Art Journal: Leveraging a drawing
A while ago I created this face (which suspiciously looks like Madonna). I had sketched it out and liked it so much that I transferred it to some watercolor paper and then collaged it onto a background painted onto watercolor (I blogged about it about a month ago I think). As you can see I collaged on a rose and some magazine flowers. The vines were painted on the page. First I added a layer of gesso so that I could paint the green on top. The heart and tulip were collaged onto the page (I think I painted them with twinkling H2O’s). I decided to leverage the face which I quite liked so this is what I did:
- I used a background I had made by scrapping paint with a credit card. I added some interested by stamping rings on with a lid and india ink. The lines were stamped with the side of the credit card. Next I used a leaf stamp to add a bit of texture
- With some graphite paper I transferred the face onto my page and then inked it in with micron pens. Highlights to the hair were added with white paintpen and a black brush pen.
- The face was partially painted in with a combination of acrylic paints. The whites of the eyes were painted in with a paint pen. A pink paintpen was used on the lips.
- I added microfine glitter to the hair.
- The words were written with a whiteout pen and a Sharpie poster pen. Re-Evaluate was outlined with a thin micron pen.
Can you see how different the face looks when you apply it to a pre-made background? The next time you make a face, tree, mug or any object that you are pleased with why not save a copy of it and reuse it? You can also leverage your piece even further by shrinking it down and making it into a magnet or a print or a greeting card. I’ve done that with journal pages that I quite liked and had a universal appeal.
The Class
There were only 3 women in my workshop on saturday. The women were wonderful, super creative and talented! The class was well advertised at the store, on my blog, newsletter, twitter, facebook etc. So I think I need to re-evaluate whether or not I want to do classes of this type. Looks like I have to revisit what I am doing. Many of you know i’m menopausal and often don’t sleep well – last nite I was listening (for 3 ½ hours) to an audiobook on using your strengths and focusing on that. I’m now distilling what my actual strengths are which I had not originally thought were strengths. It’s a good idea every now and then to re-evaluate what you are doing – what works, what doesn’t work, what you love, what you don’t love. You can also grow out of love with something too which i’ve found. I am no longer energized by going to parties or being in large groups of people – and that’s okay! How about you? Is it time you re-evaluated what is working in your life and what is not?
It is good to re-evaluate your choices and needs..I was wanting to go but had other plans..I would love to go to a class at your place..I can’t get 5 people who love what I do, but I know there are 5 people out there in cyber-land who would love to get together with you and your talented teaching…maybe in the fall??? take care and enjoy your day..
Oh what a great idea! I always like to create something original in my art journal…but I guess reusing my own stuff is the next best thing? Sometimes I make the mistake of painting over a drawing and then sort of losing it all, because I tried something crazy…haha! Thanks for the tip. It’s interesting you are talking about strengths…sometimes I think you need someone else who knows you well to tell you what your strengths are…because we are blinding by our own judgements I think. It’s certainly a natural process, I think, to re-evalutate and adjust what you are doing…that’s life, right? I’m not that old in years, but I claready don’t do the party large group thing…just absolutely no appeal…I like being a homebody…haha!
During some counseling training, one of the most valuable self-awareness exercises I ever did was to give a list of adjectives to a small group of dispartate people who knew me well, they were asked to choose the 5 words that best described me – there was an amazing similatity between their choices. Maybe something like this could help?
As for the online course? Yes – and a follow-up Skype session! And how about if we could download the tutorials for a fee?
Kia Kaha! (a secret message for the open-hearted Violette)
Hey Violette
There is some of you in that face…
Flying the freak flag here in az.
xx
[...] paper doll template because I wanted to change up the proportions and create variations. I recently read a post on Violette’s blog about leveraging a drawing, reusing it multiple times or perhaps creating variations by making [...]
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It really does look like Madonna!
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian, iwspo.net