My art supplies

If there is one thing I could forever add to, it's my art supply collection. I have a tonne of art supplies and am constantly adding to the list! The main "type" of art I create is mixed media art, so the materials available are pretty much an endless stream of excitement!

I thought I would share with you my go-to supplies; things I use daily and would also recommend for anyone interested in mixed media but also on a budget. Where I can, I've added links to where I bought them, but it's worth shopping around to see if you can get them cheaper (I tend to do this, but on occasions may have missed saving a few £££s to get a fast order through/ bulk order from one shop etc.)

Paper:

I tend not to work on canvas, but paper. I like using paper more as it's easy to store, I can scan it in and it's less pricey than having an unending stock of canvas! I do work on canvas sometimes, but my go-to is paper. I use 2 types; my art journal and a spiral note pad that I take all the pages out of.

Daler Rowney Mixed Media paper (A4) 

This is my go-to paper. It's thick and holds out to a lot of water damage and when you trim the border down (it's in a spiral note pad) it's a little under A4, which makes it easier for framing and storing. t has a thick grain, which I like, as it adds more texture and doesn't warp easily. Sometimes it curls, but a bit of water on the back or taped down' it's fine. It's also very reasonably priced!

Moleskine art journal

This is my favourite sketchbook. It's small, and an interesting shape so it makes me re-think composition a lot. Despite not being hugely thick; the paper stands its own ground well and I'm yet to tear through from too much watercolour. I'm on my second of these and they last for ages. It's bound really well and I love using this as my art journal.

Free magazines from the Tube! I snap up those free magazines people hand out to you on the underground and save them up for collage use and paint over collage.

Vogue - maybe twice a year I will splash out on buying Vogue. It's expensive and I don't like the fashion world in particular; but there are some great pictures in there to use in collage.

The Great Gatsby book (!) - I tear out pages from my old copy of the Great Gatsby. The paper's turned brown over the years and adds a great layer of text for backgrounds.

Patterned scrapbook papers (various sources)

Washi tape (mostly bought of eBay in bulk)

Paint:

Craft paint (decoart and docraft) - I have a large collection of this paint as it's super cheap but still works well. They come in small bottles, which is perfect for testing out new colours and storage.

Daler Rowney graduate - I have the portrait pink colour and it's always, always used in my portraits as a base. It's a great Caucasian mid tone base.

Liquitex basic - I have some unbleached white and although the paint is a little plasticy; it's good mixed with other paints or white gesso for highlights.

Windsor & Newton Galeria - I'm slowly building up a paint collection in these colours, although they are kind of pricey (I get them from a discount store for about £3.99 a tube) the pigments are stunning and it's a really beautiful, glossy paint. I have 4 colours at the moment; teal, magenta, opera pink and ochre.

Gesso:

White gesso - Daler Rowney
Black gesso - Daler Rowney
Clear gesso - Liquitex

All these gessos are reasonably priced and not at all plasticy. I love the grain the clear gesso provides and these 3 mediums are always on my desk and I love them so much! Gesso to rule the world!!

Pens:

Posca pens - I got a set in bulk as they are expensive, but are prefect for small detail work. Don't use over wet paint as you'll destroy the nib (sorry, old black posca pen...RIP)

Letraset Promarker (manga fantasy set) - these are "posh felt tips" and really great for drawing and also can work well in mixed media pieces.

Micron Sakura pens - my favourite, favourite black pens. I'm constantly using them up but they are just perfect. They don't fade and look beautiful outlining watercolour pieces.

Pencils:

2B and 4B Faber Castell - I like to work with a soft pencil as it's great for smudging. Currently my 4B is the size of my little finger, and it's the 3rd this year. It's my go-to, must-have, cannot-live-without pencil.

2B Graphite Aquarelle by Faber Castell - really nice for adding dark tones and smudgy/smokey effects.

Glues and mediums:

Good old pritt stick!
Deco Art Media matte medium
Deco mache gloss decoupage glue
Winsor & Newton professional fixative
Pebeo Studio Acrylics modelling paste

Paintbrushes:

Daler Rowney gold taklon short handled synthetic brushes

I'm super mean to my paintbrushes and put them through hell, so I don't buy expensive ones. These ones have a great range of sizes and considering the beating they get form me, they last pretty well!

Da Vinci paintbrush (for canvas work and working BIG!) - I bought this paintbrush at an art retreat, although it is available on-line too I think. It's beautiful and big and has a great "spring" to the bristles.

And there you have it! I have some other bits and bobs too, but the above is my standard set of supplies.

What's your favourite art supply?

Have a great week!

Emily (aka Little Lyra) xx

How to create a layered art journal spread

I thought today I would share some techniques I used when art journalling. I consider my art journal to be many things. It is my diary, my brain dump, a place to try new art techniques and a place to play without pressure. I never go into a journal entry with preconceptions and never focus on the outcome; more the journey.

My approach to journalling varies a fair amount, although this is one of my favourite ways of processing my emotions - it creates a really beautifully layered spread. This post shows just 1 of the ways I fill up my journal with all my thoughts and musings...

Step 1: Do a brain dump.

Scribble down everything that's going on inside your head. Don't worry about the words, just get them out. I tend to have very large, loopy writing and when writing fast I don't worry myself with spelling or even if the words go over each other. This first layer is just about getting your thoughts down on paper. (I've obscured the majority of the text here as y'know, personal stuffz.)

Step 2: Wash over with watercolours.

I use a second layer of watercolours and blend in a mix of the same warmth. E.g. reds, yellows and oranges or blues and greens. I like to stick to the same colour groups as this way they rarely mix to make "mud"; they blend together nicely. I also keep the layer quite light and wet - I don't want to 100% obscure my brain dump, so the words still poke through here and there.

Step 3: Blot on another layer using similar colours.

Using acrylic paint (a mix of brands/ quality/ prices!) I then blot on the 3rd layer. I thin the paint out so it's very watery as acrylic can completely mask stuff. I also splatter paint using the end of the paintbrush and my fingers.

Steps 4 & 5 - Add an image and bring in another colour.

I really liked this image by Alfons Mucha, from a book I recently bought and so I photocopied the image and fixed it to the page using matte medium as an adhesive. I then put a layer of clear gesso over the top, which means I could easily add other medium on top of the image. As the image was black and white, I also added some streaks of black using my watercolour graphite pencil. The result is fairly gloomy looking! But I liked the contrast between the vibrant reds and the smears of grey/ black.

Step 6- Doodle!

 Adding doodles over the page for another layer is very therapeutic!   

Step 7:  Paint over collage.

Paint over collage is one of my favourite mixed media techniques. It's a great way to learn about shading and the structure of the face, by painting over a collaged image. You can also really put your own style on top of the original image. This lady was calling out for wild, firey hair. I painted a watered down layer of white gesso over the face, and re-drew the facial features using a black posca pen; the hair was created using watercolour crayons.

Step 8 - Add a quote and "tinker".

I like to add quotes to my journal pages. My go-to quote guy is Rumi. His quotes are mindful, beautiful and seeped with symbolism. Sometimes I seek out a quote directly related to what my brain dump uncovered, other times it's related to the imagery that comes out but sometimes it is just something I like! I first added the quote in the background using watercolour (the red) and then re-wrote it more prominently in black. I always tinker with my pages - add in little details here and there. I coloured in some of the flowers and just generally fiddled with the page.

Some close up detail shots:

After all those layers, you can still see the original text, which I really like. When do I know I am finished with a page? When it feels right. This spread took a couple of days, in dribs and drabs when I had free time. Before any art session, I try to start off spending some time with my journal. It's like a warm up, or just to help get some inspiration flowing.

Supplied used:

• Yellow posca pen
• Caran D’ache Necolour II watercolour crayons (reds, yellows and oranges)
• Acrylic paint – red, yellow and gold
• Photocopy of a photograph by Alfons Mucha
• Matte Medium
• Clear gesso
• Black posca pen
• Black watercolour graphite pencil
• White gesso

I hope you've enjoyed this little how-to! I highly recommend art journalling to anyone - whether you feel you have artistic qualities or not. It's a fantastic and creative way of working through your feelings and helping you get in touch with yourself. I will also let you in on a little secret... Everyone has inside them a budding artist desperate to burst out and come to life on the page. You can do it!

~ Emily (aka Little Lyra) xx

Instagram monthly round up: July 2015

Morning Chaps!

Happy Monday and Happy New Month!

Here's my monthly round up from my Instagram for July:

Instead of painstakingly transferring all my Instagram pictures from my phone to my computer, then re-sizing them into a grid; I discovered Monthly Collage that does all that for you! Fantastic! Time saving and the same effect ;-)

July has been another busy month for me and as you can see there are lots of works in progress! I had a "Christmas in July" Sunday last weekend and planned out what I will hopefully be showcasing in my Etsy shop for Christmas. So watch this space for updates!

I've also been learning to draw manga-style, which has been pretty fun! I got an awesome book about fantasy manga and it's really detailed, which is helpful plus it's sparked off my imagination for lots of paintings!

August is going to be a bit quieter for me, which is very much needed! I'm looking forward to having lots of time to paint (I have a 4 day weekend at the end of the month that I want to dedicate to pure art goodness!) so hopefully in next month's round up you will see lots more finished pieces!

Instagram is my main social media channel, so to keep up to date with what's going on in Little Lra's world, come say hi and give me a follow at www.instagram.com/lovelittlelyra : -)

Have a magical week,

Emily xx (aka Little Lyra)