Sketchbook Challenge: Book Review & 2 Giveaways

Sue Bleiweiss has put together a really lovely book here. Kudos to her for herding up 24 woman artists and 12 interesting themes (eg, dwellings, circles, weathered beauty).

Sue is the force behind the blog The Sketchbook Challenge which is currently in its second year. Her keen eye for design is present in this appealing book both in its smaller-than-usual size and, oh man, I am a sucker for rounded corners on a book.

The book lays out the themes and then two artists address their process from initial sketches to finished artwork. This is a broad overview, naturally. There are technique sections within each theme but, largely, this is a book to inspire you to find your own process. 

At the bottom of this post you will find the giveaways with instructions, OK? See the list of "hoppers" down there too! All of the artists from the book are participating.

My theme for the book is Dwellings. Yes, it was perfect for me. I started out with small drawings and compositional sketches, expanding on my stones and little hut-like houses.  Here are samples of some of the patterns, textures and compositions I was playing with.

In addition to a regular sketchbook or journal, I like to use small portfolios when I am starting a new series. This portfolio is of the rescued book variety. The instructions are based on this video. 

and my finished piece ... 
Now for the giveaways! There are two of them

From The Artist Cellar  A complete set of Artist Cellar Stencils - that’s 28 stencils total! Total retail value $120.

and

From My Creative Classroom:  a free seat to any of their online classes  Total retail value $45!

Wow! This is like a game show! 

SO, throw your name in the hat by leaving a comment on this post. 

Please Note
One comment per person
Leave a contact address

Indicate which of the prizes you would like 
Stencils OR Free Class

I will draw names on July 10!

Here is the blog hop schedule

June 26:
Jill Berry
Sue Bleiweiss

June 27:
Violette
Kathyanne White

June 28:
Kathy Sperino
Leslie Tucker Jenison

June 29:
Jamie Fingal
Lynn Krawczyk

July 2:
Jackie Bowcutt
Lyric Kinard

July 3:
Jane Davies
Kim Rae Nugent

July 5:
Carla Sonheim
Carol Sloan

July 6:
Susan Brubaker Knapp
Diana Trout

July 9:
Tracie Lyn Huskamp
Judi Hurwitt

July 10:
Jane LaFazio
Kelli Nina Perkins

The Sketchbook Challenge Blog Hop is sponsored by:

Mistyfuse
My Creative Classroom
ArtPlantae Today 
Gelli Arts 
Joggles
Sue Pelland Designs
ProChemical and Dye
The Thread Studio
Blue Twig Studio
ArtistCellar

Good Luck! And I hope you'll enjoy the book. 

Comments

[Linda Dunn]

I love your rescued journal - I'm hoping to give the project a try this summer. Thanks for the many inspiring posts.

[Janelle Marks]

I love your piece from the book. I really have to get my hands on this great resource. I would love to win the stencils, since I have heard so many good things about Artist Cellar. Thanks to the sponsors and to all the artists.

[Maria]

The book looks amazing! I'd love to win the stencils.

[Sharon Richardson]

Have been loving all the wonderful activity each of you artists has been showing for the book. I would love the chance to win the STENCILS, since they can be used in so many ways, as you indicated. You all have done such a wonderful job for this blog hop - especially for those of us who can't be out driving across the country anyway! - Sharon

[Donna Russ]

I too would love to win the stencils, from the Artist Cellar, and thanks for that video, on the book,and for sharing on the Sketchbook book, cant wait til I get my copy of the book.....thanks again.....

[Lynda]

Oh my! I would love the stencils. I am so looking forward to getting this book. Thanks for the giveaway and the video.

[Edie]

I would love to win the class, since I often cut my own stencils and carve my own stamps. Thanks for the chance to win!

Edie

[Dianne Nunn]

I would love the on line class prize as I am in Australia and that is probably easier and I do enjoy an online class. Thanks for the chance.

[Margarita Korioth]

Wow, it is difficult to decide. Would love to win the stencils, since they can be used in so different ways, they would be ideal for the art I like to do with recycled paper. Thanks for the opportunity. Margarita

[Barbara]

Oh! Stencils, please!

[Sharon W]

stencils without a doubt! Thanks.............Sharon crzydqltr@cox.net

[Patti]

Thanks for the portfolio video. Ooo, my stamp club has a gift exchange every Christmas and I'm going to make a few of those as my gift this year! Pick me for the stencils, please. :-)

[Janny]

The book looks great. I would love to win the stencils. Thanks for the giveaway.

[Roxanne]

Ooooo1 Can't have too many stencils. I have the book and love it!

[Jan B]

Thanks for the chance to win! I would love the stencils.
Contact me at: janet.l.barlow@gmail.com

[Patricia Statzer]

Love the video - you do them with such ease. I would love the online class as I do love to learn new things. Thanks for giving so much of your time.

[Kathleen Chrisman]

Choices, choices...I think the stencils. Thanks for the give away, I know it will enrich someone's art life.

[Anne L.]

This blog hoop is great fun, and I have met lots of new artists, and found lots of inspiration. Thank you.

[Mary K McGraw]

I enjoyed your video and the Rescued Journal would be a great use of some of the old book covers I have laying around. Plus a fabulous giveaway.

[Kathy Schmidt]

Your work is so wonderful! I'm getting so inspired to get this book--and maybe even try actually carrying a sketchbook around with me! A chance to win your stencils is such a wonderful bonus, too. Thanks.

[quilter422]

love the book and the blog hop has been so much fun to get to see the extra details of each piece. thanks for the opportunity, i would love the stensils.

[Erin]

I received the book last week and am loving every single page - so many creative ideas. Thank you for this opportunity. I would love the stencils.

[NatashaMay]

That is pretty awesome! :) Thanks for sharing and thanks for the giveaway. :) I would love to win the stencils. ♥

[Sharon Bennett]

Great video, Diana. I love making any kind of books. Thanx for sharing! Thanx for a chance to win some great stencils. Woot!

[Melisa]

Love your colorful, cozy dwelling piece! I'd love to win the stencils.

[Debi Kibbee]

would love to win the stencils, I have never used stencils in my art before and would love to give them a try.
I really like the color scheme you used in your piece, very uplifting

[Dawn Burnside]

Thanks for the video, & a chance to win some awesome stencils. I can't wait to get the book, "Sketchbook Challenge".

[Ronni Hunter]

The Sketchbook Challenge blog has been so much fun to follow and I'm really looking forward to getting the book. I would so LOOOOVE to win those stencils! Thanks for the opportunity.

[elle]

Great resources. The stencils would be a cool win. Thanks for the chance!

[Pam]

Love love love your finished project for the Sketchbook Challenge book. Inspired!

[Johanne]

Inspiring. I would love to take another class with you. So please include my name for the class. The book sounds like a great resource. Seeing the process unfold gives me so many ideas. Merci!

[Angela]

Oh my gosh! Those stencils make my heart sing!!!

[Jan]

Love your work in the book. Even though I've told myself I have enough books, I suppose one can never have enough??? I'd love the stencils, but an online class would be good too. Thanks for the chance!

[Heather Goldsmith]

Oooh, would love a place in your online class. I'd also love to check out that book as soon as I can. Cool. ;-)

[Sandra Koberlein]

What a wonderful opportunity! I would love the chance to create using the book and/or the stencils. I am a high school art teacher and summertime is MY time. I could use a little bit of creative inspiration.
It's been fun watching your work evolve and now to see the posts of Italy! Fabulous!
Keep on creating!

[Mary Anne]

I'm having so much fun on this blog hop - it's so inspiring to see how each of the artists developed their pieces of work and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the book. Thanks for a chance to win!

[Gayle]

I would love the stencils! Thanks for participating in the blog hop. I've enjoyed meeting such inspiring artists.

[Cynthia H]

I've enjoyed the blog hop and this giveaway, especially, makes my heart sing with the possibility of winning a set of Artist Cellar stencils! I've been wanting stencils for months, but haven't had the $ to purchase them. Thanks so much for this chance!!
CreativeArtitude at hotmail dot com

[Linda]

I love your work in the book (as I do all your work)!! I always learn so much from your blog!! I would love either of the giveaways!! Thanks so much for a chance to win!!

[Michelle Remy]

A friend brought the Sketchbook Challenge book to peruse the other day and it looked very good so onto my wish list it went...I adore your "dwelling" piece! Every time I think I've moved past my obsession with house imagery, I see something like this and am inspired all over again! Please toss my name in the virtual hat for the stencil set; I love cutting my own but it is super hard on my hands so I love pre-cut stencils! Anyway, thank you so much for the opportunity to play along!