Create Your Own Artist's Journal [Hardcover]

Erin O'Toole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2002

In Create Your Own Artist's Journal, Erin O'Toole helps artists capture those fleeting moments of inspiration and beauty that compel them to create. She begins by showing them how to observe and record what they see, composing images that come alive with colour and movement. O'Toole also discusses the materials involved in keeping a journal, and offers advice for finding interesting subjects, painting from memory and improvising sketches as a scene changes. Finally, she provides guidelines for compiling a portable journalling "kit" that artists can take with them anywhere!

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

After studying drawing and engraving in college, O'Toole, a professional book illustrator for over 20 years, took a trip to Ireland, where she began keeping a journal to record her travels. Now, whenever she travels, a sketchbook goes with her. Eventually, her search for a paper that could handle both ink and watercolor led her to create her own handmade books. In this delightful book, she offers tips on how to face the first blank page (hint: begin several pages in and work on the opening pages later), ways of making a coil-bound book and a traveling art kit, and demonstrations. Claudia Nice's How To Keep a Sketchbook Journal explores several journal styles (travel, reference, fantasy, etc.). O'Toole's more contemplative work sees an art journal as a place to gather one's thoughts, sort out the complexities of life, and form insight into one's history. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Erin O'Toole has kept journals and canvases filled with images of natural history, gardens and scenic waterways for over twenty years. She is equally talented in the fields of pen, ink, watercolour and oils. Her artwork has been featured in several publications, including field guides for Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary, Great Hikes in the Poconos, and several titles for Barron's Educational Series. She lives in Sacramento, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (June 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158180170X
• ISBN-13: 978-1581801705
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Nature-Sketching Guide, August 21, 2003

By 

Isabel Brown (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Create Your Own Artist's Journal (Hardcover)

In Create Your Own Artist's Journal, Erin O'Toole opens her hand-made journals and tells how you can create one too. This North Light art book is packed with large format color illustrations (she uses pencil, pen, colored pencil, watercolor and gouache) and tips for drawing and painting, page layout and even establishing a routine of sketching. Mrs. O'Toole includes ideas for materials and suggestions for the kit to carry with you when you sketch away from home. There are recommendations for color; tips for drawing specific subjects: houses, people, animals, etc. and sections on sharing your artwork in print or over the internet (she gives scanner settings). This book reminds me of Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady which Mrs. O'Toole recommends. She also suggests other favorite titles.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great inspiration to journal, May 23, 2008

By 

S. Burch "watercolormom" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Create Your Own Artist's Journal (Hardcover)

I turn to this book time and again for inspiration for my own watercolor journal and sketches when I'm in a journaling slump. This book is loaded with the sketches and illustrations of Erin O'Toole's own journals, and her great advice to start and continue with your own journal. The book is nicely divided into sections for sketching flowers, wildlife, neighborhoods, animals and people. She also gives advice on labeling your sketches and being creative with your writing style. All in all, this is a great book to have on hand.

5.0 out of 5 stars Journals done in Watercolors, October 16, 2011

By 

Barb (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Create Your Own Artist's Journal (Hardcover)

I saw this book in a watercolors sketchbook class I took and liked it so well I wanted it in my collection. It has great ideas for journaling and has gotten me on the road to creating my own artists journal. Has great advise. This book came quickly and in excellent condition. This is a must have if you are into sketchbook journaling.