Doodle Practice for Fine Motor Skills

Today's Doodle

I love to doodle, but I would really like to fill in a bigger design with small doodles. I often find it hard to come up with a big design on my own, so I printed out these coloring pages and filled one in with smaller patterns. It's relaxing, and it's great practice for both my hand and my eyes. I might color it in sometime, when I'm bored, or I might cut it into smaller pieces to use in my art journal, but for now I'll just keep it in my sketch book.

I started with one of these, and filled it in with small doodle
patterns instead of coloring it. I used a 0.3 fineliner in black.

Mixed Media Collage for Beginners

 

Abstract Mixed Media Collages on Index Cards
by Marcy Coate

Lately I've been really enamored with abstract mixed media that is done on a collage background. There are lots of them on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and I've been trying with a few, but just so frustrated. I could never get the background to turn out like anything except a muddy mess. 

However, the other day I was downloading something or other from Creative Fabrica, and I came across this shop that is full of beautiful collaged backgrounds in all different color palettes. So I thought...wait a minute! You could print those out on plain white cardstock and do your mixed media stuff on top of that!

So I tried it, and the photo above is the result. I printed the backgrounds 4 to a page so that they are about the size of index cards. Then I went crazy with my acrylic markers, Sharpie markers, water soluble pastel crayons and some watered down white acrylic paint for the splatters. I'm so pleased with the result.

At first I was a little timid, making small marks, but then I decided to make some bigger, really odd shapes to just experiment. After all, if it didn't turn out the way I wanted I could always print out the backgrounds again and start over. I mean...it's just paper!

I feel like the artist in me has finally been liberated! Stay tuned for a YouTube video where I'll show you some of the techniques that I am using.

Make Ephemera by Tracing Pieces from Other Kits

Sometimes you might want ephemera to match journal kits that don't include enough pieces. No problem! Just trace pieces from another kit onto printed cardstock to match the journal that you're making.

Here are examples that I made using a corner pocket and a rectangular pocket from my Vintage Sewing Journal freebies, available in my Facebook group.

Place the ephemera pieces on your printed cardstock.

Trace the outer edges with pencil.

Cut out the new ephemera pieces.

Mark the placement of any fold lines onto the new ephemera,

to help you when you are making flaps that fold under.

Fold the flaps over the edge of a ruler, and then

flatten them firmly with a bone folder. You can

also use the handle of a butter knife, to do this.

Put a little bit of white glue on the flaps and

place them on the page of your journal where

you want them. Decorate according to your

journal's theme and your own personal taste.

Thanks for stopping by! Follow me on YouTube for more fun ideas with journals and paper crafts!