Jodi Whitby

WHOOP WHOOP! - I HAVE A NEW WEBSITE!

2012-06-12T14:32:00.005+01:00

Please come on over and see me www.jodiwhitby.co.uk

Motivational Monday!

2012-03-19T11:35:00.002+00:00

Take a look at the video below. The artist, Agnes Cecile, demonstrates how dribbled paint can deliberately be incorporated into a painting and look good! She has drawn the basic outline of a face then goes about "colouring in" the tones to create shape and form. Although it looks very complicated it is in fact a simple painting, brought to life by her conviction to use unusual colour (blue for a portrait? - why not), focusing detail only in the eyes nose and mouth and then continuing to make it look effortless by encouraging the paint to flow freely. A simple but dramatic image, I think. You may like it, you may hate it - again illustrating how art is so subjective (I love it - and the music). What do you think? You can see more of her work here: http://agnes-cecile.deviantart.com/

Dates for next drop in sessions are:

March 22

April 19 (only one day because of school holiday)

May 3 & 17

All sessions run 10.30am t0 12.30pm (contact me for address).

Whilst there is no need to book, it is always good if you drop me an email if there is anything specific you would like to achieve/have a go at during the session - I can then plan if needs be. Feedback so far has been wonderful - thank you! So if you fancy 2 hours out of life to draw or paint then please come along.

In the meantime, happy creating and learn to love your work - even the dribbles. x

Please post your comments below:

Drawn a Blank? 5 Tips to Loosen-Up!

2012-02-24T17:33:00.013+00:00

Occasionally, when you feel like creating that wonderful drawing or painting, you fetch your tools, you sit down, get comfy and then.......nothing happens! Yup, annoying isn't it.

So, just as a singer would warm-up her voice before her live performance it's often worth warming-up our eyes, brains and hands before we draw that masterpiece. Here are a few simple, fun and effective ways to get started and free our drawing/painting techniques:

Draw a real life object using the wrong hand: Find an object, person or scene in which you are interested in drawing and use your "wrong hand" to do it. So, if you're naturally right handed - you would use your left (and vice verse). This can feel very awkward to begin with but it's this awkwardness that makes our brain really focus on what we are truly seeing and not what we think we are seeing. This one tip alone is so worth doing regularly if you are serious about training your eyes to see accurately.
Draw without looking down at the paper in front of you: Again, this makes us truly look at our subject and not focus on what's going on with our hands. What happens on your paper may be a real surprise to you! Remember this is all about limbering up and not about producing a perfect end result.
Speed dating, no I mean speed drawing: This is a really effective way to get you into drawing mode FAST. Find an object to draw, get a kitchen timer, some cheap, throw away paper (newspaper will do) and your charcoal or pencils. Allow yourself only a few minutes per drawing, 2 - 5 minutes each is not too little! Once you have finished one drawing, tear off your paper and start a new one - quickly. The key is not giving yourself time to "think" in detail - just to get marks down on paper. Keep doing this until you need a rest. It's good to keep varying your times but you may wish to take a longer period towards the end (10mins +) to indulge yourself in creating a more "complete" drawing. Notice how your style and confidence has changed.
GO LARGE - large paintbrush, large paper: This may seem silly but it's fun and worth a go. Find a large, soft, flat paintbrush and tape it to a long stick (walking stick is good). Place a large piece of paper on the floor and paint. This encourages you to use your whole arm to make broad sweeping strokes. Go with it, paint long, sweeping lines - it feels so liberating.
Keep old pieces of paper/canvases around: This last tip isn't necessarily an exercise to loosen-up, but it may help you get over the worry of making a mistake and of thinking that you are going to ruin your beautiful, clean, white canvas - the result of which is that you don't make a start at all. This was useful to me at art college whilst on a student budget. Keep old paintings or drawings that haven't worked out as you planned and whenever that worry creeps up on you, the one that says "I'm don't know what I'm doing, I'm going to make a mistake" you just go to the old painting and deliberately "muck it up" with paint, ink, etc. In effect you are allowing yourself the freedom to "let that worry go." It can get rid of all that negative energy and loosen up your arms and brain at the same time.

Above all have fun trying these - remember it's only paper and paint.

If you "like" this posting then please tick the like button below and if you are happy to share your ideas on how YOU get creative then please share them in the comments box - I would love to know.

Thank you and Happy Creating! x

Drop In Art Sessions

2012-02-18T14:43:00.000+00:00

If you fancy taking 2 hours out and getting "arty" then please drop by my house this Thursday 23 February 2012. These drop-in sessions offer a welcoming, informal and safe place for you to use and experiment with art materials, discuss your art & creativity related ideas and perhaps discover whether growing your creative energy is for you.

Whether you have zero art experience or are already on your artistic journey these sessions will allow you some unique time out of the bustle of life to pick up a pencil, pastels or paints for a couple of hours of "artistic time." These will not be regimented art lessons but a relaxed and evolving experience with guidance (from me) if required or requested.

I can provide charcoal, pencils, acrylic paints and paper OR simply bring along your own art materials and paper on the day.

Sessions £2 with own materials or £5 - £10 to use mine.
Remember there is no need to book and I'll make the tea!

Please contact me for details by emailing me through the link at the side.

Many thanks and I hope to see you soon!

Lets get it on!

2012-01-31T00:08:00.001+00:00

Drum roll.....here's the video of the fab creations we made at Crafty Angels Workshop 2011.

Such a lovely day spent together just before Christmas - seems so long ago now.

More workshops are planned for 2012, from HOW TO paint, draw, craft, THROUGH TO Painting for Relaxation, Finding (and Nurturing) your Inner Creative Self, Fairy Craft, Spring Craft Creations and loads more interesting stuff. If you would like information on these then please fill in the FOLLOW BY EMAIL at the top or drop me an email through the link on the right.

In the meantime I am very excited to offer our first DROP IN ART SESSION at my house on

THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY

10.30am - 12.30am

Your first visit is FREE!

This will be a regular thing and, after your first free visit, I will only charge £2 if you bring your own materials or £5 - £10 if you wish to use mine - there is no commitment to attend as you just DROP IN. It is informal, educational, inspiring and a perfect way for anyone to try out, learn or develop art techniques and materials - it doesn't matter if you don't know one end of a pencil to the other or if you're regularly knocking out Van Goghs. All art related questions will be answered, discussed or, if all else fails, GOOGLED - it's really that simple! I'm so looking forward to these. By the way I live in Midhurst and make tea on demand...

SO if you are interested in coming along then please enter your email address in the

FOLLOW BY EMAIL box at the top or drop me an line through the link at the side.

Also, if you like my video then please press the LIKE button at the bottom. See you soon and Happy Creating x

Crafty Angels - Saturday 3 December 2011

2011-12-02T13:29:00.001+00:00

Here's one I made earlier ....

I am so looking forward to tomorrow's Crafty Angels Workshop where we will be making the following decorations - and more! Even though it's still a teeny tiny bit early for Christmas/Yule, there is no doubt that the sound of festive music, mince pies and a dab of glue and glitter will definitely get me in the mood.

Please contact me today if you fancy coming along to join in the decorative fun.

In the meantime, Angel Blessings and a premature Ding Dong Merrily on High to you! x

These items are all hand made and hand painted.

Painting Angels

2011-10-24T11:13:00.005+01:00

How do we paint angels? Good question - they come in all shapes and sizes but I think the answer is that there is no right way, only your way.

Take a look at this lady's website. She is called Sharae and intuitively paints angels. Her work is beautifully ethereal and her style inspiring. I think it demonstrates how simple paint flow can achieve so much.

As you know I like feedback, so if you like, please click "like" at the end. Thank you!

http://www.angelsbysharae.com/Gallery.html

2011-08-13T08:12:00.003+01:00

I am delighted to be asked back to host another

Divine Connection Art Workshop on 24th September 2011

Please visit Sue Owen's website for details

http://www.angels-on-cloud-nine.co.uk/spiritual_workshops.html