Sketchbook Diaries

Waaaaaay back in October I talked about how my high school art teacher had given back my sketchbooks from my junior and senior years of IB Visual Arts. I even showed teaser photos, promising to produce actual scans in the future. Well, it's December and here you go. Finally.

(A malfunctioning scanner/cable prevented me from doing this sooner!)

 This is a process we dubbed "never dull." 

Basically, you take regular old white Elmer's glue and use it to mark off parts from a glossy magazine page.

After a day or so of drying, you take Never Dull (found in the automotive section) 

and rub the saturated cotton from the can all over until the desired affect is achieved.

The page was a jewelry advertisement in Vogue, I believe.

I decided to take it one step further and played around with chalk pastels to recreate the look.

At the time, I swore I was only decent using chalk pastels as my medium.

Meh, it's fun to see how I progressed over the course of two years. More scans next week!

Until next time, ♥.

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Sketchbook Diaries: Introducing the Forgotten.

 I run into my former art teacher from high school all of the time at the Art Center because we both take classes there. Last week, she surprised me with my IB Visual Arts Sketchbooks. As a part of my graduation requirements, I was to keep and fully fill a sketch book both my Junior and Senior year of high school. They are to be kept for a year post-graduation in case something funky comes up and the IBO needs to verify something. 

Anyways, I'm glad to have them back.

They're the closest things that I have to a scrapbook. 

Flipping through the pages, I was shocked by some of the things I included. 

So many memories.

 The growth I experienced from one year to the next is incredible.

My Senior sketchbook completely blows away my Junior one.

You live and you learn.

Anyways, here are some teaser photographs. 

I will be scanning some especially terrific entries for future posts, so be sure to keep an eye out for them! 

Until next time, ♥.

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A Goatranda is Born

I probably haven't touched these watercolors since my senior year of high school. 

So, why the sudden urge to paint? Well, let's just say I was inspired:

Yes, that was a Facebook thread. 

And yes, I blurred people's names and faces (and inappropriate language) to protect their identities

...because I'm nice...and not exactly looking to be sued.

I had a fairly crude drawing that very night. Later, it was scanned and cleaned up and then printed on this awesome banana paper that I had on hand. This weekend I put myself to work to bring this bad boy to life!

Okay, so I'm no Turner when it comes to watercolors, but hey! He turned out "kinda krute."

This Goatranda is the product of inside jokes and Facebook statuses and imaginations that have run wild.

Anyways, I framed him for an unexpected birthday gift. 

My friend's happy noises and mumbling upon receipt let me know that he likes it.

And really? That's all that matters.

Until next time, ♥.

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Sketchbook Diaries: Discovered.

My mom discovered these small sketches amongst a pile of papers the other day. 

These were done during a shift at Half of Half, probably last winter.

I drew on the last strip of paper from one of the machines.

The bright purple indicates that it's time for a new roll.

It also indicates double-doodle time!

I was drawing things that I saw in the store, but then I was bored and drew this odd one.

I don't know what my deal is with butts...but I love'em.

Gangly, grotesque, slightly fatigued...but a big butt is still intact.

I guess I should go back to my reading now.

Until next time, ♥.

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Sketchbook Diaries

As a part of IB Visual Arts in High School, I had to keep up with a sketchbook. You know, those black hardbound sketchbooks. I had to complete an entire sketchbook a year, no easy task, especially if you happen to procrastinate like I do. Somehow I managed to finish them, although some pages were absolute crap. The pages were filled with sketches, doodles, inspiration, etc.  Desperate times called for desperate measures; I remember using grass stains to draw a nature scene. 

WTF? Yeah, exactly.

Anyways, sketchbooking seems like a healthy habit. I bought a new one at the start of my freshman year, but of course it stayed new until the week of spring finals. Thus far, I've done about 20 pages. I thought it'd be fun to feature some of my better pages. It's mostly collage work, incorporating images from Urban Outfitter catalogs and other odds and ends. If anything, this sketchbook will be a book for inspiration, like a mood board of sorts.

I slept in today, not having anything better to do. I got dressed so I wouldn't feel like a total slob. First, I had to patch the jeans up, or else the cheeks would've been hanging out like nobody's business. I didn't bother with straightening my bangs, it's kind of refreshing. My laziness would also explain the lack of footwear.

->Wolf Tank - XXI

->Ethnic Belt, $2 - Goodwill

->Holey Mavi Jeans, $12 - Marshalls

->Tan Knit Shrug, $3 - Goodwill

->Quartz Bullet Necklace, DIY

This took me around 30 minutes. Doodling. I'm pretty sure the magazine image came from an old Teen Vogue. Well, this is what happens when you don't have anything better to do. 

At least I enjoyed myself?

However, do not fret! This weekend is chock-full of fun! 
We have Cool Shoes on Friday night and Riverfest the rest of the weekend. 

HUZZAH!

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