GETTING STARTED
Time and Space and What You’ll Need
Field of Poppies, Gustav Klimt, Austrian, (1862–1918). Oil on canvas, 1907. E. Lessing/Bridgeman Images.
You’ve decided you want to connect to art and to your creative self, but how do you make it happen? Can you book an hour or two on your calendar, or do you wait for a free afternoon? Do you creep downstairs when everyone is asleep late at night or get up before dawn?
The first step is to find your “you” time. Perhaps it’s just a half hour every day, after the kids are in bed, or between the time when you get home from work and you plop mindlessly in front of the TV. Creative “you” time is precious and it’s worth it to carve out a place for it in your day and protect it.
Once you do, let your family know that this is your special time and that it’s important. Remind your friends not to phone you during that time. And don’t just remind your family and friends—remind yourself. Getting into the groove of a new daily habit can take a bit of effort, but once you do, the benefits of your creative time will have a positive overflow into other parts of your life. As we all know, it’s all too easy to give your time away. Dedicating time to yourself starts with the commitment.
Setting Up Your Workspace
Perhaps you already have a spot at home that’s your haven for creative projects. The space doesn’t need to be sprawling or even private. It just has to be a place where you can spread out your materials and leave them for the duration of the project. A corner of the kitchen table or a square of hardwood floor could be all you need.
If you have a separate room to call your own, you can leave your tools there, ready for you when you’re ready for them. If you’re working at the dining table, have a bin or two handy for storing your supplies and for easy set up.
None of the tools and materials used in this book are difficult to find. In fact, you probably have some of them in the house already. I’ve listed my favorite pens in the tools section for each project, but you may have your own favorites. Use what you enjoy—none of my suggestions are musts.
Tools and Materials to Gather
Pencils—graphite pencils in any form. A set of colored pencils is a great addition.
Micron pens—these acid-free, archival pens will not bleed. Keep a few in varying thicknesses and colors on hand.
Watercolor paints—an inexpensive set from the craft store is just fine. Peerless makes great colors that are fun to use.
Drawing inks—these aren’t a must, but they’re great to play with, providing very saturated colors and beautiful washes.
Pastels—an inexpensive set is all you need.
Paintbrushes—collect a few in varying sizes, but nothing too tiny. You can start with an inexpensive variety pack and then buy more sizes as you need them.
Gesso is an acrylic paint used to prepare a surface (e.g., wood panels, canvas, and paper) to take different painting medium. It can help seal porous surfaces so that paint will adhere properly. White gesso is the most common, but gesso also comes in black and clear.
Matte medium is a liquid acrylic binder that can be used in collage or painting. It acts as glue in collage and can be applied with a paintbrush. It dries clear and matte. Matte medium can also be used to extend or thin acrylic paint.
Brush pens—start with a set or simply choose one or two colors that you like.
Gelly Roll pens—one or two in white.
Catalogs, magazines, and junk mail for collaging.
A ream of white printer paper, any size.
A pad of mixed-media paper, thick enough to stand up to watercolor painting and collage.
A few canvas boards, 11" × 14" (28 × 35.5 cm) or smaller.
Tissue paper in various colors. Be sure not to purchase the tissue paper with waxy coating.
A hole punch—standard is fine, but if you have other sizes, you’ll find uses for them.
A brayer is a small, handheld roller used to spread paint or ink onto a surface.
A glue stick or white glue that you can apply with a brush.
Your Soundtrack
Jazz? Classical? What’s your preference? Music can be a great way to change gears, set the mood, and start a task. If music helps you focus, then make sure there’s music available in your creative space. Whether you stream music on your computer or create a specific playlist that signals the start of a project, have it ready to go. On the other hand, if silence works best for you, that’s the way to go. Tune in to what you need.
The Fine Details
Are there other rituals that help you to focus? Whether you like to take a few deep breaths, make a cup of Earl Grey in your favorite mug, or bring a flower or rock inside from the garden, find little things that help you to settle in. Maybe you like to set up all of your tools and materials in an organized way or put on a special apron or scarf. All of these seemingly tiny details can add up to something special, unlocking the space that allows your creative time to unfold. Try to anticipate what you might need, and have those things close at hand.
Set your phone to vibrate and place it out of arm’s reach. It can be so very tempting to let your phone distract you. Plan for this and do what you need to do to lessen the urge. This is your time and your experience. If there is anything else that helps you get settled in and stay focused, by all means, include it.