a FALL coloring page for you

Fall weather has arrived (at least on the Oregon Coast) and to celebrate I've got a free coloring page download for you today! 

You can download the page HERE

Have fun coloring!

a peek inside my sketchbook- one bouquet 3 ways

simple pleasures

makewells: my sketchbook process

Hi! It's Megan here from Makewells again, and today I'm blogging about my sketchbook process. 

Right now, I'm working through a 365 Project - completing one full page in my sketchbook each day and posting to instagram. So today I wanted to share just one of the (many) ways I approach a blank page. 

As far as supplies go, I use just about anything and everything in my sketchbook. I do tend to use "cheaper" paints, including craft paints that I pick up whenever I pass that aisle in the store. But I also use pens, paint markers, and colored pencils.  

My sketchbook is a Canson mixed media spiral bound book. The paper is not super thick, so I do have to flatten out the pages sometimes when using a lot of water. But I prefer to keep it on the cheap for my sketchbook, and this is a great value for what you get!

To begin, I like to quickly cover the page with acrylic paint. I try to do this without really thinking too much. Same goes for choosing colors. My approach to working in my sketchbook is that it should be loose and a place to "explore", so I often choose colors at random and challenge myself to make them work together. 

My go-to subject matter in my sketchbook is florals. I just love painting flowers, it relaxes me. And I feel like there are INFINITE ways to paint flowers, so it's a subject matter I love exploring. Above, I used a small brush to "draw" in some flowers. 

As I started painting, it just seemed natural to make a floral wreath. So that's what I did, adding leaves and little branches. I started to realize at this point, that this would probably be a page incorporating a hand lettered phrase, so I started thinking about what that would be as well. 

I then began blocking in some color inside the floral line drawings, slowly building up to painting a little bit more detail.

Using my favorite white Uniball Signo Gel Pen, I started adding fine lines on top of the paint.

And eventually, I added some leaves with a polka dot pattern inside. I love incorporating patterns in my sketchbook pieces - polka dots, dashes, etc. are an easy way to add unexpected interest.

I finally settled on what phrase I would draw in: "Make Art. Be Art. Enjoy." This is a phrase that I often draw, but it means a lot to me.  My mom said this to me once when I was having a rough day in my early 20's. She emailed me an encouraging note and said, "Just go make art. BE ART. And enjoy." I just love that, and I often create pieces incorporating that phrase. 

I lightly drew in my lettering with a pencil before painting. 

Because it's my sketchbook and my goal is to be loose and creative, I don't worry about stray pencil marks here and there or "perfection". 

I do love "finishing" a page with colored pencils, however. I love the way Prismacolor pencils work with acrylic paint when it's dry, so I often use a very sharp, darker pencil to give drop shadows to my letter and a little more detail to the florals. 

And then I call it a day! 

So there you have it: a little glimpse into my creative process while working in my sketchbook. As I said before, every day is different, but I always try to "not think" and let the page just "happen". By doing that, I allow for happy accidents and unexpected discoveries. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my process! Don't forget to post your own lettering projects on instagram using #redefinecreativelettering 

Xo, Megan

@Makewells (instagram)

www.makewells.com

trash to treasure!

There is nothing that brings me greater joy than transforming something old into something new. Recently I snagged an old beat up surf board from my husband Andy and transformed it into art for our living room wall. Never underestimate the power of a little paint and creativity!

new fall/winter line up of classes and a SALE!

I've been working hard on new online classes and I am super excited to announce my fall/winter lineup! And this week I am offering an early bird rate. Classes are on SALE from now until Monday, October 19th!

LOVELY LANDSCAPES
LIVE: October 19, 2015
$50.00  SALE $40.00

There is nothing that inspires me more than the great outdoors and I am excited to be offering a class dedicated to the beauty and possibility that lies in a landscape. Come along with me as I take you on a journey to some of my favorite landscapes and locations in Oregon. Along the way I will be sharing techniques, tricks and inspiration for capturing the beauty of a landscape. And since I love to break rules, there is nothing traditional about this landscape class. From painting, to drawing to photography, I will demonstrate simple and FUN ways to use composition, balance, line, pattern, texture and color to create unique and expressive landscapes with a variety of materials and supplies. 

Check out all the details over in the shop HERE

ART JOURNAL BLISS
LIVE: November 23, 2015
$30.00  SALE $20.00

Art Journal Delight has been one of my most popular classes to date so I have created Art Journal Bliss- another fun class dedicated to art journaling. In this class I will be sharing LOTS more of my favorite simple art journal techniques, tricks and prompts that anyone, any age or any level will be able to create!

Please note: this class is does not repeat information in Art Journal Delight

Check out all the details over in the shop HERE

SKETCHBOOK STORIES
LIVE: December 15th
$30.00  SALE $20.00

As many of you know, drawing and sketching is a really important part of my creative process. I believe that regardless of your experience, drawing is a wonderful way to stay inspired. In this class we will be using basic drawing and sketching concepts as a way to capture a moment, document ideas and tell a story. I will be sharing prompts, techniques and ways to turn your sketchbook into a diary!

Check out all the details over in the shop HERE

CREATIVE CREATURES

LIVE: JANUARY 11, 2016
$30.00  SALE 20.00

There is no better subject matter to capture magic and whimsy than creatures and animals! In this class we will use drawing, painting and our imaginations to illustrate a variety of unusual, fantastical and everyday creatures. I will be sharing a variety prompts, demonstrating simple drawing and painting techniques and sharing my favorite ways to tell a story and create a visual narrative.

Check out all the details in the shop HERE

FALL/WINTER SEASON PASS

$110  SALE $99.00

In addition to the new line up of classes I am also offering a season pass option. This pass includes all four fall/winter online classes. The price of the season pass is $110 (compare at $140 for all four classes separately  a savings of $30 or the cost of one small class. If you are interested in taking all four classes, this is the option for you!

ABOUT MY ONLINE CLASSES:

There are many online workshops out there at different prices with different content. Back in 2009, when I decided to offer an online learning option, I set out to create a structure that is similar to taking a "live" class from me.  My mission is to provide an affordable class with a learning environment where you are watching lots of demos, learning techniques and then creating on your own art.

FACTS:

• I have three different structures of online classes: 

Large Class: These classes are $50 and have 5 HUGE lessons that include videos, photos, written information, prompts and more. My large format classes dive deep into a variety of techniques, projects and information.

Mini Class: My mini classes cost $30 and have 3 HUGE lessons that include videos, photos, written information, prompts and more.
Micro Class: These classes cost $15 and have 1 HUGE lesson that includes videos, photos, written information, prompts and more.

• My classes are a combination of video learning (with demos, techniques and me talking) and lots of photo steps outs of inspiration, techniques and process.

• All classes are all filmed in my studio. Since 2009 I have been tweaking my gear and my process with the hope that video/photo content gets better and better. My #1 goal is to provide inspiring lessons and visuals that are easy to understand.

• My classes do NOT have a required supply list. Instead I share the supplies that I like to use and then give you a variety of options and inspiration to use supplies that work best for your process and your budget.

• All of my classes have unlimited access which means that once you register you can create and access at any time and work at your own pace. Whenever I "release" a new class- I release each lesson "live". Many people enjoy working in this format, as the lessons are posted each week but once all information gets posted there is unlimited time to access everything. I have found that some people prefer to work along with the live format when I release a new class, while others will wait months until they have the time, money and the schedule to register for the class. Either way works- just know that once you are in- there is no deadline or pressure to create.