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Finding freedom in creative constraints

Helen Wells Artist: Sketchbooks + Art Ideas

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📚Get my free sketchbook workshop Ritual and Response here: https://helenwellsartist.com/signup-r...

This week, confined to bed for a few days with a bad back, I used a brown paper concertina sketchbook and a black brush pen to create something simple. In this video I share what unfolded and some thoughts about finding creative freedom within limitations.

I have a blog to accompany this video with more thoughts and details of art supplies: https://helenwellsartist.com/blogsand...

I offer online art and sketchbook classes: https://helenwellsartist.com/online-c...
Thanks for being here. Love Helen x

20 Comments

@FunSize1198 7 days ago

Seems like the only people who downgrade my art to "doodling" are the folks who are too afraid to create anything at all. Thank you for trusting us with your portaloo incident and the gem it fostered!

@kathleenkarsten156 7 days ago

I adore that brain of yours! ❤ Your style delights my heart and soul. Thank you! 🎉

@chuckkolb1270 7 days ago

When an art tool cradles in your hand and your eye spies a blank surface, magic always happens.

@charlotte3033 7 days ago

Your suggestion of one pen one sketchbook a year or so ago, got me into a daily sketchbook practice which I've been able to maintain. I really enjoy the freedom of the constraints to just make art, any art that I enjoy in the moment

@fowlwinds 7 days ago

Simply brilliant! Thank you

@angelinamichelle8474 6 days ago

Wonderful! I have a huge aversion to white so all the sketchbooks I make and fill are various tones of tan, so this was super appealing. I love the black and tan simplicity. Time to pull out the underused black pocket pen and the huge roll of kraft paper I have. Thankyou once again for the inspiration Helen!!!

@All-kp3sy 7 days ago

This video popped up at the perfect time! Today I was feeling grumpy as well - stress at work, technical malfunctions, pages of writing suddenly and irrevocably deleted - and I was wondering what to do with myself. Your positive energy is simply contagious! I think I'll turn to my sketchbook and let the pen and paper calm me down. Thanks for the inspiring video, Helen!

@heyjude85 6 days ago

Feel better, Helen! Your creativity knows no bounds! Love an accordion journal!

@denisefelt6729 5 days ago

Helen, thank you for sharing this art book with us! I have days when I can't get out of bed and spend them wishing I could just sit at my desk and create. How wise and how lovely that you didn't let a down day stop you from creating! You inspire me to find a way to do the same on my next down day

@martinacolombresART 8 days ago

Thank you Helen for always sharing your journey. Always so inspiring! ❤

@eviebydesign 7 days ago

I so adore your enthusiasm and insights! And happy you are feeling better. Back issues are a big drag!

@CarolBrys 6 days ago

Your amazing sketchbook, born from pain and now creating creative sparks for you, also unlocked solutions for a creative roadblock I was experiencing. There is something so special about how you share your work that it encourages me to look at challenges differently, to shift my approach. Thank you for that! And I hope you are fully recovered now! ❤❤❤

@cathylovelock8561 7 days ago

Oh dear I feel your pain. I put my back out a few months ago slipping in the shower! Hope you recover soon! Loving your connecting the dots! It is enchanting. Thank you for sharing ❤

@LulybelleLullaby 5 days ago

Love your work…..love your words x

@ellief3177 7 days ago

We take our backs for granted until they hurt! When I had to go to an osteopath, he said that it's never lifting something heavy that causes the problems, because we lift them properly - it's simple things, like picking up a pencil, which cause the trouble! Something lovely came out of your pain though.

@jonisolis9645 8 days ago

🤎🖤🤎🖤🤎🖤🤎🖤 makes me think of handmade Africa mud cloth fabric. Delightful 😊
I need to get me a sketchbook like that! ❤

@bevbaird4995 6 hours ago

Loved this! And - a back can go out just sweeping the floor! Hope you're better.

@madelynsmith8281 7 days ago

❤ Helen, your artwork is so beautiful. I love brown and black together.

@bibivaldes1911 7 days ago

That concertina book is a beauty 😍 and you are right the making is the price.

@MamaCee83 7 days ago

Thank you for this, Helen! I sprained my neck last week and I too have been feeling grumpy, although I find it quite hard to imagine you grumpy😂This is the reminder I needed that I don’t need anything too elaborate in order to create something special.