Showing posts with label Art journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art journal. Show all posts

Friday 15 March 2024

5 Ways to Prepare your Art Journal for Creative Play


Arts Journal play, 5 Ways to Prepare your Art Journal for Creative Play

One of the most exciting things that I have found when using an art journaling is the creative play that it encourages. There are many different ways that you can use your art journal and a few ways to prepare your journal that will help you to avoid the roadblocks that can often come when doing anything creative. I cover some of the ways in the video and here are a few additional suggestions to help you get started:

Gather Your Materials
Before you begin, gather all the art supplies you might want to use - and use what you have (you don't have to have specialist equipment, or journals - if a composition notebook is what you have, then use that, or make your own)  Check out my YouTube Playlist on creating a variety of different Art Journal and pages.  

You can also include paints, markers, pens, collage materials, stamps, stencils, and anything else that inspires you. Having everything within reach will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.  I have a monthly free digital download that you can use for collage material in your Art Journal, you can access it in my Art Resource Hub.



Set the Mood
Create a comfortable and inspiring space to work in. Play your favorite music, light some candles, or surround yourself with plants and artwork that uplift you. The right atmosphere can help get your creative juices flowing.

Prep Your Pages
Consider prepping some of your journal pages in advance. You could paint backgrounds with different colors, textures, or patterns, or even add a layer of gesso to prime the pages for mixed media. Having a variety of backgrounds ready to go can jumpstart your creativity.  If I have extra paint on my pallet from doing a particular project, I will apply the excess to the pages of my art journal.



Embrace Mistakes
Remember that your art journal is a space for experimentation and self-expression. Don't be afraid to try new techniques, and don't compare yourself to anyone else. Embrace the imperfections and let them guide you towards unexpected artistic discoveries.



Start with a Prompt
If you're feeling stuck, consider starting with a prompt to kickstart your creativity. This could be a word, a quote, a color scheme, or a theme that speaks to you. Let the prompt guide your artistic exploration and see where it takes you.  
CLICK HERE  and join me in the Art Resource Hub on the 'Realityarts Academy' for a series of free downloads to get you started. 

By preparing your art journal for creative play in these ways, you'll be ready to dive into a world of endless possibilities and artistic freedom. Join our online art community and share what you have been doing in your art journal

Enjoy the process and let your imagination soar!

Before You Go...

Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, see behind the scenes and get more insights and inspiration, and I share more on creative play and tips for working in your art journal.


Sunday 31 December 2023

Free Digital Downloads - Jan - Dec 2023 - 7 More days

 


Every month on my course platform I give away a digital download, for you to use in your creative projects.  January - December 23 will be available until the 7th January 2024

You can access the digital downloads HERE


A new download for January 2024 will be available in the next couple of days, so come and join us!





Saturday 7 October 2023

Unleash Your Creativity - Start Creating Today!

 


Do you ever feel like you're constantly running out of time, juggling multiple tasks and commitments, and simply don't have enough time to express your creativity? If so, you're not alone, I used to moan about not having time to create. 

Many of us struggle to find the time and space to let our creative juices flow. But what if I told you that all you need is a little bit of time, space and a bit of preparation?

A selection of elements cover this art journal

Creativity is not about having unlimited resources or vast expanses of free time and if you are waiting around for that 'day' it will never come. Instead, think about making the most of the resources and time you do have, no matter how limited they may seem. You'd be surprised at what you can create in just a few minutes of focused, uninterrupted time.

You don't have to be a professional artist or writer to be creative. Creativity comes in many forms and can be expressed in countless ways. Whether it's doodling on a art journal, listening to some music (and dancing like no ones watching), or experimenting with a new recipe, there's no limit to what you can create.

Give yourself at least 10 minutes to get the ball rolling. Set aside this time for yourself, free from distractions and interruptions. Use this time to tap into your inner creativity and let your imagination run wild. You might just surprise yourself with what you come up with!

Embellished art journal page

Check out the Embellishments video which will show you how to create your own embellishments for your art journal or creative projects. In this way you are creating elements for future use and they are there when you need them or if you only have a short time to create. You can also find ways to create pockets of time that you are able to dip into.

There's no better time than now to start creating. It's time to stop letting time constraints and busy schedules hold you back, you have to schedule your daily creative time, and you won't regret it. Embrace your creativity and enjoy the journey that brings immense satisfaction and joy.

Check out some ways to embellish your art journal

Creativity isn't about perfection. It's about expression, exploration, and most importantly, enjoying the process. So see where the journey takes you. You might just find that you have more time for creativity than you thought.

I have a wide variety of videos on my channel and you can get some tips on creating your own backgrounds and working in your art journals, along with the many other free classes and resources that you will find in the Arts Resource Hub.





Monday 26 June 2023

Playing with Faces - The Benefits of Spending Time in Your Art Journal

 



Spending Time in Your Art Journal

Welcome to today's art journal.  Today, we're going to explore a mixed media art journal that I created and consider some of the numerous benefits it brings to your creative journey. If you've never tried art journaling before or you're looking for some inspiration to reignite your passion, you're in for a treat!  Check out the video to see how I sometimes play in my journal and fill up some of the pages, prepping them for future use.



Art journaling is a unique form of self-expression that combines elements of visual art, writing, and creativity. It's a personal space where you can freely explore your thoughts, emotions, and ideas while experimenting with various art techniques and materials. Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner, there are countless reasons why spending time in your art journal can be incredibly rewarding, let's take a closer look at some of these benefits.

Stress Relief and Relaxation:

Engaging in art journaling can be a soothing and calming activity. It offers a chance to disconnect from the hectic pace of daily life and immerse yourself in a creative sanctuary. As you focus on colors, textures, and the act of creating, you can experience a sense of mindfulness and find relief from stress and anxiety.

Creative Exploration and Experimentation: 




Your art journal is a playground for artistic exploration. It's a space where you can let go of expectations, rules, and judgments. You can try new art techniques, experiment with different mediums, be inspired and push the boundaries of your creativity. The freedom to make mistakes and learn from them allows for immense growth and discovery as an artist.

Creative Confidence and Courage:

Art journaling nurtures your creative confidence and encourages you to take risks. As you experiment, play, and explore, you develop a sense of trust in your own artistic abilities. This newfound confidence often spills over into other areas of your life, empowering you to embrace creativity and take on challenges with courage.



It's a personal journey that can bring joy, healing, and growth. So, grab your favorite art supplies, find a quiet corner, and let your creativity soar! 

Your art journal is waiting to be filled with your unique voice and vision. I hope that you take the time to work in your art journal/s finding that space and time to share your stories.

These are just a few of the many benefits of spending time in your art journal - you can catch the full list on my Patreon on Tuesday, why not sign up for the 7 day FREE Trial.



Sunday 23 April 2023

Art Journal Joys - Mark Making and doodling

 

Making Marks in your Art Journal

In my video today I share with you how to prepare your art journal page and then go on to create some interesting marks and doodles on the page.

I think that it is important to spend time playing in my art journal and working on a page that was previously prepared. It is great to have a page that you don't have to start from the beginning sometimes and you can just do some mark making.

I also show you how I would start the page from the beginning, using up any spare paint that I might have to add to a page.



The Art journal is made from recycled papers and then stitched together.

Some of the supplies used:

Craft paints - https://amzn.to/3LoHkIb
Ink - https://amzn.to/3L1wFBN
Posca Pens - https://amzn.to/41p9PuV
Gelly roll Pen - https://amzn.to/3Ao73u3

You could also do this idea on card or paper and then use as collage paper to create backgrounds in your art journal.

I hope you have fun trying out the idea.


You can also get access to background papers on my course platform.  Sign up to the Art Resource Hub and other courses and receive a free digital download paper every month.






Saturday 15 April 2023

The Benefits of Being Creative - Art Journals

Art Journal Page - Sing Your Song 

Have you ever taken the time to engage in a creative activity? Maybe you've painted a picture, written a poem, or simply doodled in a journal. Regardless of the activity, there are numerous benefits to spending time being creative, and research has shown that regularly engaging in creative activities can have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing.

One way to incorporate creativity into your daily routine is through art journaling. Art journaling is a form of self-expression that combines words, images, and artistic techniques in a journal. It is a way to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a visual and creative way. 

In today's Art Journal video, we will be taking a journal page and transforming it using a variety of supplies. The page starts with some collage paper and then using stamps and stickable letters, a message and an image are created to accompany it. The bird is a stamped image that is stuck on to the page, then incorporated into it by using paints, and ink to decorate its body. This process can be easily adapted to your own supplies and preferences, making it a flexible and enjoyable activity.



One of the great things about working in your art journal is that you can work with the supplies you have and substitute as you go along. If you don't have stickable letters, then write your message by hand. If you don't have a stamp of a bird, you can substitute a photo or draw the bird yourself. 

With creativity, it's important to experiment on a regular basis in your art journal and play around with ideas, seeing which ones resonate with you more. It doesn't have to be perfect, and it can be whatever you choose it to be. The act of creating and expressing yourself is what's important, not the end result.


Here are some reasons being creative is 
beneficial.
  • It can help reduce stress and anxiety;
  • Engaging in a creative activity can help you shift your focus away from negative thoughts and feelings, allowing you to relax and unwind;
  • It can also boost your mood;
  • It can increase self-esteem;
  • It promotes feelings of accomplishment.
  • Creativity has been shown to enhance problem-solving skills and improve memory. 
Spending time being creative can have many benefits for your mental and emotional wellbeing. Whether it's through art journaling or another form of creative expression, taking the time to explore your creativity can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. and you might discover a new passion or uncover a hidden talent!

Check out the Art Resource Hub and other courses such as Mixed Media Art Tags on my platform to help you make the most of being creative.




Saturday 8 April 2023

Weekly Art Journals & Exhibition News

 


In this weeks video I shares how you can add crochet to your art journals and create different effects.  I really enjoyed adding this element to my art journals and you can add different color wool to your piece.  I used a different color wool at the end of the pages, and I will be coming back to add journaling and some embellishments to the page.

I have one of my paintings in the exhibition - A Seat at the Table, and today there is a 'meet the artists' organized so I will be sharing a bit about some of the work that I do, and what inspires my pieces.




I love the vibrancy of colors and the painting was a very therapeutic piece to complete.  The painting is for sale so if you are interested do get in touch.

Join us on Sunday where we share our video collaboration for Artsy Second Sunday.  A group of us meet and share a video based on a prompt for the month.  It is loads of fun and you can join us in the live chat on YouTube and see how my art journal page was created.  It starts at 12pm EST  I am scheduled for 1.48 EST You can schedule a notification HERE



If you can join us it would be great!  Check out all the videos in the hop which will be listed in the description of the video. 

Hope you are having a lovely time this Easter Weekend.

Blessings.

Sunday 2 April 2023

April Art Resource Hub


Check out the Artist Resource Hub for this month.

Every month in the Art Resource Hub you have access to Free Digital Downloads, Offers and Resources that are available for you to use in your creative projects.

I give away a free digital downloads for your art journals and creative projects.

Check out this months offering:



You get a sheet of A4 background paper and 4 tags for you to use in your creative projects.  You can add your own designs to them, add color, whatever inspires you.  I would love to see what you do with the papers, remember to tag me on Instagram @realityarts

 


Friday 24 February 2023

Love is - Mixed Media Art Journal Page





Love is





Welcome to today's Art Journal page. I I really enjoy using my paper ephemera/fodder  on my pages.  You are always creating these elements in projects and so when I get a chance to use them in my art journal, I find it quite a relaxing activity. There are so many ways you can use your ephemera, including creating mini cards, using them on tags and much more.


I am using book pages and I had applied paint to the opposite side of the paper and then proceeded to cut out heart shapes and stick them to the page.  I prepped the page which already had markings on it from a previous activity and I added additional paint and scraped it with a card. This helps it to dry quicker.



I added doodling on the page with ink, drawing around the heart shapes.  I like to add encouraging words to my art journals and it is great to later come back and see the messages and reminders. Check out the full video to see the process.

Additional Resources



Wednesday 18 January 2023

Creating a Recycled Art Journal - Use those Catalogues!

Welcome to my latest art project where we will be creating a recycled art journal using an old catalog. 



This project is quick, easy and affordable, and the best part is that nothing will be wasted!  You get to use some of those store catalogues that you have been collecting and create some wonderful projects.




To start, find yourself an old catalog, like this Tesco's home catalog that I'm using. The first thing you need to do is rip out about half of the pages. This is because we'll be adding collage and texture to the pages, so you want to make sure you have enough space to work with. Go through the catalog and rip out every 2-3 pages.  I save the ripped out pages to use later.



Once you have removed the pages, stick together sets of 2 or 3 pages depending on where you ripped them out. Allow the pages to dry and then reinforce the spine with some masking tape on the inside.  If you are going to be adding paint it stops any bleed through on the other pages.

I also add masking tape to the edge of the pages that I have stuck together This will also make it easy to turn the pages.



With the pages left over, look through them and cut out images or words that speak to you. I select colorful patterns and shapes and these will form part of your collage. This is a great way to still create something without having to have a lot of art supplies or anything fancy. All you need is a catalog, glue, and some basic tools.



Come and join me in the next video, I'll show you how to work on some of your pages, and ideas from other recycled journals that I have created. This art journal will be a space for you to fill up over time, write down your thoughts, and enjoy the creative process. It's all about play, so have fun with it!

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If you would like to take it a step further and make your own stamps and stencils, then check out my FREE online course Recycled Stamps and Stencils where I show you how you can take items that you may have around the home and turn it into something that you can use in your art journals. 

You get a video on how to create the stamps and stencils, a digital download of the stamps and stencils that I created, background papers and more!  Check it out HERE



Tuesday 15 November 2022

Art Journal Journey - Free Weekend, and discount off Book of Days

I have several amazing offers to share with you about courses and resources that I have taught or services I have used and they give you some great examples of working in your journal and learning new techniques.

Art Journal Journey 


You will be able to get FREE access at the weekend to Art Journal Journey - 29 art journaling lessons, 4 of which are mine that I have shared on the Creative U platform which include:

Reusing Your Art - looking at ways in which you can reuse your art in your journals
What Lies Beneath - putting messages and encouraging words in our work
Creating with Layers - working with layers, ones you have created or brought
Gratitude's and Celebrations - identifying the things that we are grateful for and adding these within our work.

There are some great teachers sharing their work as well that you will be able to have access to.  You can also sign up for lifetime access at a cost of $57, you can check it out HERE.

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Book of Days is retiring and there is a 50% off deal until the 1st December.  You will have lifetime access and some of the other Book of Days will be going on sale later on.  Use promo code bodfinale to get the discount.  Check it out HERE or click on the image

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Creativebug are offering 60 days free on their courses so you can get some extra viewing in and brush up on some techniques.  You can click on the image or check them out HERE



I have a series of digital kits available in my ETSY store that you can use in your art journal and creative projects.


They can be used as coloring pages, paper dolls, as a collage element and more, you can check them out HEREUse the Code ORDER20 and receive 20% off your purchase until 1st December 2022


Have a blessed Week.  If you do use the digital stamps share them with me on my Instagram





Friday 29 July 2022

No Sew Art Journal - Art Journal Flip through and Make Your Own!



Welcome to my One Sheet Art Journal where I will be sharing with you a flip through of a selection of Art Journals and then showing you how to create one yourself. Check out the video above.  I love these mini journals as they are so easy to create and you can create so many different themed journals to use.

These are the journals that I am going to show you how to create



I start out by using a scrap piece of A4 paper from your recycling pile - this will be covered eventually so it doesn't matter what it has on it.


I use a range of supplies - and I suggest you go into your paper stacks and see how you can use them up on the pages.


After they are created I add paint - I find water color paints to be really easy to use - you just have to be mindful of how much water is on the brush.  You will then add any stickers, ephemera or words that you may have to add.
Here are a list of the supplies
  • Sheet of paper, - can be recycled paper from your stash
  • Background paper, I used ones that I had stamped images on - sign up to one of My Free courses and get a selection of art background papers to print out - https://bit.ly/coursesart
  • Water Colors/paints of choice (amazon have a wide variety to choose from - https://amzn.to/3zkO8PK


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I am teaching - Check out my FREE Courses - https://realityarts.thinkific.com/ For More inspiration behind the scenes and exclusive content please visit my Patreon page. https://www.patreon.com/realityarts


Check out additional digital papers on my Etsy Store



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