Even More stamping ideas

combined techniques, mark making, stamping tools / /

I have been enjoying making lots of tiny stamps for using in my sketchbooks. The summer weather has inspired two new motifs rocks and sailboats.

My inspiration comes from my sunfish sailing at the beach in New Hampshire.

It is a rocky shoreline and I am always collecting interesting beach rocks.

I was inspired by the stacks of rocks the I see on the beach. At first I played with crayons and watercolors to make my stacks.

stack of rocks

Then I remembered my roundish foam stamps. I combine them with thread and crayon resists. And then added some charcoal scribbles to a happy result.

stamped rock shapes

Yesterday, I enjoyed cutting out tiny sailboat stamps from craft foam.  A technique I teach in the Stamp Making + Books class. Details here.

sailboat stamps

The stamp making process is quite enjoyable and addictive. You can create several unique stance very quickly that can be incorporated into your sketchbook practice.

sailboat stamps

How is the summer season influencing your art making? Enjoy!

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Bits and Pieces – sketchbook Practice

book arts, collage, drawings / /

My sketchbook practice is always evolving. It is kind of funny because I don’t really love to draw, but I find myself choosing to draw and doodle a lot in my sketchbook.

sketchbook drawings

I make a lot of unrelated marks that in the end seem to come together in the end.

sketchbook page

I do add plenty of stamped marks and pattern like marks. I collage little bits and pieces here and there and move back and forth through the signatures.

add stamped marks

I work up the signatures individually and then glue them together when I have most of the pages done. This way I can keep working in the sketchbook even while wet media is drying.

I have common themes here throughout most of my sketchbooks like birds trees, other animals and positive phrases.

sketchbook

Usually, I will couple of angel cards with those positive words in my sketchbook with the date. It gives me a starting point, and something to think about. It is fun to look back and see what I was working more each month. I do finish about one sketchbook per month.

This month I have included lots of old book pages and parts as inspired by the Books as ART Materials class. It is the featured class for the month of June. You can save $30, now only $95 for this 18 project class.  Get all the details on the workshop page.

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Fun with Books

book arts, collage, inspiration / /

I have been exploring ways to use books and book parts as art materials. (This Months featured class – On sale save $30 – now only $95)

book pages and cloth as collage materials

Above I used part of a black out poem and book cloth and book pages for collage.

hunting for books to take apart

I love hunting for books with special qualities. I like the large font of children’s books. I am lucky to have a great thrift store close by that sells 6 books for just $1.00.

spine cover with book pages

Today I borrowed the spine cover idea from one of the 18 projects in the Books as Art Materials class for my current sketchbook. These signatures are worked up separately and then glued together.  The book page spine cover will give it a nice finish.

Black out poems from book pages

Black out poems are always fun and an easy way to get started.  Sometimes I cut them up and use them as collage bits.

drawing reference

Lastly I am inspired by images in books. I love finding new ways to draw trees. So take advantage of the June sale and enjoy the 18 projects in Book as ART Materials. Get all the details on the workshop page.

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Take books apart – play

book arts / /

This month the Books as ART Materials class is featured and  on sale. Save $30. It was $125  now only $95. Get all the details on the workshop page.

kids books to inspire art making

Almost any book can have value as art supply or inspiration. I found the 6 books above all for just $1.00.

  • The fish book will a nice reference for drawing
  • The adult coloring book will inspire shapes and patterns
  • The Snowy Day book inspires collage with big shapes
  • I will probably take the old Trixie Belden book apart and use the pages for poems and collage

I did a whole post about the qualities that I look for in books that I use for art materials here.

I think that I enjoy the hunt for special books to use as art materials as much as I do using them for different projects.

collage words into sketchbook

Lately I have been adding collage book bits to my sketchbook. recycle old books into new art

If you want to explore was to use books and book parts to make new art then check out the Books as ART Materials class that is on sale the month of June.

There are:

  • 30 short videos
  • 18 projects
  • plenty of inspiration
  • Save $30 this month of June

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Finding your way

inspiration, mark making / /

It’s okay to pick and choose your favorite techniques. Play and experiment with any thing that inspires you.

Let go of limiting beliefs about supplies or techniques.

pastels for mark making

I like to scribble with kid’s crayons and dabble with inexpensive watercolors. I am inspired by primitive florals and faces.

scribble with crayons

Nothing seems to make linear sense, but I still seem to fill sketchbooks with marks and materials.

sketchbook linda germain

One fairly new tool that I have been playing with is a set of handmade daubers. They are very playful and expressive.

handmade daubers

I have created a quick class on how to make and use these daubers. Read all the details on the workshop page. It is only $25.

dauber marks

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