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The Artist’s Color Wheel

The Artist’s Color Wheel

by | Living a Creative Life

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: January 2022   –   Revised: January 2024

The Artist’s Color Wheel 

The artist’s color wheel is a handy chart or artwork that you can create to help you make sense of color. The artist’s color wheel has three distinct rings, the center ring, the middle ring and the outer ring. 

There are different intensities of color in the different rings in the color wheel with the main color being in the middle ring. To show the primary, secondary and tertiary colors you need twelve segments.

SMIKE

Note: The Artist’s color wheel is different to the printer’s (or process) color wheel which used CMYK  (pronounced “smike”) cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K).

Art Supplies I Used 

To make my artist’s color wheel I used the following supplies:

Paper

I used one sheet from my Strathmore cold press watercolor pad.

Paintbrush

My paintbrush is quite old, but here is a similar one number 6 medium watercolor brush.

Paint

If you want to create this exact colour wheel shown here, I made it using my Sakura Koi watercolour paints which have specific color names for the colours. Your paints might have different names for each of the colours. If your paintbox has less colors, you will have to mix more colors to make the secondary and tertiary colors. If your paintbox has more colors, you may be able to take the colors you need straight from the pan.

Pen

I used a permanent Faber Castell 0.3mm Artist Pitt pen in black.

Other Equipment

Staedtler compass with pencil.

Staedtler 360-degree protractor.

4H pencil.

Ruler.

Eraser.

Paint Swatches

When I received this paintbox as a gift from my son-in-law last Christmas, I decided to make a color swatch chart. 

On some watercolor paper, I drew a grid of six columns by four rows to align with each color pan in the box. Next, I created a test color swatch of each paint in the exact position each color is found in the paintbox. By writing the manufacturer’s name of the actual color, as shown on the outer cover that the paints came in, on my swatch card, I can refer to each color by name for instances such as this. I trimmed the paper down, so it fits neatly into the lid of my paintbox.

I use the paint swatch as a guide, because you can’t always see what the colors will be like on the page when they are in the little pans.

Read more >>> Weird Gourds – Colored Ink Art

Read more >>> Crystal Ink Swatch

Color Categories

3 Primary Colors

Red, yellow and blue are the three primary colors. The primary colors are shown in the center ring of the color wheel. Each of the three primary colours are placed to form a triangle with three segment gaps in between.

In general, the three primary colors cannot be created by mixing other colors.

Red

From my paint box for red I used “Alizarin crimson.”

Blue

For blue I used “ultramarine” and

Yellow

For yellow I chose “permanent yellow deep.”

 

3 Secondary Colors

Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors together. Paint the secondary colors between the primary colors by leaving one gap between each primary. 

Violet

Violet is created by combining red and blue and from my paint box I used the color called “purple” (yes, I know). 

Orange

Orange is created by merging red and yellow and from my paintbox I used the color called “permanent orange.” 

Green

Green is created by mixing yellow and blue and from my paintbox I used a color called “yellow green.”

 

6 Tertiary Colors

There are six tertiary colors all of which are nestled between one primary color and one secondary color. Some of these colors I took straight out of the pans in my paintbox and a few I mixed. It depends on how many colors you have in your paintbox whether you can use the color immediately or if you must mix it. 

Vermillion

Vermillion (tangerine) is the tertiary color that lies between red and orange.

Apricot

Aureoline (apricot) is the tertiary color that lies between orange and yellow.

Chartreuse

Chartreuse (lime green) is the tertiary color that lives between yellow and green.

Turquoise

Turquoise is the tertiary color that is between green and blue and from my paintbox I used “cerulean blue.”

Indigo

Indigo is the tertiary color that lies between blue and violet and from my paintbox I mixed ultramarine and purple.

Magenta

Magenta is the tertiary color that lies between violet and red and from my paintbox I mixed cadmium red and purple.

 

Color Names

The color names I have used here to describe the colors in teh color wheel can be replaced by other color names close to the actual color if you like. I like to keep it simple and use names for colors that make sense to me. Also it helps if they are in the Apple color crayon box.

I have told you the color names in my paintbox and you may have colors similar but with different names in yoru paint box. Manufacturers can be different reagarding color names.

Read more >>> Colored Pencils: Orchids Sketchbook

Light and Dark

Tints: Outer Ring

Tints are made by combining white with any color. The tints for the primary, secondary and tertiary colors are shown on the outer ring where the colors are becoming progressively lighter.

Technically, and because this is watercolor paint, I just watered down the main color from the middle ring to make a lighter color. I did not add white, as that comes from the paper.

Shades: Inner Ring

Shades are made by adding black to any color. The darker shades are shown in the center ring on this artist’s color wheel. All shades become increasingly darker as black is added.

The shades are displayed as each main inner ring color has a tiny bit of black added to darken and dull down, or mute, the color.

The black I use from my paintbox was called “ivory black.”

Full Blown Color Chart

Ideas for a Bigger Color Wheel

You could create a color wheel with 24 or 48 segments and add all the combinations of color. That I may do one day, but for now I’ll stick to the twelve spoke color wheel that I created. I did enjoy making this color wheel as it helps me to choose colors that I want to use in future paintings.

Aspiring Artist Activity: Color Wheel

What To Do

With a piece of watercolor paper and some watercolor paints please do the following:

  • With a pencil compass, draw three concentric circles with the following radii (distance), 3cm, 5.5cm and 9cm (or 1 inch, 2 ¼ inch and 3 ½ inch).
  • With a circular protractor, divide the wheel into twelve 30-degree segments.
  • With a 0.3mm black waterproof pen, go over the lines.
  • Paint the middle circle with the solid colors, the inner circle with shades (add a little black) and the outer circle with lighter tints thinned with water.
  • If possible, write the name of each color around the wheel as shown.

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Share your creations with the hashtag #alisonhazelartactivity

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Alison Hazel

Author Bio

Alison Hazel is a woman who shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Send Alison a quick message.

How to Draw Turtles and Tortoises

How to Draw Turtles and Tortoises

by | Sketch Journal

Introduction

This easy artwork is for anyone who wants to draw turtles and tortoises.

Turtles and tortoises look similar as they have a shell, both are cold-blooded reptiles.

A turtle can swim and lives mainly in water but can walk on land. A turtle breathes air and takes a huge gulp and holds its breath before diving down into its pond’s depths.

A tortoise lives on land.

Both turtles and tortoises lay their eggs on land.

Daily Art Practice

This is part of a basic shapes set of posts I am creating to help you get creative and build your daily art and drawing practice.

These simple drawings can be done with your kids.

Basic Shapes

Basic shapes are determined by the number of lines taken to make them such as circles, eggs or ovals which take one line, a triangle that takes three lines and a square that takes four lines.

The basic shapes are dots, lines, circles, ovals, eggs, semi-circle, vesica Pisces, triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagrams, hexagrams, and other polygons.

For the turtles and tortoises, we will use a basic two-line semi-circle shape.

Art Supplies

Markers

For this artwork I used Tombow markers, but you can use what you have at hand.

I wanted to have a grey tinge to the greens and avoided harsh emerald greens which are far too bright.

The three shades of green I chose were numbers 098, 133 and 126 from Tombow dual brush pens.

Pens

For the reptile details, I used two pens, Pigma Micron 0.1mm black pen and a Faber Castell 0.5mm Pitt Artist pen in black.

Paper

I chose marker paper from Strathmore, but you can use what you have at hand.

Do not feel that you need the exact art supplies which I employed to make this artwork, and this stops you.

Always use the art supplies that you have available right now in your home.

Note: For a full list of the art supplies I use please go here.

Drawing Composition

To create depth in your artwork, place the larger shapes in the bottom third, the medium figures in the middle third and the far profiles on the top third of the page.

If your tortoises are all the same size and the same shape, the final result could be dreary.

Alternatively, if you have a variety of sizes (with the same semi-circle shape), it adds interest to your composition.

Step One: Light Green

With the lightest green, draw a semi-circle shape in the middle of the page, make the base about 25mm, or one inch, long.

Draw a slightly smaller semi-circle higher and to the right.

Draw a still smaller semi-circle towards the top left.

Step Two: Mid Green

Now choose the mid green and draw three semicircles with the large one at the bottom, the medium one in the middle and the smaller one towards the top.

Step Three: Dark Green

Select the dark green and draw three semicircles with the larger shape towards the bottom, the medium one somewhere in the middle and the smaller one more towards the top.

Now you have nine semicircles on your page.

Tips

At this point you could add one or two more semi-circles if you like. However, try to keep the overall theme to an odd number of shapes as this practice results in a more pleasing composition.

You can also overlay one or two shapes to add interest.

Step Four: Head, Limbs and Tail

With a color not the same as the shell, draw in a head that swoops up from the shell.

Draw the head and neck one piece with the head slightly rounder than the neck.

Then draw the front legs and the back legs slightly bent with the knees and elbows pointing forwards.

Now add a little tail straight horizontally from under the back of the shell that tapers at the end.

Step Five: Details

With the thin 0.1mm black pen draw the eyes as a dot.

Draw the lines on the shell in a hexagon pattern as shown.

How to Use This Art

  • Pictures.
  • Stickers.
  • Greeting cards.
  • Sketchbook doodles.

Aspiring Artist Activity: Turtles and Tortoises by the Pond

On a fresh piece of paper please do the following:

Background

  • Draw a wavy line to suggest the edge of a pond across the page two thirds of the way down.
  • With a dark green, draw some reeds in three clusters growing out of the pond at the water’s edge.
  • Lightly shade the water grey/blue (not too heavy now).

Add Wildlife

  • Draw three or four turtles in the water.
  • Draw three or four tortoises on the bank.
  • Add a ninth reptile, perhaps a turtle to balance the drawing and add interest with the odd number of animals. Choose to have this turtle climbing out of the water or right on the water’s edge.
  • Add any final details as you see fit. I like to add a little gold gel pen here and there.
  • Sign and date (month and year) your artwork in the lower right-hand corner of the sheet of paper discreetly with one of the markers or pens used. Never use a different pen to sign your artwork, always use one of the mediums used in the artwork.

 

Building Bridges in Art – Graphite Sketches – Aspiring Artist

Building Bridges in Art – Graphite Sketches – Aspiring Artist

by | Living a Creative Life

Building Bridges

Bridges join two places together they bridge the gap between one side and another.

To cross a bridge is an important movement as we go from the known to the unknown.

It is easy to stay on your shore and not travel across a bridge both physically and intellectually.

You can reach out to new people and situations by building bridges, so you can grow in life in your mind and body and soul.

To try something new is a given in the act of building bridges.

During the design phase, an engineer will work out exactly what is required to build a particular bridge.

Each bridge requires a different blueprint.

 

Bridges in Your Art Journey

Find places in your art life where you can build a bridge to close a gap, chasms or abyss.

Do you stand on one side to watch and wonder about what happens on the other side?

Maybe you plan to do oil painting one day, I know I do.

Let’s see what that looks like.

Steps to Build an Art Bridge

First, I consider what things have to be in place for me to welcome oil painting into my life

For example, I will:

  • Require an oil painting class to show me the ropes.
  • Have to purchase oil paints and brushes.
  • Acquire new canvases.
  • Perhaps have to get, and store, some linseed oil and turpentine.
  • Need time as it take days to make a painting, because oil paints take so long to dry.

 

Beneficial Effects of Building a Bridge to Oil Paints

I’ll probably end up with quite a smelly studio so I’m going to make have to make sure that the windows and air-conditioning offer adequate ventilation.

The mess of oil painting the cost of the paints (and to be honest this is probably the most biggest blockage I have) two beginning with oil paints.

Questions I Ask Myself

Will the investment into all the equipment I will need for oil painting worth the result?

What if I’m no good at oil painting?

Should I concentrate on watercolors?

Who says I can even paint?

How I Built a Bridge to Art

I practice daily art.

I’ve even written about my current daily practice, and you can read more about that.

But the actual act of maintaining a daily art practice, is how I plan to prepare to build a bridge to further explorations of art, such as starting with oil paints.

I have never done oil paints, however I did one painting in acrylics and realized I wasn’t very keen on that medium which is why I chose with watercolor.

In the meantime, I still love pencil sketches and I have some of bridges near me that I want to share with you.

First Bridge over Niagara Falls

Let’s have a look at how bridges are actually built because they don’t just happen overnight.

This is the story of how the first bridge was built across the Niagara Falls valley between the USA and Canada.

Back in the day, a youth named Homan Walsh flew his kite, with a string attached, from the one side across the gorge to the other side where another person was waiting.

With the very first twine, they were then able to pull a lightweight rope over across the gap.

Next, they heaved heavier ropes which were ultimately made into a pedestrian bridge, and it began to be a substantial crossing point.

From that point on, they were able to heave wood and planks and eventually build the first wooden bridge that crossed Niagara Falls.

The point of this is that bridges are not just built overnight.

Bridges in Your Art Life

If you want to extend yourself by reaching over to an area of your life that is perhaps a little unknown, or of which you are unsure, it will take time.

You will be tentative to start with such as the kid with the string on his kite.

The first step for you to build a bridge in your life, to expand your artistic ability into whatever medium it is that you are considering going into, is to just begin.

For myself, I did take an art class in painting mediums which I had never used before.

At the art class, I used the studio’s art supplies and their products and was able to decide whether or not a particular technique was for me.

Such as with the acrylic paint, I didn’t like the way it moved and quivered, but I enjoyed the watercolor paint and the way the color pooled and puddled and how I could manipulate the colour with my brush.

That was what attracted me to do watercolor paintings to start with.

One day I may build a bridge to oil painting, but I don’t think it will be this year.

Graphite Sketching

When I began my art practice last year, I started with a pencil although I’ve subsequently realized the artists don’t talk about pencil drawings they talk about graphite

Graphite is actually what is inside the pencil.

As a child I was brought up believing that the grey stuff that was inside a pencil was lead and certainly it may have been many years ago, but these days it’s a substance called graphite.

Therefore, I’ll just talk about graphite sketches and that’s what I’m saying here.

Three Bridges in Vancouver

Recently I took my pencil and sketchbook out to three of the bridges that are nearby my home in Vancouver, Canada.

The downtown area of the city is built on a peninsula which is surrounded by water on three sides.

Vancouver has many bridges and each one is unique in its design.

Two of these bridges are within walking distance of my downtown apartment and the third structure was further away, but I went there for a day out sketching trip.

Burrard Bridge

This is an interesting bridge it was built many years ago and it has two concrete towers at each end with some kind of the superstructure in-between.

It is a highly used bridge which brings people into the city.

The way the municipal peninsula is formed, you can sit on the sand at Sunset Beach and see the Burrard Bridge which makes it ideally placed to be drawn by an artist and many do draw it.

This was an extremely interesting urban construction to draw.

Lion’s Gate Bridge

The Lion’s gate Bridge was built years ago.

It is a huge artery to flow people from the north shore twin cities of West Vancouver and North Vancouver into the city of Vancouver proper.

The Lion’s Gate Bridge is part of the Stanley Park nature reserve and due to its huge presence, is easily observed and thus can be drawn from many areas of the city.

This particular sketch I drew from the Coal Harbor side of the peninsular.

The Lion’s Gate Bridge is a huge structure, and it does look very reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco although the Lion’s Gate Bridge is painted green and does not have the span of its bigger cousin.

Port Mann Bridge

The Port Mann Bridge was only finished a couple of years ago and it replaced the smaller bridge that runs adjacent to it.

This was a very interesting bridge to sketch with lots of superstructure and cables holding it up that were remarkable to draw.

There are also two massive knobby things on the top of the pillars and I’m not quite sure what they’re about, but it was a very interesting silhouette to outline.

The Port Mann Bridge is the most recent bridge that has been built in Vancouver and it is very modern in its construction.

I went out to New Westminster one day for lunch and I was able to get into a position where I could draw this bridge in my pencil sketchbook.

Aspiring Artist Activity: Bridges to Art Mediums

In your art journal please do the following:

  • Write down any art mediums that you are thinking about trying in the future (graphite, watercolor, acrylic, oil, charcoal, collage, sculpture, mixed media etc.).
  • Choose one medium mentioned above, and list three blocks you have to bridging this gap.
  • List five steps that you can take to start your new art practice.
  • Over the next week, consider which will be the first step and think about when you can take this first step (next week, next month or next year).

 

Share on social with the hashtag #AlisonHazelArtAspiringArtist, so we can see the creations from your heart.

Daily Art Practice

Daily Art Practice

by | Art as Self-care, Living a Creative Life

Introduction

I want to talk about getting a daily art practice going. You may think you are not a good artist or perhaps you don’t even consider yourself as an artist at all, but I urge you to accept that you are an aspiring artist. My journey to being able to say I am an aspiring artist, or a beginner artist only came to me last year. On a whim, I attended an “Art Retreat” which was one day event at an art studio here in my city. Before that, the last time I had drawn anything was as a kid at school although I had dabbled at an urban sketchers group on and off.

Art Retreat

Joining me at the art retreat were seven other attendees keen to get arty. We made our introductions over hot coffee and delicate pastries.

The morning session began with a Lino carving which was then used for roller printing. I managed to print a few cards with the cut out. This printing with paint was a really messy process and I’m not likely to ever do that again.

Next, we made a watercolor painting and please note that I had never used watercolors since I was a child many Moons ago.

Then the group worked an acrylic painting and I had not ever done acrylic painting before or even seen acrylic paint. This medium did not appeal to me as I thought it was plastic and therefore when washed down the sink would eventually get into the seas and the food chain. I’m still not quite sure about this, but I know I’m not keen on acrylic paint either way.

After a highly nutritious lunch of vegetables and fruit washed down with beetroot juice, we constructed a crafty seasonal foliage wreath from eucalyptus fronds. This was fun and the one I created still hangs in my studio (note I said studio and not sitting room, see I’m already seeing myself as an artist), although the wreath is now very dry and if you brush up against it bits fall off.

Additionally, we made a mini terrarium with a tiny succulent which unfortunately did not make it, but I still have the handy jar where I now store my washi tape.

I came home with all my treasured artworks, and I was inspired.

I shared my experience with anyone who would listen. It was all I could think about for days afterwards. It was a turning point in my creative life.

Showtime

The next week I opened an Instagram account to show off my drawings and then started this website. I had no idea what I was doing or where I thought this would lead, but I wanted to give my newfound art expression a place to live and breathe.

At first, I struggled to get a name for this website because I just wanted to share my art journey. I hesitated to call myself an artist. I mean, don’t artists go to university and have degrees in fine art and five years training in all sorts of topics related to the craft? Who did I think I was?

But after quite a bit of thought and discussion with my daughters I realized I could call it “art” and actually added my name to end up with, Alison Hazel Art. This is the place where the art that Alison Hazel does is showcased, good or bad, big or small, juvenile or adult, skilled or not.

I post my art because it is where I am right now in my art journey. I could have waited for another five years before I felt I was good enough or received a certificate from a great art institution to say, “she is an artist,” but I chose to be who I am today.

This is why I share what I’m doing in my art life and the type of drawings, painting and sketches I do.

I urge you to as well.

Alison

Daily Art Practice

I know that to get better I have to practice. I may take a few more classes on art, I mean, why not? But there is no rush.

Having bought a couple of sketch books in different sizes and with a variety of papers, I now can dabble to my heart’s content.

This summer I’m aiming for daily art practice. For me this means doing a drawing, sketch or painting every day.

It will typically be a small art piece. I plan to put aside half an hour each morning to build this habit.

I prepare myself the night before by opening my sketchbook at a blank page and placing it on my desk ready to go.

I’m never sure what I will draw or which medium I will choose but that’s okay. It just happens that I reach for my pencil, markers or crayons and start.

So far, I’ve drawn little groups of houses, ladybirds and now fish. They are all simple and quick to do but I love how they work out. This seems to be a series of drawings that take a simple shape, a limited palette and black details. Simple.

I know they are not masterpieces and will never hang on my walls, but they are a testament to the path I am taking as an aspiring artist.

Consider developing a daily art practice, or any art practice, which suits you.

Have a creative day.

Alison

Aspiring Artist Activity: Daily Art Practice

In your sketchbook, or a variety of sketchbooks, please do the following:

  • Select markers or colored pencils from one color group like maroon, red and pink or navy, blue and turquoise.
  • With the darkest color, draw simple shapes in different sizes, for example, squares (for houses) or ovals (for ladybirds) or vesica Pisces (for fish), then draw some with the mid color and finally the lightest color.
  • With a black pen, add the details to finish the shapes off and bring them to life.

 

Share on social with the hashtag #AlisonHazelArtAspiringArtist, so we can see the creations from your heart.

Light and Color for Aspiring Artists

Light and Color for Aspiring Artists

by | Living a Creative Life

Introduction

As an aspiring artist, I’ve always been fascinated with color, how we see it, where it comes from and how it can change your mood.

Many of the great artists chose their color palettes and stuck to them through the different emotional stages of life.

In this series I want to share some basics of light and color as they relate to art and rtists.

If you are an aspiring artist, you could disocver that your color choices stem from how your day went.

Join me as I develop a few posts around the influence of color on our lives.

 

Visible Light

Visible light is electromagnetic radiation that we can see.

Light has wavelengths thay vary between infra-red at one end and ultra-violet and the other.

Infra-red has longer wavelengths than ultra-violet.

The human eye can only see light between the wavelengths of red and violet and not infra-red or ultra-violet.

 

Light Sources

Light is emitted from three main sources:

  • The Sun and stars.
  • Fires.
  • Bioluminescence in some animals like fireflies.

The Sun provides light and energy.

Green plants use to convert to sugars which in turn provide energy for the animals that eat the plants (herbivores and omnivores).

This plant energy goes up the food chain to animals that eat other animals which have eaten green plants (carnivores), and us (humans).

Light is energy.

Light gives life to planet Earth and energy to all the plants and animals.

Optics and Properties of Light

Optics is the study of light.

Light has several properties:

  • Intensity.
  • Wavelength (visible light is a small part of the wavelength).
  • Speed – the speed of light is around 300 000 000 m/s

Visible light is emitted and absorbed in tiny packets called photons.

Photons are measured in waves and particles.

Your Eyes and Light

Your eyes are where light enters your body and consciousness.

Through your eyes the spectral sensitivity of your cone cells in your retina at the back of your eye can perceive changes in the photons between the infra-red and ultra-violet spectrum.

You have light receptors in your eyes and when the wavelength is within the spectrum you see light as colour.

Your ablity to percieve light and color is an amazing thing that your body does.

Other light (or electromagnetic radiation) like gamma ray, x-rays and microwaves you cannot see.

Optical Phenomena

Some interesting optical phenomena that break down lights are:

  • Rainbows.
  • Aurora borealis.

The spectrum is the colours we can see, and they are usually known as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

These seven colours are not always evenly distributed in a rainbow.

The  names of the colours are where they are their most intense.

We see an object and call it a colour by the way it throws light back and what we see in our eyes.

Objects will either:

  • Reflect light.
  • Refract light.
  • Absorb light.
  • Or a combination of all three.

How you Perceive Colour

You see colour through the rods and cones in the retina of your eyes.

In daylight you can see all the colours but during twilight, as it gets darker at night and in predawn, you can only perceive colours at the blue, indigo and violet end of the spectrum.

That is why it is hard to see red in the dark.

What you See

Most people can only see the rainbow from red to violet.

This is the normal spectral range.

Some highly evolved beings are reported to see colours at the extremes of the electromagnetic colour range and they can see infra red and ultra violet.

Animals and particularly snakes, can sense infra red and some insects and spiders can sense ultra violet.

In both cases the animals don’t ‘see’ with their eyes but have developed other sensory glands.

This suggests that perception, or what you see can be brought to your brain through other channels than your eyes.

Sensory Channels to See Colour

Colour is not only seen with your eyes, but it can be perceived through other sensory channels.

Some people can feel colours and many colour therapists report this ability.

Others hear colours through listening to music and can ‘picture’ the tune in their head.

Physiology of Colour Therapy

Physiology looks at how color therapy relates to your ordinary functions.

A physiological state exists in your normal holistic state.

Monochrome

If we lived in a black and white world where everything was a shade of grey there would be no use for color.

A monochrome state marks the boundaries of a yes/no and on/off function of black and white on the human experience.

Add Color to the Mix

On a basic level color changes how we live, think, feel and act.

It brings things to life and we cannot imagine life without colour.

Each colour can make subtle changes to our mood, outlook and physical being.

Colors can be used to transform us from one state of existence into another.

Limited Palette Sketchbook Tour

Limited Palette Sketchbook Tour

by | Living a Creative Life

Limited Palette Sketchbook Tour

Field Sketchbook

Last month I bought a field Peters Pauper Press field sketch book from my local bookshop.

This sketchbook is quite dinky and measures around 10cm x 14cm, A6 or 4 1/8 inches by 5 3/4 inches.

I thought it would be a good idea to have a sketchbook that I could take with me everywhere I went.

At first, I had no idea what I would draw in my shiny new sketchbook, but I had high hopes.



Evening Art

I sat down in front of the TV that evening and drew the cover page, and admittedly, this has color.

The next evening, as I had left the little sketch book on the coffee table in the living room, when I sat down again after dinner, I picked it up.

 

Angel Drawing

I drew a little Angel which I had done often in the past.

I thought I would colour it in like a stained glass window, but by the time I went to bed I’d only done the black outline.

The next night I drew another stained glass window with three angels.

At this time, I was still planning to add vibrant colour, but it was not to be.

Limited Palette

I began to enjoy how the pages were simply inked in black and white.

I realized that this is the ultimate limited palette, actually one color really, the black, as the white was the paper after all.

And so, it went on.

Each evening I picked up my little sketchbook and created a drawing of something in simple black and white.

Supplies Tray

After a few days, I set up a wooden tray on my coffee table with three different thicknesses of black pen that I would use in the drawings.

I had 0.3mm, 0.5mm and 0.7mm black pens.

I started each artwork with a pencil sketch and then added ink, so I added my pencil and an eraser to the now officially called, “Art Tray.”

Right Hand Page

When I work in sketchbooks, I only like to draw on the right hand page.

I am right handed, and it is more natural to work this way.

I really never draw on the left hand page as that is the back of the page before’s drawing.

I live in the hope that some of my art will be good enough to frame, so I don’t want artworks on both the back and front of the paper.

Also, it stops the ink bleeding from the first image through the paper to the second drawing on the other side.

 

Daily Drawing Practice

I pushed on, drawing every night for about six weeks and still the sketchbook is not yet full.

When I’m finished all the pages, I’m going to flip through it so you can see what I created.

I hope this inspires you to start another field, or mini sketchbook, for yourself.

I may do something else in the next one, or I might make it another theme, perhaps with black, red and white like the color palette that cave painters had.

Using a limited palette is a fun way to make simple art.

Benefits of Sketchbook Art

The benefits I received by doing this daily art practice are immense.

  • I feel more creative in general.
  • I am now a productive artist.
  • I have stretched what can be drawn in under an hour.
  • I have really got to grips with pens and their thicknesses.

Sketchbook Themes

My subjects have been quite varied, although there are a few definite themes that developed in the completion of this sketchbook.

The main themes that emerged during this sketchbook practice are:

  • Angels
  • Shells
  • Leaves (flowers, plants and botanicals)
  • Portals (doors, stairs and windows)

My Art Supplies

The art supplies I used for this sketchbook project are listed here and include an Amazon link for each one if you want to purchase them yourself.

 

Here is the full list of my art supplies in my creator studio..

Aspiring Artist Activity: Limited Palette Sketchbook

In your creator studio, do the following:

  • Get a fresh sketchbook and create the front page to be your limited palette sketchbook.
  • Consider which three things (people, objects or places) inspire your daily art practice.
  • As you create artworks in your sketchbook note which themes emerge naturally.

 

“Almond Blossom” Colored Pencil Art

“Almond Blossom” Colored Pencil Art

by | Sketch Journal

Coloured Pencil Art

This time I’m drawing the beautiful five petalled blossom of the almond tree on toned paper with colored pencil. 

The petals are typically in shades of pink to white.

Botanical Details

The almond is not a true nut, but rather a drupe.

A drupe is like a stone or a pit in fruits like apricots and peaches.

The Latin botanical name is prunus dulcimer.

The almond tree is pollinated by honeybees.

Grown originally in the Middle East, the almond is now propagated on all continents in the warm climates surrounding the equator.



Greeks

The Greeks called it after the amygdala in the brain which is almond shaped.

In the brain, the two almond shaped amygdala are part of the limbic system.

This is also known as the reptile brain associated with basic survival reactions like thirst, hunger, the urge to procreate and alertness to danger.

Almond Blossom Meaning

The meaning of the blossom is “new beginning” as it is the very first tree to flower and open its petals every spring.

The almond blossom heralds the onset of a new season of prosperity.

Other symbolic meanings are watchfulness and the awakener.

Toxins

Almonds can be either bitter or sweet.

We eat the sweet varieties.

The bitter almond is a natural source for the poison cyanide that forms from the amygdalin.

Art Supplies

You can check out my full art supplies list here.

Reference Drawing

I searched for a reference drawing on the internet, that clearly shows the structure of a single blossom.

There were many images of almond trees, but I wanted to zoom into the actual blossom for this artwork.

 

Art Process

I began by drawing the outline of the petals with my white crayon. This is a good way to start when working on toned paper.

Then I colored the highlighted areas of the white petals not the shaded grey areas.

I added colors from lightest (white) to darkest (cool grey II).

It is always a good idea to do the lightest colors first as you can build up the intensity later.

Try to work in layers and don’t use a heavy hand in a vibrant color first.

I used two shades of yellow for the center.

I chose three shades of pink to color the inner petal that attract the bees to the nectar. This is like a landing strip for flying insects.

The green leaves helped to define the edges of the petals . I used two greens here.

As a final touch up, I took grey again and edged the petal below the one in front to add depth and a three dimensional effect to the drawing.

Coloured pencil art

Aspiring Artist Activity: Almond Blossom

In your toned papaer sketchbook do the following:

  • Draw an almond blossom,
  • Or draw a blossom that is white,
  • Or perhaps draw a blossom of a tree that grows where you live.
Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Get her newsletter.

Artzlife Newsletter

Artzlife Newsletter

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: December 2024 Artzlife Newsletter Creative art journal inspiration for hobby artists Welcome to a Place for Passionate Hobby Artists Are you a hobby artist seeking inspiration, connection and gentle guidance on your creative...

Sketch Journal Page – “Florist Shelf”

Sketch Journal Page – “Florist Shelf”

by | Sketch Journal

Florist Shelf

This week I’ve created a florist shelf with watercolor and markers for my sketch journal. You can follow along with this video.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEGxJDDDj00[/embedyt]

My Process

Pencil sketch.

Ink over.

Watercolor wash.

Markers.

Gratitude notes.

Sketch journaling is a way to document what happens in your life, once or twice a month.

A sketch journal is a beautiful memory book for how life was for you in any given each year.

What do you think?

Aspiring Artist Activity: Florist Shelf

In your sketchbook please do the following:

  • Draw three shelves.
  • Add assorted florist details just like we did.

Share your sketch journal pages with us on the hashtag #AlisonHazelArt so we can find your images.

We’d love to see what you create.

Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Get her newsletter.

Daily Art Practice

Daily Art Practice

,

Introduction I want to talk about getting a daily art practice going. You may think you are not a good artist or perhaps you don't even consider yourself as an artist at all, but I urge you to accept that you are an aspiring artist. My journey to being able to say I...

Artzlife Newsletter

Artzlife Newsletter

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: December 2024 Artzlife Newsletter Creative art journal inspiration for hobby artists Welcome to a Place for Passionate Hobby Artists Are you a hobby artist seeking inspiration, connection and gentle guidance on your creative...

“Bookshelf” Sketch Journaling Page

“Bookshelf” Sketch Journaling Page

by | Living a Creative Life

Author: Alison Hazel   –   Published: December 2021   –   Revised: January 2024

Sketch Journal Page

This time I’ve created a simple bookcase for my sketch journal. 
You can follow along with this video.

My Process

Step 1: Pencil Sketch and Layout

First I do a pencil sketch. I use a 2H pencil and light lines.

Step 2: First Ink Over

Then I ink over with a fine 0.3mm pen.

Step 3: Watercolor Wash

Next, I add a light watercolor wash. This can be several layers asnd I may let it try in between coats.

Step 4: More Pen Over

Again I pen over aand this time with a 0.3mm and a 0.1mm pen for the finer details.

Step 5: Touch of Gold

I typically add a touch of gold. This is eithre with a glod gel pen or with me gold watercolor paint. I only put a little here and there but I do enjoy embelishing my artworks with gold. It’s almost like a style thing.

Voila.

Getting Organized for Art

Creating sketch journal pages can be a wonderful and mindful way to express your creativity. Start by choosing a sketchbook that resonates with you—perhaps one that feels good in your hands or has a cover that inspires you.

Gathering Materials

I collect my favorite pens, pencils, markers and any other tools I enjoy using.

 

Let Go of Perfection

I embrace the free-flowing nature of sketch journaling. My pages don’t need to be perfect; they’re a reflection of my thoughts and feelings. I allow myself the freedom to experiment with different styles and techniques.

Incorporate Mindful Techniques

Since mindfulness is important to me, I try to incorporate mindful techniques into my sketching process. I focus on my breath, stay present in the moment and let my intuition guide your artistic choices.

Experiment with Layouts

I like to play with the layout of my sketch journal pages. I often mix full-page illustrations with smaller doodles and I’m not afraid to experiment with different arrangements. This dynamic approach keeps my sketchbook visually engaging.

 

Art Supplies

See the art supplies I use here.

Sketch Journaling

Sketch journaling is a way to document what happens in your life, once or twice a month. A sketch journal is a beautiful memory book for how life was for you in any given each year.

What do you think?

 

Read more >>> Sketch Journal Page – Florists Shelf’

Read more >>> Sketch Journaling for Beginner Artists

Reflect and Connect

Before I finish every sketch journal page I take a moment to reflect on each completed page. I consider how it relates to my current experiences and emotions. This reflective practice enhances the connection between my inner world and my creative expressions.

 

Share

Share your sketch journal pages with us on the hashtag #AlisonHazelArt so we can find your images. I’d love to see what you create.

Alison Hazel

Author Bio: Alison Hazel

Alison Hazel is a hobby artist and she shares her ongoing journey about becoming an artist later in life. She creates simple art that anyone can make. She hopes to inspire you to reach your creative potential in the area that suits you.

Read more about Alison’s story.

Send Alison a quick message.

AHAtober 2024

AHAtober 2024

Author: Alison Hazel   -   Published: July 2024 AHAtober 2024 Welcome to AHAtober 2024! AHAtober is a special event for meditative artists, inspired by the popular Inktober challenge. This month-long journey is designed to bring calmness and creativity together,...

Pencil Crayon – Weekly Sketchbook Art “Nasturtium”

Pencil Crayon – Weekly Sketchbook Art “Nasturtium”

by | Living a Creative Life

“Nasturtium, Love Conquers All” – Pencil Crayon – Weekly Sketchbook Art

Nasturtium

This week I’ve drawn a bright orange nasturtium flower in pencil crayon in my sketchbook.

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC5XUESMpK8[/embedyt]

 

For flower reference pictures, I reached for my go to handy dandy book, “The Secret Language of Flowers” by Samantha Gray.

The Secret Language of Flowers by Samantha Gray

Back in the day the Victorians would give a posy of flowers that held a secret message through the meaning of each flower within the bunch.

Nasturtium means, “Love conquers all.”

So, I expect that nasturtiums would feature in a bouquet given when a couple was having a difficult period and perhaps, they had to overcome some minor differences that crop up all the time, and the pair went back to basics with the secret bloom that said, “Love conquers all.”

So romantic.



My Process

First, I drew a border of 10mm around the page to help frame the finished artwork.

I drew my composition with a 2H pencil the flower and one leaf as I decided not to draw two flowers.

1cm border and pencil sketch

 

Then I added light shade with warm grey II under the petals and in the center of the leaf.

Shadows

 

I lightly added some cream on the leaf veins and the lower edges of the petals.

 

Next, I used cadmium yellow and started to build up some color on the outer petals.

 

I continued to develop the petals with chrome yellow and orange glaze over more of the petals.

I tried to keep the strokes in the nature of the petals vertically from the center of the flower.

 

I began fleshing out the leaf with earth green yellowish and olive green more in the middle.

 

Back to the petals with heavy scarlet red and a light polish of deep red.

 

Finally, I went in again with orange glaze all over the petals to provide more coverage and I added the wiggle on the leaf with a very sharp chromium green colored pencil to provide the texture of the crumpled look of the leaf.

 

The background is a very light diagonal flow of warm grey II.

Label

Because I only ever draw on the right-hand page in my sketchbook, so each drawing has no bleed from behind, I added the main title on the left-hand page.

 

In the title block I wrote the words, “Nasturtium, Love conquers all.”

Finishing off by signing my name and the date.

 

The completed artwork.

Question

Do you draw weekly sketchbook art?



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