Step-by-Step

Positive & Negative Circles in my Art Journal

I love to use the color tests of my patterns I print as collage material in my art journal.

This is my Waves & Triangles print and the coordinating color markers I chose for this spread.

First, I cut circles out of the collage paper. Then, I glued the circles and their negative space into my journal. Next, I drew squiggly lines emanating from the circles. Then, I colored in the negative circles.

I drew tiny circles on the ends of the squiggly lines and wide lines between them. Then, I drew more lines coming out of the circles and across the spread.

I drew concentric shapes in some of the areas created by the lines, and started coloring them in.

To finish the design, I colored in the rest of the shapes and added dots to the inside if the large circles.

Supplies used in this journal spread (These are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and buy certain items, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) to help keep the lights on in the studio.)

Full Circle in my Art Journal

I used an art journal spread to inspire my Bohemian Patchwork pattern. While creating that pattern, I printed out many color variations before I decided on the final one.

I took one of those color tests and cut it up and glued it in my art journal, coming full circle.

Then I got out my Pitt Artist Pens and went to town with doodles.

Sometimes when I work in my art journal, I create each “layer” separately, and sometimes I work back and forth between them. For this spread, I did the latter.

And here is the finished spread, going from art journal to pattern, and back to art journal again.

This is another spread I made with the color tests from my Bohemian Patchwork pattern.

Bird Series in my Art Journal: Part 3

In part 1 of this series, I glued photos of birds in my art journal. In part 2, I added doodles. Now in part 3, I add color to the doodles. I tried to choose colors that coordinated with the colors of the birds. I had a lot of fun with this series and hope to do another one soon.

Chickadee with doodles in my art journal

Heron & waxwing with doodles in my art journal

Creating My Floral Still Life Design

This is the second pattern that I created for Winter School 2021 by Make it in Design. The brief was Country Set, a nostalgic, countryside inspired trend.

I was inspired by antique vases and flowers and created this mood board with vase shapes I liked plus colorful flowers.

Floral still life color palette and motifs

I used the color palette that was included with the brief. I hand drew the motifs, scanned them, and traced them in Adobe Illustrator.

I added color to the motifs and started arranging them. At first no layout I tried seemed right, it felt impossible to create a pleasing design and I got very frustrated. I decided to take a break, have some dinner, and do some mindless chores. When I came back to the design the motifs seemed to magically fall into place. It’s like my subconscious was working on the layout while I was doing other things. I rather like the final design.