Tuesday 30 January 2018

Nature journal part 1

Hello friends, hope you are keeping well. It's going to be a busy few days here on the blog, so I thought I would just get this post in before the end of the month.
Some of you will have seen the journal cover I made with the journal die by Eileen Hull. Well as promised today I am sharing the first double page. Hand drawn images from nature, combined with washi tapes and other collage elements. The insert itself was made using a mix of watercolour and drawing paper and the simple 3 hole bookbinding technique.

I'll share a few close ups below.
A few snowdrops from my garden and an ivy twig, just for fun and drawing practice.
I made a happy discovery while drawing this: I lightly outlined the shapes of the leaves with lead pencil and then drew in the veins with a Prisma Premier pencil in cream. I then water coloured the leaves and found that the Prisma, because it is wax based, resisted the water colour, yay, makes life so much easier when painting leaves!
I also used some Derwent Inktense pencils on the branches and parts of the leaves, and despite these being ink based (and permanent when dry) the Prismas resisted them too.

The snowdrops were outlined with a micron pen, which I now really regret, ah well, I'll know better next time.
Here is a closer look at the page on the right, mostly collaged with tea died papers, and washi.
I painted the twig, but the little feather is a srap of a gorgeous washi tape which I ordered on Etsy a while back.
Well, that's it for now, I completed the next double page too, but that will have to wait for another time.

I am going to finish with a lovely quote for a change:
I have learnt that, what I have not drawn, I have never really seen - Frederick Frank
so very true...

Thanks for your visit today
xxxxx


22 comments:

bahar006 said...

So beautiful, I love all the details:)

Bev. Wilson said...

Lovely pages! looking forward to more :)

My name is Erika. said...

Wow Astrid, this is just gorgeous. I have often thought about keeping a nature journal, and after seeing yours, I may just have to make one. Hugs-Erika

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Beautiful studies of nature Astrid, a real keepsake to document everything new and discovered.
Hugs Tracey x

Kate Yetter said...

Your nature journal has started off beautifully! I am loving the watercolors and washi tape touches. And I love that your garden has inspired your drawings. I can't wait to see the rest.
Kate

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oh my, yes!!! Just as beautiful as I knew it would be! Your drawings and painting is stunning and I love that you made a new discovery in regards to the Prisma pencil .. fabulous!! Looking forward to the next reveal!! Have a wonderful day! hugs xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a fantastic, gorgeous page in your journal Astrid, wonderfull!!
Have fun!!
Maria

Maryann Laursen said...

Absolut beautiful work here Astrid. I just LOVE your Snowdrops, they look just fabulous, and if only I could draw and color anything like this, I would definitely be a happy bunny, that´s for sure. Wonderful pages, can´t wait to see the next ones sometime soon.

Have a great week ahead now.

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful pages, love the delicate drawings of the plants. Hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

An amazing spread and such a delicate medium to work in.

Love the wonderful quote at the end Astrid

Have a great day

Love Chrissie xx

Annie said...

both pages are beautiful Astrid x I adore snowdrops and your are wonderful x Stunning drawings and the adornments of wash tape and other fragments make for two fabulous pages in your nature journal xx

TFS and huge hugs Annie x

Words and Pictures said...

Such beautiful, delicate artwork, Astrid - and a great discovery with the vein-resist. I love the subtle additions of washi and teabag fragments into the pages, but it's your drawings which really make me happy. I rather like the penwork on the snowdrops - it has a freshness and spontaneity in the line - but I'm sure I'd have loved them without too!
Alison x

Theresa said...

what a delightful page. love the drawing mixed in with collage elements. and nicely spaced. doesn't feel crowded. you really get to see and study each element. great look and feel. thanks as always for sharing.

Marisa Job said...

Beautiful as always!! Love the colors too!

Let's Art Journal said...

Your pages are amazing! I loved discovering all the techniques and tips that you shared with us while creating them too 😁. The snowdrops looks so pretty and I love the veins on the ivy - beautiful! Have a great week! J 😊

Patty O'Malley said...

Beautiful pages, Astrid! I love how the leaves look!

Dorthe said...

Astrid, already seeing this on fb- made my heart sing, and it surely did not disappoint when seeing it up closer.
Your painted nature is gorgeous,-love your ivy, and also the layout on the pages.
Hugs, Dorthe

Sandy said...

Good gosh - I just got your post and it looks like I am already late for the party. We have all been anxiously awaiting your entries into your new journal. Absolutely glorious - I so so appreciate you telling us what you did and what you learned.
Sandy xx

Meggymay said...

Beautiful artwork Astrid, it was good to read and see all the photos you shared. It is going to look gorgeous.
Yvonne xx

Redanne said...

I really don't know what to say, your drawings are exquisite, I just love the ivy drawing and the snowdrops are amazing - I think the pen work enhances them beautifully! Stunning work and great close-ups! Hugs, Anne xx

Jackie PN said...

Outstanding pages Astrid! Gorgeous in all their simplicity!
I love those snowdrops even with the micron outlining!
Jackie xo

Aimeslee Winans said...

Heavenly...Gwen Diehn-worthy! xoxo

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