Art Journal
Bible Journaling: three more examples

So February turned out to be a bit quiet on the daily bible journaling. I managed three days. Well, it was a short month. Here are two…

The above were drawn freehand, with a couple of stencil flourishes. I’ve started pencilling outlines first after finding this, though taking a little longer, gave better outcomes. I still enjoy designing with more fonts than I can draw, so for my next verse, Psalm 8:1, I created a digital version first and traced it onto my Bible margin for colouring.As a quick experiment, I’ve saved the digital image as a PDF and you can download it below if you’d like to add it to your own Bible. If there’s interest, I’ll be sure to pop up some more printables in the future (that’s the experiment bit).

Continue reading

Art Journal
Art Journal Page: Tim Holtz Stampfest

At next month’s art journal session*, we’ll be having a Tim Holtz Stampfest. I have a fair collection of his stamps and, as with most crafters, some haven’t been used yet. I thought it would be a great theme to work with, and lots of possibilities open up as we mix in the Distress line of products.

* The session on Mon 5th is fully booked, but if you would still like to take part, it will be repeated at the following Wednesday’s afternoon group.

Continue reading

Tangle Patterns
Tangle Pattern: Arrers #12

Woohoo! We’ve reached the end. A full dozen patterns, over the last three months all based on block arrows. I think this final pattern neatly sums up all that it’s been all about: start with a basic building block (the block arrow), rotate, stretch and otherwise manipulate that element, add shading and repeat.

For more tangle patterns, and to see the others in the Arrers series, check out my tangle patterns gallery. You can also order a book of my first 100 or so patterns from there.

arrer (plural arrers) [ar-uh] noun
Slang. Arrow, dart

Continue reading

Art Journal
Bible Journaling: a few more examples

I’m still on a mission to journal in my Bible(s) at least once a day. And I’m still missing my own goalposts 50% of the time… Here are a few more examples from the times I did manage to sit down do some bible journaling. I’ve tried a few more ways of putting down backgrounds, experimenting with text styles and even allowing stamps and a bit of illustration to creep in.

Continue reading

Altered Art
Beachcombing for sea glass

I was on the south coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales last week, and had the pleasure of doing some beachcombing near Criccieth. The tide was extremely low (lowest I’ve seen it) giving great conditions for searching for sea glass. The beach is mercifully pretty much clear of plastics, and aside from tumbled bricks and pottery, is sand and shingle. Finding tumbled glass shards in amongst pebbles and slate chippings is tricky, but so rewarding. Here’s an arty shot of the two pieces I found before it started getting too dark to search…

beachcoming sea glass Continue reading

Tangle Patterns
Tangle Pattern: Arrers #11

If simplicity is crucial when considering patterns to include in your zentangle inspired art, perhaps this won’t be one of your go-tos. Shading, and colour if you choose, emphasises the pattern rather than the arrows.

For more tangle patterns, and to see the others in the Arrers series, check out my tangle patterns gallery. You can also order a book of my first 100 or so patterns from there.

arrer (plural arrers) [ar-uh] noun
Slang. Arrow, dart

Continue reading

Tangle Patterns
Tangle Pattern: Arrers #10

Well if last week’s pattern had very evident block arrows, this one has them hidden away. I think the block works well on its own, but it does tile rather nicely with the pattern accentuated by the shading.

For more tangle patterns, and to see the others in the Arrers series, check out my tangle patterns gallery. You can also order a book of my first 100 or so patterns from there.

arrer (plural arrers) [ar-uh] noun
Slang. Arrow, dart

Continue reading

Tangle Patterns
Tangle Pattern: Arrers #9

Another in my continuing series of tangle patterns using block arrows as source material. The arrows are a lot more evident in this simple repeating block.

For more tangle patterns, and to see the others in the Arrers series, check out my tangle patterns gallery. You can also order a book of my first 100 or so patterns from there.

arrer (plural arrers) [ar-uh] noun
Slang. Arrow, dart

Continue reading

Art Journal
Bible Journaling: Developing a Style

I have been trying to get into the habit of illustrating a bible verse each day since the start of the New Year. On average I think I am hitting a 40-50% hit rate, which isn’t too bad with everything else that’s happening. Here are the results of some of those bible journaling episodes. I think a typography style is developing nicely, but I’m also very fond of the illustrated ‘Immanuel’ page spread.

Continue reading