The Real Truth on How to Cover Layers You Love

Yesterday, I shared the progression of a painting. Today, I want to share the progression of an art journal spread (or pages). Since I know I need to have something to blog each day, I've been taking more shots as I work (and plan to shoot more video while I work, to turn these written transmissions into art video diaries). ​

Ky recently commented on FB: 

Do you ever feel you've killed a life when you paint over another image? I do. Makes me feel almost criminal. Hush that inner critic!

​Honest answer? I used to. I would be petrified of painting over things, especially if I liked them. I felt that I had to save them all, if I could, and even devised a way of painting a background in my e-book that allowed me to save those bits. 

We all make backgrounds we adore, those moments when it all comes together and the magic happens​. And while we may feel the urge to continue working and developing what has appeared, we stop, because those urges and instincts can't be right. 

They are. ​

Example: I have a larger piece I've been working on on-and-off since I got back from Berkeley last month. I was in love with it as each layer developed, but the entire piece felt scattered, without focus. So I kept adding layers. But I hit a point where more layers weren't going to fix anything, and in fact, would only be me avoiding developing the painting further...I'd be procrastinating instead of creating. ​

It's still sitting on my easel, actually. ​I started to pull things out last night, after a month of indecisiveness. 

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There are two reasons I allowed the joy of spontaneous creativity to begin keeping me from deeper work: ​

1. ​I have lately felt that each painting needs a focal point, and can't be abstract. I'm working on this, on allowing a painting to progress without a recognizable subject, but also like​ painting subjects, so need to go with my gut. 

2. I liked too much of what was underneath and thus got stuck between the past layers and the future painting. ​

One thing that has helped is this month of daily blogging. I need​ to do something each day. Even if it's for me only, or just for play. I can't give up or give in: time to Show Up and do the Work. It's proven that inspiration is waiting on you​, not the other way around. 

​Once I started showing up & creating each day, I felt myself loosen up. Remember a few days ago, when I just gave in to that punch-drunk creativity feeling and made random marks? It really unlocked something inside of me, and I now have this sense of  trust & peace​ when I create. I no longer fear covering up something I've made and like....I trust that I can continue creating things I'll like since I already know I can​. 

​Faith, not fear, in art. 

It may sound like a tall order. You may not believe that I'm all here, or that I'm just telling you something you want​ to hear. Or perhaps you're stuck in that middle ground where you struggle to create something you like. It's fine. You'll get here. There's a giant red X painted on the ground, and the treasure map's already in your hands. 

​I wanted to go back to basics and do a gesso resist in my journal. I consciously chose this because it seems like such an "art journaler" thing -- those techniques we all know and do from time to time. It's been years since my last one. But I wanted to play, and did it with some stencils. 

I've forgotten how to do it right, though, because my results weren't as pretty as seen on Pinterest....but that's okay. I went with it. Rolled as the path became clear. Each decision leads to another, and thus, each is important, even if you can't see them all. Without those hidden layers, you'd never get to the top. ​

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I added fluid acrylics (I do love Golden brand), then played with my new script brushes. How else are you supposed to learn how to use them? Layered some Liquitex Ink! and then hit the pages with acrylics....doing some new stuff, varying the brushes to get different shapes. 

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Are they finished? No. Going back and adding detail is the best part! But I love the conversation I've had already, and there are so many possible places to go, how could you not​ be inspired? 

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​If you must, shoot pics of layers you love. Keep a record. It helps. You can then replicate the process again, if need be. But let them lead you. Inform you. Give you choices. The more layers, the narrower the choices, until you sit back and find there's nowhere left to go but turn the page and start over again. 

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Evolution of a Painting

One thing I love about digital cameras/smartphones is that I can take pictures while I work. ​

Lots and lots of photos. ​

Taking progress shots allows you to see the evolution of an art journal page or painting instead of simply feel ​it. You know what I mean....that truth​, the deep-seeded knowledge that something has happened, here, progressed while you were engrossed in your work. You can track the choices and follow the threads. Grabbing the teal for the eyes, you then made the heart, then added the stripes, which made you grab the pink to add dots here and marks there. 

I'm happy, oh-so-happy with this one because I decided to get the heck out of my own way and just give in and do whatever -- just because I was painting outside my journal and on a panel didn't mean I had to do something more "worthwhile," "painting-like," or "better." It simply meant I was painting on something different. ​

So paint. Make marks. Grab whatever color and whatever brush and prove to yourself that you can make something beautiful. ​

With all this talk about progress shots, I thought I'd share this painting's evolution. 

​I was using it to show off my new stylus, but there she is, the first sitting...

​I was using it to show off my new stylus, but there she is, the first sitting...

​Here I was showing off stencils...yummy gold! Second sitting...

​Here I was showing off stencils...yummy gold! Second sitting...

​Here I had some idea and started painting a figure. Sitting three...

​Here I had some idea and started painting a figure. Sitting three...

​Here I added more detail and decided I hated it. Fourth sitting...

​Here I added more detail and decided I hated it. Fourth sitting...

​I decided I hated it and painted over the entire thing. Fifth sitting, last night...

​I decided I hated it and painted over the entire thing. Fifth sitting, last night...

I let myself doodle, make marks, and play! Here's the final piece and some detail shots:​

"I have a secret to tell..."​12"x12" Mixed-Media on wood

"I have a secret to tell..."​

12"x12" Mixed-Media on wood

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A simple Saturday.

Today was a simple day. I ate out yesterday and forgot that one of the main ingredients in most soups is flour (used as a thickening agent), and soon felt that oh-so-pleasant migraine that comes with being exposed to gluten.

Decided to read and doodle. Grabbed a big bucket of markers and started testing them on the pages of my art journal; these little marks will be so fun to work over when I get to them with paint! Everything can be used to help you get over the fear of the blank page!

I sold an original painting to a friend this afternoon, too! Remember, you can get 20% off your order through Monday by using the code LEAPIG in my Etsy shop!

Now, I shall be off to use those markers that aren't dead to color in this drawing. I'm moving on to give my figures cute outfits, and am trying to illustrate ideas and stories. In going to sit down at my magic typewriter tomorrow to write their stories. Was kinda scared to share the sketch, but I need to remember to keep making brave leaps!

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Taking brave leaps!

Two nights ago, I took a brave leap and edited, reformatted, and listed my e-book from earlier this year, Going Further, on Amazon for the Kindle (and such e-reading devices). It took a lot of guts, and I'm already learning about putting yourself out there on such a big stage​, but so many of you have made the leap with me, I'm in good company. 

So if you haven't seen it yet, go check it out. It's $9.99 and full of so many techniques! Let's thrive together, create, make, and journal. 

You can grab it in your respective country, as well, download it directly, and dive in. 

(If you previously bought it as the complete e-book, I would love it if you'd write a review!)​

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PS. I missed the pink too much, so gave myself ombré pink/magenta hair yesterday! So here's a smile from me to you; imagine my arms are around you in a warm hug. ​