Petit Dolls

I'm drawing! I'm actually drawing people-look-alike's! Cute Petit Suzi Blu dolls :) And it's SO fun!
I haven't been drawing much since primary school, and I've realized that I miss drawing. So, in order to get myself on track, I've joined one of the Suzi Blu classes called Petit Dolls. She teaches us how to draw cute dolls! I like that. Dolls don't have to be realiztic or with the right proportions.

Ok, I admit it still gets me frustrated when I don't manage to draw what I have in mind. Somehow my hand moves the pencil in other ways than my mind wants it to... But - while whispering some notverycute words - I keep telling myself: "I only need some more practise. I only need some more practise." And I'm sketching page up and page down... even had to buy a new sketch book *lol*

This was my first one... I really struggled with her mouth. And her eyes are too close. But I think she's cute :)
This one is inspired by Cinderella. But how do I draw hands? I had to leave 'em out because they looked so creapy...

The last one is based on the ugly Bratz dolls. I don't like them at all, but they're really funny to draw. I made mine look like one of them, but changed her face and hair a bit.

A row of AJ pages

I know it's been a while since I posted, but that doesn't mean I've not been productive! I've made myself a new AJ (and a blog - only in Norwegian, sorry) and do make a page each day. The only thing these pages have in common, is that they're all made spontainously - using 5-10 min. These pages will be my diary for this year. (Thanks to Erin for great inspiration!)

Hope you're all doing fine!

Wish you all Happy Easter!

"You're so beautiful when you're smiling"

Oh my - I'm really too cute when I'm smiling, don't you agree? At least when I was a kid *lol* This page is just a reminder to myself... Life is so much easier - and better - if I smile. I'm not talking about pasting a smile on my face and keep it there no matter what. Nope. Been there, done that. Finito. I've made this page to remind me that sometimes life don't have to be so serious. Sometimes it's more than okey to just smile and have some fun. Days like that is beautiful. And when I'm feeling good and life is smiling, I'm smiling too - and oh my, I'm really too cute when I'm smiling :)

Two more pages inspired by Dina

This is fun - BIG TIME! :) And the time is flying.... I have to get ready for tonight's concert. Hopefully I'll make the last couple of pages tomorrow.

And for those who care: Some info about our consert - Borre Vocale.

"Art Journaling 102" by Dina Wakley

In lack of inspiration I've luckily found a fabulous online Art Journaling class held by Dina Wakley. She is just SO inspiring and makes the best online lessons I've ever seen. If you want to join in, you'll find more information here: Art Journaling 102

I've been playing and making 3 sets of backgrounds. This is the first one:
And here are my first finished pages:

And I still got some backgrounds to play with, so consider yourself warned - more posts to come :)

Messymessy - Chaos

I've made my first pages - based on the messy and chaotic feeling my background gives me. But first, in order to know which part of my background I wanted to use, I cut out a white paper frame. Then, just move the frame all over the painting to see which part you'd like to cut out.

I cut out two - to make a dubble page in my AJ.

Then I used some white paint along the edges, and glued on a picture - and 'framed' it by using wax crayons. I also highlighted some of the colors in the background with some more color (wax).

My finished pages:

The text - roughly translated:
"It's kind of strange how chaos actually can feel good to look at - if I only get to see it from a distance. When I'm in the middle of the chaos, I'm just hectically searching for a glimps of order and balance. I'm "staring me blind" (I don't know if you have this kind of phrase in English....) by only looking at the details and forget that they're just tiny pieces of something bigger. Only when I manage to get a step or two away from the chaos, I'm realizing that the tiny details blend in perfectly in the bigger picture. The tiny - and partly incomprehensible and incoherent - details are important elements of the big design."

Klæsjebakgrunn - Messy background

I woke up and I just had to paint! Or, calling it a "Painting" is perhaps using too big words... *lol* But I've played with paint - no doubt! I actually got inspired by the last picture I showed you in the last post. The 'close up' inspired me to make a huge background, and then later on use parts of it as backgrounds - or even details - in my AJ. The painted background is 100 x 70 cm, and hopefully it will last for several pages :)

I'll show you how I made the background - step by step:

1. Here is my big piece of paper.
2. I've used acrylic paint (for children).

3. And, give your head an hour off - it's easier to be messy if the head isn't controlling the prosess. Just play with the colors, and make different kind of shapes. Have fun :)

4. Not pretty at all - but who cares!

5. A tip: Don't wash the brush, just let the colors mix and blend. Cleaning is boooring....

6. I've covered my whole piece of paper with paint. I love the mess! My 'ugly' - or let's be nice and say 'not very naturalistic' - style makes me smile :)

Let dry....... *sight* (Where do you buy a HUGE package of patience???) ....

.... *whistle*

.... *singing and practicing the Johannes-passion of Bach.....*

.... *testing testing nope not dry at all....*

.... "Thank God for the Heat Gun!"

7. I got an idea and wanted to use some wax crayons to make some spots and patterns on the background... Perhaps the wax will make the next layer of paint pearl...? Time will show :)

8. I also want to add some collage pieces and ephemeras, just to get some texture.

9. Gluing them on with decoupage glue. Messy, messy! :) (Especially since some of the paint wasn't all dry... *lol* Did I mention lack of patience?)

10. Time for another layer - cover the paint with some white.

11. And the background got sooo boring.... So I had to add some more color.

12. And time for the fun part: While the paint is still wet (*yeeeaaaahhh!*) use something to scrape off some of the paint. You can draw figures, write or just do some doodling. Look how cool it is when the bottom layer comes through!

13. And hey - I recovered the text and the music sheet!

14. Love how this pattern turned out!

15. *jummi* Can't wait to use this part in my AJ!

16. And these ones too :)

And time for the neverending "please get dryyyy"-part.... But, while the background dries, I'm going to the gym! See you later - and I can't wait to see your messy-messy backgrounds! 'Cause your joining in, aren't you?