taking creative notes

Back when I worked in an office, I had very little time in my 8 hour work day to fit in my creative projects. Ironically it was during this period in my life that I had some of my best ideas and was really inspired. There was something about having limited time that really made me productive. Despite my schedule, I would challenge myself to still do SOMETHING- ANYTHING creative throughout that 8 hour work day to capture my ideas. 

My brain was always looking at everyday things in my daily routine as inspiration. I would carry a journal or notepad with me, a few pens and pencils and a little set of watercolors, Throughout the day I would take 5 minutes to take some creative notes, document ideas and do really fast simple sketches.

It was during this time that I developed a quick process of dissecting and documenting my ideas and inspiration. Instead of spending hours and hours of time (that I didn't have) on my drawings and paintings, I would take notes. Sometimes this process was simply journaling the things that caught my eye, colors combos, shapes or ideas that were sparked. Other times I would quickly and expressively sketch what I saw. I would then use these notes as a place to begin when I had the time create. 

These days I have a lot more time and a creative business where I have to stay fresh and inspired. This "creative note taking" process is something that I depend on in my routine and it is actually how I begin most of my drawings, paintings and projects. You might be surprised to see many of my sketchbook pages filled with messy notes, sloppy drawings and all kinds of scribbles of color! 

Here is what my process looks like:

1. I typically start with identifying something that inspires me- it could be anything from objects to colors to shapes, texture or pattern.

2. Next, I take notes- sometimes I simply journal and free write about what I am doing, while other times I will write down descriptions of the weather, the sky, the tide, treasures that I found. I've discovered that taking notes is a really quick way to capture my ideas, my inspiration and is a really helpful reference when I have more time to create.

3. Next I sketch shapes, patterns or designs VERY quickly. They don't look very pretty or anything like a finished project BUT this process allows me to capture the essence and vibe of my inspiration. This process has come in handy for me now because I am always on the go and juggling a million things and I don't always have lots of time (or want to take lots of time) to sit somewhere and sketch for hours. Instead I take a little bit of time to quickly capture ideas.

4. I look for details or things that catch my eye or spark ideas and just try to get them down on paper. I literally "dissect" my inspiration and try to get anything and everything down on paper that I can- you never know if you will remember a good idea or have the same moment of inspiration.

TIPS:

Use a journal sketchbook to record your visual findings.

The key to this process is to work quickly and expressively without the worry or pressure for things to look perfect.

Challenge yourself to reflect on why things catch you eye and write it down. Ask yourself questions like: How does a color make you feel? What makes you notice certain things? What catches your eye? What draws you in?

Try to find unique and interesting patterns in your everyday world. In my experience you can always find great pattern in nature.

Add color to your pages with easy to access tools and materials.

Collage paper, swatches of color or things that you find (photos, paint, scraps of paper, paint chips, pressed leaves and flowers) onto your pages.

Not sure where to begin when looking for inspiration? Start with the everyday things in your life! Clothing in your closet, landscaping in the yard, home decor, your meals or anything that is a part of your everyday life can be inspiring.

Reference these pages when working on your creative projects.

watercolor blooms

My latest online class Sketch Into Spring is well underway and while I can't give away everything away from the class I thought it would be fun to share a little peek into one of my favorite lessons on watercolor blooms-

Watercolor blooms result when pigment spreads on a wet surface, creating a bleed effect or "bloom". While many traditional and technical watercolor painters don't like the "bloom" effect, I LOVE it! In fact I use this technique most often when I am creating loose, abstract and messy watercolor backgrounds that I sketch over the top of. The technique is super easy and really fun for artists of all ages.

Start by wetting down the surface of your paper with water. 

Next, dip your brush into pigment.

Drop the pigment onto the wet surface and watch that color BLOOM!

Add different colors and have fun letting everything run and bleed into each other.

Take it a step further and use rubbing alcohol to make those blooms change. Simply dip your brush (or any tool) in the alcohol and drop it into the wet pigment. Alcohol repels water and will push the pigment away creating circular shapes.

The result is very loose and expressive way to apply color to your surface!

watercolor blooms from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

Sketch Into Spring is a "mini class" online class, it is structured in 30 small but inspiring posts. The concept is that that you have one simple idea, prompt, inspiration or technique to work throughout each day for 30 days. All of my online classes have unlimited access which means you can register at any time!

the evolution of a sketchbook page

the evolution of a page from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

sketching 101

Since sharing the pages of my sketchbook in a variety of posts, I have received lots of inquiries about my sketching process, my supplies and techniques. I thought I would put a post together to answer some questions and give a little tutorial on sketching (my style).

Drawing and sketching is not an easy daily task but creatively I believe it is such an important part of the process when making art or craft projects. I strongly believe that learning the basics of drawing, finding your own style and taking time to develop it is so rewarding!

You can read more about my thoughts on drawing in this post.

I don't use any specific or special kind of sketchbook (typically something affordable) and I always keep a few around (in my purse, in my studio, in the living room). Since my sketchbooks are really just a place for practice and documenting ideas and colors I don't splurge on sketchbooks with special paper or covers. I save that money for paper or supplies that I use in final projects. If I get REALLY attached to a page or a drawing, I will scan the page and use it in different ways.

Recently I purchased a bunch of sketchbooks from a local art supply store for around 2.00 each they have what I consider "all purpose" drawing paper that works great for my process.

My drawing tools are also really simple! I almost never draw with pencil because for some odd reason I have always been most comfortable drawing with pen. Most of the time I use what I have on hand which often (like when I am on the road) tends to be a ball point pen :)

I have a little collection of five favorites pens which include-

A couple of sharpies- a fine point and an extra fine point.

Sakura Micron- these are really the best for drawing in pen!

A couple of favorite ball point pens that I have tested and had success with over time.

I use watercolors to add color and shading to my drawings. I have been sketching and painting with watercolors since I was a little kid so for me it is easiest and most comfortable way to get color down onto a page. Some other options are colored pencils, markers, crayons and watercolor pencils.

I am IN LOVE with Sakura's Koi Watercolor Field Travel Set- it is perfect for sketching and I literally carry it everywhere! It comes with 18 colors that can be mixed to create even more.

The set comes with a really cool water brush with a brush tip that attaches to a handle that gets filled with water. This means that you don't have to worry about having a water vessel on hand, you simply fill the handle with water and squeeze to release water as you paint. IT IS THE BEST TOOL EVER!!!

I always keep a rag on hand when working with watercolors, especially when I am not working on watercolor paper. Regular drawing paper can get saturated with water quickly and easily so I always use a rag to blot and soak up excess water on my pages if needed.

Ok lets get started!

I use sketching as a way to explore color, document inspiration, document things in nature, exercise my creative muscles and just find some quiet and simple escape in the process. Sometimes this means drawing on site while other times this means drawing from all those photos that I take. For this tutorial I am using photos that I took yesterday while beach combing.

I start by drawing (in pen). Again, I am not comfortable drawing in pencil and if I mess up I just start over on the same page- this is really about the process and the discipline involved in practice- not necessarily the end result.

I fill my object with color.

I go back and add more color for shading and details. I let it dry and then use my pen to add even more details.

I fill my page with different things- either things that I saw on my outing or took pictures of.

My goal is to completely fill a page with images and color.

Often I will outline the objects or create a border that I can write in.

I also create little boxes to record color.

I fill the background with color and shading.

I fill in the borders with more color.

I use the free spaces to add notes from the outing, color observations and anything else that I want to remember or make note of. If the background is dark I use a white pen and if it is light I use a dark pen for notes.

Sometimes I will work backwards with the process-

Again, I find subject matter either "live" or from one of my photos.

I start with painting first, laying down color and very simple shapes.

I add more color.

I use my pen to go back and add details, lines and simple shading.

And last, I add written observations.

And there you have it!

I sometimes think there is nothing so delightful as drawing.

-Vincent van Gogh