Unfurling: Creative Exercises and Ideas for Blossoming as an Artist

by Misty Mawn

Unfurling is a creative workshop in book form, offering a unique mix of motivation and technique exercises to get your creative juices flowing. Written by Misty Mawn, these pages will inspire anyone who wishes to open up more to the process of making art. 

The book begins with art exercises in drawing and painting that include portraiture, contour drawing, backgrounds, layering, and working with a still life, followed by collage and image transfer techniques. The second section offers exercises and projects in stamp carving, paper pottery, sculpture, origami, paper doll making, and surface design. These tactile explorations offer an enjoyment of the process as well as wonderful handmade projects. The last section shares a variety of approaches to visual journaling. There are instructions for binding your own journal, prompts and ideas for working on your pages, and a variety of exercises using photography and poetry as ways to inspire and inform your journal keeping.  You'll also find a set of gift book plates and a beautiful paper doll designed by the author and printed on perforated cardstock in the back of the book.

Tap into your inner creativity and explore new artistic processes with Unfurling!

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

127 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kate Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was fantastic. Its like taking a class with Misty, you'll get her philosophy, her techniques and a lot of fun rolled into one. I loved the section in drawing faces because that is something I am trying to learn. The section on painting faces and self portraits are great. Her take on poetry was great and she included one of my favorite poet's poems. The paper dolls in the back look like fun. I may use them in collage or just keep them as is, I haven't decided. There are sections on painting, and paper clay and photography. I like how she described mixing flesh tones and how to adjust them. That is extremely helpful for me. Although there are not really any new techniques in the book I really liked it. I know I will go and refer back to it often.

[Candice Mclean · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book!

[Heather Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mix of new, fresh ideas, just the cure for when in a rut. Plus I ❤ Misty...no bias here!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some ideas on making books, and using materials.

[Kimberly Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had passed this title by several times and finally decided to pick it up and read it. There are a variety of different mixed media techniques introduced in the book. I love the feel of the book, from the texture of the paper to the way the book is layed out, to the color paleete of the pages. Mist uses lots of different quotes throughout the book that I really enjoyed reading and will try to incorporate into some of my work. This book is well worth a look for anyone who is fairly new to mixed media. The one thing I wished that Misty covered more of in this book is the names of the specific mediums she used in the various techniques she shows throughout the book, and that some of the techniques she shows had a more in-depth detail of step by step. Despite the things I wished were covered more, I am definitely happy I bought this book.

[Lineola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot stress enough how much I love this book. If you want a great, all-round inspiration book with amazing images you'll look at again and again, this is the book. She covers a lot of topics in here-- it isn't just an art journal book. She covers paper clay sculpture, sketching, still life--even a bit of origami. No one section is going to be a complete workshop in that material, but she gives plenty to provide you a project in that material and inspiration to find out more if you want. I have been keeping it on the coffee table and just picking it up to look at sections again and again.

[Kimmie Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved everything about this book, from the texture of the paper, the coloring of the inks used on the pages, to the quotes by various authors/artists and the artwork chosen by the brilliant and talented artist Misty Mawn. My only complaint would be that I wish that the tutorials of the projects featured in this book were more detailed, but still easy enough to follow.
Misty shows a variety of projects throughout the book, including one of the more detailed projects of binding your own journal.
The book also includes complimentary templates for hand carved stamps, a perforated paper doll with outfits designed by the artist on card stock and book plates.

[Palma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misty, is a very talented artist and a very good teacher.

The is a recap of an online class which I actually took. The instructions are briefly and enough to get you started. It's not a detailed,how to book. I love her classes bit felt that the book wasn't as great as her fans made it out to be but it does spark some inspiration.

[Stephanie Mcgregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! I recently borrowed it from my school library and I can't seem to put it down! I think I might buy a copy. It is so inspiring and the mini excerises actually helps and can be done over and over again. I love the style of book.. The layouts.. The background pages.. EVERYTHING! I gave it five stars! One of the best art book I've read thus far. ^.^

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. And, if I were a mixed media artist, I know I would LOVE it. For me, though, it was an exercise in curiosity. My favorite part was the section on poetry; because that was so much more me, I guess. My hands don't work well enough to use most of Misty's tips. That's not to say it won't be wonderful for artists. This book was well written with lots of yummy photographs.

[Corinnagoodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

the problem I have with mixed media is it can look "dirty" up fast. and Is all about you person style, but her doodling exercises are a good idea, in fact I love the idea of tracing you r own hand and filling it in, so simple.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great instruction book for multipal mediums of art. Taken in conjuction with her online art class it is a DREAM.

[Carrie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book on mixed media everything. Misty has a beautiful, soulfull esthetic and inspires me on every page.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-Fiction; Arts & Crafts
4 stars