If you have taken art journaling workshops from Cre8it.com, you have already been creating an illustrated journal. This workshop is going to kick that up a notch or two.

Many people think that the word illustrate means to draw or paint.

But what it really means is to tell a story with pictures. To create a visual representation which clarifies and/or enhances a concept or idea or story.

The process of illustrating engages you on many levels: your imagination, your logical connections, your drawing and painting skills, your problem solving skills, your ability to simplify, your whimsy and humor in many cases.

Each week in this workshop, we will tackle a fascinating and elaborate illustration "assignment" - just as if you had been hired by an art director. And you will have a whole week to think it through, execute it, and upload and share it with your classmates.

This workshop will get your creativity humming, and actually change the way you approach creative and artistic problem solving.

Skills You Need

You do not need to be great at drawing and painting. The beginning skills that you have picked up through at least one of my journaling workshops will suffice. If you have not taken the previous workshops, but feel you can express ideas visually with the drawing skills you have, you are welcome to take this workshop.

Additional art skills and techniques will be taught in this workshop - as they apply to each week's lesson.

Enthusiasm for the creative process and a sense of fun are more important than any other skills.

New Video Format

We have devloped a new streaming video format which allows for much more clarity and size. If you have a modern computer and system, the ability to download your own copy of the videos will be an option.

Practice Here:

We have a test video introducing PanPastels which you can try right now. The video will be feeding your browser just ahead of the playhead. If there is starting and stopping, it is because the playhead is outracing the feed. Wait a few moments and hit the play button again.

Test New Video Format

There are other exciting possibilities. At the bottom right corner of the video window is a double arrow symbol. This toggles a full screen version where you can see *every* detail.

There is also a Download button. If you download the video, you will have an MP4 file which will play in Quicktime or in iTunes. Quicktime and iTunes are both free downloads from Apple.com.

Supplies. . .

PanPastels Just a few basic colors will do and traditional chalk pastels can be used instead, but results will vary.

Digital Camera (any kind)

All Supplies that follow, you will have from your previous workshops:

A Moleskine “Large Sketchbook” (Blue/Violet Label - you will find this at Borders and Barnes and Noble, or Google it for online deals. We use this particular book because it takes so many mediums so well, is archival, and is hard bound for durability).
Note: You do not need a new volume f you have at least half of the book blank. Our assignments this time may take multiple spreads

Set of Watercolor Pencils (at least 12)

Waterbrush - Small or Medium (this is a brush that holds water in its handle and is available at all art supply stores)

Pencil, 3H lead, not a mechanical pencil, just a plain drawing pencil, and soft white eraser.

Permanent Black Pens in two or three nib widths. We use Pitt Pens in Fine, Medium, and Brush Tip (available at office and art supply stores). Sharpies will not work because they bleed through the page.

A Bone Folder

Spray Bottle and Rubbing Alcohol (regular 70% alcohol and an old hairspray bottle works well)

Sheer Heaven (at least 2-3 sheets). There are some techniques that just can't be done with anything else - like transfers for example.

A roll of 3M Removable Poster Tape (Available at office supply stores, this is a wide, very tacky, double-sided tape that remains removable) This will be used for one of our techniques, not for sticking things in our journals

A Glue Stick or double stick tape for sticking things in your journal.

A good paper scissors and a craft knife with metal ruler and cutting mat.

Fun Foam (1 sheet - available at craft stores)

Stiff, clear plastic: A transparency will do. I prefer to run a laminating pouch through a laminator with nothing in it (copy shops will do this for you if you don’t have a laminator). Plastic should be stiff but easily cut with scissors.

Just stuff that you have. . .
Some stamps and stamp pads in a few light colors and a set of alphabet stamps. We find the small Chalk Pads or Crafter's Inks in small pads or sets to be best because they can be heat set and then painted over without smearing.

SIGN-UP HERE