Making Moleskine work

In a previous post I grumbled about the Moleskine Sketchbook. I struggled with the fact that it wasn't compatible with watercolour. I know I should really try the watercolour version! When I was preparing to go away before Christmas I decided I had to do something positive with this beautiful red Moleskine sketchbook. It was a gift from some friends in South Africa and I felt guilty that I had not used it much.

While away on holiday I started to experiment. I discovered that Derwent Inktense pencils worked really well on the pages. The colours make a strong statement, so combined with ink I could introduce colour that enhanced the ink lines.

Then the ink in my Lamy Safari ran out so I experimented with a simple Bic ball point pen - and was pleased with the results.

A Breakfast of organic beans with feta on sour dough toast at Organika in Noosa - using a black Bic Cristel M

A box of Acrylic gouache bought in Japan many years ago came out of hiding. This introduced a good surface for ink drawing, especially with a dip pen. I'll be using more of this technique.

Burnt Forest - Noosa Pental acrylic gouache and sepia ink

So I am beginning to love the sketchbook. Knowing its limitations, taking advantage of its strengths and being forced out of my comfort zone - all good things as I face the coming year.

 

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Personal Planners - a discount!

If you loved the idea of the Personal Planner I talked about here - here's something special. Readers of Art Matters can receive a discount when ordering a planner. Please use the discount code below when you place your order.

And the winner is...

The winner of the Personal Planner is Maggie Latham. 

She does the most wonderful watercolours and is currently running 31 Days of Colour on her blog Maggie Latham Studios. These are free tutorials on working with colour in watercolour. 

So, Maggie, I hope the planner makes 2013 even more productive. 

Please send me your email address and your gift card will be sent to you

Happy planning.

Postcards from Europe

The completed painting - Postcards from Europe.

Postcards from Europe - oil on linen - 36" x 48" - Carol Lee Beckx ©2013

I worked in oil on linen. The canvas measures 36” x 48”. This was quite time-consuming as each postcard had a fair amount of detail. Fortunately since each image was an independent little painting I could move to another leaving the first to dry.

Top row L-R Tower Bridge, London; Evening in Paris; The Parthenon Athens; Horse and Carriage, Greece;

2nd row Tivoli Fountains, Italy; Sorrento, Italy; The Blue Grotto, Greece; A St Bernard in the Alps; Ski Lodge & Ski lift;

3rd row  Oktoberfest; The Forum, Rome; The Isle of Capri; Hydra Greece

Bottom Row Oompah Band Germany; Fishermen with Horse and carriage, Spetsa, Greece;

Greek National dress, Mykonos rooftops  

Detail of some images can be seen in this post.

Postcards from Europe - More Armchair Travel

My latest commission involved more arm chair travel. I am creating a painted collage of holiday memories using my client's original postcards. These have been carefully stored away - ready now to be used as inspiration for this painting.
Some of the places I have visited:
London - evening at Tower Bridge;

Sorrento - a view through the trees

The Blue Grotto - with magical midnight blue caves

Hydra, Greece

Germany for the Oktoberfest

The canvas measures 36" x 48" and there are eighteen images. Most postcards are quite small but when scanned I can enlarge them on my monitor for me to see the details easier.

These images are all work in progress. I'll post the completed painting soon.


Don't forget to comment on my previous post - Planning, Planners and a giveaway for a chance to win.

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Planning, Planners and a Giveaway.

It's hard to believe we are almost into the third week of 2013. 

Proper planning for the New Year is a good way to get one's goals and activities on track. For years I used a daily diary to schedule meetings and events. These days with more use being made of electronic diaries it's easy to overlook the benefits of a proper "book" planner.

I must confess that I love books, and pens - proper fountain pens. It’s great to find a planner that one can customize with your own colour choice. You can also save personal dates so that your planner for the following year can be populated with your important dates.

Personal Planner have offered the readers of this blog the opportunity to take part in a Giveaway. I have had a look at the website and I am so impressed with what they offer.

Here is more about Personal Planner:

Would you like to add some colour to your workday at the same time as making your planner more efficient and that more personal? If so, Personal Planner has a great idea I think you’ll love!

Their planners provide you with endless design possibilities. You can change colour, text and design on front/back cover as well as inlay. There are also clever boxes for to-do list, gym session, preschool, idea of the week and weather. Friends and family member’s birthdays can also be added to the inlay directly from Facebook. They print and deliver the finished product directly to your doorstep. 

Here are a few things that I like about these planners:

• You design the front/back cover
• Tons of ways to design the inside to suit your style & needs.
• Add friends & family member’s birthdays to the inlay 
• Choose between 4 different sizes
• You pick the start date. 

And best of all its fun and easy.

To take part in the Giveaway:

1. Visit the website to have a look at the Personal Planners
2. Leave a comment here on this blog
3. "Like" Personal Planners" Facebook Page and it wouldn't hurt to "like" my artist page  Carol Lee Beckx Artist as well...

• Entries are open to anyone, anywhere - how cool is that?
• Please Note: The Prize cannot be exchanged for money.

Entries close on Sunday 20th January 8 pm EST (Brisbane)

A random winner will be chosen on Sunday 20th January. The winner will need to provide an email address so you can be sent your prize gift card via email.

The winner will be announced on this blog on Monday 21st January and on my Facebook Artist page.

Click here to visit The Personal Planner website 

and

Here for the Personal Planner Facebook page.

Now get busy and leave your comment....

Oh  - Happy New Year and happy planning...

Disclaimer: I am going to receive my own Personal Planner for hosting this Giveaway.
The winner to this giveaway was Maggie Latham - congratulations.