Lesson 1 | Selecting a used book that is right for you. 

Follow your inner creative muse when selecting a book that is right for you. Suggestions for resources are included in the art supplies.

I also discuss options for your cover if you don't want to use a hard cover book.

 

Lesson 2 | Artistic Themes

Discover what makes your heart light up and bring those themes to your artwork. We connect with artmaking on a deeper level when we're mindful of our experiences, thoughts, memories, and the things that inspire us to create. For some, it may be traveling to beautiful places, hiking in the mountains, reading, or baking your grandmother's famous blueberry pie.

You will notice a difference in your artwork when you take inspiration from the themes you're most drawn to, reflect on them, and make them a necessary component of your creative process.

A short workbook will be included in the class to assist you as you make discoveries about yourself and what you want to create as an artist.

 
 

Lesson 3 | Ink & Paper

Put on your favorite music, grab a handful of brushes, pens, and mark-making tools to fill pages with rich, velvety, inky strokes. I LOVE how this exercise can set you free. Splash, drip, splatter, and spill to your heart's content. Later, we will use your inky pages to enhance your artist book with stylistic marks and unexpected page layouts.

 

Lesson 4 | Color Story Collages

Paint, paper, ribbons, textiles, and natural elements are stitched together to create collages that are overflowing with texture, color, and storytelling for your beautiful artist’s book.

 

Lesson 5 | Flower Love

Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to draw and paint. I'm always working towards free, loose, expressive florals. The two-part lesson will explore different backgrounds to experiment with color and mood. Then we will paint carefree and joyful flowers to add to our book.

 

Lesson 6 | Mini Landscapes

Take inspiration from places you've traveled, near or far. Create small expressive landscape paintings to tuck inside your book. They will always remind you to pause and capture the beauty right before you.

 

Lesson 7 | Small Stitched Dress

Our body, heart, and mind are an archive of our experiences. In this lesson, I created a small dress out of washed canvas and added stitches to symbolize and honor all my life experiences. And to be reminded to always look to that archive for a constant stream of inspiration. Feel free to use your imagination in this lesson and choose a symbol that suits you.

 

Lesson 8 | Putting It All Together

I will walk you through every step of the way. Explaining how I put together my signatures, create a new spine for the book, and used a simple pamphlet stitch to put it all together. 

 

BONUS | Block Printing

Creating a simple block print is fun and can also add a beautiful rhythm to your artwork. Create a stylistic symbol that represents who you are as an artist. 

 

BONUS #2

DOWNLOADABLE WORKBOOK

 

Art Supply List

MY THOUGHTS ON ART SUPPLIES

It is easy to get swept away with art supplies, especially when you begin a new class. You don't need everything on the list! I suggest that you substitute with what you have on hand. I've made my best discoveries through substitution. I always recommend watching the video first; if there is something new, decide if you want to try it. I have put an asterisk next to my favorites and items you might enjoy using in the class. 

Please feel free to substitute any color, brand, or supply for something you already have.

SUPPLIES

Old Book - I look at local thrift shops and on Etsy for great deals on used books. Look for a cover that appeals to your creative sensibilities.

 Unprimed Canvas or drop cloth.

An assortment of fabrics, ribbons, and other textiles.

*Arches Oil Paper (9x12) Note: In addition to oil paint, this paper is wonderful for all mediums, my favorite paper! Feel free to substitute with watercolor paper or mixed media paper.

Assorted papers that you may have on hand - I will use vintage paper, tracing paper, old ledger sheets, old music sheets, and vintage book pages.

*Drawing Paper or Sketch Pad - anything you have on hand will work.

Ink

Speedball India Ink

Acrylic Paint

Titanium White, Titan Buff, Black

Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, 

Yellow Ocher, Green Gold, Olive Green, Tanned, Caribbean Pink, 

Alizarin Crimson

OPTIONAL

Lefranc & Bourgeois - Flashe Matte Artist's Paint 

Colors I will be using:

White

Ivory

Black -

Payne's Gray

Blue Cendre

Mediums:

Matte Medium 

Clear Gesso

White Gesso 

*Golden's Gloss Glazing Medium- my favorite!

*Yes Paste

TOOLS & BRUSHES

*Color Shaper

*Princeton Select 1" Flat  - my favorite

Assorted Brushes

Palette Paper or glass palette

Assorted Art Supplies: Colored Pencils, Mechanical Pencils, Artist's Tape

Awl

Waxed Thread  & Needle to bind your book

Exacto Knife

Scissors

Cutting Mat

Embroidery Thread

OPTIONAL

Speedball Block carving starter set

Bookbinding Starter Set

Calligraphy Pen

Ruling Pen

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