ABOUT THE CLASS

“Creatures” is an online art journal class taught by artist and illustrator Roxanne Coble. Working in
Roxanne’s unique style, you’ll create your very own two-page journal spread from start to finish.
Through various mixed media techniques, the class explores: creating a background while
employing the concept of a horizon line; expanding ephemera with a painted pattern; learning to
sketch, plan and paint several illustrative creatures; and of course – all of those fabulous finishing
touches leading you to fully saturated and a creatively chaotic journal spread! The Creatures class
also features an additional bonus lesson, where you’ll learn a different take on how you might
illustrate the creature figure.

Grab those art journals and let’s create together….

What’s in this pdF:

1.) “Before We Get to the Good Stuff…”
2.) Technical Support
3.) Welcome to Class
4.) Supply List
5.) Phase One
6.) Phase Two
7.) Phase Three
8.) Phase Four
9.) Bonus Lesson
10.) Thank-you, Let’s Hang, & Fine Print
11.) Printable Checklist!
Before we get to the good stuff:
Before we ‘get to the good stuff’ of making some killer art, I want to be sure we take care of the
following items:

1.) Save this PDF on your desktop or somewhere you can get to - it will be a huge resource!

2.) Click the class link below and log in with the password: RUAcreature2016 (case sensitive!). This
will be the password for all of the classes.

Link to all videos: https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class

3.) It’s a good idea to maybe bookmark the class link. But have no fear, video links are also listed in
their designated areas within the step-by-step directions of this PDF too.

4.) Send a request to add yourself to the private Creatures Facebook group by clicking the link
below! This is where you can post questions, share your work, and see what your classmates are up
to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/593962177425859/

technical support
*All of the videos are hosted on Vimeo and within a ‘portfolio’ – meaning all of the videos live on
one web page. You will need internet access in order to play the videos.

*Vimeo plays on virtually everything (computer, laptop, iPad, or mobile phone). If you’re having a
hard time playing Vimeo on your device, click this link for help: https://vimeo.com/everywhere

*Having trouble playing the videos or is the webpage not fully loading? Be sure your internet
browser is up to date!

*Remember that the password is case sensitive, so if you’re unable to log in – double-check that
you’re putting the password in correctly: RUAcreature2016
 Welcome to class!
Oh hi there! I’m Roxanne (your artist/teacher/and art homie) and I am thrilled to welcome
you to Creatures! This course has been such a long time coming, and I cannot tell you how
excited I am to have put this class together and finally be bringing it to you.

This first video breaks down the inspiration behind Creatures, and a few general things you
need to know before diving into the other videos. Click the link below to watch the
Introduction video:

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158834120

General Things You Need to Know (as seen in the intro video):

+ The class is designed for any and all art levels! Art Journaling for me was an escape from my figurative work
in art school. So it’s all about exploring and having fun – and that’s definitely built into this class.
+ The class is structured in ‘phases’, and for this particular class we’ll be working through four of them. Each
‘phase’ has it’s own video and step-by-step section in this PDF.
+ This PDF also includes a bitchin’ checklist that you can print out! It’s the last page of this PDF.
+ There’s a detailed supply list video as part of this course. It’s great if you’re a beginner, confused about a
supply list item, or just want to know what I’ll be using in the demo videos.
+ You’ll see in the videos throughout the class that I’m working in an altered book. Now that doesn’t mean
you have to! For this class, you can be in either a blank journal or an altered book. If you’re confused about
either of these, I address it directly in the supply video.
+ This class is 100% in my artistic style! That means lots of stuff and layers and well…more stuff! Working in
my style also means working in a smaller scale. Don’t be intimidated by this! If it’s out of your comfort zone,
give it a try. If you prefer working larger – well that’s okay too!
+ Contact me at anytime! You can post in the Facebook group, or reach out to me directly via email
([email protected]). I will be doing my absolute best to remain available and get back to you as soon
as possible should you run into any trouble or have any questions!

Thank-you again for joining me on this rad creative journey – I look forward to meeting you,
seeing your work, and makin’ some art! LET’S DO THIS…

xo Roxanne
 supply list
(love me some art supplies!)
I knew from the get-go when designing this class that I wanted to include a supply list video.
As my Dad always told me growing up: “be smarter than your equipment!” In this video I go
over every item in the supply list – including what brand I use, how they might be used in the
class, and some general pointers. Click the link below to watch the “Supply List” video, and
the full supply list is also below.

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158836419

Supplies You’ll Need:

+ An art journal – this can be either an altered book or a blank art journal. Either one will do!
+ Gel medium
+ Matte liquid varnish (this is highly recommended, but not required)
+ Ephemera: cut paper, photos, scraps, magazine images, etc. in a variety of sizes
+ Oil pastels – at least black, white, and maybe another color you gravitate to
+ A pencil, eraser, and a few sheets of wax paper
+ Regular acrylic paint – at least black, white, and any colors you have or gravitate to!
+ Heavy body acrylic paint in black and white – (this is recommended but not required!) You are
more than welcome to use regular black and white acrylic paint, but you’ll see I use heavy body
acrylic when filling in my illustrations. For me, the thicker paint consistency saves me from having to
paint multiple layers. This is totally a preference thing, but I tell ya – once you go heavy body, you’ll
never go back! My go-to brand is Liquitex…
+ Liquid acrylic paint – (this is recommended but not required!) I use liquids usually as my ‘pop’
colors. The two I mention in the video are Golden’s ‘Primary Magenta’ and ‘Quinacridone / Nickel
Azo Gold’.
+ Paintbrushes: at least one larger size brush and a smaller detail brush. My favorite brush type is
anything with a square tip – it’s great for big blocks of color and even detailing.
+ Water cup & paper towels for your brushes
+ A recycled gift card or credit card for mark making
+ Black pen for detailing – my preference is the Faber-Castell brand pitt pens, but this is really
going to be up to you! Use a pen you already have, or try out a pitt pen!
+ White gel pen for detailing – I use Y&C ‘Gel X-treme’ brand gel pen. It’s my all time favorite gel
pen, but you can use something you already have in your pen bag! I also get the ‘bronze’ color gel
pen in the same brand for cool metallic detailing.
+ Any other pens or mark making tools you might already have – I’m talking ball point pens,
sharpies, lyra pencils, or any other tools you love to use. The more the merrier for when we get to
detailing in phase four…

*Lazy artist tip #1: Who needs a paint palette am I right?! I did not include a paint palette in my
supply list, because I don’t use them! Just like how I work in my studio, you’ll see in the
demonstrations I’m dunking my paintbrush right into my bottles of paint…
 Phase one: building a background
Alright guys – here we go! Phase one is all about building up a background layer. For this
class, we’ll be incorporating a horizon line and selecting a ‘pattern’ piece of ephemera that
you’ll add onto later. Both of these will help guide you to a more dynamic composition and
interesting background for our Creatures. Click the link to watch Phase One, and all of the
step-by-step’s are also broken down for you below.

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158855091

1.) Select a 2-page spread to work in. This can be in either a book you’re going to alter, a blank
journal, or an art journal you’ve already been working in.
*If you’re working in an altered book: you’re going to want to select a page that has inspiring
or interesting imagery. Think of this like extra ephemera!
2.) Determine your horizon line. What? A horizon line in a journal spread? That’s right folks, we’re
incorporating a horizon line into our composition. The concept of a horizon line is something you’ll
find in traditional drawing, because it’s great way to create space. We’ll be nurturing this horizon
throughout the class as a way to have a dynamic looking spread, and establish interesting visual
space for our creatures later on. Decide on your horizon line based on something you already have
going on your page, or simply near the bottom portion of your spread. You don’t want to place
your horizon line too high up, or you’re going to loose the central portion of your spread where all
the magic happens.

3.) Choose your “Pattern Piece”. A ‘pattern piece’ is really any ephemera with a pre-existing
pattern, repetitive shape, or line work. Foreshadowing a bit for you – we’ll be extending this pattern
with paint in phase two, so you’re going to want to choose something that’s easy to work with! It
can be as simple as dots, lines, or blobs of color.

4.) Select your remaining ephemera. Your ephemera should be pre-cut and ready to rock and roll.
It’s important that you’re not stopping to cut out things from a magazine – it will interrupt your flow!
Don’t stress too much about what you’re choosing here: pull things you like! The amount you use
will vary based on how large the journal is you’re working in. If you’re in a larger book: 8 to 15
pieces, a smaller book: 6 to 10 pieces.

5.) Adhere your ephemera with gel medium. You can start with your pattern piece, or with your
largest sized piece of ephemera. Be aware of your horizon line, and adhere your ephemera in with
gel medium and a paintbrush. If you don’t know where to start, lay in some ephemera right above
your horizon line!

6.) Apply black acrylic paint. The reason we put black paint in now is because our creatures will be
painted black later on! You can use regular black acrylic or heavy body acrylic paint (which is what
I’m using the video). Apply your black paint with a brush in blocks, a wet brush, credit card, or your
fingers. DON’T OVER DO IT, DON’T COVER YOUR PATTERN PIECE, and be sure to mix up your
application! The more ways you vary the application of your paint, the better…

*Lazy artist tip #2: take photos of your spread with your cell phone as you go, you’ll be totally
impressed seeing your progress as you work through the class!
 Phase TWO: FOREFRONT LAYER
Oh hey there phase two, it’s nice to see you! If you love color, then you’re going to love phase
two. In this second phase of our class we’ll be introducing color with acrylic paint, working on
our ‘pattern piece’, as well as throwing in some oil pastel. Your pages should be relatively dry
before jumping into this next phase. Click the link below to watch phase two, and all of the
step-by-steps are also broken down for you below:

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158857204

1.) Lay in some acrylic paint (using 4 to 5 colors). Use any paint color you’re being pulled towards
or select some based on the colors found in directly in your ephemera. Similar to phase one: the
more you mix up your application, the more dynamic of a spread you’re going to get!
*Start with a larger brush and block some color in.
*Then work your way to a smaller brush to layer in patterns, scribbles, splatters, or even
‘support blocks’ under your other areas of paint. Dunk your paint soaked brush into your
water cup and drag it across your page for a watercolor sort of look, or create those ‘paint
explosions’.
*Now is also the time for those really bright liquid acrylics you might have – they really add
a fun ‘pop’ to your page!

2.) Build out your pattern piece. Using acrylic paint, you will now extend the pre-existing pattern
happening in that ephemera ‘pattern piece’ we selected in phase one.
*You’ll most likely need to extend the color underneath your pattern first – match the paint
the best you can, but don’t stress over it!
*With your background built out, now you can paint the pattern out on top of it. Again, this
doesn’t need to be perfect and keep things SIMPLE! What we’re doing is creating a
backdrop for those creatures, so it’s more about the amount than it looking like perfection.
3.) Don’t forget to nurture that horizon line! That means maybe painting a little underneath it or
even physically painting that horizon line again in color.

4.) Add in your oil pastel. We use oil pastel to just add a little more color and a different type of
texture to our spread. Apply it by scribbling or putting it in as blocks of color. REMEMBER – use the
oil pastels sparingly! Pens and oil pastels don’t play nice together, so know wherever you put down
oil pastel you will not be able to doodle on top of.

5.) Seal your oil pastel. Grab your matte liquid varnish (or even your gel medium if you don’t want
to buy varnish), and apply with a paintbrush on top of your oil pastel. Be sure your paint is dry
before doing this! If you’re using varnish – a little bit goes a long way, so just put a few drops over
the areas where you’ve put in the oil pastel.

6.) Be sure your pages are dry before moving on. Put a piece of wax paper between your pages,
close your journal, and take a break – we need those pages nice and dry before we move to phase
three. If you’re super antsy, go ahead and blast your pages with a blow dryer.

*Lazy artist tip #3: Pour yourself a glass of wine, turn on Dance Moms, and nestle in folks!
Extending those patterns can be a real time suck – so do whatever it takes to make yourself comfy
and relaxed. You want to take your time and get all those yummy details in…

*Lazy artist tip #4: Get those oil pastels out of the box! Dump ‘em into a cool container so they’re
easier to ‘grab and go’ while working.
 Phase THREE: meet your creatures
This phase is all about our CREATURES! We’ve spent the last two phases building up a great
background, and now is when we plan, sketch, and paint our creature figures in. Click the
link to watch phase three, and all of the step-by-steps are broken down for you below:

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158940986

1.) Determine where your creatures will go. As I mention in the video, I recommend you lay in two
full creatures and one partial creature into your spread. One of your creatures can be larger in size
overlapping on top of your horizon line, a second creature can be smaller in size and filling a ‘bald
spot’ on your page, and lastly, a third creature can be dangling from an upper edge of a page.
2.) Sketch your creature outlines into your journal spread.
*Now I usually sketch right into my journal pages, but if it makes you feel more comfortable or
want to warm up – sketch some out on a scrap piece of paper. You can also reference or use
any of the drawn outlines I have provided for you down below!
*Using a pencil (or white gel pen if it’s easier to see on top of your paint), draw the outline of
your creature directly into your journal spread.
*Again, embrace the illustrative quality of these guys – it’s not about being perfect, it’s about
making a unique and whimsical looking creature.

3.) Fill your creature in with black acrylic paint. Using a detail brush, you will now fill in your
creatures with black paint.
*The key to this is to make sure you have a nice opaque layer of paint, and have very crisp
edges. This is where I would suggest using the heavy body black paint (it will save you some
painting time!). In the video I’m also using a square tip detail brush, which is helpful in
achieving those clean edges.
*Be sure your creatures are totally dry before moving onto phase four.

*SAMPLE C REATURE OUTLINES:

 Phase Four: finishing details
Oh phase four, how I love thee! Phase four represents my favorite part about art journaling:
ALL THOSE FABULOUS DETAILS! In this final phase we’ll be finishing our creatures with a
gel pen and packing in the doodles throughout the entire journal spread. Click the link to
watch phase four, and of course – all of the step-by-step’s are outlined for you below:

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158945247

1.) Detail your creatures in white gel pen. Be sure that you are totally done with your varnish and
oil pastel at this point, because the varnish will totally erase your gel pen! Detail your creature with
white gel pen by:
*Adding an eye and eye detail
*Small vertical lines on the ‘beak’ or mouth area
*Drawing rows of small dashes for a ‘fur’ kind of look
*Doodling bones into the limbs or rib area

2.) Doodle and detail the rest of your spread. There are no rules when it comes to doodling, but
know that the MORE you put in – the more successful your journal spread will be (at least, in my
opinion). Here’s how you can get those details in:
*Outline paint blobs with a gel pen or black pen
*Doodle onto pre-existing imagery in your ephemera
*Tiny clusters of dots with a gel pen
*Scribbling with a pencil or ballpoint pen
*Reinforce or detail your horizon line area
*Doodle with a sharpie, and then put gel pen on top of it
*Add paint or pen dash lines extending from your creatures

3.) Return back to any art supply you think your page needs. Sometimes all your page needs is a
little bit more pop! The easiest way to achieve this is adding just a tiny bit more paint. Don’t feel
like you can’t go back – you can always revisit any previous step from another phase…

4.) Be proud of the work you’ve completed! We’ve come a long way from phase one, and you
should be proud of what you’ve accomplished!

*Lazy artist tip #5: Feel like you went overboard with a gel pen? Just wet a brush and wipe it away!

*Lazy artist tip #6: You can literally take your journal anywhere in phase four. So load up your pen
bag, grab your journal, and park yourself anywhere you want to doodle away…
 BONUS LESSON
(say what!!)
Heck yes, a bonus lesson! But, be sure you’ve watched all of the main class videos before
jumping to this bad boy. You’ll see in the demo, I’m working on a spread that has been
through phase one and two already. In this bonus lesson, you’ll learn a different take on how
you might illustrate your creatures in white. Click the link to watch the bonus lesson, and all
of the step-by-step’s are outlined for you below:

https://vimeopro.com/user14964999/creatures-2016-online-art-journaling-class/video/158949260

Complete phases 1 & 2 in a journal spread, then you can:

1.) Sketch your creatures into your spread. Just like we did in phase three of the main lesson,
sketch the outlines of your creatures with pencil or a white gel pen. Since we know these figures will
be white, you can think about placing them against darker background areas – which will create a
higher visual contrast.

2.) Fill your creatures in with white paint. You can use either regular acrylic or heavy body acrylic
to fill in your creatures. Either way, you want to strive for an opaque application of paint with really
crisp edges.

3.) Add in creature detail with a black pen. You can add an eye, or even small rows of lines to imply
fur. You can also totally outline the edge of these guys – it really makes ‘em pop!

4.) Incorporate color into your creatures. Pull a color directly from your background and use this to
paint interior organs, bones, or even fur lines. Using a color that is already in your spread will help to
unify your composition!
 Dude, Thank-you…
I want to thank-you for joining me in my first-ever ‘solo’ online class! It means so much to
share not only the concept of Creatures, but to also have you creating alongside me. I hope
this class has been enjoyable, and contains some takeaways that maybe you can apply to your
own work or creative process. As an art educator, it’s all about sharing those art vibes,
building our creative community, and well – makin’ some awesome stuff!

A special shout out also goes to my husband, James – who without his help – Creatures would
not have been possible.

All of the music in the Creatures course comes from the album Beets 3 by Birocratic. More of
his work and rad tunes can be found here: http://birocratic.bandcamp.com/

xo Roxanne

Let’s hang out:

(And use the hashtag: #BYBUNCREATURES when sharing your work!)

+ My website/blog: www.bybun.com
+ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bybun/
+ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/madebybun
+ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/by-bun/108192289260670
+ Twitter: https://twitter.com/madebyBUN

fine print
(lame I know, but I gotta do it)
Please do not reproduce this PDF or share the link & password to this class! Making art, creating
content, and teaching online classes is my livelihood as an artist – so know that reproducing, sharing,
or distributing any of the documents or videos from this course directly impacts me...

Thank-you for your understanding & support!

This way to the printable handout!

ê
 Creatures online art journal class
Printable checklist…oh yeah!

PHASE ONE:
☐ Select a 2-page spread to work in.
☐ Determine where your ‘horizon line’ will go.
☐ Select a ‘pattern piece’ of ephemera.
☐ Choose your supporting ephemera.
☐ Add in black acrylic paint. Apply with a dry brush, a wet brush, your finger, or in blocks.

PHASE TWO:
☐ Add in 4 to 5 different colors of acrylic paint. Apply with a larger brush in blocks. Then with a
smaller brush as ‘support blocks’, patterns, scribbles, and ‘paint explosions’ with your brush dunked
in water.
☐ Build out your pattern piece using acrylic paint: extend the background color out, then continue
the pattern on top using a detail brush.
☐ Don’t forget to nurture your horizon line!
☐ Add in oil pastel sparingly.
☐ Seal your areas of oil pastel using liquid varnish (or gel medium).
☐ Allow your pages to fully dry before moving onto the next phase.

PHASE THREE:
☐ Determine where your creatures will go.
☐ Sketch your creature outlines into your journal spread with pencil or gel pen.
☐ Fill your creature in with black acrylic paint – very opaque & crisp edges!
☐ Allow your pages to fully dry before moving onto the next phase.

PHASE FOUR:
☐ Detail your creatures using a white gel pen.
☐ Doodle and detail the rest of your spread.
☐ Return back to any art supply you think your page needs.
☐ Be proud of the work you’ve completed!

(This handout is not intended for reproduction!) // BYBUN.COM // ARTIST: ROXANNE COBLE