drawings

Magazines and books – sources of inspiration

altered books, book arts, drawings, inspiration, mixed media printmaking / /

Once or twice a year I get a stack of old magazines from a library or other recycling source.

Stencils from magazines

It is a treat to feast on the pictures and text. I cut stencils and roll pages into mark making tools, make collages and more.

book as photo subject

I go through the magazines several different times for collage and drawing projects.

cut up book pages for collage
cut out word poems

Parts of the magazine that inspire me:

  1. Words – for found poems and collages
  2. Fonts – for drawing
  3. Photos for drawing references
  4. Thumbnails of larger pictures – composition ides
  5. Illustrations – for drawing ideas
  6. Figures and silhouettes for stencil making

poems from magazines

So go to your library or recycling center and get a stack of magazines and make stuff. The images and words that you find are a jumping off place for your own uniques expression. Twist, crop and rearrange the words and images to make something new.

Make some origami boxes – There is a free tutorial here.

origami box from magazines

 

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Trust yourself – Make Marks

artist book, drawings, inspiration / /

Sometimes, I just have to begin and trust that the path will evolve.

japanese stab binding

I do this “just begin” thing a lot, and I am still surprised when magic happens, things work out and I make something that I like or learn from.

walk to fill the well

I keep it simple to begin:

  • take a photo
  • go for a walk
  • clean my work bench for 20 minutes
  • make some doodles

So I say try it, and see what happens. I think it helps to let go of any demands that it work out and just explore the present moment.

soft cover coptic stitch

Before you know it you may have a whole collection of art work! Check out the current online class offerings

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What to draw when it feels like work?

drawings, mark making tools, mixed media printmaking / /

If you are like me and don’t really like to draw, then it can be challenging to come up with ideas for drawing subjects.

sketchbooks linda germain

A few classic subjects:

  • self portraits
  • fruit and veggies
  • flowers

self portrait linda germain

I think the important thing is that you are interested in the subject matter. That will make it easier to stay committed to the drawing. Most recently I have been distilling my marks down to basic shapes.

mark making in sketchbook

I think it helps to give your self permission to draw the same thing over and over again.

A couple of more topics:

  • Studio tools
  • Jars, cups and vessels
  • Buildings
  • Birds

shadow shape inspired drawing

So if drawing feels like work to you, don’t give up. Just keep trying new approaches:

  • new subject matter
  • use small pages or notebooks
  • try meditative marks

If you would like to explore some meditative mark making and learn a few book forms, then check out the current workshops being offered.

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Meditative Marks

drawings, mark making tools / /

Lately, I have been exploring the process of meditative mark making. You know those doodles that take you away. Or the drawings you do during a meeting or phone call.

circle doodles

I was wondering if those kinds of marks could be the basis for growing my personal lexicon of marks. I love that phrase lexicon of marks.  It just means mark making language, but sounds kind of beautiful.

repetitive mark making

I want to combine a bit of “scientific observation” and repetitive mark making to expands the kinds of marks that I can naturally draw and doodle.

painted and stamped meditative marks

  • What are your “go to” marks?
  • How do you go about expanding your lexicon of marks?
  • What tools do you use?

Something to think about. Happy making!

Looking for some mark making ideas and support then current online classes.

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Things I have learned lately – Making ART

drawings, inspiration, mark making tools / /

I recently participated in Karen Abend’s Sketchbook Revival. It was a free event with 28 generous teachers sharing ideas for making art in our sketchbooks.

sketch booking by the lake

I also did a class with Lewis Rossignol through Carla Sonheim Presents.

draw more and enjoy the process

So I have taken in a lot of information and ideas about using a sketchbook. And I am starting to appreciate my style of drawing and mark making.

doodle your message

Let me share a few ideas that motivate me:

  1. From Danny Gregory – Use up those art supplies – don’t let them be precious
  2. From Carla Sonheim – Look more at the things I want to draw – notice the shapes, lines, etc
  3. John Muir Laws – Count and observe and record like a scientist, in a curious way.
  4. Play with sticks and ink from Helen Wells
  5. I am willing to sit and listen for my daily message and write it in my sketchbook – thanks to Jessica Swift.
  6. I love to “mess up” my sketchbook as encouraged by Lewis Rossignol.

sticks to make marks

If you are looking for support and encouragement and an online printmaking class, then check out the current classes.

make marks in your sketchbook

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