Strathmore workshops.

Last year I followed  two  wonderful Strathmore workshops.  And next year three new workshops will start. And best of all: they are free!

Workshop 1: Abstract Fine Art Painting with Mixed Media
Start Date: March 1, 2013
Workshop 2: Sketching & Drawing with Toned Paper
Start Date: May 1, 2013
Workshop 3: Artful Card-Making Techniques
Start Date: September 3, 2013

On their  You Tube channel you can check out older workshop video's.
Here are some of my favorites from last year from Cathy Johnson - Water color sketching:
lesson 1
lesson 2
demo lesson 2
lesson 3
lesson 4
Cathy Johnson YouTube Channel

http://www.strathmoreartist.com/2013-online-workshop-series.html

On art journaling

Here are some of my art journals:

They are cheap notebooks that I use almost every day.

I use them to experiment with different techniques and materials.
To make notes and write down ideas.
To make small composition sketches.
For mind mapping, doodling.
To create a visual journal about thoughts, feelings, events, people and moments I want to record.

The reason I use cheap notebooks is that it takes off the pressure of ‘doing things right’.
I can waste paper as much as I like.
With expensive paper or journals I would be to worried to do anything!

(I still have some very expensive pastel drawing paper under my bed that I have used only twice in 20 years.)

Here is some more information on art journaling:

15 reasons why artists keep visual journals

How to start an art journal.

Mini collage

When I am sitting at my desk and have to wait,  I will grab a piece of paper and start making a mini collage.
Sometimes it’s a blank piece of paper, sometimes paper I have used to wipe off excess paint or ink:

 I will use  my cheap box of watercolors, some left over bits of colored paper and add some details with markers.

Messing around like this is great. There are no expectations, no right or wrong, no mistakes. Just cheap bits of recycled paper and cheap materials, so I don't have to feel bad about wasting money or materials. And the best thing is that without all that pressure I feel free to experiment. With sometimes surprising results!