Quick To Assemble, No Glue Journal

In keeping with the My 20 Minute Journal post I made awhile ago, I now have posted  the tutorial on "Journal 2."

About My Work

Journal 1 is no longer under construction. You are welcome to view my introduction.

First Entry For Journal 7 Blog

I must admit that drawing and watercolor still feel very awkward to me. One reason is because I do not practice either as much as I should. So even though life has a way of imposing other demands thus putting a squeeze on ones priorities, I am learning to shuffle those priorities and finding time that I didn't know I had.

This is my first entry in "Journal 7" with, I hope,  many more to come. 

First SketchCrawl of 2011

Click on blog "Journal 6" to see more.

Italy Journal 2010 of Rome and Umbria region

` Last August I attended a workshop at La Romita School of Art in Terni, in the Umbrian region of Italy. Beforehand I spent several days in Rome along with a few other workshop participants. My knees gave out early on, but with the assistance many patient people and a crutch and pain relief medication I saw the trip through and have many wonderful memories through my journal and photos.  See the journal and photos of Rome and La Romita adventure in blog "Journal 5, meanderings".

Check Out Journal 5-Meanderings

See France and Italy journals and scenic slide shows in Journal 5.

Twenty Minute Sketch Journal

Here is another way to approach journaling for the less confident among us. Put together a "down and dirty" journal, something that you don't have to worry about ruining.  Keri Smith has published several journaling books directed toward confidence building.  Here is my version.

A simple pamphlet stitch holds one section of pages together. The front and back pages of the section are then tucked into the folds of the paper that are folded over thin card stock weight paper (or use cereal box cardboard) to create the inner journal cover supports. I need to diagram this in the "tutorial" section of this blog. Stay tuned.

Above you see the section sitting on top of the inside of the cover.

On the left side of the above photo you can see the paper folds into which the front section page would be inserted.  The same would be done with the right side.

Just keep in mind that putting together a rough journal might be the trick to help loosen up a hesitant journaler. Don't make it too precious at first.

Journal Designs For Loose Pages

I am not used to sketching quickly or drawing with great abandon so I still like to have an escape route if I don't like what I've done. Loose pages are the perfect option.  I made this first journal using a spiral so that I can add or subtract pages from it.

The second journal is actually a cased-in portfolio that I constructed using the green structure at the right as a model. I found the green structure at Goodwill.  Occasionally I find items at Goodwill that I then use for book construction ideas. By the way, the spiral machine was purchased at Goodwill, too, which was a savings of over $300.

Here the right flap has been opened.

Now both covers have been opened.

I originally planned to put these drawings into a spiral journal. Still can or just keep them in the portfolio.





Preparing for Sketchbook Challenge

Okay, this is not much of a blog yet. I am overwhelmed, trying to figure out how to do this but I want to save my energy for some visual journaling. So I will keep working on this blog in between participating in the challenge.