Ye Olde Book of Blobs

Today, my Facebook friend Genevieve Crabbe, of 'Amaryllis Creations', shared this great link to Carla Sonheim's art blog.  She has just published a free ebook, named 'Ye Olde Book of Blobs'.  This is a very handy tool to have around your drawing desk if you are stuck for ideas.  I couldn't resist diving into those blobs and giving one my own interpretation. As you can see below, this is how 'The Bee Man' was born! Make sure you check out Carla Sonheim's website, it's well worth a look.

Happy drawing!

Regards,

Doodling With a Soldering Iron.

The other night while sitting in my little 'nest', surrounded by the tools and equipment I have collected over the years, I found myself wondering what would happen if I applied the tip of a hot soldering iron to a chunk of polystyrene. Well, did, and something AMAZING happened! As the tip of the soldering iron hit the polystyrene, it instantly melted away with a lovely crackling sound, allowing me to carve very delicate designs into the surface with ease. Now I know after reading this you will instantly begin digging through the tools in the garage and hunting through your house for bits of polystyrene.  However, please be warned, it does give off a particularly evil smell, which I would think is very toxic, so please wear a mask and only try this in an extremely well ventilated area.  I wouldn't want any of you to be overcome with fumes, and be found unconscious in your small craft studio, because of me. Also, the soldering iron can get very hot, so don't burn yourself, and have a fire proof surface to put it on when you are not using it, or if you have switched it off and are letting it cool down.  There are probably some better/safer heating tools available  which are made for this sort of thing, if you do a search online.

Anyway...the possibilities?  Well you could make these into stamps of course, but you could also use them in mixed media artworks as interesting surfaces to cover with paint, tissue paper and glue, glitter, all sorts of things. You could also make some interesting sculptures or decorations using the different 3D shapes you find at the art/craft shop. This is only the beginning...I'm going to take this further, so watch this space.

Have you tried this technique before? Do you have any more ideas for possible uses in art/craft? Please share in the comments below.

Happy experimenting!
Regards,

Inching Along

Just taking it slowly with this painting/drawing.  I worked on it a bit last night...as you can see I have made a tad more progress.  The slowness could be explained by all the colour printouts of some of my 'Dangerous Doodles' you can see on the table...I just got the new (well, new second hand) laserJet printer all set up and have been enjoying myself 'testing' it out. The colours are so bright and shiny, they distract me so! I'm still trying to decide how to utilise it...cards? A4 prints? Stickers? Scrapbooking paper, notepaper, book labels, booklets, or colouring books, perhaps.  Decisions, decisions. What do you think?

You can read more about this mixed media piece in my previous post.

Hope you are also finding a spare moment or two to get some artwork done too:)
Regards,

Work in Progress - Painting on Particle Board

I'm enjoying the feel of my new paintbrushes.  They are not the most expensive ones, but quite ok for what I am doing.  I might get just a couple of really excellent brushes soon, though, because I want to be able to get really fine lines and these cheapo ones are just not cutting it in that department. This is a freehand doodle using white gesso paint on particle/craft board.  I have started to add some colour using prismacolor pencils. I'm not sure how this one will turn out, I am just having fun experimenting.  What are your favourite type of paintbrushes? Any suggestions? Please comment below :)

Regards,

Prettying Up the 'Studio' - Paintbrush Holder

After.

I am currently working on editing a new video, which shows a tour of my little 'studio' (previously a bedroom).  As I sit here I feel like I am in a cosy nest surrounded by all my paraphernalia.   Hopefully I will have that video up on my YouTube channel soon, and you will understand what I mean.  In the meantime, I have been prettying things up a bit and having fun upcycling some bits and pieces as I organise.  I just bought a new set of paintbrushes, and thought they deserved their own container.  

Before

I found this bottle which used to hold capers, threw on a bit of girlie paper, ric rac, ribbon, and lace, and voila! My paintbrushes are happy and they won't get lost in all the other stuff on my desk. I am also in the process of converting an old metal baking tray into a magnet board, covering it with some very used ex-library Asterix comic books.  I will post that when it is finished.  Do you have any other good upcycled storage solutions?  I would love to read them in the comments below!

Happy doodling

regards,