197. Playful arting

Taking inspiration from illustrators.

In which Rebecca stops trying so hard to draw in favour of just playing.

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Dear Reader,

Recently I was thrilled to come across a copy of a lovely picture book by children’s book illustrators about their art.

Wings of an Artist, produced for the benefit of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and published in 1999 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., contains not only beautiful illustrations (of course!) but also excellent insights from more than twenty book artists about the place their work holds in their own lives and stories.

For me, it’s been exactly the invitation I’ve needed to cast my artistic expectations of myself aside in favour of just being playful, and in this break from my usual programming I am sharing five recent pages from my own sketchbook along with quotes from five illustrators featured in the book.

I hope you find play in your day today!

With love,

Rebecca x

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‘I recommend doodling as an excellent exercise for stirring up the unconscious, just as you would stir up some mysterious soup all the while hoping it tastes good.’
🎨 Maurice Sendak

Mixed media artwork using watercolour paint, coloured pencils, Posca paint pen, coloured Bic biros and Neocolor II watersoluble crayons.

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‘Art supplies were like toys for me, and drawing and painting was just like playing with them.’
🎨 Richard Egielski

Mixed media artwork by Rebecca using acrylic and watercolour paint, wax resist stick and coloured Bic biros.

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‘Whatever makes you happy or sad, you can draw it or write about it (no matter what anyone else says).’
🎨 Susan Jeffers

Mixed media artwork by Rebecca using watercolour paint, coloured Bic biros, white gel pen and Neocolor II watersoluble crayons.

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‘…the utter joy of imagination gone wild.’
🎨 Woodleigh Marx Hubbard

Mixed media artwork by Rebecca using acrylic and watercolour paint, coloured pencils, coloured Bic biros and white gel pen.

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‘The best part about being an artist is that you get to make messes and not have anyone yell at you to CLEAN THAT UP THIS VERY MINUTE!’
🎨 Robert Sabuda

Mixed media artwork by Rebecca using acrylic, gouache and watercolour paint, wax resist stick and coloured Bic biros.

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