BIBLE ART JOURNALING: "WE HAVE COME TO WORSHIP THE KING"

This is SUPER LATE!  I had it saved to post but obviously forgot to finish and post it.  So here it is!  it is obviously a Christmas bible art journaling but it was fun using acrylic inks and salt.



Enjoy!

NEW, REVISED AND SHORTER PRAYER JOURNAL VIDEO AND FREE JOURNAL/BINDER INSERT PRINTABLES!

Hello!!

I decided to make a shorter video of my prayer journal/binder/notebook since even I was having a hard time watching the full 40 minutes of the first video.  :)  This video thing has a learning curve and takes some practice!  CLICK ON THE VIDEO HERE!

Anyway, I have also made up two prayer journal inserts that some people may find helpful.  I have made these available on Dropbox as Word documents and as PDF's.  Just click on the links below.

They are in letter size for those who use a full size binder and can be printed out on both sides of your paper as long as you know how to do that with your printer.   They can also be printed out as half size paper (5.5 x 8.5), which fit perfectly into the half planner size that I use, or other planner sizes.

The PDF is great for being able to resize to you whatever your needs are.  The printing outcome, such as double sided pages, etc, is totally based on how YOU print these out.  Many printers have setting for half pages and double-sided sided printing or booklet printing, but some don't and all printer's are different in their settings to do this.

I apologize for the poor photos examples below of the free inserts.  I have printed mine on colored paper and decorated the edges with washi tape.

CLICK HERE
PDF: Self-Reflection & Confession/In the Last 24 Hrs, Did I?

CLICK HERE
Word Doc: Self-Reflection & Confession/In the Last 24 Hours, Did I?

I pray that you will find praying more intentionally blesses you as much as it has blessed those I am praying for and myself.


















CLICK HERE: General Prayer for Family PDF

CLICK HERE: General Prayer for Family Word Doc

Bible Art Journaling: LEAVES: Job 14:7-9

Hello everyone!



I did this quick video a couple weeks ago but didn't get it posted here due to surgery I had.

I love the verses of Job 14:7-9.    This chapter is Job talking about how death comes to all men, trees that we think are dead can actually sprout new growth when the rain falls on them.



In Job's day, he was still waiting or the promises of the Messiah to be  fulfilled.   In our day, we have Christ, who has given us the promise of eternal life.  Death is not the end for us.  Life will sprout up in us again, through  Christ, much like the dead tree that sprouts when it is rained upon.    I just love that!



In addition to these verses, this was inspired by a song my nephew, Tanner Hotchkiss, wrote and sings.  This song and his album is available on iTunes and another site for android.



Please click here to be taking to the You Tube video where you can hear the song "Leaves" in it's entirety.

"Leaves" by Tanner Hotchkiss



Materials used:

Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling Bible

Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Brush pens

paintbrushes



Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions!



Blessings!



Find me on other social media:

MichelleHotchkissArt.blogspot.com

Instagram @MichelleHotchkissArt

facebook.com/MichelleHotchkissArtMichelleHotchkissArt

New Bible Art Video: Hebrews 7-8 Jesus Great High Priest

New video posted!  

It is stormy, rainy, windy and cloudy here in Alaska.   Winter is quickly approaching!  I'm not ready yet!

On the up side, the gazebo studio is now wired for electricity and my husband is insulating it as I type them.  Soon, it will be nice and cozy in there, yay!  

New Video: Prayer Journal/Binder Set-Up & How I Use It

Hello everyone!

I had surgery two weeks ago and didn't do much while recovering, as you can tell from the lack of posting here.  It was painful at first and the pain meds made it difficult to focus, so I took a little break.  

I did make some cute DIY foiled journaling and scripture cards that I put in my prayer journal.  I posted photos of those cards on the Journaling Bible Community Facebook group page and was asked about my prayer journal, so I made a detailed video of it.  I tried to make it shorter but I felt that I was leaving out some important things that may be of help to someone so I just decided to go with it and stick with a long video. 

Here is an outline:

Reminder:  Keep it workable!  This is not to lead to condemnation or feelings of failure, however it is a commitment.  If you can only commit to praying like this a few times a week, that is better than nothing at all!  It does get easier with practice.  The hardest part is setting up the prayer binder to what best suits your needs.  

Sections:  

1)  Daily for 2.5 minutes minimum

*Praise/Adoration

*Praying in the Spirit

*Silence/Listening 

2) Daily and Rotating Subsections.   2.5 minute time frames.

ME:

*Self-reflection and confession - Daily review of past 24 hrs

Subsections, rotate one section per day, use paperclip to track which subsection to pray that day.

*My Life in Christ

*Relationships

*Work/Art

*Health and Healing

*Emotions and Character

*Misc Prayer Requests

3) Immediate Family - Daily

* General Prayer for all family members, approximately 2.5 minutes:

   *true salvation

   *Protection

   *Health

   *Emotions

   *Favor

   *Wisdom and knowledge

   *Relying on God

   *Godly self-image

   *Character and intregity

   *Goals and dreams

   *Relationships

  **Daily: Subsection for each family member listing specific prayer needs for that person.  No set time frame. 

4)  Daily.  2.5 minute time frame.

      *Dire Situations, illnesses and emergencies:  ongoing list of people need to be held up in prayer every day. 

        Paperclip stays on the tab for this section as a reminder to pray every day.  

Daily rotating Section:

Sections that I rotate praying for daily.  Paperclip used to track which section to pray for that day.  2.5 minute time frame

If there are immediate needs, those are listed in the Dire Situations section. 

*Family.     Extended family members. 

*Friends.   Including internet friends

*Church.   The body of Christ as a whole as well as local church, missionaries, etc. 

*City/State/USA/World.   Praying for elected officials, protection, first responders, as well as local and global crises.   

Finished!! :)

I have set up my prayer journal following how Kari 

Dee of StoneSoupforFive.blogspot.com  set her's up.  Check out her video:

Kari Dee's Prayer Journal

I have also used idea's from 93 year old Ms. Edith. 

Here is the link to Ms. Edith explaining her prayer binder:

Edith's Prayer Binder

As mentioned in the beginning of the video, here is the link to make your own shiny foiled journaling cards by CreativeKelly4rmCali:

DIY Foiled Journal/Planner Cards Video

I hope this helps or inspires you to try your own prayer journal/binder!  :)

Check out my videos on Bible Art Journaling!

Bible Art Journaling: New Mercies Process video

New video posted!



This a short video on the making of this illustration in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling bible.



Lamentations 3:21-27



This is how sunrises look in some parts of Alaska in late summer.  The fireweed is in full bloom and it's vivid pink and purple flowers glow when the sun shines on them.



Summer is winding down quickly here, the nights are getting cold and it is getting dark earlier every day.  However, with the arrival of the darkness also comes the arrival of the stars and the northern lights.  We don't see them in the summer because it doesn't get dark.



I am going to miss the sunrises though.  In the winter, the sun rises in the south and sets in the south.  I have a large mountain to the south and the sun barely makes it high enough in the sky to peek over that mountain, in the darkest days of winter.



Because of this, the dawning sun is always wonderful and appreciative occurance, when we are in the heart of the dark winter.

NEW BIBLE ART VIDEO TUTORIAL: How to Draw Flowering Vines and Dandelions

Hi Everyone!!

FIRST:   I WILL BE HAVING A GIVE AWAY SOON.  SEE THE END OF THIS POST FOR MORE INFO!

I've had this video filmed for awhile but wasn't able to get it edited and uploaded until late last night, due to my nephew's wedding and other things in life that take up my time, but I FINALLY got it finished!  Yay!

The first half of this video is drawing in my sketchbook so you can see all the details that can go into these types of flowers.  The second half is drawing in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling bible.  Most of the drawing in my bible isn't as detailed as the drawing in my journal because it is on a much smaller scale.  The beauty of this is that you can make it as detailed as much or little as you like and it will still look GREAT!

I have had a lot of requests for a tutorial of how to draw the squirrel, which I will do, but I have some suggestion that I hope you will consider in preparation for that drawing.

1. PRAY!  Art is a gift from God.  He is the ultimate creative and the old testament talks about the Holy Spirit giving people artistic talents in order to build God's temple. Ask God to teach you how to see like an artist sees.  My husband is an artist with a degree in graphic arts.  I took one art class in my life at the age of 12 and was so intimidated I was absolutely paralyzed.  That was my one an only attempt at anything artistic until a few years ago.  I learned early on in my relationship with my husband that he saw things differently than I did.  We would have long conversations, sitting outside in the midnight sunshine of the Alaskan summer nights and talk about how he sees.  When I saw clouds, I saw white and grey puffy clouds.  He saw all sorts of colors: peaches, purples, blues - he never once said the color grey.  He shadows in the for of shapes.  He opened my eyes initially and God has stepped in and continue to teach me as I progress on this journey as an artist.  I always pray before doing any art, asking God for the skill and guidance.  If you desire it, He will give it.  
2. GET a 0.05 pigment ink pen.  Your favorite brand is fine, no need to use the same pen as I do.  It is the size of the nib that is important.
3. PRACTICE!!  Get to know your pen and how it works.  Check out my "PEN STROKES TUTORIAL" to learn the types of strokes I use in my drawings.  They are not difficult to master, but you do need to be familiar with your pen and how to get it to draw the way you want it it.  Trust me, this will save a LOT of frustration and fear of making mistakes when it comes to drawing with pen and ink.  
4. MORE PRACTICE!  Practice drawing the flowers, leaves, bees and other things in this video series.  Practice doing your own thing.  Practice on smooth notebook or printer paper - which is similar in thickness and texture to bible paper.  Practice on drawing paper, which has a little bit of texture and learn how your pen works on that compared to smooth paper.   
5. PAY attention to how long to set your pen on the paper - the longer it sits in one place, the darker that spot will be.  This typically happens at the beginning of a pen stroke.  When using copy or notebook paper, this spot usually shadows through the page more than the rest of the pen stroke.   
6. USE a light hand when drawing.  Don't push down on the pen, let the weight of the pen do the work.  
7. PICK an image that you want to draw.  Something with short fur, like the squirrel or a rabbit.  
8. Study the image. Really look at it. Look at it for a few minutes for days. Look for the darkest darks, the lightest lights.  Notice where the shadows fall.  It may be helpful to convert your image into a black and white so you can see only the lights and darks and not be distracted by color. 
9. Study the shapes that make it up and where the shapes are located in relation to each other: the top of the eye is on the same imaginary line as where the base of the ear starts.  The nose and the paws both extend out to the same point.  The tail is taller than the entire body.  
10. Imagine drawing it.  If you watch an artist in action, you will often see they make "practice" strokes in the air before drawing or painting on their paper/canvas.  This is valuable on helping your hand and eye communicate with each other.  I often will do this over the image I am going to draw.  I "air trace" the shape of the image.  It may sound weird, but it really helps because sometimes our eyes see shapes differently than how they really are and when we go to draw it, the drawing comes out skewed and we don't know why.  There are a lot of reasons this happens that I won't go into; this isn't a perfect remedy for that but it DOES help. 
11. BE relaxed.  This type of drawing can be very relaxing and enjoyable.  Watching something from from nothing is really cool, in my opinion.  Take it slow and don't rush.  You don't have to finish a drawing in one sitting.  In fact, it can be detrimental to try and do this.  We tend to look at the details and can't see the whole picture and this causes us to focus of perceived mistakes.  If you are feeling frustrated or stuck, walk away for a bit..just make sure you do COME BACK!  Do not give up.  When you come back, you will see it as a whole and with fresh eyes.  If you were stuck, you will probably now know what to do.  Totally true.  I can't tell you the number of times I felt something wasn't working in a painting or drawing and I had no idea what to do next.  I left it for day and when I came back, I was able to continue on.  
12. KNOW that if you have done it once, you can do it again!  I used to be afraid to draw or paint again after I did something I was really happy with because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it again.  Know that you CAN do it again.  It may be different but it will still be great!
13. Lastly, be KIND to yourself.  Unless you are working - and it IS a lot of work - to become a photo realistic artist, there just isn't any reason to be photo realistic.  With the exception of human faces, no one will ever know if your squirrel doesn't look exactly like your reference image.  No one will ever know if you have a wonky flower because flowers ARE often wonky in nature.  Don't stress.  
14. OK, here is the last thing.  SMILE! Sounds hokey, but it helps you relax.  Enjoy the process!  

I recently read a quote and it is totally true:

PRACTICE MAKES AWESOME!

Soon I will start on an animal tutorial. Maybe a mouse.  Stay tuned!

GIVEAWAY SOON!  I will be having a giveaway soon.  I have two She Reads Truth bible studies with cute bible verse cards and artwork.  One is a study of the book of Hebrews  and the other is a bible study for the book of John.    The winner will need to have the free She Reads Truth app and will need to purchase the study guides through the app ($1.99).  

Keep watching here or on my other social media sites! 

Instagram @MichelleHotchkissArt 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MichelleHotchkissArt

YouTube: Sevenible or search for Michelle Hotchkiss

Pinterest:  MichelleHotchkiss or @jovian7

Bible Journaling Tips - Part 2!

The other day was a very hard day for birds at the Hotchkiss farm.  Yep, difficult for birds and people.  We woke up to our cat and dog staring at the wood-stove chimney pipe.  My husband heard fluttering.  A bird somehow got down the chimney.  To make a long story short - pipe was removed, the bird flew out - not out the door but deeper into the house - repeated hitting hard into the ceiling.  Flew upstairs, bashing into the ceiling the whole way - soot smudges all over my white ceiling.  Then blood from the ceiling smashing.  All through my house.  Finally got the bird out a window and clean up time - bleach to remove the bird blood stains.

Next, Ginger the cat who has no claws, went hunting.  And she was successful.  She brought her little bird prize into the house and hid under a space in the floor where we couldn't get it.  My husband had to dismantle more things that morning to get the bird out.

I live next to my in-laws on the farm.  They has a little garden spot covered with plastic for weed control.  A bird got under the plastic and wasn't able to get back out and was going to quickly die.  The plastic was frosted white so we couldn't see the bird.  Finally we were successful and set it free, without pulling up or cutting into the plastic.  

All this before noon.  Not the way to start the day.  Poor little birds.  I am sorry to the one my cat ate. I have talked to her but she just looks at me with her pretty cat eyes and lets me know I can't change her hunter instinct, and neither can she.  

Anyway....

I have a new video editing program that I have just started to learn and so far, so good!   Not too complex but not so simple that I can't do much with it.  

Here is the second part of the Bible Journaling Tips video.  It's longer but has a lot of little tidbits of info here and there between the bigger tips.

I have a painting to do for an upcoming wedding and then I hope to get back to more bible journaling art.  I miss it!

Oh..by the way...my BIRTHDAY is in exactly ONE WEEK!  I was born on the best date ever.  7/7.  Yep, I'm a lucky seven girl  :)  I am thinking of GIVING AWAY a birthday present!!  Yay!

God bless you all!

NEW VIDEO! BIBLE ART JOURNALING: TIPS - PART 1

Are you confused by all the different art supplies used for bible journaling?
Are you frustrated by your results when art journaling and feel like giving up?

If so, then this video is for you!

I have been seeing some frustrations and repeated questions on the journaling bible facebook groups lately so I made a short video which will hopefully be helpful.

I had a lot of hit and misses when I first started bible journaling so I have found a few things that work and a few things that don't.  Also, as an artist before I started bible journaling, I already had the knowledge of what gessos and matte mediums are, as well as how different paints, pens, markers and other art mediums behave.

When I first took baby steps on my art journey, I was confused by all the different "stuff" out there and spent a lot of money on things that weren't necessary because I saw someone else using it in a video somewhere on line.

Now that I have some experience under my belt and know what I really needed and what isn't necessary, I hope to pass that along.  Just remember, you don't need everything that other people are using.  It isn't the art supplies that makes pretty art, it is how the supplies are used and the skill of the person using it. I truly believe everyone has artistic skills and talents, they just need practice!  It can't be developed unless it is exercised!

In this video you will find:

1. What not to prep your page with and why
2. What is ghosting?
3. What is bleeding?
4. Will ghosting cause problems if I make art on the other side of the page?
5. Is there any way to stop ghosting?
6. What exactly IS matte medium?

Tips - Part two will be coming soon, so please keep watching!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ART SUPPLIES OR BIBLE JOURNALING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME!  I will answer your questions as best I can.  I don't have experience with EVERY art supply - I am not a "stamper" so I can't help with those questions :) 

Please don't give up bible journaling!  Chances are you just haven't yet found what works best for you.  Let's work together to make it more fulfilling for you!  

Thank you and many blessing!  

Thank You, minniecar, for Sharing Your Bible Art!

Please check out this link to @minniecar on Instagram!  She posted a lovely bible art page with drawings she learned in my video tutorials!

THE GOOD NEWS: A NEW VIDEO! THE BAD NEWS: FIRE.

It is HOT here in Alaska, in the 80's, which is uncommon.  And it is dry, no rain to speak of.  And it's on fire.

Yes, on fire.  A wildfire in burning in Willow, not to far from my home (we are a safe distance) but it is close to my daughter's home, only 16 miles away from her.  Many people have evacuated the areas around the fire, many homes have been burned and people displaced.  Willow has a large dog-sledding community and the top female musher, DeeDee Jonrowe, lost everything in the fire but she was able to rescue her 50 sled dogs.  Sadly, her older dog and her cat perished in the fire.

Please pray this fire gets put out soon. Click on this link to find more information.
THE SOCKEYE/WILLOW FIRE IS THE #1 PRIORITY FIRE IN THE USA

(click to enlarge photo)

NEW VIDEO!  HOW TO DRAW EASY AND WHIMSICAL RIBBONS!

This is video five in the video series "All Creation Praises the Lord" based on the Psalm 97-99 pen and ink drawing in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling bible.

Today's video shows you how to draw pretty, dangling ribbons that are dancing on a gentle breeze.

They are good background filler for those spaces in your drawing that just need something in them.

This video did start out to be tutorial for drawing both ribbons and flowering vines but it was way too long so I split it up BUT,..you will get a nice sneak peak at what that next video will cover!

I hope you enjoy the video and as always, please share your drawings with me and I may feature them on my social media!

www.facebook.com/MichelleHotchkissArt
Instagram @MichelleHotchkissArt
or you can send me an email, see the email box on the right side of the screen.

Please feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to answer!

Crossway ESV Journaling Bible - What's Up With the Odd Color Pages?

Surprised and not so sure about that paper color when you open this bible?



Find out why this bible is the way it is and the history behind the design.

New Video Tutorial! PEN STROKES! Part Four of "How to Draw Stylized Flowers"

Hi everyone!!

Spring is turning into summer here in Alaska.  We are in full 24 hour daylight mode, which means I don't sleep like I do in the winter.  Who can sleep when the sun is shining all night long??  Sleep can wait until winter. :)

We have been having a LOT of windy weather.  I sure would like it to just be a gentle breeze to just stop.  I live between two glaciers and we are surrounded by mountains and those winds are COLD.  Plus, they stir up glacier dust, which is super fine dust made by glaciers grinding rocks to dust as the ice flows and recedes.  It coats everything and isn't good for the lungs.

My super husband is sick today, a very unusual event.  He has spent the day on the couch, poor guy. I am praying and am sure he will be fine soon.

Now, on to the video!  I have made a short video that shows the different pen strokes that I use in many of my pen and ink drawings.  I really encourage you to get to know your supplies and learn everything they can do.  I have personalized this one a bit.  You will soon see that I am a pen nerd..and maybe a little dorky..or a lot dorky...and I'm OK with that.

Many people are afraid of pens because they aren't erasable and if a mistake is made, everything is ruined, right?

Wrong!

Once you learn different techniques for using pens, you can start off light and increase the darks as needed.  Starting off light gives lots of chances to camouflage or incorporate mistakes so they don't show and may even turn into "happy mistakes" as  the late oil paint artist Bob Ross used to say.

I have scanned off this pen stroke reference and hope you find it helpful.  Click on the photo to enlarge it.

I will be making more videos saved on the Psalm illustration, which I continue to add on to.  I will be showing how to do flowering vines and ribbons.  I have been asked to show how to draw the squirrel but that is a bit advanced so these current videos are good practice to lead up to the squirrel or maybe a bunny.

I am continuing to learn how to make better videos and am looking forward to getting a solid set up soon.

I pray blessings on you all!

New Bible Art Journaling Video! Luke 4:18-19 & 21

Hi there!!

I have a short process video today of how I drew/painted this illustration in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling  bible.  I have a new webcam and am pretty happy with it but finding an easy video editing program that does all the things I want it to do has been a challenge.

Suggestions for editing software are welcome!

There is a little bit of drama in the middle of the video, but everyone survived and are A-OK.  :)

It is based on Luke 4 18-19 & 21 and 2nd Corinthians 3:17.  Jesus has declared that He is the the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recover sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

How awesome is this?

Many times, we are bound by things we don't even realize, this can be anything from food, gossip, overspending, and the list goes on.  Some are more obviously harmful than others, but sometimes the seemingly harmless things are those that keep us from moving forward in our walk with Christ because we don't identify them as "being that bad" and can't identify that we are enslaved or bound by them.   

Yet, if we ask, our eyes can be open to the things that hold us captive.

But...(there always seems to be a "but" in there somewhere).. I admit that this is a scary step to take.  I don't always want to change.

"Captive", "blind", "oppressed"...those are such negative words.   Am I blind and oppressed?  I don't like to think so but if I really am blind, then I can't see if I'm oppressed, the effects of being oppressed, nor the freedom of what it is like to be released from the things that oppress me.  Reality is that I may be comfortable in my bondage, especially if it is all I know and doesn't seem to be a big deal.

In the book "The Pursuit of God", A. W. Tozer writes; "The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us. ” 

Soo...questions must be asked:
Do I really want to have my eyes opened spiritually and "see" what what oppresses and holds me back?
Do I choose to continue to be oppressed and held captive by things that don't seem "that bad"?  
Does God really know better than I do?
Do I trust God enough to relinquish control?
Is the liberty He speaks of really worth it and will I be happier and freer? Is "freer" really a word or should it be "more free"?    
Do I really have to come to the end of myself?

Why does that word "really" keep popping up?  I think it is a matter of faith; do I really believe or not?

A decision must be made.

I can take only one step at a time or it all just seems too big and overwhelming.  Baby steps.  Baby steps are better than no step at all.  So here I go, the first step of my journey to the liberty Christ has provided for us.

My first step is asking God to remove the spiritual blindness to the things that are holding me captive.

I can do this.  I must remember that God cares for us, He wants the best for us and wants us to be succeed. He will not ask me to do anything that is impossible.

It is His job to do the impossible, not mine.

The inspiration behind the illustration:

The cross is the most recognized icon of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made to save each and every person ever born on this earth.  His life was exchanged for ours, He broke the chains of sin and death which bound us all.  

  The Statue of Liberty is the most recognized icon of freedom in America.  While we all have different definitions of freedom and liberty, I am so incredibly thankful that I live in a country where I can freely have a bible and express my beliefs.  People may not agree with my beliefs but I am generally not endangered by my beliefs.   So many other places in the world people are imprisoned, beat and killed because of their beliefs.  They would literally be risking their lives just to hold a bible in their hands.  

Today is D-Day.  Thousands of people died in the fight to stop a big evil that was spreading through Europe and threatening the world.  History is repeating itself - a different place, different people, different reactions, but it's the same old story.  

As messed up as our country is, I thank God for the liberty we have.  I will always pray that will continue God to bless America and that America will be a blessing to God.  Where there is liberty, there is hope. 

New Video Tutorial! BUMBLEBEES!!

Video Tutorial!

HOW TO DRAW EASY STYLIZED BUMBLEBEES!

This is the third video in the series "How to Dray Easy Stylized Flowers"

This is an ongoing tutorial series based on select verses from Psalm 97-99 pen and ink drawing in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling Bible.  

These beautiful, easy bumblebees are very fun once you learn how to draw them and are so easy, they don't take a lot of thought or effort, just like doodling!  

PLEASE SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR FLOWERS, I LOVE SEEING THEM AND MAY FEATURE THEM HERE AND ON MY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA! 

Post on my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/MichelleHotchkissArt

Or tag me on Instagram @MichelleHotchkissArt

(To see all video tutorials in one place, select "Video Tutorials" from the menu above)

VIDEO TUTORIAL: HOW TO DRAW EASY STYLIZED LEAVES

Video Tutorial!

HOW TO DRAW STYLIZED LEAVES

This is the second video in the series "How to Dray Easy Stylized Flowers"

This is an ongoing tutorial series based on select verses from Psalm 97-99 pen and ink drawing in my Crossway ESV Single Column Journaling Bible.  

These beautiful, easy flowers are very fun once you learn how to draw them and are so easy, they don't take a lot of thought or effort, just like doodling!  

PLEASE SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR FLOWERS, I LOVE SEEING THEM AND MAY FEATURE THEM HERE AND ON MY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA! 

Post on my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/MichelleHotchkissArt

Or tag me on Instagram @MichelleHotchkissArt

(To see all video tutorials in one place, select "Video Tutorials" from the menu above)

Video Tutorial: How to Draw Easy Stylized Flowers and Some Art Basics Everyone Needs To Know!

Here is the first video in the series based on the Psalm 97-99 drawing in my Crossway ESV Journaling Bible.   I will be posting additional videos on bow to draw stylized leaves, bumblebees, etc., in days to come.  

(To see all video tutorials in one place, select "Video Tutorials" from the menu above)

Often beginners feel they need the exact supplies and mediums that the artist is using.  I am not a stickler for pushing specific brands for several reasons:  

 1) Art supplies are expensive. Not everyone can or should buy beyond what they need.  Often there are less expensive alternatives that are within a person's budget and I just can't recommend a person buy a bunch of supplies they have never used because they may use them once and then find they never use them again.

 2) I strongly believe in respecting individual's personal preferences.  I have tried several brands and I use what works best for me but it may not work best for you.   Use what you have or what your favorite supplies are.  It is true that higher quality supplies can often be easier to use, but you do not have to have the specific pen I use to draw a beautiful flower. You can use a pencil, you can try Sharpies or a generic ball point pen. 

I will always do my best at being objective and fair and since I don't have any affiliates - which is where people make $ off of people buying the same supplies they use through links on their blogs and websites - I am not shutting the door to alternative products.  If I recommend something that I feel is the best, it is because I really feel it is after trying several different things.

Now on to the art of making art!

The first most important thing to making beautiful art is practice, practice, practice. 

 Keep your beginner work.  It's so fun to look back and see how much you have improved.  Get a sketchbook or a notebook and use it just for practice.  Draw what you like.  Draw big, draw little.  Just draw. Drawing is the foundation.  

The second most important thing is to learn how to see lights and darks.  

Shading (which represents darks and shadows) and lights are what magically turns a flat, boring image into something dynamic which is full of depth, dimension and movement.   As mentioned in the tutirial videos, pick some select spots in your flower for your darkest darks.  A common mistake is not making those spots as dark as they should be.  These darkest areas need to be darker than everywhere else.  This provides depth.  Without these darkest darks, the image may look flat or washed out.  Don't be afraid to try it, just don't go overboard. 

Since the tutorials are black and white drawing, the lights are the color of the paper.  Untouched paper is the brightest or the lightest lights and shading pen strokes make the lights darker.   Don't overdo the pen strokes or you will loose all of your highlights and light spots.  You can always go darker, but you can't go lighter with pen and even graphite, so go in gentle with your pen strokes and then darken them as needed.

The third most important thing is learning how to use your supplies.   Grab your pencil or pen and start making marks.  Soft marks, darker marks, tilt the pen/pencil to the side and see if the ink skips and/or gives a light/finer mark.  Make flicking strokes.  Hold your pen straight up and down for a bolder line (this is how these pens are designed to be used).  Try different papers to see how the ink or graphite reacts.  Find out if your ink is waterproof (won't move with water) or water activated (bleeds or smears with water, can be used almost like paint) by going over it with a wet paintbrush.  Note how your paper reacts to water.  Some totally hate water of any amount.  Some papers are OK and others, such as watercolor paper, is made to handle large amounts of water.  Also be aware that some waterproof pens are not waterproof on certain papers.  This is an issue with the paper, not the pen.  Always do a test paper before starting a project. 

Final thoughts: 

 We all have an inner critic and it is sometimes very harsh when it comes to our artwork.  Just know that this critic is a liar.  For some reason, we are very vulnerable when it comes to making art and the urge to compare is very strong.   Do not listen to that critic and do not compare.  If you are feeling like your drawing isn't going the way you want, walk away from it for a bit.  When you come back to it...and DO COME BACK, don't abandon it...you will be able to see it with fresh eyes and you may be much happier with it than you were before.  I think we get so focused on the details that it is hard to see the whole picture.  That is way we need to step back sometimes.  

Also, and this is VERY important,  DO NOT point out your mistakes to anyone!   I used to do this and my husband finally told me to stop it because he never saw the mistake until I pointed it out and even then it didn't look like a mistake to him.  I have found this to be true..most people will NEVER notice mistakes.  Art is up to the viewer's interpretation and often their mind does not interpret them as mistakes.

Now go make some art!!