Bex Hall

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process notes

Amazing paint you can make right now

From nature’s own Pokeweed, but use caution

Poke berries

NOTE: Pokeweed is considered poisonous and toxic. Use gloves and do not eat. Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Use with caution.

From my nature walk last week, I picked some Pokeweed berries and used the juice to paint the Pokeweed I sketched in my nature journal.

Pokeweed berry paint

If you want to try it yourself, just squish some berries and grab a brush. You can make a batch for later use, according to a recipe I found in the NY Times:

One cup of pokeweed berries, squished and strained into a bowl.

1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. vinegar, stir.

Keep in a glass jar with a screw cap in a cool place.

Makes a beautiful paint or ink. Have fun!

Neurographic art has captured my imagination

No artistic talent necessary!

Neurographic art

An artist friend, Jae Anderson, inspired me with her neurographic art through the ICAD project. I researched the topic and found a variety of resources online. Each describe it a bit differently, but here’s how I proceeded:

I set an intention and wrote it on one side of a piece of watercolor paper (you can use any kind of paper). On the other side, I used a Sharpie and while thinking of my intention, I scribbled some lines for about three seconds.

Next I rounded all the sharp edges. Wherever there was an intersection and a hard angle, I curved and thickened the lines. 

I then added more lines and extended them off the edge of the page. While meditating on my intention, I curved and rounded off the new intersecting lines. A softening.

After that I added watercolors, (colors are optional), a black border, and called it finished.

As I worked I felt calm and it was as if time ceased to exist. I was completely focused. It was a beautiful and meditative process based in mindfulness.

I’m only just beginning to learn about neurographic drawing, but find it kindles my artistic curiosity. As I experiment and learn more, I’ll share details. 

Neurographic drawing

Nature prints are easy to create

Who knew messy could be so fun?

A leaf print

This was fun! 

For today’s prompt, botanical, I gathered plants on my walk this morning, coated them with printing ink and pressed them between two index cards. I love the results!

Nature print

It’s hard to decide which one I like best. 

Nature print experiments

As usual, I jumped in without looking at a tutorial. It probably would have been better if I pressed them in a book for a few hours before inking. I will try that next time. And there will be a next time. It is totally worth the effort and messy hands. Soap & water cleanup.

Plants used for printing

I used Speedball block printing ink, a soft brayer, and ceramic cutting board.

Speedball block printing ink

53/61

I tried again. I still don’t like it.

Creating mandalas are not my thing.

Mandala

For many people, creating a mandala is therapeutic or soothing, so I’ve heard. Every time I make one, my stress level goes up. Every imperfect circle and misshapen whatamacallit only serves to irritate me.

I think it’s because I put too much pressure on the end result being perfect. 

It may have something to do with my approach and mindset. And expectations. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Ya think?” and you would be right. 😊

For most anything else I create, I don’t have this struggle, so why this subject?

Something to sit with and ponder.

43/61

Results don’t meet expectations

Why can’t my first attempts be perfect?

Meadow of daisies

I watched a YouTube about water coloring a meadow. She used a masking marker (I didn’t know these were a thing!) for the flowers. She wet the entire surface before brush stroking the blues, then a variety of greens. She tapped her brush with reds for a splatter. She didn’t even have a liner brush for the stems, but she made do. She explained her leaf making technique and how to add shadows with burnt umber.

The end result here looks nothing like hers.

I compared. And the result was disappointment.

I remind myself she used a quality watercolor paper. Mine’s on an index card. She has probably done this painting more than a few times. This is my first attempt.

With this gentle reminder, I look at this card with fresh eyes. It’s not so bad. And I *learned* some things.

I’m excited to try another now. The more I practice, the better I’ll like the results, I do believe.

Until next time! xox