Abstract Watercolor Play

After watching an art journaling video by Nicki Traikos, of life i design, on creating abstract vignettes in an art journal, I felt the glow of inspiration and decided to try her process.  I taped watercolor paper to a piece of stiff cardboard, added washi tape to make different sized "windows," and gathered some supplies.

I used watercolors in Prussian blue, New Gamboge (yellow), & burnt Sienna.  I also used indigo and yellow ochre Neocolor II watercolor crayons & a sepia Inktense watercolor pencil.  

I began by making a few marks with the Inktense pencil and watercolor crayons, then started laying in areas of color. I mixed the New Gamboge and Prussian blue to make a lovely, soft green.

Once I got started, I simply played!  I painted washes.  I painted areas with clean water, then dropped intense watercolor blobs. When an edge felt too harsh, I sprayed the area with a water spritzer to loosen things up.

My focus was on listening to that little voice within, my intuition, and trying out each nudge and idea. 

After the paint dried, I added little marks with the Inktense pencil.

After the first page was done, I started the same process with a fresh piece of watercolor paper.

Here's the finished page of vignettes.  I used white acrylic ink and a dip pen to create little marks over darker areas of paint. 

 

When I stepped back to study the finished creations, I realized that the abstract paintings looked like little maps of the landscapes we visited in the United Kingdom, with herds of white sheep dotting the earth. 

Art helps us process the experiences of our lives.  

I'm always amazed at how we can create images and symbols of things that are on our minds when we make abstract works.  I hope you'll give this technique a try.

You can see Nicki Traikos' video here: https://www.youtube.com/live/rSv8EvFy-8o?si=HtAAKjX4qwWedqnX

Happy  Creating!

Playing with India Ink

A new bottle of India ink and a stack of watercolor paper invited an afternoon of playing with shapes, brush strokes and drawing implements.

Each tool creates a different mark, and by experimenting with a variety of different strokes and expressions, I made discoveries.

After my first round of paintings dried, I looked them over and noticed that I liked:  

• Bold, thick lines next to fine, scratchy marks, 
• Graffiti-ish strokes combined with dots, slashes & fine marks, and 
• Repeated slash marks done quickly & with energy.

I noticed that I didn't like marks that looked too carefully thought out or representational (trying to look like something in reality).

My favorite pieces were wild, messy & free.

I took my top picks and reduced them in size on a copying machine, then combined them with other elements, like this handmade paper from yucca plants.

I've always been a fan of bold contrasts next to earthy midtones.

What type of marks do you like to make?

I encourage you to experiment with whatever you have on hand -- a ballpoint pen, pencil or a bottle of ink and a brush.

Then take notes on what you liked making, and which artworks you like the most afterwards.

The more you experiment, the more you discover.  The more you know about what you like, the more satisfied you will be in your artmaking.

Happy Mark Making!

Copyright 2023 Betsy Bangley, Betsy's Bliss Art Blog.

Figure Drawing Update: Class Prep.

 I'm getting my drawing hand warmed back up for a new semester of teaching figure drawing.  Here are some sketches from the last few days of David -- from a private artist's drawing session I was invited to last night, and from a session today.

Gestures (1 & 2 minutes):

Five Line Drawings (1 minute each):  The game here is to use only 5 lines to capture the pose.  It takes a moment to think, and an abstract image results, often expressing the emotion of the pose as well as just the form.

Longer Poses (5-20 minutes):

The Importance of Playing with Squiggles

One of my aims in teaching art is to liberate people to create.  So many of us feel that we must make something of meaning or value, something pretty or even Perfect.  Of course, we all know that there is no such thing as perfect in any human endeavor, and saddling ourselves with these expectations before we even pick up a paintbrush or pen can turn our hands to lead.

I recommend giving yourself over to the experience of discovery as you draw or paint. Look at your subject and find the parts that fascinate you, then dive in and play with ways to represent those things. Removing any expectation of the finished result opens you up to create freely.

Another great way to play with your creativity is to focus merely on mark making.  I was inspired by Amy Maricle, of Mindful Art Studio, to take up a brush pen, loaded with India ink, and paint swoops, swirls, and squiggles on heavy paper I had cut to various sizes.



I set up outside on a picnic table and just let the painting happen.  By keeping my paper small, and having stacks of these little "canvases," I could create, explore designs and marks, then set the work aside and start fresh on a blank page.  I found myself drawn to thick and thin wavy lines, like the curve around a woman's hip.

As I created, I experienced the bliss of the present moment, the brush slipping over the paper, a Song Sparrow warbling nearby. The designs evolved, becoming trees, grasses, simple curves, then tadpoles swimming in a pond. Occasionally, I would dip back into familiar shapes and symbols, often used, and I noticed that these were not fulfilling to me.  I sought a fresh experience, and the explorative marks were the ones that felt exciting and refreshing.

I finished the experiment by cutting scrap pieces of white mat board to post card size, and making tadpole post cards.

Tadpole post card.

At the end of the experience, I laid out my favorite paintings on a board, and placed them where I would see the artworks as I walked by.  The joy of the creative experience lingered for days, and every time I passed by my little paintings, I felt a thrill.  I created that!

I hope you will try this technique, too.

At the end of my experiment, I added a Micron pen to my tool kit. Perhaps my next mark-making project will begin with bubbles & ovals!

Experimenting with Art

I have learned that the best way to make discoveries and improvements as an artist is to experiment without any expectation of the finished product. Go on a journey with your art supplies and try out new techniques and ideas.

Getting out my watercolors to play in my journal/planner, I experimented with creating artworks within the bounds of a two-inch diameter circle. Allowing yourself the license to just play with colors, forms and designs frees you up for new creative openings.

I also like to splash colors on my journal to create backgrounds for "Good Things" lists.

I picked up the "Good Things" habit from artist & designer Christine Castro Hughes, who says "I think everyone should keep an illustrated journal.  Just do it! The joys and beauty are usually found when you're not trying too hard, so let yourself loose.  Make a mess. Don't aim for perfect. Allow mistakes.  Have fun."

More Fun With Art Stix

My friend Brad, who gave me my new woodless colored pencils, challenged me to create on a large sheet of paper just from my imagination.  It felt like an inward blossoming of spring -- the color and warmth my soul is so hungry for right now.

By the way, Happy Pi Day everyone! (3/14)