Today we have three of us posting our methods for conquering the blankness of an empty page. I'm one of those people who likes to be intentional in my art, but often times I struggle to think of where to begin. One of the things I do is keep an arsenal of techniques in my mind so that I can always have one or two ways to begin. My absolute favorite technique includes masking tape and the least expensive ink pads you can find. That's how I started this piece. STEP 1: I picked my paper. I like to use paper that can take a lot of supplies and experimentation. STEP 2: Gather masking tape. Steps 3 - 5: tape down the page to create a straight edge, rip pieces of tape and place randomly around the page. Steps 6 - 8: Rub two or three ink pads across the surface to saturate the page with color. Steps 9 and 10: peel the bits of tape to reveal the lighter color patterns ![]() As an added bonus and to prep another blank page, I like to take the bits of tape and lay them down on a blank page in my art journal. This conquers the blank page and helps me have a start the next time I'm experiencing a creative lull. Later I use this same page to clean off my brushes from the paints and inks I use to complete the page. Here's how the page progresses: CLICK THE FIRST IMAGE THEN SCROLL THROUGH TO SEE THE STEPS (descriptions are at the bottom of each image). The finished piece -- I'm calling it Frantic Poppy Sunrise... Want to be entered into a give-a-way for a $25 Visa Gift Card? Here's how:
1. Sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already. 2. Follow me on Twitter AND tweet the link to this blog posting -- make sure you use the hashtag #TheBlankCanvasHop 3. Leave a comment below telling us how you conquer the blank page/canvas, etc. **Do all three to increase your chances. Closes on September 23rd. When you're done here, check out Tori and Karen -- they are joining me today for Friday Frenzy. The rest of the hop continues tomorrow. See the full list here>>>
42 Comments
Carolyn
9/11/2014 10:13:08 pm
How creative! I swear, masking tape has 1001 uses! I usually flip through a magazine or a newspaper. A scene, a color, a place...something usually gets me headed straight for the sketchbook.
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9/12/2014 12:16:08 am
I love this process with masking tape.Did you ever try this with liquid latex?
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9/12/2014 03:07:14 am
Kiala, this was so much fun! You make it look so simple and then it turns out so wonderful! Makes me want to come over and play with you ;0)
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9/14/2014 08:43:44 am
Yay, Kiala! Yes, come to NY! I have lots of room for you stay, we'd have a ball! 9/12/2014 10:16:32 am
I don't do Twitter, so I am leaving a comment. I just subscribed with you about a month ago. I have been elated over all of the good, precise, and professional information and book art you bring to your youtube.
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Carol!!! Thanks for dropping by and getting your name in the give-a-way. I'm so happy to have you on board and look forward to seeing what lovely creations you are sharing with the world. Stop back by the blog on the 20th to enter for another chance to win a great prize.
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9/12/2014 10:59:57 am
Wow! You make this look so simple, Kiala. I will never look at masking tape the same way again....
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9/12/2014 02:31:38 pm
Doing some kind of background gets me started. I like your masking tape idea! Also like your deck as inspiration, too. :)
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Yes Rita -- I hear you on the backgrounds. I'll talk about it more on the 20th, but I totally see the blank page as an invitation and that makes it all the more splendid when I can fill it with color and goodness. I'll be using the deck on the 20th as well -- but you probably already guessed that :-). Thanks for always sharing with me Rita. Glad to be in community with you.
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Lucy Schmidt
9/12/2014 04:31:01 pm
I don't do the Tweeting thing, but do subscribe and enjoy your techniques and processes. I originally found you through your BIAD series and am still working my way through those videos & posts. I feel like I could pull this off -- I'm good at tearing things and scribbling! ;-)
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9/13/2014 01:31:19 am
I love how you make use of every aspect of this technique. Creating art is often about problem-solving and giving yoursef a limitation like starting with a particular technique can actually get the creativity flowing. thanks for sharing Kiala!
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9/13/2014 04:02:54 am
Lovely work! I find inspiration to start on a blank canvas by browsing color palletes. I have a bunch saved with the Chip It plugin that allows me to create a color paletter from any image I find on line.
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9/13/2014 06:22:30 am
This was great Kiala. It was really fun being able to follow along "almsot slide show fashion." Loved your idea for making an easy stamp...going to try that later with just some scraps. I keep thinking I need to carve them. And the painting...fun....poppies always make me smile.
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Jan!! Thanks for dropping in. I'm a huge fan of the craft foam stamps. I have sooo many of them that I've made it's kind of insane. I like carving too, but the craft foam is so easy and flexible. Yay for poppies -- they were the first flowers I learned to draw two different ways.
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9/13/2014 10:31:10 am
While looking thru a magazine I saw a colour combination swatch and used it to get started
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Carla
9/14/2014 05:54:55 am
I am so fascinated by your BIAD series that I have to limit myself or I would not get ANYTHING else done! So much fun to watch you create your books. I must stop and work on a commissioned picture BUT I CAN'T STOP MAKING BOOKS! Yee gads!
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Trista
9/17/2014 05:11:29 am
How very clever! I will definitely have to try this. I like the idea of stamping ink on the canvas first. It really does get rid of the blank canvas. Thanks!!
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To start of on a blank page in my art journal (after gesso-ing) I either lay down some paint, or start off with some collage. It usually depends on what I did on my last spread - if I painted, I'll collage, and vice versa. I LOVE the masking tape idea. As a newbie to painting in an art journal, I'm trying to get away from more traditional art and also from my innate perfectionism (and it's so hard to do), so any new (to me) techniques are very welcome. I'll definitely be trying this masking tape technique on my next spread. Tfs, Kiala. Hugs from Spain xox
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Fiona!!! Switching it up is a great way to keep your creativity flowing and moving and growing. And I totally understand you with the perfectionistic tendencies -- I'm right there too. Yay for giving the masking tape a try. Hope you're having a lovely week in Spain!!
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KimG
9/21/2014 01:20:53 am
I've been stuck on the paint scraping technique. Thanks for showing other ideas.
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9/21/2014 03:06:09 pm
Excited about using stamp pads to spread color on the page. Very happy to have a chance to win the gift card. Thanks. I don't have trouble starting a new sketchbook as I LOVE the idea of all of those white pages to be filled. I like the challenge of it!
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10/5/2014 02:20:46 pm
Very cool. I love your process. And the tip about saving the tape is great. I really like that idea. . .re-use, gotta be good!
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hello friend...I'm Kiala, a student of life first and foremost. And I'm also a published poet, book binder, fountain pen collector, Life Alchemist & Intuitive Soul Guide. I make things, paint things, and write things. I love teaching & empowering women to live with intention. Please, grab a cup of your favorite warm drink, a fountain pen, and your favorite journal. Let's connect! My Articles for the StencilGirl® Blog
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