Journal Fodder 365 - Prompt #42

After a busy February, we are resuming normal service for March :) I had great fun looking at all the wonderful faces over at 29 Faces. If you haven't had a look yet, do take the time to do so by clicking on the button in the sidebar.

I'm approaching the end of Journal Fodder 365, now being in the penultimate chapter. The prompt for this week was hidden spaces, looking at what we hide and what we reveal. It sent me on a musing about how nothing is hidden from God. I might try to shove parts of me into the shadows, keeping them hidden, but they aren't hidden from Him. 

And He loves me anyway.

And that is the bit that undoes me. He knows all those things that I try to keep hidden from others - the selfishness, pride, unkindness, foolishness, ingratitude, etc., etc. - and He loves me as I am even while He cleanses and perfects me and diminishes those hidden places.

29 Faces - crossing the finish line!

Face #28 is a renaissance woman.

And for the final one, some bright colours based on Matisse's portrait of Mrs. Matisse. 

I have to say that this challenge has been fun and… challenging :) I feel like I've learned a lot about light and shadow on faces, but also that there are many ways to draw a face. I've enjoyed looking at all the wonderful art and drawing inspiration from the many artists who've joined in this challenge and left encouraging comments. I will definitely keep experimenting. 

And away from faces, I managed to track down some carvable rubber so bought a 30x30cm piece. Here are my first few stamps:

And a background made with the circle one:

29 Faces - face 27

I've done lots of faces with lines, so here's one with dots for a change. Pointillist style with Copics.

29 Faces - #26

Well, day 26 and the ideas are starting to flag. This one is made a little different by the serendipitous placement of a butterfly made from cleaning off the gelli-plate. 

And staying on the subject of gelli-plates, here is a journal page made with a gelli-print. 

                     

I liked this one so much that I didn't want to do too much to it. Here it is at the start:

This print was made using a texture stamp made from a piece of mouldable foam - the sort you heat and then make impressions into - and a piece of card with a pattern made with a glue gun. I inked the plate with mocha and teal paints and used the two stamps to lift paint and move it elsewhere. 

And here are some close-ups:

29 Faces - no. 25

I went for straight lines and geometric shapes today. A very quick sketch. Those eyebrows ended up scowly :)

29 Faces - day 24

An accidental zombie! I wanted to use some different colours today. The greys were looking OK until I added the lips and hair. Then she looked kinda… dead. My daughter said that she looks like a doctor with that blue hat. I'm sure the woman from the photo I used for reference wouldn't recognise herself :) I'm pleased with the eyes, though. I can see definite improvement.

And I'm still keeping up with Journal Fodder 365. Prompt no. 40 is meditation.

I started the page without any real idea of where it was going to go. The stencilled flowers took over and I was left with a small space to write. It made me think of how important it is to push away the world to make a space for ourselves in the busyness of everyday life; to take a few moments to meditate on what is important. It brings back balance and perspective.

29 Faces - #23

A simple pencil drawing today. Again, from a photo. This time a three quarter view with eyes down -  a different aspect for me. 

29 Faces - face 22

Today I pulled out a thin Sharpie and just went for it. This face is drawn from a photo and I think I might actually be showing some improvement :)

Only 8 more to go!

29 Faces - day 21

Today I broke out the oil pastels. I was determined not to draw an outline and just go with it, and I have to say I'm actually pleased with this one. I like the way the oil pastels can be laid down in small amounts and then smudged to wherever you want them. It allows the colour to be built up gradually so many different shades can be achieved. 

Also posting to Paint Party Friday - or in this case, pastel party Friday, I hope that's OK :)

29 Faces - face #20

I'm trying out charcoal pencils today and a profile rather than a full-on face. I hate to think how messy my fingers would have been with proper charcoal!