Sketchbook- Multi-Media - Summer Beach Combing

Gifts of the sea;

Cast-offs from a mermaid,

Delicate in appearance, yet strong enough to weather the wind, waves and rocks.

Now they are gathered bits of treasure; 

sea glass and shells, 

claws and old egg-casings, kelp and driftwood. 

Lots of fun with some of these sketchbook - multi-media techniques. I printed out the tide charts that I use to look up the best times to gather sea glass. Torn edges, interesting words and phrases get applied to my page with some acrylic matte medium.  Then a bit of "watercolor ground" gets brushed on thinly so that I can still see through to the pages below, yet be able to paint on top of it.  The drawings are rather random - just like the objects I found. Yet they remind me of the day I gathered these bits of goodies from the beach.  Funny how a sketchbook page can really enhance memory of those wonderful days that you'd just love to repeat!  Click on the image to enlarge it!

Sketchbook Journal - Kelp, Mussels, and Claws

Okay, the last of the sketchbook pages for a while. I'm really missing my oil paints. (I'll post that one tomorrow!). This page was done mostly with permanent ink markers (Pigma Micron very fine tips) and watercolor. It was fun taking some of the elements of the pod-like seaweed and making a 'designy' element out of it. So all in all, a little exploration was a good thing. I find I really enjoy that to get the creative thought moving again.

Sketchbook Journal- Beachcomber's Finds

And now for something completely different. I've been working with my sketch book a lot this past week - and thought I'd share some of the pages inside with you! On this page I was using a water soluble Tombow pen and a bit of watercolor for these finds from the beach.