Before your start, you will need to decided on the paper or book you will be using for recording your colour-mixing. We recommend using good quality watercolour art books for your colourjotting because the books will open flat and the pages won’t buckle. A good reference book will be handled a lot so make sure it is durable bound.
Each ColourJot Template is 2-part stencil that is traced and repositioned to make both a colour wheel and a colour grid. The template’s 8″ size provides a variety of layout options to fit common sizes of sketchbooks or watercolour journals. Here are examples of 4-page, 2-page, and 1-page spreads.
Etchr Medium Accordion Watercolour Sketchbook – a class favourite.
A5 Watercolour Journal 5.5” x 8.5” The stencils fill a two-page spread format that is perfect for art journaling and compact storage.
Etchr Perfect Sketchbook 8×8″ Square. A nice way to flip through your reference book and see just the colour circle and colour gird on their own. Compact space with not much room for writing so it is all about colour.
A4 Watercolour Sketchbook 8.5 x11” or 9 x 12”The stencils fill a full page of a 9 x 12 sketchbook. The larger format is better for teaching and sharing and it is more of a coffee-table, studio reference.
11×14″ Watercolour Paper Pad or (Canvas Board or Pad) This a great size if you seek to make colour reference posters for your studio, store or classroom.
About the Template Designs
The templates come in a variety of design styles to ensure participants will have novel ways to customize their ColourJot art journals. The templates are similar enough to keep the process simple and repeatable while making comparative colour mixes easy to track and review. It does not matter where you start, just pick a design that appeals to you. One stencil may be used repeatedly, or you may collect, share, and trade the templates.
ColourJotting Builds Skills
In addition to colour-mixing practice, the designs and process will help artists learn to control water dilution, gain brush control and experiment with application techniques.
Jot means to quickly take note. The marker outline will provide enough structure to hold the design and quickly capture your colour. An attractive and consistent layout will create a keepsake and useful reference tool.
Some designs are simple; the ovals are quick to trace and paint. Other designs are more of a challenge. The cheveron, for example, has peaks and square corners that may take more time and care to complete. There are recommended brush shapes listed for each stencil but these merely suggestions to help you get started and build skills. Use the brushes you have on hand to start.
Perfectionism is not part of the ColourJot process – in fact, it is overrated. We are skill-building and not creating perfect colouring books so staying within the lines or painting exactly to the line is not essential. This is about colour mixing and jotting notes about our progress. Let the black outline provide the structure and the colour provides the beauty. The fact that it is handmade is part of the charm.
