Time for another challenge - ok so we were supposed to be having em monthly but since when did I ever follow my own rules??? Never! Rules are meant to be bent and broken at every opportunity....
Im itching to get going on a new page so heres Challenge Number 2 :) And its another easy one!!
Random Words Dictionary Challenge:
Now is the time to grab hold of that dictionary I told you that you needed!!
For this challenge its very important that you dont cheat!! Believe me I'll know if you do!
1. Take your dictionary, and without looking - no peeking, no cheating, no nothing!
I want you to flick through the pages of the dictionary totally randomly, no looking and no thinking - clear your mind....
Then suddenly STOP on one single page without looking, and tear that page out of the dictionary.
Now look at the page you've torn out and pick one word which is on the dictionary page - it can be from either sides of the page. Dont go for the typical obvious words like Dream or Voyage or Art or Giggle and so on - I want you to pick a word you wouldnt normally pick - something obscure if you like or challenging.
Whatever word you picked from your dictionary is now going to be the theme of your next Altered Book/Sketchbook Spread!
You will need to glue the dictionary page on your book so that the word you picked is visible - you can paint over the other words if you wish so that only that one word is highlighted or you can leave it blank - that part is up to you.
Now using your chosen word on your dictionary page as your inspiration decorate and create your book art using the word you picked as your main theme and inspiration.
Once youve finished - upload your creations!
Here it is as promised the all brand spanking new ART QUEST CHALLENGE!
The idea behind this challenge is to create a book full of wonderful creative play!
Should you decide to embark upon this new journey with me, your completed ART Quest Challenge Book will be a cross between a sketchbook and an altered book all rolled into one! It will feature lots of themes, experiments, techniques, colours, altered arts & collage thrown in for good measure too!
Each challenge theme will represent a 2 page spread which will feature different techniques, mediums, experiments and styles! I will be announcing themes, techniques & mediums that you will have to use for each book spread one at a time and I really hope you will want to play along too!
Are you brave enough to go on an ART QUEST!?
Preparation For The ART Quest Challenge Book:
First of all your going to need to get hold of a new book for this challenge!
Theres 2 routes you can go down for this challenge - you can either buy a brand new sketchbook -OR- you can get hold of a second hand book and alter that instead….that choice is up to YOU!
The only restrictions Im going to impose for this challenge is that the book you use has gotta be approximately about the same size as your scanner bed when you open it up! This is so your book will fit on the scanner and we will be able to see it!
For this challenge you’ll be creating ’spreads’ - these means you’ll be working on both the left and right hand sides of the page to make a double page piece of artwork.
General Guide For Buying A Blank Sketchbook:
Choose a hard back book if possible because this will protect your pages. You want one with thick good quality pages, watercolour pads work exceptionally well for this, if your pages are on the thin side you can glue 2-3 pages together to make them sturdier.
Guide For Choosing A Book To Alter:
The best place to pick up second hand books for altering are second hand shops, thrift stores, charity shops and even car boot sales. You can also pick up books from Library book sales too, or you might find one cheap at your local dollar/pound shop.
Pick a good sturdy quality hard backed book, check the spine - you want a book with a good strong spine and you want the pages to be sewn together if preferable.
The pages of your altered book will be too thin on their own to withstand paint etc, so you will need to glue the pages together. As a rule you can glue between 2-3 pages together depending on the thickness and quality of the book paper. In other words if the paper is thicker you only need to glue 2 pages together but thinner paper will require you glue 3 pages together.
Cheap pva glue works wonderfully for gluing your pages together, or you can use any clear drying gloopy glue. To prevent bubbles and buckling you can spread the glue evenly across the pages using an old credit card.
So thats all the details you need to get started on your ART QUEST!
Go and get your books and then report back for your first theme challenge!