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Today we've got a guest post from French Art Journaler and doctor-in-training, Nathalie Nayer.
This is me.
With my precious Margot.
I have a love affair with paper.
I’ve kept a diary for most of my life.
At first, it was that friendship diary I received for my sixth brithday that my girlfriends filled with stickers, poems, drawings and tattoos from bubble gum wrappings.
I started to keep a real intimate diary when I was 12 years old. It was a girly pinky one (with a heart shaped lock). I glued pictures of cats and everything I could found about Michael Jackson or Robbie Williams. I wrote quotes, names of boys I liked, important dates (first period, first kiss, first sex experience).
I grew up but the content stayed basically the same. I glued fashion ads and pictures of Charlize Theron. I drawed outfits and invented new shapes of perfume bottles. I recorded important dates (first trip on my own, first car, first job).
About ten years ago, my journals became more visual, right after I read my two absolutely favorite books: The Decorated Page and The Decorated Journal from Gwen Diehn.
That’s when I started to use gesso and paint and inks in my journals.
I have this great job. Right now, I’m in this gastroenterology training fellowship program for three years. Then, I’ll finally be an attending physician.
I keep a visual journal to stay in the moment. Even if it is to savor a red light or a wind turbine. Red light and wind turbines are strong. They don’t suffer, don’t need a diagnosis or painkillers. They don’t cry. They don’t die.
Sketching them keeps me sane.
Let me show you how I prepare my pages lately….
Here, I use the sketchbook I ordered to participate in The Sketchbook Project.
First, I glue something with words (it can be a vintage book page, a sheet of music, an article in your latest issue of The Economist):
Then, I apply some masking fuid with a skewer at random:
After the masking fluid has completely dried, I cover the page with paint. Here, I use white gesso and some black ink:
This is what the page looks like when the paint has dried:
That’s when I reveal the text under the dried masking fluid by gently rubbing it away:
Here, I’ve added some white gesso because I wanted something less dark:
With my favortie permanent markers, I draw something. Anything.
Usually, I dig out a picture from my urban collection of photographs.
I love the feeling of metal, wood, stone and rust.
I like strong straight lines.
Touches of white and orange added:
On the opposite page, I apply gel medium…
…to glue in a picture I printed on tissue paper.
Et voilà !
Like my urban style ?
If you want to see more, visit my flickr stream.
If you want to visit my blog, it’s here.
Now, go get your sketchbook and draw your own crane!
I love these pages. As a nurse I understand why Nathalie draws what she does. Great inspiration.
I love these pages. As a nurse I understand why Nathalie draws what she does. Great inspiration.
I love these pages. As a nurse I understand why Nathalie draws what she does. Great inspiration.
I love these pages. As a nurse I understand why Nathalie draws what she does. Great inspiration.
Wow…Nathalie! The way your mind works is amazing. I would not have made the connection between your career and your urban style art journaling. Your style is refreshingly different from what I usually see in art journals. Thanks.
Wow…Nathalie! The way your mind works is amazing. I would not have made the connection between your career and your urban style art journaling. Your style is refreshingly different from what I usually see in art journals. Thanks.
Wow…Nathalie! The way your mind works is amazing. I would not have made the connection between your career and your urban style art journaling. Your style is refreshingly different from what I usually see in art journals. Thanks.
Wow…Nathalie! The way your mind works is amazing. I would not have made the connection between your career and your urban style art journaling. Your style is refreshingly different from what I usually see in art journals. Thanks.
Nathalie – I love your urban drawings! and the simple but oh so effective background you made for your crane sketch. Off to check out your blog now…
Nathalie – I love your urban drawings! and the simple but oh so effective background you made for your crane sketch. Off to check out your blog now…
Nathalie – I love your urban drawings! and the simple but oh so effective background you made for your crane sketch. Off to check out your blog now…
Nathalie – I love your urban drawings! and the simple but oh so effective background you made for your crane sketch. Off to check out your blog now…
Wow…your style is so different from any other that I have seen in an art journal. It’s like you are sketching designs for a new crane or ramp to a huge step. I can see how focusing on these could help to move past the human concerns which are too real at times. “They don’t cry. They don’t die.” says it all.
Wow…your style is so different from any other that I have seen in an art journal. It’s like you are sketching designs for a new crane or ramp to a huge step. I can see how focusing on these could help to move past the human concerns which are too real at times. “They don’t cry. They don’t die.” says it all.
Wow…your style is so different from any other that I have seen in an art journal. It’s like you are sketching designs for a new crane or ramp to a huge step. I can see how focusing on these could help to move past the human concerns which are too real at times. “They don’t cry. They don’t die.” says it all.
Wow…your style is so different from any other that I have seen in an art journal. It’s like you are sketching designs for a new crane or ramp to a huge step. I can see how focusing on these could help to move past the human concerns which are too real at times. “They don’t cry. They don’t die.” says it all.
YEAY Natalie! Great to see you here… you know I ADMIRE your work for a long time now… you are amazing!! A lot of people get to see that now, and you totally deserve all the attention! Enjoy, my dear, enjoy!!!
YEAY Natalie! Great to see you here… you know I ADMIRE your work for a long time now… you are amazing!! A lot of people get to see that now, and you totally deserve all the attention! Enjoy, my dear, enjoy!!!
YEAY Natalie! Great to see you here… you know I ADMIRE your work for a long time now… you are amazing!! A lot of people get to see that now, and you totally deserve all the attention! Enjoy, my dear, enjoy!!!
YEAY Natalie! Great to see you here… you know I ADMIRE your work for a long time now… you are amazing!! A lot of people get to see that now, and you totally deserve all the attention! Enjoy, my dear, enjoy!!!
i love both those books by gwen diehn as well, that’s what got me going. loved looking at your process!!
i love both those books by gwen diehn as well, that’s what got me going. loved looking at your process!!
i love both those books by gwen diehn as well, that’s what got me going. loved looking at your process!!
i love both those books by gwen diehn as well, that’s what got me going. loved looking at your process!!
Oh wow, these are great. Such detail!
Oh wow, these are great. Such detail!
Oh wow, these are great. Such detail!
Oh wow, these are great. Such detail!
Thank you for sharing…gives me a whole new look at what I do. My first choice of a profession, and still a longing today, was to be an architect. I have 2 years of mechanical drawing from high school where I beat out all the other students {all males} in grades. It would have been a natural progression but back in that time females were not encouraged{we are talking decades}to be architects…sigh. Point being I need to go back and look at my roots of drawing…a light bulb moment!
Thank you for sharing…gives me a whole new look at what I do. My first choice of a profession, and still a longing today, was to be an architect. I have 2 years of mechanical drawing from high school where I beat out all the other students {all males} in grades. It would have been a natural progression but back in that time females were not encouraged{we are talking decades}to be architects…sigh. Point being I need to go back and look at my roots of drawing…a light bulb moment!
Thank you for sharing…gives me a whole new look at what I do. My first choice of a profession, and still a longing today, was to be an architect. I have 2 years of mechanical drawing from high school where I beat out all the other students {all males} in grades. It would have been a natural progression but back in that time females were not encouraged{we are talking decades}to be architects…sigh. Point being I need to go back and look at my roots of drawing…a light bulb moment!
Thank you for sharing…gives me a whole new look at what I do. My first choice of a profession, and still a longing today, was to be an architect. I have 2 years of mechanical drawing from high school where I beat out all the other students {all males} in grades. It would have been a natural progression but back in that time females were not encouraged{we are talking decades}to be architects…sigh. Point being I need to go back and look at my roots of drawing…a light bulb moment!
I love your style! Am going to have to try some background with your method, I love the never knowing what you are gonna get until you rub the masking fluid away.
I love your style! Am going to have to try some background with your method, I love the never knowing what you are gonna get until you rub the masking fluid away.
I love your style! Am going to have to try some background with your method, I love the never knowing what you are gonna get until you rub the masking fluid away.
I love your style! Am going to have to try some background with your method, I love the never knowing what you are gonna get until you rub the masking fluid away.
Hi Natalie, Great work! Loving the juxtaposition of internal and external structures!!!! I work in a college for art design & architecture so you’d find many many fans of your journals!!! Keep going do not stop!
Hi Natalie, Great work! Loving the juxtaposition of internal and external structures!!!! I work in a college for art design & architecture so you’d find many many fans of your journals!!! Keep going do not stop!
Hi Natalie, Great work! Loving the juxtaposition of internal and external structures!!!! I work in a college for art design & architecture so you’d find many many fans of your journals!!! Keep going do not stop!
Hi Natalie, Great work! Loving the juxtaposition of internal and external structures!!!! I work in a college for art design & architecture so you’d find many many fans of your journals!!! Keep going do not stop!
i absolutely love your urban style!!
i absolutely love your urban style!!
i absolutely love your urban style!!
i absolutely love your urban style!!
I love that your style is so unexpected! Thank you for sharing a peek into your process and into your mind! Love what you’ve done and heading over to your flickr and blog to check out more!
I love that your style is so unexpected! Thank you for sharing a peek into your process and into your mind! Love what you’ve done and heading over to your flickr and blog to check out more!
I love that your style is so unexpected! Thank you for sharing a peek into your process and into your mind! Love what you’ve done and heading over to your flickr and blog to check out more!
I love that your style is so unexpected! Thank you for sharing a peek into your process and into your mind! Love what you’ve done and heading over to your flickr and blog to check out more!
What a fascinating style. I’ve never seen anything like it. So interesting. Thanks for showing it.
What a fascinating style. I’ve never seen anything like it. So interesting. Thanks for showing it.
What a fascinating style. I’ve never seen anything like it. So interesting. Thanks for showing it.
What a fascinating style. I’ve never seen anything like it. So interesting. Thanks for showing it.
Oh, my gosh that was great fun and inspiration. thanks for sharing. what an over achiever:) good luck on your career. very impressed.
Oh, my gosh that was great fun and inspiration. thanks for sharing. what an over achiever:) good luck on your career. very impressed.
Oh, my gosh that was great fun and inspiration. thanks for sharing. what an over achiever:) good luck on your career. very impressed.
Oh, my gosh that was great fun and inspiration. thanks for sharing. what an over achiever:) good luck on your career. very impressed.
LOVE this post! Nathalie, you are so talented! I have to see more! I’m heading over to your flickr right now!
LOVE this post! Nathalie, you are so talented! I have to see more! I’m heading over to your flickr right now!
LOVE this post! Nathalie, you are so talented! I have to see more! I’m heading over to your flickr right now!
LOVE this post! Nathalie, you are so talented! I have to see more! I’m heading over to your flickr right now!
I love your style, Nathalie! Thanks for the step-by-step description of your process. You have such an amazing drawing talent! Good luck with the rest of your fellowship program!
I love your style, Nathalie! Thanks for the step-by-step description of your process. You have such an amazing drawing talent! Good luck with the rest of your fellowship program!
I love your style, Nathalie! Thanks for the step-by-step description of your process. You have such an amazing drawing talent! Good luck with the rest of your fellowship program!
I love your style, Nathalie! Thanks for the step-by-step description of your process. You have such an amazing drawing talent! Good luck with the rest of your fellowship program!
I love Gwen Diehn also … and I love your style! It is very different than what is normally seen, but very very powerful. I am in the medical field too (research scientist). I love layers and layers of things, but my pages often turn out ‘bare’ looking. Maybe there is a reason for that. Thanks for sharing and making me think about my own style.
I love Gwen Diehn also … and I love your style! It is very different than what is normally seen, but very very powerful. I am in the medical field too (research scientist). I love layers and layers of things, but my pages often turn out ‘bare’ looking. Maybe there is a reason for that. Thanks for sharing and making me think about my own style.
I love Gwen Diehn also … and I love your style! It is very different than what is normally seen, but very very powerful. I am in the medical field too (research scientist). I love layers and layers of things, but my pages often turn out ‘bare’ looking. Maybe there is a reason for that. Thanks for sharing and making me think about my own style.
I love Gwen Diehn also … and I love your style! It is very different than what is normally seen, but very very powerful. I am in the medical field too (research scientist). I love layers and layers of things, but my pages often turn out ‘bare’ looking. Maybe there is a reason for that. Thanks for sharing and making me think about my own style.
I love your pages – they are so unique. And your daughter is beautiful. I can’t imagine how you have time to art journal with all you are doing! I really liked seeing the steps to how you do your pages. Very well done! I’m going to visit your blog!
I love your pages – they are so unique. And your daughter is beautiful. I can’t imagine how you have time to art journal with all you are doing! I really liked seeing the steps to how you do your pages. Very well done! I’m going to visit your blog!
I love your pages – they are so unique. And your daughter is beautiful. I can’t imagine how you have time to art journal with all you are doing! I really liked seeing the steps to how you do your pages. Very well done! I’m going to visit your blog!
I love your pages – they are so unique. And your daughter is beautiful. I can’t imagine how you have time to art journal with all you are doing! I really liked seeing the steps to how you do your pages. Very well done! I’m going to visit your blog!
Love your pages and your drawing. Great Lines! Wow….
As a healthcare worker, I can truly relate to having the need to relax and get away.
Love your pages and your drawing. Great Lines! Wow….
As a healthcare worker, I can truly relate to having the need to relax and get away.
Love your pages and your drawing. Great Lines! Wow….
As a healthcare worker, I can truly relate to having the need to relax and get away.
Love your pages and your drawing. Great Lines! Wow….
As a healthcare worker, I can truly relate to having the need to relax and get away.
Yay Nathalie! I’ve been following you blog eversince Scraptastic. This post here give so much insight in how you work! Thank you so much for sharing!
Yay Nathalie! I’ve been following you blog eversince Scraptastic. This post here give so much insight in how you work! Thank you so much for sharing!
Yay Nathalie! I’ve been following you blog eversince Scraptastic. This post here give so much insight in how you work! Thank you so much for sharing!
Yay Nathalie! I’ve been following you blog eversince Scraptastic. This post here give so much insight in how you work! Thank you so much for sharing!
Your style, your art is just Awesome!!!!!!
Your style, your art is just Awesome!!!!!!
Your style, your art is just Awesome!!!!!!
Your style, your art is just Awesome!!!!!!
Like your idea of finding visuals in life around us and using them as a way of grounding yourself in your journal – something real that for now doesn’t go away. Nice drawings and great ideas flowing through you! Enjoyed this post.
Like your idea of finding visuals in life around us and using them as a way of grounding yourself in your journal – something real that for now doesn’t go away. Nice drawings and great ideas flowing through you! Enjoyed this post.
Like your idea of finding visuals in life around us and using them as a way of grounding yourself in your journal – something real that for now doesn’t go away. Nice drawings and great ideas flowing through you! Enjoyed this post.
Like your idea of finding visuals in life around us and using them as a way of grounding yourself in your journal – something real that for now doesn’t go away. Nice drawings and great ideas flowing through you! Enjoyed this post.
Yes, she is wonderful- Gwen Diehn isnt she? Inspiring and full of ideas and encouragement to enjoy drawing and journaling. Making books as well as pages too, great stuff..
Good luck with your work and life, Nathalie – sounds like an intense time and the art keeps you balanced by the looks of it!
Yes, she is wonderful- Gwen Diehn isnt she? Inspiring and full of ideas and encouragement to enjoy drawing and journaling. Making books as well as pages too, great stuff..
Good luck with your work and life, Nathalie – sounds like an intense time and the art keeps you balanced by the looks of it!
Yes, she is wonderful- Gwen Diehn isnt she? Inspiring and full of ideas and encouragement to enjoy drawing and journaling. Making books as well as pages too, great stuff..
Good luck with your work and life, Nathalie – sounds like an intense time and the art keeps you balanced by the looks of it!
Yes, she is wonderful- Gwen Diehn isnt she? Inspiring and full of ideas and encouragement to enjoy drawing and journaling. Making books as well as pages too, great stuff..
Good luck with your work and life, Nathalie – sounds like an intense time and the art keeps you balanced by the looks of it!
i really like your industrial images! i frequently take photos of machinery and old factory buildings… i guess i should print them and use in my journals!! thanks for the inspiration
i really like your industrial images! i frequently take photos of machinery and old factory buildings… i guess i should print them and use in my journals!! thanks for the inspiration
i really like your industrial images! i frequently take photos of machinery and old factory buildings… i guess i should print them and use in my journals!! thanks for the inspiration
i really like your industrial images! i frequently take photos of machinery and old factory buildings… i guess i should print them and use in my journals!! thanks for the inspiration
Such an incredible article you have posted here thanks for sharing this glorious stuff. Amazing post! I really enjoyed that.
Such an incredible article you have posted here thanks for sharing this glorious stuff. Amazing post! I really enjoyed that.
Such an incredible article you have posted here thanks for sharing this glorious stuff. Amazing post! I really enjoyed that.
Such an incredible article you have posted here thanks for sharing this glorious stuff. Amazing post! I really enjoyed that.
What a glorious article i have seen today. I have to confess her work, I just love that. Thanks for sharing this captivating stuff. Great post!
What a glorious article i have seen today. I have to confess her work, I just love that. Thanks for sharing this captivating stuff. Great post!
What a glorious article i have seen today. I have to confess her work, I just love that. Thanks for sharing this captivating stuff. Great post!
What a glorious article i have seen today. I have to confess her work, I just love that. Thanks for sharing this captivating stuff. Great post!