Tuesday 13 October 2015

Playing with Twinks

Playing with Twinks

I bought some LuminArte' Twinkling h2o's at the Stitches and Craft Show last year. It has taken me this long to get around to playing with them.


I found a video on YouTube by Marah Johnson, that gives some quite good basic information about how these paints work and the does and don'ts: HERE

Karen Bartels, a friend of mine on Facebook posts pictures regularly that have been colored with these paints and I was eager to give them a go. Painting with a brush is my favorite activity and so I sat down last night and started.

The picture I am painting is a page from my book 'Creative Doodling with Judy West'. It  is the Christmas Alphabet. The letters are small, and so to color the Christmas lights and Holly is fiddly. A small paint brush is easier to use than a coloured pencil or marker for me and so it was the perfect opportunity to give these paints a road test.

They are a dry solid block inside these containers. You need to wet them with a brush and swipe the bristles back and forth for a while in order to get the paint to flow. It is creamy consistency once flowing nicely. It is easy to apply and dries with a satin finish to the paint with is nice for a Christmas theme, especially the christmas lights. 

Here are a few pictures of what I have done so far.






It is hard to see the shimmer of the paint in these photos, but it is definitely there. 

As these are small images I have not added shading to the color. I am only going to color the Holly and the Lights on these and then add Doodling to the letters now that the paint is dry. 

I will post the results of the doodling as I get it done. Perhaps even some new doodle patterns with instructions might be on the cards. 

This is the book I got the Christmas Alphabet out of, it has a number of different decorative alphabets, numbers, greetings, border and frames to match each other. 


This book is available on my Etsy Store: HERE

HAPPY DOODLING


Monday 17 August 2015

Designing Pictures with Stencils 2

DESIGNING PICTURES WITH STENCIL
No. 2 for those who like to colour.


I have used the same stencil as I did in the previous post. 

1.This time I traced around the whole stencil with a pencil. I then kept moving the stencil and tracing around the flowers until the whole page was filled.

2. I then drew pairs of wavy lines across the page in different directions.

3. Using markers I coloured in the design.

4. I used a black fine line marker to then do the outlines.

Stencils can be used in a variety of ways to get many different effects and be used in many different crafts. 

As I have time I will post more examples of what you can do to decorate using stencils. 

WHY USE STENCILS?

a. Stencils are a great confidence builder when you are unsure about your drawing abilities.

b.They also help those who can draw to achieve a vast amount of work in a much quicker time.

c. Stencils improve your accuracy if you want to do exactly the same design over and over again.

d. Whatever craft you are into stencils can be used to help with your design. I have seen stencils used as a basis for crosstitch, tapestry, quilting and applique, painting, drawing, furniture decoration, zentangles and doodling just to name a few. On one of my handpainted shoe designs I used a stencil. Your options are limitless. 

e. Be creative with a stencil and it will not look the same every time you use it. Check the blog previous to this one to see a different way I used the same stencil that created the design above.




HAPPY COLOURING
(but you can add doodling if you want)

Sunday 16 August 2015

Designing Pictures with Stencils

Designing Pictures with Stencils


I have started to design a range of stencils, to be used for various reasons such as repeat patterns (doodle patterns), mandalas, celtic knots and basic pictures. 

The stencils are being cut at present. Once ready I will post them on Etsy for sale for those who are interested. 

Here is my first offering. I used this little stencil to create the picture above.


Steps to Create the picture above.

1. Position the stencil onto your watercolour paper. Using watery paint (I used Twinks) paint in the background in a variety of colours.
2. Remove the stencil. Put more paint onto the brush and flick it over the picture to create splatters in each of the colours you used to paint the background.
3. Let the picture dry completely.
4. Using Sakura Pigma Micron .01 & .03. & Posca Paint Pens 1 in Black & White I then doodled & outlined over the flowers and background to create this picture.
5. Using the same background colours, then come back with a less watery, darker consistency of paint to colour in the center of each of the petals on the flowers, so that they stand out from the background.

This stencil of 'Scattered Flowers' is 6" x 6" or 15 x 15cm. It will be retailing on Etsy at $6.00 plus postage. 

You can pre-order this stencil by messaging me on Facebook - Judy Lorraine West 
or email me at creativedoodling101@gmail.com


HAPPY DOODLING



Friday 31 July 2015

Beginners Creative Doodling Class Beginning August

CREATIVE DOODLING CLASSES


I am at present organizing a daytime class at Stampers Wonderland, Loganlea Road, Waterford. 

If you would like to come to one of my Creative Doodling Beginner Class call me or Stampers Wonderland. 

There are still some places left so be quick. It will be 2 full day classes to complete the beginner course. Wednesday August 26th and September 2nd (9am to 2pm).

This is a fun class, where you learn lots of interesting ways to create beautiful art without having to be able to draw. If you can draw then you will still learn a lot from this class. 

All materials and instruction booklet is provided.
A Sakura Pigma Micron Pen size 01 Black, a Stencil, and instruction booklet will be included as part of your tuition fee which you can keep. All other materials will be provided for you to use during the class.

Cost: $40 per day.  

Day 1: Basic Doodling & Shading 

Day 2: Colour and Pattern Construction

BOOK NOW

Stampers Wonderland - 3805 5309
Judy West - 3805 8919







HAPPY DOODLING

Sunday 3 May 2015

Painting Canvas Shoes

Painting Canvas Shoes
 
Recently I have begun painting on Canvas shoes. It is sooooo much fun. If you are a Creative Doodler or into Zentangles there are many markers on sale designed specifically for fabric.
 
You can draw straight onto the shoe and these markers are washable and permanent. Two that I use are the Pentel Gel Roller for Fabric and the Marvy Uchida Fine Tip. If you want to add colour you can use a brush and the Deco Art SoSoft Fabric Paints or use the Posca Markers.
 
Below are a few designs I have done so far.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I will post more as I do them.
 
HAPPY DOODLING
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 23 April 2015

HOW TO FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS
 
A couple of days ago I posted a piece about not letting others and yourself prevent you from following your dreams.
 
If you really want to start that process, then you have to admit to yourself what that or those dreams are. You can't follow them, if you are unsure that is what you really want.
Once you know what that dream is then you can plan you journey.
 
One of my dreams was becoming an artist. Some people have said to me after my post that they always thought of me that way, but I did not. So I was really not earnestly heading in the direction of making it a professional side of my life, it was just a hobby. But my real dream is to become a professional artist, and earn an income that will support me for the rest of my life. By the way I believe artists never retire and I don't want to retire. I would like to go with a paintbrush in my hand.
 
Since I decided that I was an artist, I have produced two books, some stencils soon to be released and am working on many other projects. I get up every day happy in the knowledge that I am following this dream at last, and I am on the path to making it a reality.
 
I must say though that I am in the extremely wonderful position to have people in my life that support and encourage me every step of the way. This is an asset beyond measure and an extremely important gift that everyone needs in their life. Value and support those people always, they will rejoice with you in the good times, and carry you through the bad times, nothing in life is all roses.
 
For those who have an unsatisfied dream, I ask you to start on the first step of your journey.
1. In the comments below name what you would like to have or become.
2. Start planning how you will achieve this. (Don't get too rigid, my plans change daily as more opportunities present themselves. You don't want to miss an opportunity but you do need a plan).
3. Work out your support network. Who of your friends and family will encourage and support you. Some will have knowledge, contacts & other things, that will help on this journey. Don't be afraid or too stubborn or full of pride to ask for help. If you get a no then they are not in the network, move on.
 
NOW YOU CAN START YOUR JOURNEY.

       DREAMS HERE WE COME.

Saturday 18 April 2015

ARE YOU AN ARTIST


ARE YOU AN ARTIST?
 
DO NOT LET OTHER PEOPLES OPINIONS AND YOUR SITUATION STOP YOU.

 I hope this helps someone else. I self published my first book at 61years old, when I am a carer for my husband (therefore my ability to get out is restricted), with a very limited income and a number or health issues. Over the last 40 years I have written numerous craft books but never published. I had always wanted to be an artist, but kept making excuses - time, money, not good enough etc.
 
 
 
 
I found out recently than an artists is someone who creates their art every day, not someone who is recognised and makes a lot of money from art (they are just successful artists). It took them a long time and a lot of criticism and disappointment to get there.
 
Faced with the fact that I have lived most of my life, I realised if I was ever going to do anything about being an artist I have limited time left, so start now or give up the dream.
 
Considering my current situation, the only thing that stopped me before was MY OPINION OF THE SITUATION AND MY ESTIMATE OF MY ABILITIES. I could have started this journey 40 years ago if I had been more determined and listened less to others.
 
  
 
 
 
 
Start your creative and artistic career today there is really nothing to stop you but yourself. You know what you want and you know deep down what you could be capable off, no one else does, so don't listen to others, GO FOR IT.
 
HAPPY DOODLING

Friday 10 April 2015

FOR YOUR INFORMATION: Ornation Creation

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
'Ornation Creation' Facebook Group
 
Ben Kwok is a very talented artist. He generously uploads one beautiful outlined design to doodle into every Monday in his Facebook Group 'Ornation Creation'.
 
This group is a public group open to anyone who likes to doodle/zentangle/zendoodle or what ever you want to call your repeat pattern decorating. 
 
Below is a Ben Kwok Outline that I have coloured and Doodled.
 
There are lots of beautiful outlines for you to download in his files, for those looking for more inspiration. The members are also a great group of people who you can enjoy and share your love of doodling with.
 
Here is the link to this facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/171809746345318/
 
 
 
HAPPY DOODLING
 
 
 

 
 

Wednesday 8 April 2015

DOODLING PATTERNED PAPER

Doodling Patterned Paper
 
 
Have you ever considered Doodling Patterned Paper. If you are a Scrapbooker, Card Maker or into Journalling, then this could be a way to have original Patterned Paper for your projects.
 
I started playing with this idea on some scraps of paper and here are some of the patterns I have done so far.
 
 
 
 
 
The last one I did a long time ago. I drew a Celtic Knot Frame onto patterned paper, and then decorated the frame with doodle patterns and used the pattern inside the frame as part of the doodling as well.
 
 
If you would like a challenge. Find some decorative paper that inspires you and doodle over it, either to make a new doodle repeat pattern or to doodle a picture.
 
Post your finished works in the Mr Linky below for us all to be inspired. Thank you.
 
HAPPY DOODLING
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday 27 March 2015

Alphabet Series Pattern - O

Alphabet Series Patterns
 

 

This post is bought to you by the Letter 'O'.
 
I have made a card using the letter 'O' from my 3 Flower Alphabet in my book "Creative Doodling with Judy A 2 Z".
 
Materials
Turquoise Card Paper - 20.5cm x 15cm (8 3/16" x 5 7/8") - for the card
                                      13.5cm x2.3cm (5 5/16" x 7/8") - for the decorative strip on the front
                                       7cm x 6xm (2 3/4" x 2 1/2") - for under the letter O
White Embossed Card - 13.5cm x 9.2cm (5 5/16" x 3 5/8") - for the front of the card
1.5cm (1/2") Pink Growgrain Ribbon - 16.5cm (6 9/16")
White Daisy Chain - 13.5cm (5 5/16")
Double Sided Adhesive Tape
Mounting Tape
 
Method
1. Fold the Card in half.
2. Glue the Turquoise strip to the White Embossed Card 1.5cm (1/2") from the bottom.
3. Glue the Ribbon to the centre of the Turquoise Strip and fold and glue the ends underneath.
4. Glue the White Embossed Piece to the Front of the card leaving an even amount of Turquoise showing on all 4 sides.
5. Glue one of the Daisies to the centre of the Ribbon on the left side.
6. Use mounting tape to adhere the letter 'O' to the Card as seen on the picture above.
7. Glue the remainder of the Daisies to the centre of the ribbon on the other side of the letter 'O'.
 
 
The Letter 'O' Pattern used to decorate the 3 Flower 'O'
 
 
 
 
STEP                                1                    2                     3
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
If you wish to purchase my book which is full of decorative alphabets, numerals, words, frames and borders that match each other or see other Items I have for sale click: HERE

 
HAPPY DOODLING/CARD MAKING
 
 
 

Tuesday 24 March 2015

120 Celtic Knots for Artists & Craftsmen by Judy West

120 Celtic Knots
for Artists & Craftsmen
                                           by Judy West
 
My book is now available for sale.
 
 
Here are just a few examples of what you will find inside:
 
 
 
 

You can purchase my book as a Digital Download on
Etsy: HERE
 
I will also be offering it as a Book for those who want something to hold. It will be available for sale as soon as it returns from the printer. I will announce when it is available.
 
If you purchase my book, check my other blog site: celticknotswithjudy.blogspot.com in future for projects and ideas I will be posting on how to use and decorate the designs in this book.
 
I will also be giving those who have purchased this book an opportunity to post some of their work on that site and give them the chance to win some exclusive designs.
 
HAPPY DOODLING