Painted Pages: Fueling Creativity with Sketchbooks and Mixed Media

by Sarah Ahearn Bellemare

This book shows how to use an artist's sketchbook in a new way. Instead of the classic idea of an artist sketching in a sketchbook, the author shows how to use sketchbooks as a daily working tool. While they begin as a place to collect ideas and inspirations, readers learn how those collections, scraps, ideas, and doodles can lead directly to, and fuel ideas for future mixed media paintings. Specific how to's, techniques, creative prompts, and project ideas are introduced in each chapter to guide the reader through creating individual works of art which launch from a variety of themes. Each chapter includes an interview with well-known artists and bloggers who will share a peek into their sketchbooks and journals and readers will learn how they stay inspired and creative. This is an inspiring and fresh collection of photographs, ideas, and projects that the reader can use on their own to create their own sketchbooks and mixed media works of art whether they are a seasoned artist or someone just starting out on their creative journey.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Journaling, Art Design, Reference, Creative

129 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was ok - it focused on creating mixed media works, with a sketchbook being one of the tools to get there. After reading perhaps the first third without any of it resonating with me, I skimmed the rest. I do love how her work looks - it turns out that some pretty journals I just bought had covers with her art on them. :)

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I found the overall quality of the book artwork above average, upon reading the book, I found the content underwhelming. The book and the art seemed to lack conviction of any sort. Most art instruction books either offer prompts to inspire the reader to tackle the challenge with their own techniques or the book offers step-by-step techniques. This book really offered neither. There were projects with a list of materials needed but the actual descriptions were vague at best providing neither specific directions nor inspiration for the reader to go forth in their own direction.

I wanted to like the author's art but by the end of the book, I found the art to also be a little lackluster, having no specific focal point or strong point of view. Much of the work reminded me of Sabrina Ward Harrison but without her vibrancy and passion.

The design and photography of the book is aesthetically appealing and the art is above average for books on art journaling and mixed media but that's not really saying a lot.

I picked this book up in hopes of finding some tips and ideas for staying more consistent with my sketchbook and there were a few good ideas but I suspect that there are many other books available with better content overall.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own a couple prints of Sarah Ahearn Bellemare's so falling in love with her book seemed natural!

Not that I aspire to copy her work but I am deeply interested in the creative process. Sarah's book gives more than a healthy look into her process, but allows plenty of room for your own methods, materials and results.

Inspirational photos, friendly text, and a nice amount of creative fuel for me! Already a favorite, I know it will be dog-eared in no time!

[Rendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having this book for over ten years I finally sat down and read it cover to cover today. Sarah does an excellent job of outline her process and giving good sound advice/instruction on how to spur your creativity into action. I always have a sketchbook lying around but rarely use/work in one maybe for fear that what I do in them won’t be good enough. That will change going forward. Sarah has enlightened me that the sketchbook is a place to work things out and has given great warm up prompts to play with materials and supplies. I love knowing the supplies that she relies on the way she organizes them. I appreciate her sharing with us her process of translating ideas from her sketchbook into finished pieces. I also enjoyed the snippets of artwork from the guest artists in the book…several of which zonal familiar with. I am glad she did not talk about a bunch of “rules” and give step by step instructions (although I did like learning about how she does a transfer). She was very effective in opening the doors to finding inspiration and how to use what is found in our artwork.

[Annaline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspect this will be a slow burn book. One that will affect me in different ways each time I come back to it. I like that it wasn't a project book per se but did have techniques and ideas. I gave it four stars mainly because the type chosen was arty rather than easily read. That was annoying.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. Combination of prompts and ideas for your own pages and how tos for her pages.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

engaging.

[Marcie Lovett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of lovely photos of her work, not much in terms of instruction

[Catherine Yezak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A lot of creative ideas and suggestions that I can't wait to try. The steps are broken down so that it is easy to do.

[liberal sprinkles · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ this review is adapted from a longer one at my blog liberal sprinkles http://liberalsprinkles.blogspot.com/... ]

In Painted Pages, the author invites the reader into her studio for a peek at her workspace, tools and creative process. You'll see her mood board, her colorful scrapbooks, lots of gorgeous photos of her works in progress, completed canvases and also works from some guest artists.

I enjoyed the book. There're examples of collages and mixed media works, as well as quick prompts to get you started on creating and trying out new materials. Basically, the advice is: don't think too much, just try it out. Collage with scraps or clippings, paint with colors, experiment and have fun.

This is not a how-to book though. There are no step-by-step instructions to show you how a work was conceived and completed. The book's introduction does say it is about getting the reader to find their own way to make art and be creative. The author nudges the reader with a peek into her process and and explanations - though somewhat superficial - of how a text (eg Pablo Neruda poem) or idea (eg, bird ephemera) inspired the final work.

Sarah Ahearn Bellemare has a very distinctive style: it's very pretty, bright and breezy but there's very little variation. You have to like it to enjoy this book.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author concedes from the beginning that this is not a "how-to" book, but rather an attempt to prompt the reader to develop his or her own creativity. There are some interesting tips, but this kind of mixed media art isn't really my style.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It's not really a how to book as many people think it may be. It's a book of prompts and inspiration and just lovely eye candy! I found several things I plan on trying. Lovely and inspiring.

[Heather Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty. Not many new ideas, but love Sarah's work, so I like having this on my shelf for inspiration.

[Ceanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beaufiful pictures and ideas. Unfortunately, I've read other books first and this doesn't add any more to what I've already seen. If I had seen it before the others, I may have marked it higher.

[Kimberli]

Signed copy.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think I am going to have to buy my own copy after reading the library's. Great ideas for creative collage type sketchbooks.

[Charlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of water color instead of the heavier look of some artist journals. Lighter, brighter, more organized-ish,

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll definitely go back to this book for reference and inspiration. The suggestion to have prompt cards is helpful.