Hosted by Olivia Lin of Atiliay |
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To watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior To inspect or take note of To celebrate in a customary way |
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Your mission for the week is to observe and create! This week's prompt is inspired by the transition of seasons: in the northern hemisphere we are settling into fall while in the southern hemisphere winter has turned into spring. There is so much to notice in each cyclical phase of nature--as well as in our day to day lives. What ordinary and extraordinary things will we notice when we pay a little extra attention? I purposefully try not to include too many images in the examples below so that we can start with something from our own minds, hearts, and imaginations. If you need to do more research after your initial thoughts / reaction, please feel free to look up more visuals or let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on anything! |
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WARM UP EXERCISE TO TRY THIS WEEK… Observe your paints
On mixed media or watercolor paper, take a wet brush and create a strip of water about 1-2" thick (paper should be glistening but not dripping--if it's too dry add more, if it's too wet, dab some water off if needed). While the water is still wet, start adding to it: drip different colors of watercolor onto it, paint a section with acrylic paint, add more water, sprinkle salt, add drops of lemon juice or alcohol, dab some paint away, add more, etc. Make some more water strips if needed to try more things! Take your time with each step to observe what happens: how does the paint mix or react? What parts do you like that you may try on a bigger piece? This is about experimenting and trying different things. Prior to this exercise feel free to do some research on what items can alter paint (like salt, lemon juice, etc.) or jump right in and try what comes to mind! |
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ENVISION & EXPRESS - Go on a Color Walk. A simple way to incorporate observation into your day is to pick a color then go for a walk and see what you come across. I like having something to focus on and it makes me a more active observer.
- If you can't go on a walk, that's OK--notice things of that color throughout the day in your own space, outside your window, running errands, etc.
- Feel free to create your own version and pick a different focal point besides color.
- Color Walk Part 2: Document what you see on your color walks and make a spread in your sketchbook with them! Take photos and print them out to add, make doodles / sketches / paintings of items, or paint a swatch with the color then write what you saw over the color swatch. This can be as detailed or simple as you'd like--pick something that encourages you to take action and doesn't feel daunting or too big / complicated of an undertaking.
- Create a field journal page. A field journal is used for recording observations when scientists/naturalists are out and about. It's a way for them to document who/what/when/where/how esp. back in the day when smart phones didn't exist! I have always loved these pages--how they combine writing with drawing and the interesting things that are captured.
- This is a great article about field journals throughout the years with photos.
- This is an article by a scientist on how to keep a field journal and what to notate.
- Here are some more examples on my Pinterest.
- Go outside to work on your field journal page or pick a place you'd love to travel to and research at the library/online and create your page from there. Or put a twist on it and instead of nature, make a page about your favorite TV or movie character if you happen to be binging something at the moment!
- Your field journal page is for you so fill it with things you'd want to look back on and read about. Please also don't get intimidated by fancy sketches--try your best, focus on drawing just a certain detail/part, and don't be afraid to give it a try (we usually much tougher on ourselves than we should be)!
- Observe your own art. Take a look at past artwork you've created--what patterns do you see? What do you gravitate towards? What do you avoid? Try making a piece that exaggerates and highlights a technique/material/style you use frequently (consider adding a new element to it) OR face what you normally avoid and create a piece with that in mind. If art is new to you, think about the art you gravitate towards looking at or what seems challenging to you.
- Make a negative space drawing. Instead of observing the subject and drawing it, focus on the spaces surrounding the object. Here's a great explanation of it. If you'd like to try it together, use this photo as a reference.
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Wishing you a week of noticing things that make you smile, bring you awe and wonder, and inspire you! Talk to you soon, |
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PS: At the bottom of every email are helpful links: the SUS library with all past emails/prompts, link to our Discord channel, a link to share with a friend if you think they'd like to sign up, my socials, and ways to support my work if you'd like :)
PPS: I just wrapped up Week 1's Prompt on yesterday (Sunday)! If you need to take a little more time, that's OK. These prompts are here for you when you're ready! I'll be sharing what I made in this week's check-in. If you have anything you'd like to share, reply to this email with a pic or share it over on Discord! |
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IF YOU'RE ENJOYING THIS SERIES & WOULD LIKE TO, HERE ARE A FEW WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT MY WORK If you'd like to support with a monetary contribution / tip, you can do so here. Visit my website & shop for the Creative Spark Deck, prints, PDFs, and more. Share with a friend! There's nothing like good old fashioned word of mouth and the more the merrier :) Thank you for your support and being here! |
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The beautiful PNW
Renton, WA 98058, United States |
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