CREATIVE SPARK NEWSLETTER
2023 Summer Sketchbook Un-Slump 

 
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WEEK O CHECK-IN
This is the last email I'm sending before we officially begin the un-slump! How are you feeling about everything? I hope the prep email was helpful and if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. 
 
If you recently signed up or are still getting ready, that's OK! Don't stress. The first prompt will go out Friday and you'll have a week to work on it. You don't have to be perfectly set up to begin. Also, keep in mind this is an on-going challenge which has its perks! If (for example) you ordered supplies and they don't arrive for week 1, you can still use them for week 2. We can be flexible and make things work :)
 
Below are a few final things I wanted to share before we kick things off as well as some inspiration from our community for the warm-up exercise!

PROMPT LIBRARY
In case you miss an email, can't find it in your inbox, or want to reference an old prompt, you can find all past emails/prompts over in the Prompt Library. You'll always have access to this page and I'll include a link to it at the bottom of every email going forward.

Q&A
I'll include this section in the check-in emails when I receive questions that I think the whole 
group could benefit from hearing! Jane asked: 
 
“Is each week a separate sheet or do we add to what we've done the week before?”
 
This is up to you! I personally like completing a page (or a few pages) for each prompt and having a finished piece at the end of each week. 
 
However I LOVE the idea of adding onto one page too! 
 
You could also try doing both: complete a page for each prompt and also set aside a page where you continuously add to it throughout the 5 weeks (it doesn't have to take too much time and can be something small so you don't feel overwhelmed.) 
 
For anyone interested in creating a mixed media piece, having a page where you add to it each week would be a great way to slowly develop one! Try using different mediums each time you add to it.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY
I love seeing the different marks you are making! (If you need a refresher on the warm up exercise, you can find the Week 0 email in the prompt library.)
Above Left: Jane's mark in a bold red Above Right: Rachel's mark created with water soluble crayons and alcohol ink drops.
Above Left: Katrina's mark that beautifully fades and highlights the light and dark shades of this color Above Right: Here's mine--I made an extra long brush and held it loosely to see what kind of mark it would create. I used a Chinese calligraphy brush to soak up the ink from the block. The taped up brushes ended up being pretty long so I had to make the mark standing up with the sketchbook on the floor!
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Keep on making your warm up marks and emailing me your photos! I'll be putting everything into a community photo gallery so even if it doesn't make it in time for a check-in email, it'll still be added there and we can refer to it for inspiration. I'll be sharing the link for the gallery soon!
 
I can't wait to talk to you on Friday when we dive into the first prompt! Until then, have a great start to your week! 
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