Briony
    x

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    1. Thanks, Briony. I like the simplicity of watercolours; you don't need all that much equipment to get going and the fact that they do their own thing to some extent. I am hoping to become more confident with them as I use them more. Definitely give it a go!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Oh, I absolutely adore France! Her videos are wonderful, as is your journal, Ellie. I love it!!! Great job! ~Andrea xoxoxo

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    1. Thanks, Andrea. I like her style too and the journal making course was nice and clear. I am sure I'll get the hang of the binding once I try it again. It makes a really nice journal.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Wow.
    And I love that using your creativity has fed yet more.

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    1. Thanks, EC. The book has simple lessons which take about 15 minutes each. I am hoping to do lots more of these, in amongst my other creative activities. I like that there is not much to organise before you can start watercolour painting.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Water colours really are my favourite. They just seem dreamier if you get my meaning. It is like one captures a wisp of the image and colours,like a reflection. I don’t paint just view 😊 That journal is a great idea . Enjoy. Amanda x

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    1. Thnaks, Amanda. I love to see watercolour paintings too. I know just what you mean about them being dreamier. I hopeto improve the more I work with them. Loose and abstract seems to be working better for me.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. Your journal is lovely and it's such a good idea to have a place to keep your watercolours all together. I admire anyone who can paint, I think watercolours are so tricky. Your iris is so pretty.

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    1. Thnaks, Jo. I am very much a beginner with watercolours but the iris lesson on the art journaling course made me think I could actually do it and I was pleased with the results. The book I bought is going to really help too. It's all about practise I think, as with anything!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Hello Ellie, what a wonderful journal you have made! Perfect for your beautiful water colours. I too want to 'loosey goosey' it up. I have discovered my local library has some good inspirational books. Happy painting, Lulu x

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    1. Thanks, Lulu. Much more practise needs to be done, I think, but I will enjoy the process very much I think!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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