Hobonichi Supplies - What do I use?

After many requests, I sat down and filmed a Hobonichi Supplies Video! I spent quite a while finding links for everything!  hope they help you if you decide to purchase anything in the video!
Lets get Started!

The Peerless Watercolor Set
US supplier :- http://www.peerlesscolor.com/
AUS:- http://www.instituteofcute.com/jane-davenport-peerless-watercolors/

Zig Clean Color Real Brush (my favourite waterbrush)
Zigg Clean Colour Real Brush :-
US :- http://www.dickblick.com/products/zig-clean-color-real-brush-pens/
AUS - No Links I can find that are as cheap as dickblick!

Sakura Gelli Roll - various colours
US: http://www.jetpens.com/Sakura-Gelly-Roll-Moonlight-Gel-Ink-Pen-1.0-mm-10-Color-Set/pd/2354
When I find a competitive Australian Link I will add

Letraset Neon Markers :-
AUS http://www.fishpond.com.au/Arts_Crafts/LETRASET-Neon-Marker-Set-1/0801199026600
US:- http://www.dickblick.com/products/letraset-neon-markers/

Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pen - Big Brush
US:- http://www.dickblick.com/products/faber-castell-pitt-big-brush-artist-pens/
AUS:- http://www.craftonline.com.au/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=30&page=1&Keyword=Big%20Brush%20&category=ALL&highprice=&lowprice=&allwords=Big%20Brush%20&exact=&atleast=&without=&cprice=&searchfields=

Prismacolour Premier Coloured Pencils :-
US:- http://www.dickblick.com/products/prismacolor-premier-colored-pencil-sets/
AUS:- http://www.instituteofcute.com/prismacolor-pencils/

Koi Watercolour Pocket Field Sketch Box
US - where I bought mine http://www.dickblick.com/products/sakura-koi-watercolor-sketch-box-travel-pan-sets/
Daniel Smith Etsy Seller - https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtisticKatt (Fantastic seller, great way to try high end watercolours if you are on a budget)

Stencils were all fro DAISO

Tim Holtz Distress stains
AUS: http://www.scraptherapy.com.au/products.php?cat=520
US: - http://www.joann.com/tim-holtz-distress-stains/zprd_11445392a.html#q=Distress+Stain&start=3

Uni Pin Fine line pens in various sizes
US Girls :- http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Pin-Pen-02-Pigment-Ink-0.33-mm-Black-Ink/pd/7284
AUS Girl:- www.notemaker.com.au/uniball-uni-pin-fine-line-pen-0-1mm

some items that didn't get photographed - because it started to pour and the wind picked up so I was running inside!
Derwent Inktense Pencils
US:- http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-inktense-pencils/
AUS:- http://www.theartshop.com.au/category1398_1.htm

Mechanical Pencil - Pentel p3650.5mm
US http://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Stein-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Metallic-Pink-Body/pd/9969
JAPAN http://www.pencils.jp/product/1199
AUS :- Grabbed this at the Japanese Bookstore in Sydney but I'm sure you can find it at officeworks or something similar

Uniball Signo White
US:- http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-ball-Signo-Broad-UM-153-Gel-Ink-Pen-White-Ink/pd/380
AUS:- You can buy them from KikkiK they just re-brand them.

Posca Paint Marker - White
AUS - Officeworks Sell these as well as https://www.eckersleys.com.au/products/posca-marker
US http://www.dickblick.com/products/uni-posca-paint-markers/

Artline Smoove Ballpoint Pen
AUS:- http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/artline-smoove-ballpoint-pens-black-20-pack-ar1821201?searchTerm=artline%20smoove%20ballpoint
US:- http://www.staples.com.au/main-catalogue-productdetail/artline-smoove-ballpoint-pen-medium-black-box-50/18886314

Below are just some pages that are currently in my Hobonichi, I have totally adored drawing my day, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I am, yes the editing and uploading it a bit of a pain but I have gotten into a routine where I do it on auto pilot.

I enjoy the process of seeing how I bring things to life, some days I am really stumped and turn the camera on hoping not to stuff up! As long as people watch, I will endeavor to draw and film them.

If you have any questions feel free to ask! I do try and answer everything I read as fast as possible!
get our your sketchbook and draw your day!

x Courtney

Jane Davenport Stencil Blog Hop! and GIVEAWAY

When approached by the lovely Jane Davenport to be part of her new stencil blog hop, of course I jumped up and down and fist pumped..then politely accepted. I loved watching what people created with her first set of stencils when I worked with her at the Sydney Craft fair this year, to watch people's personalities just jump out of the page as each woman took the stencils and created something wildly different...


I myself never got to play with the first set, but I have enjoyed coveting the second set. As have my teacup humans.

When the package arrived at my house, little Lily Boo was just as excited as I was.  As was master Elijah, who just wanted to be in the photo shoot...this stencil has been used just a little bit!

 Lily wanted to try them straight away, and for me, I'm not going to deny her using them, what harm could she do to them, I always want her to feel like she can use as much of my things I as use myself.

She may have squeeled when she worked out what happens once you lift the stencil, it was ADORABLE to see the glee on her face,  once she coloured in all the lines..what would happen once she peeled the stencil off.

but of course you are hopefully here to see how I used the stencils... Lily is just an added bonus.

So I wanted to make the stencils still look like 'my style' and I hope that by now I actually know what my style is, so I got to work making something that I felt represented me as an artist.
I worked in two journals, my actual art journal and my written journal which is a Midori Travelers notebook.

A simple and more understated approach then something a little more WILD and bold.

I also had ideas of making my own Gift wrap paper using the face stencil in a repeated fashion, but time got away from me!

I wanted to create bold lines, since a black paint pen has fast become one of my most relaxing things to do in my journal...just draw lines, I like to create worlds with just lines. I also wanted to use lots of colour, so welcome to my 'Twisted Sista' spread.

Using paints, and copic markers, paint pens, washii and a few bright distress stains to create something that is uniquely me...and yet show how amazing Jane's set of stencils really are. I used black gesso and a make up sponge to get my girls down and tried to be rough so they didn't look so perfect. My scale like women have become some of my faves things in my journals to date.

In my Midori Journal, I used some distress stain just to give a little colour, a black ballpoint pen and some prisma coloured pencils to create something simple and yet beautiful. I also matched up some washii tape, and of course my written journal contains photographs.

so there you have it...my take on these amazing stencils!
below is something I haven't finished, but she will soon be transformed into something...

I am allowed to give away one set of stencils! so leave a comment below and thanks for stopping by! please leave your email address in the comment so if you win I have a way to contact you!
or if you are just as excited as I am about these stencils and cant wait...you can get them from these places

The stencils are available here:

Northern Hemisphere:  http://www.artistcellar.com/stampstencil/acSignatureSeries.html

Southern Hemisphere:  http://www.instituteofcute.com/stencil-series/

More chances to win a set of stencils! pop over to the other bloggers doing their take on the stencils...these lovelies are also giving away a set each!

The blogging schedule
September 28 - Artistcellar (www.artistcellar.com/wp)

September 29 Jill K. Berry (http://jillberrydesign.com/blog)

September 30 Dawn DeVries Sokol  (http://www.dawndsokol.com)

October 1 - Joanne Sharpe (http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com/)

October 2 - Connie Hozvicka (http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/)

October 3 - Effy Wild  (www.effywild.com)

October 4 - Tamara Laporte ( www.willowing.org/blog)

October 5 - Dion Dior (http://www.diondior.com/)

October 6 - Courtney Brook (http://ravenscauldron.blogspot.com/)

October 7 - Kate Palmer (http://www.sparkletart.com/)

October 8 - Jane Davenport (http://janedavenport.com/)

enjoy and have fun 
x Courtney

little update on life atm...art and the new filofax.

I've been a little bit MIA lately! and all for good reason, I've been working on commissions and playing in my art journal, plus I got the filofax bug so I was on a crazed hunt for one. When I fall for something, I fall hard, and devour videos and blogs devoted to them, so I fell down a filofax hole lol.
currently on my easel is one of a set of three of a commission for the one client.

 and with each layer, i fall a little more in love...even though I know I have to add in things I wouldn't normally add...I will be taking shots of sections that I want to preserve just for me.

I'm in a mail art group over on Artgeeks and I also put a call out for penpals over on facebook, I miss writing letters and getting little bits of love in my mailbox so I've been sitting making little index cards into postcards to fly across the skies to their new owners.

with my word for this year being organized, I did end up getting myself a filofax...after a much appreciated mermaid circus angel, offered to buy one in her state and post it to me..saving me a lot of cash. My life atm looks like this

 my beautiful leather malden personal filofax, my writing brain dump book and my art journal these three books contain my life and I love them.

I thought I'd lost my muse the other day, my mojo was gone and I was desperately trying to find it...but as a lovely woman said...my mojo was being poured into my filo creating instead of my artjournal, and its true...I got my filo on Monday, and started making it fully mine with customized items and little 'courtney' touches.

I started by replacing the cream dividers because...as much as I like cream...comon...lol do you know me! lol

so I used some of my scrappy journal pages I started months ago to turn into a journal and made dividers.

I also made sure I added a little of myself into my weekily pages...this is where I am atm..but I know I have done a few things since this image, mainly add more colour...because I am a visual girl and wherever I go..there has to be colour.

then I knew something was missing...photos! my world is kept in photographs and I needed my filo to hold the people that ment the world to me, so i started to DIY some little photo holders out of trading card protectors I had lying around. I printed my photos to the protector size, and added washi tape boarder to punch holes in...and before I knew it, I had my family happily at the front of my filo.

 

so that is where I am at...making art...making art snail mail...and getting my life orgaizned and personalized. I want the filo to help me flesh out the ideas for the future of little raven ink...I am in the process of making repeatable patterns to make fabric...featuring the nook dwellers..so look out for that.

have a wonderful Wednesday..yes I didnt cook...but you got art and filo love! 

xx Courtney

a little bit of book binding!

After my Inspiration Tuesday Post on hand bound journals, I got the itch...and itch to make my own! So I gathered up some supplies, started folding signatures filled with card stock, scrapbook papers, old papers I'd been hoarding of johns old engineering homework, and some mixed media paper to filled out the book. Some Canvas boards some bookbinding thread and some upholstery fabric for my tabs!

I did and exposed spine look for this art journal, and used lots of collage materials to make my covers, some of these are collage sheets from Mermaid Circus, some old wallpaper, scrapbook paper and some coloured copies of my art work, little washi tape and I'm done!

I even added one of my little Moo business cards to the front cover with my Details on the front! I loved making this so much, I bought the supplies to make a couple more! I also promised my sister a sketchbook before she arrives for my engagement party!

in my other art journal, one that Im reluctant to keep working in because I know I have this beauty ready to be used! I worked on some mermaid circus homework.

on Friday, I have a post about the evolution of my journals, to see where I came from...to where my journals are today...for people that get clouded vision about your journals having to look like master pieces! I assure you...you will be shocked at my first journals!

Hope you have a fantastic Thursday!
xx Courtney

Part two of my journal play video

enjoy the second part of my journal spread!

have a fantastic night
xx Courtney

a little bit of my journal process.

me...just working in my journal...enjoy..I'll be editing and uploading the second video tomorrow morning.

Watercolour my Heart Day 7 Blogtober!

Big weekend is coming to an end, and I am one tired little lovely, but I know I said I would blog...so here I am! nice short and sweet blog post today, so I can go and have a long relaxing hot shower.

Its a weekend for kissing deer shoes...I heart them so much!

right! onto the reason that you stop by for! The supplies! now my next supply cost me $10AUD..that's right, its the one supply I get asked the most during my videos..ohhh that watercolour set..where did you get it from...I have been asked that more times than I care to count for you..and my reply..a chain store called BIG W. Its a budget set in the art section by a low price art brand called Micador. you can get them in a smaller size than this one..but value for money, this size beats the other 10 or so colours. The colour range is very very good for its price, I give them a good spray with my water bottle let them get juicy and away I go, worked wonderfully with an aqua brush as well. Very bright vivid colour. Just because they are cheap doesn't meant they have crappy pigment.  As you can see, my palette has had some use...and broke in half lol...but doesn't stop them being used and abused on a day to day basis. The following pages have ALL been created with the 10 Dollar wonders.

this page here, the faces in particular were all done using the watercolours, the background green is an acrylic ink...which will be a supply for another day.  But all face colours and the lovely yellow hue..is all the watercolours I speak of.

using the colours not so wet and juice, using just a damp brush this girl below was created. This girl is just on normal fabriano 300GSM paper, no watercolour papers are used in my journals (too pricey lol) you can see that you can get varying shades of the same colour just by going over them a few times, the colours blend well aswell.

 this girl was painted with no pencil drawing, all done with watercolour then outlined later with a black pitt pen. You can do bright and vivid..or soft and subtle. This set is a fantastic set for people who want to play with watercolours but dont like the pricetag of the fancy ones ( I lust after the fancy ones..but on my mumma budget, out of my league)

 

The below image is my traveling watercolour set...yes you heard right this is my Peerless watercolour. They are my expensive ones, that were a gift from my boyfriend. They watercolour comes on a card and each card is a different colour, so I followed the video by the lovely Jane if these watercolours intrigue you do click on the link in Jane's name..it will take you to a video she created to highlight the wonderfulness of these watercolours. My palette slots into the back of my journal ready to be accessed at anytime while I'm out and about!

If you have any questions about any of my supplies please do ask

of if there is something I haven't covered yet and you are dying to know...do ask me! I'm always happy to give readers what they like, But don't get me wrong, if you ask about something and I don't use it...I will tell the truth. There are a lot of supplies I just don't use...I am a budget artist for sure. 

xx have a lovely night

Courtney

Blogtober Day 5!

Day 5 upon us of blogging everyday in october, and its been a hot one.

Since spring ins now in full swing, out little garden the could..is doing just that...growing day by day we have onions, zucchini, carrots, strawberries beans and a few others...its been mine and the kids daily chore to go out and water them...amazing watching them grow from just seeds!

on the art front, I'm still working on building my pages of my eclectic art journal, bit by bit, last night I attacked an pizza add that came in the mail..no bit of paper is safe!!! I also used the odd bits of paper I was testing my foam stamps on and turned it into boarder sheets with a little bit of highlighter, a sharpie and some paint!

 I've left my post a bit late today, lots of cleaning and packing boxes and of course my workout for the day which leaves me feeling like I've been hit by a mack truck most nights... but it's for a good cause. I should make one hot bride one day...one day.

so onto supplies...today is Pencils..but not just any pencils...prismacolour pencils. Another one of my supplies I literally had to save for. I bought the box of 72 I think from memory and I haven't regretted them a day I've also bought a few new colours singly from an art store. So I dub these another investment supply. I've had them for about 3 years and only had to replace my white as it does all my blending. 

Prismacolour are a very waxy pencil, highly pigmented and go onto a page like butter. They have an amazing array of colours that would keep any artist happy.

because these pencils are so waxy blending with a light coloured pencil gives you a softened look without those pencil marks that most harder leaded colour pencils have to them. You can also use a  blending marker or a solvent to break down the wax to create an almost paint like effect. This part is magic! I have fun using my copic blending marker to smooth out all the lines to give a more polished effect.

a tip I found out from Jane, you can draw onto fabric with your prismacolour pencils,  using ur iron and heat set the pencil making it permanent! I haven't tried this tip yet, but I've seen a finished product and was highly impressed.

I have a couple of pencils that I take in my pencil case at all times, to add little touches, mostly face tint colours...they are the rolls royce of pencils! I don't have my expensive 'label' branded supplies but the ones I do have...are totally worth it.

 

enjoy your nights my darlings 

xx Courtney