I am turning to the masters of play to help me when drawing the ideas that pop into my head. When I draw it is often far far from perfect. In fact, it is often not even recognizable. How do I know that is okay? I studied the masters of play, kids.
When a kid wants to draw a person, they don’t spend time assessing proportions or sweating if it will look hyper realistic. They just grab something and start drawing with pride. Skill isn’t a requirement for play.
In the video, I prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that skill is not a prerequisite of having fun while playing!
Watch Playing and painting like a kid in my Art Journal on YouTube.
Watch the Fineliner video mentioned in the video.
My inspiration for this play was all the animated critters in Pokemon Go. Yes, I am admitting that as an adult I find great joy when a Jigglypuff or Oddish is captured. I blame my kids for getting into this wonderful silly game.
My drawing isn’t very realistic…or even recognizable. But then again, who ever said play had to be those things? Not someone who was playing!
After the background was loaded with color, I brought in my 1700’s stencil from StencilGirl. In the video, you’ll see how I added white space then covered it right back up!
To my neighbors….painting the house like this is a dream of mine, but for now I will show some restraint. For now…
Now you’ve seen my play, let’s see yours! Share what you’re creating with us all in the Facebook group and be inspired by what others are creating! And be sure to leave a comment here to get entered in the monthly $50 gift certificate giveaway!
What is Let’s Play? It’s all about rediscovering the ability to play. Each month I share a specific strategy that helped me recapture the freedom and fun of play. This month’s theme is act like a kid. You can see more of the Let’s Play series here.
Want to see more Let’s Play videos? You can find all the weekly posts here.
Sharing your play: I, and a whole bunch of others, would love to see what you’re creating! We’re sharing it in the Facebook group called A Colorful Place to Play. Why Facebook? I’ve listened to your feedback about how and where you’d like to share your play instead of the link parties.
Monthly giveaways: Leave comment on any (and all for more chances) of the weekly Let’s Play blog posts to be entered and one winner each month will be chosen by random.org. Want more chances to win a $50 gift certificate to DickBlick.com? Pin any of the images from the page or share about it on Facebook- then come back and leave a comment telling me what you did and you can have more chances to win! Giveaway closes the Sunday,September 4th at 11 pm EST and the winner will announced on the blog the following Monday.
Congrats to Kristiina, last month’s winner!
I totally thought that was Sponge Bob about to put on his square pants!!?Love how the page turned out!
At first, I thought it was spongebob square pants. Lol love how you progressed from whim to whimsy. That house is lovely!
I have been gone from blogging for awhile, but I’m back and revisiting the blogs that I loved years ago. Glad to see you are still here and doing fabulous work! I love the bright colors and the wonderful, playful art that you have done here. Thanks for sharing!
Carolyn your OOPs always entertain me. Like pulling a rabbit out of a hat!
Carolyn, you are a delight. I love your freedom, love your bright colors and childlike heart. Every time I hear the lilt in your voice when you introduce a video, it makes me smile. Thank you for all you share!
You always inspire me. Thank you for this series. And I thought it was sponge Bob too!
A beautiful house! Thanks for the inspiration.
Try to find the children’s book “Oh Were They Ever Happy” — the babysitter doesn’t show up and the kids remember that the parents saying that the house needed to be painted — and there’s a garage full of paint leftovers. Enough said. It was one of my son’s (he’s now 38) favorites — he called it “the mess book.”. One of my librarian friends said she was afraid to use it in story hour in case it inspired any imitations.
I love everything you create. You always make it look so simple. It really is simple, if you let if gooooo! That’s the hard part for mr, letting it go.
I would never have thought that from such simple beginning could turn up so cool as it did!
I LOVE THIS JOURNAL PAGE!!! Probably my most favorite one to date. Awesome!!!
Amazing. You have really crystallized for me what this art journal play is all about! And what a FAB stencil… which I would never have known what to do with before. You really scared me with all that black, lol – and impressed me with the “save” that the white highlighting made. Lightbulb moment – again… THANK YOU