Ronda Palazzari Designs

Create Daily: One Color

Many moons ago i talked about using monochromatics to free yourself from the stress of "what color should i use."  But it is also a great way to see how far you can really "push" a color to create.  In a lot of ways it forces you to see how values can impact your piece.  In case you don't know, monochromatic is using only one color or hue.  Black & White aren't colors so feel free to add them in.  i encourage you then, just like i am going to encourage you now, to use monochromatics in your art journals (or other creations) to challenge yourself.  

Pick a color, any color & just begin.  i encourage you to try out all colors and do this periodically when creating.  Grab some paints, spray inks, stamp inks, stickers, patterned paper, images, etc in your color and just create.  Here's a look at some of my monochromatic pages.  Just seeing these makes me want to do another set!

All the above pieces were done in the same small journal using a variety of acrylic paints, spray inks, and bits & pieces of other leftover material.  i looked around my desk and found a wealth of material to use. 

Don't forget about the Pinterest Perfect giveaway that closes tonight!  You could be a lucky winner of this new book along with an awesome art journal & stencil!  Go to this blog post to enter!

 

Create Daily: The Palette Knife

i think there are some essential tools that make creating easier and well, more fun.  One tool that i seem to grab over and over again is a palette knife.  A palette knife is a blunt tool that is a slightly flexible (has a little bend to it) blade and can come in multiple shapes, sizes, and styles.  They can be made out of plastic or steel.  i have some of each.  Here's a small sampling of how i use them in my art daily.

i often use my palette knife to add paints to my palette.  Seems obvious but sometimes we forget how useful it is to not only add paints to the palette but also mix colors too.  i have some jar paints and will dip my palette knife into them to pull out some paints making sure i completely clean my knife so i don't cross-contaminate my colors.  

i often, very often, use a palette knife to spread gesso on my backgrounds whether it is a canvas, art journal page, or a tag.  i find the uneven texture very pleasing.  It also allows me to leave open parts that create different textures.  Scraping the gesso with a palette knife also feels like frosting a cake, something very pleasing to me. 

The uneven spreading of the gesso using a palette knife created the different tones in the  background blues & greys of this art journal page.  See another previous example below along with the video tutorial.  

i will also use a palette knife to push mediums like molding/modeling paste, matte/gloss gel, gesso, or heavy gesso through my stencils to create texture.  The flexible palette knife gives me enough pressure to scrape through the stencil without being too rigid.  

i also apply paint directly to paper/canvas with the palette knife.  i like that scraped look to the paint when it's applied this way.  it's also a great way to apply left over paint to your art journal pages like the one pictured above.  

In the video you can see how i spread the gesso around the background to create that uneven texture.  Here's the page too. 

You don't have to invest in a metal palette knife to start.  i have a cheap set of plastic ones that sit in a small mason jar on my desk.  Try them out and see how often you reach for these handy little tools! 

 

Create Daily: Exploring

 With life shifting around me, i have felt the pull, the need to journal more.  i have also noticed that with each class i take at the Art Student League, that my style evolves.  i am completely ok with those subtle or sometimes dramatic changes in creativity.  Exploring your style and the types of art you want to create all make up who you are.  Nothing in art should be limiting.  

i love this page i created for OLW's word up this month, Adventure.  This page started with me exploring writing with a caligraphy pen with some india ink that i blended with GAC-100 to make it more permanent.  i know india ink is permanent but when you wipe paint over it, it still has a tendency to bleed a bit.  i have been exploring & playing around with being looser with my creations and leaving the white i crave.

i do create daily but have felt the need for more day to day journaling, including dating each time.  i have been exploring what that will look like but still wanting it to look like me.   i started by exploring a two page spread like the one above.  i began by adding random images around the page trusting it would all come together some way.  i actually was adding more to page 2 than to page 1, working my journaling in a grid-like pattern.  i liked it a lot.  i saw that quote on pinterest and knew immediately that it was what i needed to finish off page 1. 

Still exploring with journaling everyday in a different way.  i had created the painted background with the door previously.  i decided to explore what journaling would look like on a limited image page.  i really like the days of the week titles.  i blocked off as i went with my hand carved stamps and hand drawn doodles.  

i can see myself still exploring, finding things i really like and things i want to try out.  i know that i will probably have solid pages with random thoughts journaling as well as the day to day entries.  

 

 

InLinkz.com

Create Daily: Typography

i have such a love of typography, the art of arranging type in pleasing ways.  That's a simple definition to such a broad art that touches every day of our lives.  It's a great way to add another layer of design to whatever project you are working on.  Here are some fun typography designs found in my "the art of typography" pinterest board to inspire you to create daily.

Hugo Werner -Source

Think strips, think printed material in your art journal or on your art pieces.

Lucy Stephens - Source

Love how she uses the font to become the city.  

Typo/Graphic Posters - Source

A beautiful grid design that splashes a word in the whole design.  

Steph Baxter - Source

Absolutely adore this and she has many others.  I think it's a brilliant way to write out recipes.  

Arleigh - Source

My friend arleigh is so very brilliant.  i love this example how the type becomes the portrait.

How do you use typography in your creative life?

 

Create Daily: Matte Medium & Clear Gesso

A week or so ago i was asked about my thoughts on clear gesso versus matte medium.  i promised as an explanation and today is the day.  i created some tags using gesso (white), matte medium, and clear gesso.  i want you to see how they look as a base and with color. 

Gesso is a way to prep a substrate (think base of the piece...canvas, wood, etc).  It readies the piece for acrylic paints or other mediums.  White gesso is common but there is also black, grey, and clear. 

Matte Medium is a good all-purpose medium used for extending paints, increasing transparency, cutting down on gloss, or as ground instead of gesso.  Between clear gesso or matte medium, i prefer the matte medium.  The clear gesso is really gritty and shows a lot of brush strokes.  Sometimes i want those brush strokes but not usually when i am working on paper. 

Can you see the grit? 

Here is the Matte Medium tag.  Less brush stroke marks and way less grit.  i wish you could feel the two of them.  So why do i have clear gesso in my stash? 

i bought this vintage atlas in January.  i knew i wanted to preserve the map as a background but still needed to prep the pages for acrylic paints & spray inks.  i heard about clear gesso and bought a small bottle.  i thought perhaps since it had gesso in the name that it was better than the matte medium i was already using.  i was disappointed with first use.  i talked to some friends and they had the same conclusion as i did.  i went back to using my matte medium as a primer & glue for my patterned papers and collages.   So if i had just one of these two in my stash (clear gesso or matte medium), it would be hands down the matte medium.  Skip the clear gesso and buy a larger matte medium.  it's worth it.

For more ideas on how to use Matte Medium in your art, check out this blog post. 

Create Daily: Matte Medium

One of my favorite multi purpose mediums in my stash is Matte Medium.  It comes in both gel-like and fluid.  i use them a lot in all kinds of art projects.  Mostly i reach for the fluid as it usually sits on my desk ready for daily use.

I use the fluid to collage papers onto a background.  I tend to paint over these collage pieces with liquid mediums.  With the fluid matte medium, i can get an even layer of adhesive ensuring the paper won't bubble as if i just use something like a dot roller.  I will also cover the top of the collage papers with fluid matte medium so that my paints/inks don't seep into the paper.  It creates a barrier so the paper doesn't get too wet. 

It dries clear so it's great to use as a glue with transarent items like this tissue paper.  Again i can go over the top of this tissue paper, especially if i want to add another layer. 

Matte Medium can be used to create a clear ground instead of gesso.  It has tooth to grab the paint or spray ink without losing the image background like this atlas page.

i often use it as an adhesive for my vintage thread.  I spread the fluid medium on the page and place the thread into it.  Did you notice it in the "Growing" video?

If my journal pages are full of glossy paint like the one above, i will coat it fluid matte medium to keep the pages froms sticking together.  Nothing is worse then creating beautiful pages only to have it stick to the other page & ruin both of them.  This helps prevent it. 

Create Daily: A Start & a winner

Thank you all for the wonderful and thoughtful questions from last week's create daily post.  I have been sorting through them and will answer them all in upcoming posts.  Today's post is all about building up for success.  Over the years i have learn little tricks that help me create daily, especially in my art journal.  One of those tips is building backgrounds ahead of time. 

My backgrounds almost always start with a layer of gesso.  i tend to use lots of acrylics so a good gesso layer is essential.  it is always layer one of many layers on my art journal pages.  i love texture too so i am always scratching into the gesso. 

Sometimes before the paint i will add little bits of leftover paper.  it's usually what is sitting on my desk.  it's like tidying up and being creative all rolled into one. 

My art journal pages rarely span the two pages so often i will lay down color one one side and then change it up for the other side.  Sometimes they go and somethime they don't seemingly go but i know i can always change that if i wish. 

i never worry about that in my first go round.  i just play.  Gesso covers anything so if i don't end up liking the colors, i can go over it.  i know these are just the first layers. 

i will also use spray inks along with my acrylic paints to create different looks.  These two pages are acrylic paints with spray inks on top.  The very first two pages are just spray inks.  Now i have ten basic backgrounds ready for the next two weeks.  it's easy to grab my journal and go. 

and now for the randomly selected winner of the 12 x 12 Fancy Feathers Stencil.  Once again, thank you for taking the time to comment and leave me such awesome questions! 

Congrats to:

Sandi Dailey said...

I would love to know what your favorite stencil is based on versatility? Also, do you see yourself evolving into other areas of art?

Please email me at [email protected] with your postal address. 

Create Daily: You Decide + Giveaway

Today's create daily is a little different.  i am grateful you like these posts along with my daily blog posts.  i enjoy posting them however they often generate more questions.  Sometimes those questions are left here on the blog, sometimes they come through my email, and sometimes they are left unsaid. 

So here's your chance.  Leave a question (or two or three) in the comments on today's blog post and i will answer them over the next month or so in a blog post (or two or three).  Questions about schedules? Questions about how i create? Questions about products i use?  Questions on things you want to learn?  Questions on fears or challanges?  Ask away.

Leave a question for me below and i will also enter you into a giveaway for my 12x12 Fancy Feathers Stencil.  Internationals are always welcomed.  Comments will be closed at 10 pm Mountain Time (GMT -7) Sunday, November 10th. 

Create Daily: Gelli Arts Monoprinting

If you haven't noticed, i have a love for monoprints using my Gelli Arts Gel Plate.  I wouldn't tell you about a product unless i have a love for it.  I have to say doing these kinds of monoprints make it easy with the gelli arts gel printing plate.  i have been in the printing room at the Art Student League with the big presses.  They are uber cool.  Having something similar that i get to do this at home is heavenly.  If you haven't jumped into this yet, may i suggest you start with a simple 6x6 plate.  You will love it too. 

But what is monoprinting? It is a single impression of an image made from a reprintable block or in this case, a gel printing plate.  The beauty of monoprints are no two are exactly alike.  it's like a painterly print.  On the above piece, i used my plate a couple different ways, first on the backgound to start the layer.  I repeated printing on the background a couple times until i had a good base.  Next i cut heart out of a deli paper print using a stencil and my gel plate. 

Last week i shared with you my autumn prints using the gel plate with fall foilage.  it is so addicting and i love the prints i got.  This one is my favorite for it is rich in color and you can see the texture of the leaves.  I had paint from the first coupld prints on these leaves so the color was deeper on some of those prints. 

Sometimes i just play around with the plate with no specific goal in mind.  Creative play is just as important as a finished piece.  By allowing myself to just play, i shut my brain off and just see where the piece leads me.  it really does inspire me and leads me on to different adventures.  These were just layers upon layers of prints using all kinds of stencils and household items. 

How fun is this tag with two sets of monoprints using the same 6x6 stencils.  I made two tags that day and cut the second one up to become my christmas tree. 

I created a video tutorial showing how to get the nice border around the edge of the tag.  It's simple & easy. 

Here are three tags using one layer of paint on the plate.  You can see how i did this by checking out this video from Scrap Time here.  So many different ways to use this plate.  It is an investment but one that can be used over and over again to create so many different cool pieces.  Please note i am not associated with Gelli Arts, i just love their product and think it really helps me feel creative daily!

Create Daily: Journal

One of my readers asked me: "I noticed that sometimes when I see other people's journal pages, their writing is almost unreadable to me, and I'm wondering how important it is to even be able to read back what you've written.  Do you think the important thing is just getting the words out of your head, onto paper, even if you can't go back some day and read them?  I've hesitated to do much writing on my journal pages because it's so sloppy, but I'm wondering if that even matters.  What's your opinion on this?"

I have said before that journaling is equally important as the art part in an Art Journaling. Writing stimulates creativity, releases your emotions, and is all part of the process.  It doesn’t matter if you don’t like your handwriting, use it anyway. It’s as unique to you as your finger print.  Kristal Norton reminded me of those words when she featured me (and others) on her 10 beautiful benevolent journal artist post.  I still whole-heartedly believe it, you need the words.  I don't think it's necessary to be able to reread the words.  To me, the important part is spilling those emotions onto the page.  It's your journal and you get to decide if you want someone else to read it.  Since my journal is oftened viewed both online & in-person, i have a variety of ways i deal with my words being read. 

Sometimes i do write clearly in my art journal.  My print is pretty clear and very readable.  They are usually notes to myself, things i need to hear or say.  These may be words i feel like others may are okay to see and read.  I share them.  

Sometimes i hide my journaling behind paper or other items.  These are private words that i need to write but don't necessarily want others to read.  I cover them up. 

Or i hide them in a small envelope.  I use pieces of paper to pour out my heart and tuck them into the envelope for another day.  This kind of journaling i am ok if someone reads later.  People are usually polite enough to ask me if they can.  I appreciate that.

Partial journaling is another type of writing i do.  I am ok with putting some words out there and others i keep to myself by pushing my handwriting a bit until it becomes part of the design.  I am totally ok with the journaling being more of a design than being legible.  This is my journal, i spilled, it's on the page, and i can remember the feelings put into the page. 

On this page i actually wrote out my thoughts in my "normal" script but didn't necessarily want to share it online.  If you opened my journal in person and read it, i would be ok with it.  Online is different so i blurred it using Photoshop. 

Written but blurred by art.  Or in this case, spray ink.  I wrote out the journaling in white pen and then sprayed it with spray ink.  You can read partial words and phrases but not quite all of it. 

Pushed journaling is my go to way of dealing with spilling my words onto the page without having to worry about if it is too intense or if i really want to share it.  I developed this technique by pushing out my words where they become loopy and loose. 

Pushed journaling but part of the design.  I like it when these two cross.  It's private journaling but it becomes part of the design completely.  it works for me. Last week i showed you another journal as design element when i wrote out my journaling and covered it up (mostly) with gesso.  Love to do this technique too!

So don't be afraid to experiment and find the right way for you to write.  Journaling in an Art Journaling is so important.  Release all your thoughts and know it's a safe place.