Diana Trout's blog

Sumptuous Painted Paper

Three cheers to paint all the paper! I taught this class again a couple of weekends ago in the studio. It's a spin-off of my Playful Papers dvd and I have taught many variations. You can see pictures from the class here.

The process is pretty straight forward. Take paints and inks and spritz, drop, paint, spread around, drip, print, stencil. It's just good fun really.  Everything winds up looking fab. Watch your color families. Stay in analogous (neighborhood) color: red, orange, yellow or blues and greens. You don't really want mud here. 

The papers are great for collage, journaling, cards, mixed media canvases or any paper projects. I've made flower collages from them and used them for paper cloth. Or a tag book: good stuff. 

Enjoy the video. And check out that neat little extra technique I discovered. Spray the water through a stencil, lift the stencil and then spray the in. Very cool look. Supply list is below along with links to the other two blog posts on this topic - my inky holiday hauls :)

Use what you have. The following supply list are affiliate links. I get a % of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Color It In * Pencils, Pens & Books

DickBlick's got some free shipping today only (12/16/16) for merch over $29 (!). I've put together a little video comparing colored pencils. I love to use gelly rolls or other glittery, shiny pens in coloring books too. Amp it up. LOL. (I don't much care for loud music these days).

Crayola's are very inexpensive, widely availabe and you get a good bang for your buck there. 

Koh-i-Noor has a very nice set, vibrant and a darn good price.

I've used Prismacolors for years. They are a little pricey but a solid investment. I have heard reports of the leads breaking within the barrel of the pencils. I have not experienced this but there are suggestions on how to fix the problem (such as wrapping them in a heating pad).  I dunno ...

Shiny, glittery pens are fun to use to mix things up, so I've provided links to some of my favs. All of the art supplies are linked to Dick Blick. The books are over at Amazon. I like the Kum (koom) sharpener, btw. Nice one. I have an electric sharpener from Staples too. Perfect.

My favorite book is Flow. It's playful and the spaces are large enough to do your own shading and color mixing. I like that. You may not :).  Enjoy the video! My affiliate links are below and I thank you for using them. Remember: it helps me out and costs you nothing.  Have a nice weekend.  

Use code WOW2016 at DickBlick to get the free shipping. (Today Only).

Prang Colored Pencils	Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Oil Based Colored Pencils	Prismacolor Colored Pencils	Koh-I-Noor Progresso Colored Pencils	UniBall Signo, Silver Gold & White
Sakura Gelly Roll Hot Metallic	Sakura Gelly Roll Pens	Coloring Books	Chronicle Books ENCHANTED FOREST An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book 674889	Secret Garden Coloring Book
Flow Coloring Book	Lyra Super Ferby Metallic Pencils	Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic	Sakura Gelly Roll Star Dust Pens	Coloring Books on Amazon

InLinkz.com

Inktober! Small Sketchbook Tutorial

Inktober begins tomorrow and I'm participating this year. I'm terrible at these challenges. I just don't stick to it, but as Yoda would say, Try, I will. Here is the official website. 

There were a few sketchbooks that would have worked well for this challenge including my current art journal. But any excuse to bind up a little book. 

I used Neenah Solar White 80 lb paper for the guts. It's a very smooth cardstock - nice for pen work. For the cover, an old composition book cover was sacrificed, the black and white is fun. I used black masking tape to hold the covers together, Duct-Tape Book style. This book is simply bound, using the 5-hole pamphlet stitch, here.

Here's the video tutorial. I've linked all supplies below the video, including some of the pens I added to my pencil case video, here. Enjoy!

 

Here are affiliate supply links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Below are JetPens links (no affiliation except free supplies which really helps me out).

 

 

Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 25 Sheets	Moleskine, Sketchbook, 3.5"x5.5"	Moleskine Japanese Accordian Sketchbook	Stillman & Birn, Epsillon, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"	Alvin Cutting Mat and X-Acto Blade
Blick Metal Ruler 12"	03441 Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches	Ranger MANILA TAGS #5 Inkssentials Surfaces ISM27966	Ranger Dylusions MIXED MEDIA #10 Journaling Tags DYA47292	#5 Avery Shipping Tag
Piercing Awl	Sewing Awl	Binding Needles	Waxed Linen Thread	Ranger PAPER CREASER BONE FOLDER Fold Cardstock & Cards Easily BON10029
Simon Says Stamp SMALL TEFLON BONE FOLDER Tool	Black 2" Masking Tape	Fiskars Non Stick Scissors

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What's In My Pencil Case?

Inquiring minds will want to know!

So many pens, so many lines to draw. I'm going through some of my favorites today.

After making this video, I realized that Inktober is right around the corner and I'm participating this year. I feel a bit rusty on my basic drawing skills. I have another video about the sketchbook and pens that I'll use in addition to these. It'll be up later this week. 

And the video.

Check out information on InkTober here. It's pretty simple: Draw every day with a pen during the month of October, share with #Inktober if you want. Keep it to yourself if you don't :) Here are some affiliate links. I appreciate your using my links as I get a little percentage of the sale without any charge to you.

 

Mead Stand & Store Pencil Case	Caran d'Ache Technalo Watersoluble Pencil	Kneaded Eraser	Faber Castell Jumbo	Uni-Ball Signo, 14 color set
UniBall Signo, Silver Gold & White	Sarasa Gel Pens, Clip Asst'd Colors	Micron Asst'd Point Size Set

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How to Avoid Artist's Block

One way to avoid an artist's block is to keep your hands busy even while your brain is on vacation.

In today's video, see a demo of the new Heidi Swapp toner based screen printing ink and mist. This is a good time of year (for me) to do small tasks, try things out and play in a not-so-focused way. This may be the best way to ward off artist's block. Especially for very busy people. Carving out a few minutes a day for any kind of artistic play puts you in the winners circle.

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Here area some affiliate links. Scrapbook.com had some really great prices on both the Mini Minc machine and MISTI stamping tool. (As of today, July 22). These are larger purchases. If you teach or share your tools, you can justify a purchase like this by sharing costs. I like them both a lot. As usual, use what you have. 

 

 

Ranger Archival Ink Pad PLUM AIP31499	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Toner Mist	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Art Screen - Lines	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Art Screen - Floral	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Art Screen Ink
Mini MISTI - Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented	Heidi Swapp - MINC Collection - Starter Kit - 6 Inch Mini Foil Applicator	Hero Arts Color Layering SEAHORSE BUNDLE SB110	Hero Arts Clear Stamps COLOR LAYERING SEAHORSE CL956	Hero Arts Color Layering OCTOPUS CM104
Hero Arts Color Layering GOLDFISH BUNDLE SB109	Hero Arts Color Layering Frame Cuts OCTOPUS DI304	Therm O Web GOLD Deco Foil Transfer Sheets iCraft 51025

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Spontaneous Journal Spill

Fridays's Live Stream was a success! Yay! I had great help. I hope that this video will inspire you and give you an easy way to work in your journal. You can apply this drawing game technique anywhere and with any media. I've done it with Crayolas with little kids and paint brushes on canvas with adults. It's just fun to take your pen for a wander and then doodle, color and add patterns inside the shapes. Go ahead and color outside the lines too! 

I've provided links for most of the products I've used. Many thanks to JetPens for providing me with some new supplies to introduce. The Deleter Neopiko pens are very nice to use; similar in quality to the Zig Clean Color. The colors are different so they are an expansion to your palette.

All of these dye-based brush markers, including Tombow and Distress work very well together. Children's markers work too! 

As a general note, you'll find that most art supplies at similar prices are similar. I like the color range of the Neopiko 4's and will probably pick up a few more. 

 

Deleter Neopiko 4 Watercolor Brushes: http://to.jetpens.com/1TanP0f
Global Art Fluid Watercolor Blocks: http://to.jetpens.com/1SDmnnz
Caran d'Ache Technalo Graphite Pencils: http://to.jetpens.com/1O0LQ8G
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors: http://to.jetpens.com/1WyWAAe
I just started practicing with brush lettering. It does take practice! I am using Creative Lettering and Beyond. There are some great tips, a few fonts and space in the book to practice. I also love Jenny Doh's Creative Lettering. 

Here are some brush pens that I enjoy. 

Pilot Futayaku Double-Sided Brush Pen: http://to.jetpens.com/1PlyaL9
Sailor Fude Nagomi Double-Sided Brush Pen: http://to.jetpens.com/1PlyaL9

Here's the live stream recording. See below for more affiilate link supplies. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

 

Stretch Your Supplies: Alcohol Inks & Vellum

Happy Monday, gang. I have a great work week project for you today. 

My two favorite surfaces for alcohol inks are vellum, glossy photo paper and Yupo.  Try using your alcohol markers (eg., Copic or Spectrum Noir "SN") and the Ranger Alcohol inks. 

The inks slip and slide around when you blend them and produce very painterly effects. You can use a blender pen, Ranger's blending liquid, Ranger Alcohol inks. Ethyl alcohol (not isopropyl) from the drugstore can be substituted for the blending liquid.

I love the way the SN blender pen removes the marker and moves it around. I covered scraps of vellum with color and then pulled out my paper punches and made shapes. 

I look forward to layering up these shapes with other items from my embellishments such as words stickers, stamped images, stitch, etc. Simply making things puts me in a good mood and chases worries away. Art therapy.

Enjoy. See this YouTube video and this blogpost for additional info. 

I found my Spectrum Noir markers at AC Moore for under $8 for a 6 pack. They may not be the best markers around but they work fine for me!

 

Repetitive Stamping Techniques

Carve, ink, print, repeat. 

I carved this stamp while doing demos in my MeetUp on Saturday. I figured it would be a throwaway because I wasn't taking my time as I explained the techniques. 

But look how lovely! Blocks of pattern can be very restful to your eye. I love the look of this on white. Sometimes, especially if you are a More is More person, it's a good technique to use to add some quiet to your page. The page is covered (just the way you like it :) but there is rest space. 

Man I LOVE that Tsukineko neon pink ink. I'm going to collect the whole range; so juicy and vibrant. Yum. They are pigment inks so dry slowly. This doesn't bother me but I know lots of you prefer the dye inks. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

This Week Today

I started writing this on Monday, 3/15 and have been at it all week.

A bit of sunshine for your Friday morning ... 

Monday mornings begin on Sunday night for me as I sprawl on the sofa with my planner. 

On Monday, I pretty much ignored what I'd written in my planner and did a Live Stream on stamping in a little book instead.

In my studio, I have a big basket and box project folders for YouTube videos and I keep doing things off the cuff instead. Here is a look at the flip book I was working on.

Tuesday: My planner says "Watercolor." Also: "Work on Mixed Media Watercolor class."

Here's some of the painting I started. (at the top of this post: I love the idea of the flowers glowing yellow around the bulb part and the sunlight dancing along the tops. Sorry about the uneven lighting.)

The red coming down from the flower needs more definition. 

I will go back into the right hand flower and lift paint out for the stamen "legs." I love that brown from mixing green and red. 

Tuesday Night: Aunt Betz called from the hospital: Pneumonia. Wednesday was devoted to helping her get settled, talking to her doc and the nurses and distributing chocolate bunnies to all involved.

The rest of the week is up for grabs. I'm heading to the studio to work on some watercolors again and maybe get started on another flip book. Mixed Media Watercolor class is underway. This happend

After being inspired by the Gelli Arts folks here, I folded a bunch of mark-making tools for the Gelli Prints video coming soon.  Today is the son's birthday so this is underway

Who knew there was a thing called Hipster Animals? Honestly! Google it. They are hilarious. I caved and purchased the set from Hero Arts after watching Kristina Werner make a card with it here. I think they need bodies but they could also be trophy heads. 

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'm looking forward to my stamp carving class tomorrow. Off now to visit my auntie. Here are some of the materials and tools I used this week (affiliate links used).

 

 

Stamping and a Little Book (Live Stream)

I ran a test this morning and managed to Live Stream on YouTube. The first few minutes were kind of loopy but then it's OK. I was working on a little bitty interactive book with some hand carved stamps. 

I spotted something on YouTube called a FlipBook. It reminded me of little books I used to make a lot with fold outs and pockets. We talked about Shereen LaPlantz book, Cover to Cover. I mentioned ground breaking book conservator and artist Hedi Kyle, the inventor of the Blizzard Book and Flag Book (google her). 

It was pretty exciting to be making art and talking to people. Here it is. 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.