Above: the April 12 page spread in my IFJM journal shows some turkey studies. (Ziller acrylic ink, dip pen, and Schmincke Pan Watercolors.) I was working with one of my favorite Schmincke colors: Translucent Orange. Click on the image for an enlargement.
I have been working with Schmincke pan watercolors throughout this fake journal and that has given me time to reconnect with one of my favorite Schmincke colors: Translucent Orange. Just after painting this page I happened to talk to my friend Diane about using this color and she went off to experiment with it on her own. You can read about her experiments on her blog.
One of the opportunities created when you keep a fake journal is the freedom to use new materials, new media, new colors, new papers, new whatever, that you might not venture into in your regular journal. Sure you might take time to experiment in your regular journal, but the fake journal can actually offer an opportunity for intense scrutiny and focus on just a few tools and art materials. (Conversely if you always use the same materials in your regular journal a fake journal can give you permission to let go.)
If you're still on the fence about keeping a fake journal this April realize that there is still plenty of time to turn a fake journal experience into a focused artistic study. Select a slim blank journal of your making or a commercial journal, or take a few pieces of watercolor paper and fold them into a pamphlet book as I mentioned the other day. For the remaining days of April spend just 15 minutes a day as an artist who is experimenting with one type medium, doing color studies, doing line work, whatever.
In those daily 15 minutes put that person's hat on and really run that chosen art material through its paces making charts or making swatches of color or line hatching or whatever. You can throw in a few bits of commentary from your author about why he/she is focusing on the paints, or commentary about his/her life.
This approach will appeal to all those folks whose internal critics are still telling them there's no value in this type of play (or in any play at all). When you finish April you'll not only have a fake journal you'll have a useful reference journal of your 10-day exploration of a new medium or tool.
Have a go.
For people reading the text in my fake journal it reads:
Verso, labels at the base:
There's an olive cast to the brown of their feathers. Trans. Orange and Helio Blue can work into this.Recto:
Pinky peachiness to legs
Slightly greater distance between feet.
09.04.12 5 p.m. Sitting on the compound fenceLabels:
All hell broke out last night at dinner. People shouting about being exposed to unknown "pathogens" (Which I didn't think was the correct way to phrase it—but I stayed out of it completely!) So did Chuck. Alec and Angie were the most insistent and even though I was silent they kept looking over at me like it was my idea to go to the zoo. I've been lowkey all day today—scarce. Chuck and I did target practice. And I got some more turkey observation time in just now before dinner. Everyone else is using their free time to register written complaints—except Chuck of course who's here with me.
Propotions on this sketch work as corected below. Large eye in relation to head. Body angle and carriage like this
Move down. This leg needs to be longer—on same level line from and [sic] toe of rear foot.
Hi Roz,
ReplyDeleteI'm having a blast in my fake journal and just posted some of the story with sketches on my blog (http://mymindisinablog.blogspot.com/). Thanks for the great idea and all the encouragement!
LOve this. I'm just not confident enough to do this yet...but I may make a go at it in May,...not officially fake journal but ...
ReplyDeleteThe idea intrigues me so much. I did do about a week or so of fake journing awhile back but didn't really keep it to a theme necessarily.
I came upon your sketchbooks probably about six months to a year ago and had linked them at my old art blog. I have been fascinated by your work since then.
Sandy, you can work in a fake journal at any time of course, so start in May if that works for you.
ReplyDeleteOne purpose of IFJM is to give people a set time within which to create such a journal, with the support of fellow travelers. Also some people find it helpful to participate and when asked to explain to non-participants, simply say, April is IFJM.
People have been keeping fake journals forever (and not always labeled as such!!!)
So do it when and if you have time and inclination.
I'm glad you're enjoying my work.