These two books have really been getting me by lately and I recommend them to anyone in need of a creative boost.
The first: Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts. I don't know where to start praising this one! In part, it's a great "how-to" book from which I learned some handy new techniques. But more than that, it's an encouraging story of living your dream. I lover her writing style and it led me to search out her blog, which is just as upbeat and honest and lovely as her book.
The second: Living the Creative Life by Rice Freeman-Zachery. For this book the author interviewed 15 artists working in all different mediums about their work and how they get it done. I always like hearing about how people have their studios arranged, how they organize their day, where inspiration is found, etc. Plus, one of my favorite artists – Scott Radke – was included.
So – to elaborate a bit on the photo from yesterday's post – these are some of the new techniques/ideas I collected from the Taking Flight book. I started with rolling out some sculpey clay and using an exacto-blade to cut out a girl:
I was particularly happy with how the little cross-hatch texture there on the skirt turned out. Then, using the oil-paint crayon type things (new to me!) I painted her face. Her skirt and shirt were first painted with some brown oil paint to fill in the texture, then gone over with some metallic acrylics to give 'em a sheen. Oh, and for her hair I used this wonderful curly wool that I ordered from Woolpets on Etsy. Laurie, the proprietor, gets the wool from her own little flock of sheep.
She's only (obviously) part way done. I'm working on the board background. It will be painted and have some kind of quote. Anyway, it's fun to be working in some new mediums ~ or rather, familiar mediums but in a new way.
Phew! I've been kind of short-changing my blog lately, so I decided to do a full post tonight. I think that about covers it! But it's after 4:00 a.m. now ~ time for bed. G'night ♥