Online classes are
so much fun! Not only do I enjoy
teaching them but I also enjoy taking them.
What I love about them is that you can enjoy taking a class in the
comfort of your home. You can take them
at your own pace and if something happens to disrupt your class time you can
always go back to it at a later date when you have more creative time.
Since I just joined
a 40 portrait challenge on Facebook, I decided that it was time to create
another art journal.
Toni Burt, a mixed
media artist, teaches several classes online and in one of them she teaches how to
make a woodland faery journal.
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| Woodland Faery Journal by Toni Burt |
The journal she
made is really pretty and uses some mixed media techniques that I don’t really
use so I decided to give it a try. The class videos
are clear and informative. She takes you
through the entire process in real time without any fast forwarding. The class is one of her shorter ones and
priced quite reasonably. The videos are
broken up into roughly 20 minute to 35 minute videos. This seems to be a good length of time for
each session. Not too long and not too
short. I found the videos quite easy to follow. She uses water-soluble
graphite pencils which I had never heard of before. Of course I had to purchase a set and try
them out. I bought a set made by Faber
Castle and now absolutely love them.
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| Keeper of the Earth Journal cover by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Woodland Faery Journal Class |
I created the
journal substrate pretty much as directed in the online class but then I
decided to go in my own direction. I did
use the mixed media techniques she shared for the background but wanted to use
my own artwork instead of copying her artwork.
I also did not have many of the supplies she used such as the water-soluble
markers and inktense sticks. Since I had
my watercolors out and ready to use, I used them instead. The design I chose was based on a figurative
fiber art sculpture that I had created quite some time ago called “Keeper of
the Earth.” I did want to make some
changes though but kept that theme. I
also used quite a bit of Toni’s color palate since it was warm and earthy.
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| Keeper of the Earth Journal cover by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Woodland Faery Journal Class |
These are pictures
of the journal cover before sewing in the watercolor paper signatures that I
will be using.
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| Keeper of the Earth Journal cover by Marla L. Niederer inspired by Woodland Faery Journal Class |
Bottom line, it was
a really fun class to take and a good way to start off my 40 portrait
challenge. Out of five stars, I give the
class Five Stars. Here is a link to the class if you would like to check it out.
I wonder do fantasy
portraits count as portraits? If so
consider my journal cover the first of my 40 portraits!
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| Sleeping Mermaids by Marla L. Niederer |
I am still teaching
the Sleeping Mermaid workshop on A for Artistic. If you are interested in taking the class it
remains open for the rest of the month.
You can find out more information about it and or sign up here
Until next time…….
Warm hugs,
Marla
