I recently had the pleasure of meeting Sored Hall by instagram. I was inspired by her virtual teaching methods and engaging personality. Her warmth, approachability and willingness to share are exactly what creates a great art teacher. Her work is also incredible!!!
Sored is a self-taught watercolor artist and calligrapher and the creator of Sored Hall Studio. Her journey began by watching other artists create, and eventually she started to take classes online and in person. She attributes her success to practice…a little bit of practice everyday.
One of her primary focuses is urban sketches and I asked her why, “It is a very good way to get to know a place and the best way to practice new painting techniques. Buildings mixed with nature are my jam. I am also a faith based artist, this is how I started my calligraphy journey, writing about my faith using beautiful strokes has helped me be more connected with my beliefs and I love to share this with the world.” Sored is multi-talented and paints a great number of beautiful subjects found around the world and in nature.
I asked Sored about her teaching, “Teaching what I know is something that came along with my learning process. It wasn’t easy for me to find the right art supplies or how to begin to paint so I like to show others how to get to that point faster and give them the techniques and instrument for them to start creating their own art.”
Discover more about Sored Hall and stay connected:IG: @soredhallstudioWebsite: www.soredhallstudio.comEmail: art@soredhallstudio.com
Every surface is a canvas. For the new artist, the array of options and ‘rules’ can feel overwhelming. The trick is not to follow any rules. As an ardent rule breaker myself…I learned long ago, that the pages of a novel make a great painting surface when you run out of watercolour paper. The goal is to pick up a brush and start somewhere…anywhere. The second trick is that art and perfection do not go hand in hand. The goal isn’t a perfect petal or a perfect feather. I have heard many new painters express fear at a lack of drawing experience which is why I encourage the transfer of designs. It is a great place to start and you learn how by viewing the following tutorial, “How To Transfer A Design”. A simple sketch or drawing can be traced onto just about any surface as a guideline for your work.
An art journal is a great way to begin. They aren’t restricted to a specific art medium unless you want it to be. You can experiment and explore. It can be used as a diary to work through thoughts and feelings or just a fun way to decompress.
The first thing I’d like to note is that you definitely don’t have to spend a fortune in order to start an art journal. Art journals should be fun and shouldn’t make you feel like you have to buy “all the things”.
You can use whatever you have laying around your home or studio to contribute to it, or you can gather some supplies from this list below. These are just a few ideas of things you can use in an art journal.
The Basics
Paper, notebook or old books. If you don’t have access to the purchase of good art paper journals, start with anything you find around the house. If you can grab a good journal, I suggest one with watercolour paper in it.
A few basic brushes like a fine round, round, flat and filbert.
A few basic watercolour paints. You can use any medium, but I recommend Van Gogh watercolour by Royal Talens. They come in small sets that are perfect for on the go painting.
Permanent pen or markers. I almost always use a black pen in a .3 from Pigma Micron. They are great for defining lines, adding borders or signing work.
Extra Fun Stuff
Some other additional fun art supplies are calligraphy pens (the traditional kind), ink and coloured pencils.
As far as mixed media…the options are endless. Stamps, stencils, glue, wax, strips of coloured paper, old pictures, adhesive and parchment paper. Not to mention real dried flowers which are my favourite.
Decoupage or hot glue if you are going to adhere items to the journal.
Where to Begin
Your journal is a place to tell a story. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. About Me Page: About you…this can be a simple array of your favourite colours, a picture of your favourite place or items that you love. Paste a photo, paint some strokes of colour or paint your favourite food. Make this page or pages all about you.
2. Botanical Page: Add dried flowers and leaves from your garden or neighbourhood. Use dried foliage from places you visited or flowers you were given. You can also use patterned paper with flowers or greenery. Pictures or drawings of gardens or a written list in rough script of flowers you love.
3. Favourite Quotes, Songs and Poems: Write your favourite quotes or song lyrics on the page. Use markers, coloured pens or calligraphy to cover the page.
4. Moodboards: These are my favourite. I love to decorate and often look back at the swatches I’ve chosen. A moodboard can be anything…the mood you are in today…how your family makes you feel. Your favourite textures of colours. The options are endless.
I hope you get started today and I’d love to see some pictures of your work!
With Love, Willow
How do you create the ultimate studio space on a limited budget? How do you get the most of supplies and household items? We are living in the midst of a pandemic and given we are tucked within the same four walls day in and day out, it is a perfect time to evaluate our artistic supplies, carve out a creative space or re-purpose those household items.
Tip #1 Ikea
Ikea has a purpose and it is directly related to art supply shelving and storage. The Alex units are a personal favourite of mine. They hold cutlery trays filled with brushes, pencils, paper and paint. https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/alex-drawer-unit-on-casters-white-40196241/. Do be cautious of the weight of too many items per drawer as these drawers do not come apart easily and if they are too heavy the bottom dislodges and it can be a pain to fix. Otherwise, they move with you, take a beating, clean easily and are awesomely functional. Ikea will deliver right now, but they won’t put items together…pour a few stiff drinks…and be ready to read the most frustrating instructions of all time!
Tip #2 The Tube Wringer or Paint Key
Yep one of those toothpaste tube wringers is a fantastic tool for getting that last bit of paint onto your palette.
Tip #3 The David’s Tea Tin
Nothing serves a higher purpose in the Willow Wolfe household than tea tins!!! Brushes and brushes and brushes fill my studio, main floor, bathroom and bedroom and I love tea. These amazing tins are the best brush holders money can buy!
Tip #4 Hardware Store and a Saw
Surfaces can be costly. I stock up on masonite/hardboard. Simply head to your local hardware store and request a 4’x8′ foot sheet of masonite in 1/4″. They will often cut it in half or quarters for you. They will not often cut it down to standard sizes. I take my sections home and cut them down to 8×10, 9×12 and 11×14. One or two sheets will result in a few dozen surfaces for you to get creative on a budget.
