CREATIVE SPARK NEWSLETTER
2024 Summer Sketchbook Un-Slump 

 
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SUMMER SKETCHBOOK UNSLUMP PROMPT 2
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Rough, velvety, grainy, bumpy, cracked, furry, chunky. Textures can draw you in, make you want to reach out and run your fingers over it, create visual interest, and add dimension. This week we are going to explore how we can add texture to our sketchbook pages! 
 
If you want to really go for it and feel like it will make your sketchbook page too thick, create on a separate piece of paper or canvas. Then--if you want--take a photo of it to glue into your sketchbook! You can even add paint or embroidery on top of it to add some more texture :)
 
Here are some ideas and inspiration to help you get started…

ENVISION & EXPRESS
 
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  • 43 Ideas & Images for texture
  • Create Rubbings Take a separate piece of paper and crayon / pencil / charcoal to create rubbings from. This does give you more options because you don't have to put paint on the item :) One of my favorite things I've taken a rubbing from is my car tire! Once you have your rubbings, you can use them to create a collage or mixed media piece in your sketchbook.
  • Sketch Images of Texture Keep it simple--pick a pencil or pen and try one of these worksheets (you can print them out or use as a visual reference).
  • More Textures To Sketch This is a very well put together article that is worth the read but if you want to get to the textures, head to exercises 4, 5, and 6
  • Make A Mixed Media Sketchbook Page (if you've never done this before, I really hope you'll try it!)
    • On a separate piece of paper (can be any kind) sketch/draw images of texture all over it.
    • Tear the page apart into different uneven strips and shapes.
    • Glue them onto your sketchbook page--set a few aside to be used later.
    • Add paint on top--try using a palette knife--or plastic knife if you don't have one--with thick acrylic paint, use your fingers, leave it chunky and messy.
    • While the paint is still wet, add the remaining strips/pieces of the textured drawings you had set aside. Let the page dry if needed or keep it wet if you want to add more items to it (such as confetti, glitter, cut outs from magazines, etc.)
    • Add a final layer of texture to your mixed media page using a different medium you haven't used yet (try yarn, embroidery, dried flowers, crumpled paper, paint splatters, etc.)
    • If this idea feels too abstract or you need more of an anchor, you can base the page on an image of something (landscape, animal, etc.), or find inspiration in a feeling, favorite quote, or idea you want to express.
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  • 6 Watercolor Texture Techniques to try
  • Mix Experiment with adding different thickeners and elements to your paints:  baking soda, glue, paint thickening agents, salt, seeds, etc. (maybe use an old brush to mix so you don't ruin anything :))
  • Press Find different items around your home with interesting textures to stamp onto your sketchbook page! Crumpled paper, bubble wrap, fruit or vegetable peels, fabric scraps, etc. If you have one of these stamping foams, use that to create your own stamp!
  • Weavings and textiles have so many fun textural elements! Browse through some images and see what you can take and recreate on your canvas. For example, with weaving--find a way to weave brush strokes together or maybe cut out paper to weave and add to your page. Here are some examples to help get you started: textiles and weaving.

If you're sharing your work, please tag me @atiliay on Instagram so I can repost or feel free to email me with photos as well. If you're still working on Prompt #1 Action, that's OK--keep at it and move onto #2 when you're done.
 
Have a great weekend--I hope you are able to enjoy some moments of inspiration and creativity!
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