A Venetian Return

I found this blog post by Jenny Marples on the Paper Artsy blog.   It spoke to me.  I loved it and had to have one of my own.

But as I followed along I realised that actually I don't like things to look like something.  I don't 'do' realism.  But I started off the way Jenny suggested.  I put gesso on A4 watercolour  paper.

I used my gel plate to print on deli paper

printer paper

wet strength tissue paper

I glued whole pieces of the painted papers onto the watercolour paper that will be the covers of my book

I tore up bits of the painted papers and glued them on.

However everything looks a bit too green. And there's possibly too much gesso!

I moved on to using stencils and rubber stamps.

I used an Inktense Charcoal Grey water soluble pencil to suggest stonework and added water.

I added a piece of something I found in my stash - I'm not sure what to call it but it's sort of string!

When I'm working on something like this, I tend to do little bits to each page rather than work only on one page until it's finished.  In addition, I will stamp or stencil or whatever I'm doing on each page and then go away and do something else.  Usually Facebook or read a book.

It maybe several hours or even the next day before I come back to it.  And frequently the pages go through an ugly stage when I don't like them at all.   However I know I can always gesso or collage over a bit I don't like.

At the time of writing this blog the pages look like this:

In an attempt to stop everything looking green, I used some blue paint.  Which is too blue!

The next two photos show the inside of the covers.  I used a heavier weight watercolour paper for the covers.

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

Photos for Inspiration

On my computer I have gathered together photos into folders labelled Buildings, Decay, Line, Machines, Pattern, Rust, Shape and Texture.  Whenever and wherever I am out and about I take photos of these things which possibly have no relation to the outing I'm on.  They are supposed to provide inspiration for sketchbook work but really just reside on the computer.

So far there are 91 photos to do with Lines.  Fear not, I'm not going to share all of them here!

 

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

Journal 2021

Four months of the year has gone already.  Most of which I have spent indoors!  This time last year we were walking 2-3 miles each day.  Apart from appointments I haven't been out of the house.

I have kept up with my 2021 journal.

 

Looking back I see I haven't shared the pages with you.  I've been enjoying the inspiration that Valerie provides in the Plan With Me Premium some of which can be found for free on her website.  However, I have tended to stick to a colour scheme and a design that suits me.

I've used stencils and stamps.  Plus I'm trying to use up my washi tape - I have a lot!

This month's theme is Beauty using flowers as a motif.  However I don't have any flowery washi tape or flower stencils.  So I'm using a leaf motif.  Plus the only flower stamp I own.

 

Have you kept a journal or a diary this year?

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice