How to be Blue
Inspired by Bluetonic’s mission to ‘awaken your blue mind’, here’s a bookart project: How to be Blue.
Continuing the celebrations of launching Today’s Changing Room I invite you to contemplate blueness!
Whilst blue is traditionally linked with melancholy and low mood, it’s also the colour of the sky and the sea – both magnificently uplifting elements of our natural world.
These little books – yes two-for-one this month – are like paint swatches or colour sample cards. A perfect project for people who love things organised neatly….and especially for those of us who have a whole array of art supplies just waiting for their day in the sun.
Blue doesn’t have to be blue!
You’ll need:
- Sample-sized rectangles of thick watercolour paper (I’ve used Khadi)
- Postcard size pieces of card x 6 (Also Khadi)
- Hole punch
- Wool, binder ring or thread
- As many shades of paint/pencil/crayon/felt tip/ink as you possess
- Something to write with
- Something to make notes on or in
Step-by-step:
Make a list of all the blues you see and feel, be they expansive or glum, moody or majestic, mundane or marvellous.
Work out which colour shade best suits each feeling or thing.
Mix the tones, and add them to each piece of paper like a swatch sample.
Make a hole at one end of each sheet.
Write/print/type your description on the reverse side.
Here are my (apparently unrelated) words all laid out.
Attach a loop of thread, or the ring binder, to keep them together.
What a simple quick and satisfying little book?!
Fancy developing that idea? Add three shades to each postcard-sized piece of paper.
You can choose whether they contrast or clash.
Describe each shade simply, poetically or elusively…
I like the possibility of mixing meaning.
This is going to be the cover page.
As before, punch a single hole at the end of each sheet.
Bind together with one knot!
The second book is done.
Keep making books until you’ve run out of blues, or paper, or light…
What are your most favourite and meaningful blues?!
The evocative palettes I’ve used are from Daniel Smith, Wallace Seymour, Derwent (Mountain Blue how had I lived without you?) and Case For Making.
See Bluetonic for more about awakening your blue mind.
Please show us and share your How to be Blue X
I love this exercise. Might have a blue day once a week!!!!
Hurray for reclaiming blue days!
Lovely!
Great!
Rachel, is the Derwent Mountain Blue an actual tube of watercolor or a watercolor pencil? I can’t seem to find it in a tube, only a pencil.
Dear Barbara, The Mountain Blue came as a pan in the set I linked to – a charcoal watercolour paint.
Thank you, Rachel.
Where can i buy khadi paper from in Scotland, preferably near Edinburgh?
Hello Teresa, In Edinburgh: Cass Art on George St has it, and Greyfriar’s too, and The Art Shop at Tollcross probably!
What a perfect activity for this time of year. I struggle with the winter blues and long for warmer weather and spring. Thank you!
Oh I’m glad Ann – Spring IS coming X
Thank you, as usual a fun project – could use any colour and follow the theme . I love orange so will try that as well when I am home from my travels.
Perfect! Absolutely make a a whole spectrum Maggie!