Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Getting Inspired!

Getting lots of inspiration from the current book I'm reading, "Daring Adventures in Paint" by Mati Rose McDonough. I have picked this book up and put it back down several times in the book store, and soooo glad I finally bought the book last week! Her colors and whimsical designs speak to me...


Mati Rose offers up in this book not only step by step instructions for creating artworks with beautiful, bold pictures, but she also shares her process for finding inspiration with lots of juicy pictures, narrative of her thoughts and great prompt questions that got me thinking... There is so much sage artist's wisdom in this book, that I keep having to stop myself from reading to head to Twitter and share snippets with my followers. You can read these excerpts @DietzArt; and follow her @MatiRose.

If you want to take a look inside Mati Rose's book, click HERE. To buy the book, just go to the Amazon link at the top of my blog page and click on the Amazon Bookstore. They have very helpful reader reviews there as well.

Happy Arting!  :) Tristina

Friday, July 5, 2013

Gotta Make It!

There are just some days I HAVE to make ART! I know you feel the same way too... Here's a quick, simple and FUN way to get some creative on:

Today's art journal page

Snag a mixed media journal book like the above on AquaBee heavyweight drawing paper or Strathmore Visual Journal mixed-media paper, then grab the nearest Mixed-Media or Art magazine/book and start thumbing through for inspiration. Today's journal page is a combination of images from the recent July/August Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine and Pam Carriker's book, 'Art at the Speed of Life'.

Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and micron pens

Use a waterproof pen like the Sakura Micron or Pitt markers and quickly sketch some images...remember, don't THINK too much, just relax, breathe and draw what you see.

Pelikan cake watercolors.

Fill a cup with water and use a small #6 round watercolor brush to wet and pick up pigment from dry color sets like Pelikan above or Koi. Both give great color and instantly satisfying results. Slosh on the color at will, even waiting for some to dry before going back in with more color. Keep the brush filled with water and use a paper towel if needed to sop some of the water out of the brush.

When done coloring, allow your page to dry (will only take a few minutes) step back and SMILE! Then, go about your day with that need to CREATE satisfied!

Happy Arting,  Tristina :D