I started this page with recycled paper that I used to wipe excess paint on. I liked the flowing colors of the paint, even though they are a bit bold and somewhat loud! I tried to frame the page, to see what images would pop up. However, and much to my dismay, nothing did. I talked to my mum on skype for a bit over an hour and tried to get her to help me out, what to do with this page... but she was also shocked at the boldness of all those colors :(
All I knew that I wanted to use was text book paper for the eyes, as this page was going to have something to do with knowledge that I've learned. How I was going to incorporate those eyes was not known to me!
I tried to use different things, off camera, but nothing seemed to fit. In the end I decided to go with my original idea of using a, somewhat larger than usual, face. I had to put those eyes somewhere!
Using my newly purchased skin tone acrylic paint, I'm happy I decided to invest in this, and an old Red Ocher that I got a long time ago, I think it all turned out well. I also believe that when using skin tone, the red ocher seems to work the best to make natural looking shades on the faces.
I hadn't planned on using water color pencils for the eyes, but while I was talking to my mum and telling her the cheap supplies that I managed to find, one of them was that box of pens. I felt a bit intimidated by them because they didn't work as I had expected them to. They are nothing like the Inktense water color pencils a lot of art journalers use.... but it is what I could find... now to figure out how to use them to their advantage! I had them and I can better use them.
I have to admit that they worked out perfectly for the details on the eyes, in my opinion! I've never drawn eyes with so much detail.
Once the face was finished I did some journaling using gel pens, following the lines of the existing background. Those gel pens, when I used the mat medium to protect page, it smudged the ink... That was actually a good thing, cause I don't really want to be able to read all my journaling :) Nice technique to remember for future pages :DAfter the camera was turned off (out of memory) I decided to use the black marker to show the black of the eyes better and also the outline of the iris. I also used a white marker that I still have to make light dots on the eyes. Followed by a layer of glossy varnish. It made the eyes just pop... I wish I had done that on camera, but I would have to wait to upload the video and then film it, and I couldn't wait to use the markers :) Sorry, next time I'll make sure to work faster and try and fit everything in the video.
Another set of art lessons learned, by trial and error and work around :D
This is the final result. Do you also feel that the head is moving closer to you and the background falling away? or am I the only one?
Enjoy the creative process:
Supplies used:
- recycled paper
- glue stick (to stick paper)
- acrylic paint
- glitter (used the tips of the glitter on the little acrylic tubes to make more details directly with the tubes on the paper)
- permanent markers
- water color pens (for the eyes)
- glossy varnish for the eyes
- matt medium to protect the page.
