An Artist's Tool - Keep a sketchbook.

As an artist, we sometimes get stuck in a rut, where we feel that we are not growing or just churning out the same art, I would know this as a few weeks ago I felt just that, I felt that my art wasn't getting any better or worse but I was making and drawing the same things over and over, and it made me slump.
The push to make wonderful finished pages has burnt me out a little, and I decided to start embracing a daily sketchbook. To push myself artistically and to challenge my hands to start drawing new things., create new ideas. Instead of trying hard to put together full finished pages, I focused on learning new things!

A sketchbook is a tool, and a very valuable one at that, a sacred place where nothing is judge, pages are plenty. You can create, explore and test your skills daily between the pages of a sketchbook.
Nothing needs to be pristine, finished or perfect, it is a haven for growth.

 Even before this design team, I worked in canson Sketchbooks, I have many, and if I felt that I didn't want a generic one I could buy from the art supply store, I made my own, using various papers, a little bit of everything to satisfy my want for custom made. Every signature a different paper, to keep things interesting.

But when I want to just draw and not worry, I turn to my big sketchbook that is heavy and thick with pages, and I draw and draw each day to progress in my art. I do not judge my work in my sketchbook for it is just practice, and we all know the saying practice makes perfect.

I paste images that inspire me, reference photos of things I want to try and draw later, tutorials letter guides all for the art of practice.

I implore you to buy a sketchbook, or make your own to start your daily drawing practice. Or even if you are a beginner and say you 'can't draw' I insist you buy a sketchbook and just put pencil to paper daily in some way shape or form, for you will see as the days go on that you will improve. Art is a learned skill, anyone can learn it, you just have to have the drive to keep going.

Enjoy your sketchbooks
Courtney

Book Loves and Tea

Last week we rescued an unloved teapot and this week we are making over a plain old white teacup.
Using almost exact the same supplies!

Supplies Needed
1 white teacup
1 set of Pebeo Porcelain 150 Markers
Cotton Buds
Rubbing alcohol (for cleaning up mistakes and edges)

I am a huge book lover, and wanted to mix my love for books and my love for tea to create a project that doesn't require too much artistic flare.

I decided I wanted to create a bookshelf covered with piles of books odds and ends all around the teacup.
I started by drawing out what I wanted onto a sheet of paper for reference.

Sketching your ideas out on paper makes it a little less daunting when it comes to drawing it onto your teacup, and if you are still worried, you can use a lead pencil to sketch onto you teacup, I skipped this step and went straight in with the markers.

I used the black pen to do my initial outlines of the books and items, then left it overnight to dry, then went back in and added accent colours. They are simple drawings but look effective on the white background.
I went in with cotton buds dipped in rubbing alcohol to smooth out lines or erase things I didn't like.
Once I was happen with my teacup I gave it the full 24 hours to cure, then popped it in the oven. 150 degrees for 50 mins. After the 50 mins, is up I turned the oven off and left the door open to let it cool fully before removing it.

What you are left with, is a super adorable book lovers teacup.

Next week I shall be delving into markers and inks! to help create some mail art!
Enjoy creating bookish teacups
x Courtney