Creative Adventures: Abstract And Inky Travel Sketchbook

[@bonniemiller3587]

I’m in NZ and I always get a wee flutter of excitement when I see an email from you. I know I will smile and your enthusiasm rubs off in colourful layers! Thank you so much for being you and giving so much joy to this troubled world!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Well that’s the best reaction ever. I’m just so pleased that what I share connects with you. Thank you for your lovely kindness xx

[@jenniferedwards1896]

Oh Helen! How inspiring this is!! I am going to prep a sketchbook today! I have worked in sketchbooks over 25 years now and I "live life" in them with everything from observational drawings to illustration, imagination, pure abstraction, collage etc. But something about this has sparked new and fresh ideas...It seemed to me that you took with you on your travels, a bit of "home"...a bit of who you are at the outset, and then were able to have the comfort of that with you on each page but you could then add and include the new experiences, the new insights to each page from your travel days! So wonderful! All the best to you! 🥰🙏💖

[@HelenWellsArtist]

What a beautiful observation. Thank you for sharing that. I love it…x

[@hobbysketcher2368]

You are so creative .Not a minute waisted. Such a fun Sketchbook With no fuss no pressure…just pure joy❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the lovely compliment xx

[@emmab0nes]

I love this idea. I have been travelling for a while and bought a mini sketch book about 6 months ago but it's still blank! Now you have given me the inspiration and courage to make some marks in it! Thank you Helen. 🌇

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wonderful! Have fun x

[@thebellaluna]

Hey Helen! Your videos always make me SMILE! Thanks for all your inspiration! :)

[@HelenWellsArtist]

That's such a wonderful thing to say. Thank you. I'm really happy about that. You have made me smile. Love Helen x

[@dienekevugts5572]

This is such a joyfull video. It inspires me to do it the same way with my own colors and smeared things. Then I can do every day a little thing. Thank you Helen for who and what you are.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Go for it! And thank you 🙏🏼

[@nanaterri392]

Love , love, love your channel and art!!! Have a great vacation 😊😊😊

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much!! That’s so kind of you x

[@YoleLagos]

How wonderful Helen! What an awesome sketchbook! Serendipity too as I’m off to India tomorrow for a wedding! A place filled with colour will be loaded with sketchbook inspiration! 🌻 🖍️📒

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh wow happy travels... a feast for your visual senses awaits. Have a wonderful and magical time...

[@YoleLagos]

Oh thanks so much Helen - what a lovely way of describing! Mega thanks for all you do❣️

[@debraviccars7584]

This is definitely a travel sketchbook idea that I could relate to. Loved seeing a peek of your travel destination 💖

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your enthusiasm x

[@deeh9563]

Love the idea of the light prep of pages before the trip! About to head out on one now, so I’m gonna spend my breaks in packing doing the same! ❤❤❤❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

How lovely thank you so much x

[@andreabrown8551]

Thank you for this lovely Helen 🙏🏻. It’s so strange seeing you flip through a smaller sketchbook but totally understandable as it was a travel one and inspiring as ever 😍. After watching your channel for some time now, I have been preparing pages with inks, watercolour and whatever I feel like in my bigger journals and then after dinner on the sofa I mark make in them with acrylic pens. Oh my, how I love it! It amazes me what comes out from responding to whatever splodge is on the page and so much fun to see the pages filling. A true escape and a place to really express from the heart. All inspired from watching your videos, a gazillion of thanks to you 🙏🏻 Always look forward to your next video. Have a great week 🙏🏻🤗🙏🏻

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh wow how lovely! I just love that. I work in journals of all sizes, but I never take those big ones out of the house…so I have small one son the go as they are much more portable xx

[@heathermcdowellartist]

Oo I just did this ready to go away next week! I actually re-did your Sketchbook Love class to get some inspo😊 so it's a lovely coincidence to see your travel version, thanks!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh I love that. Happy travels x

[@heathershaffer6148]

Thank you so much for giving me permission to be playful and messy with art! I can't tell you what a relief and joy it is to sit down with my art supplies now!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh gosh I’m so happy for you..we have to make creating fun for ourselves don’t we? X

[@arizonanala9150]

I absolutely love this. I especially like the play beforehand with color and mark making. The thought of leaving the wet media at home already relaxes me. Then I can bring supplies that I may not use as nuch, and give them some love. Thanks for sharing. Your videos are always so uplifting. I am now looking at my travel journal in an entirely new way

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh what a brilliant response..so glad it sparked a few ideas for you. Happy creating. Love Helen x

[@auntiemame7076]

What a lovely video. I always bring art supplies when traveling and then rarely actually use them. You created wonderful art.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh you’re a sweetie. Thank you. I often do the exact same so this time I thought I’d do something to encourage me before I left xx

[@monicalfd]

Thank you Helen! Still my favorite artist on KZbin! ❤ I love your definition of a travel sketchbook. Reflection of moment in time! Prepping a sketchbook is on my list.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wow, thank you! That’s a big commitment and I’m honoured. You are very kind x

[@DoriPatrick]

What an inspiring sketchbook, Helen! Thanks so much for sharing! Such a smart idea to lay some marks/color down on the pages ahead of time. Gives you something to respond to! I also love the "abstractness" of your pages! I feel like I would tackle a sketchbook in the same way. I'm less interested in rendering every little detail of a scene.....rather, more inclined to record the feeling, the memory, the moment. SO GOOD! Thanks for the peek!!!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thanks so much! 😊 that’s brilliant, I’m glad it resonated with you. X

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

What a fun sketchbook, it will be a joy to use and every page already has inspiration on it!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

It was so fun to work in. I found it a really inviting creative space. Love Helen x

[@redandpink219]

What an interesting response your art making was in the different circumstances! It looks really relaxed, with lots of different elements to draw from later. What an enjoyable video , Helen. I hope that the trip was also really restful for you as well.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh how lovely of you. Had a brilliant trip thank you 🙏🏼

[@juliequintanilla9313]

Hi Helen, I love how you prepared your sketchbook. I think it is a wonderful idea and way of starting a sketchbook particularly if like me you are afraid of messing up or the blank page. Thank you for the inspiration and another wonderful video ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thanks so much! 😊 you are very encouraging x

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Well that’s very lovely of you. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@Carol-ny2pp]

Thank you, Helen. Loved your sketchbook.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You’re so welcome 😊 Thank you so much Carol... really appreciate your kind comment x

[@xxjones]

Thank you Helen, this came just at the right time! You have prompted me to do something similar: I prepared a notebook with mostly blue acrylic paint, scraping it over the pages with an old credit card, and for the last two, three days I have been filling it with drawing, collage and writing, although I am just at home. I even wrote down the quote from Mary Oliver right off the screen. Haha, my journal is very scrappy and is making me happy.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh wow that sounds brilliant. Happy creating x

[@CS-8924]

The whole life is a journey. 😊 Thank you for the inspiration.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

That is exactly right…every sketchbook is a travel sketchbook in the broadest sense xx

[@polgara28]

You were really able to do quite a bit in your stolen moments! Look at all of that gorgeous line work and color. 😍 Stunning view from your balcony. Hope you had a ton of fun, thanks so much for sharing! 🎨🌴🌅

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh how lovely… thank you 🙏🏼

[@susanwilman182]

Excellent! I always feel my travel sketchbook should be representational but a lot of times I just want to enjoy the feeling of pen on paper. My sketchbooks tend to be a muddle of both.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you so much. A glorious muddle is great.. I also think that when it comes to our own sketchbooks any "shoulds" should be thrown out the window and instead we follow what we want to do in the moment.... xx.

[@marybarnaby6162]

Thank you for this brilliant inspiring video. No expectations - I love that. This will definitely be my approach next time I travel

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wonderful! I’m so glad. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@SamanthaNicholson-f5z]

Thank you for your very inspiring and upbeat video, now I have a better idea of how you fill a sketchbook so quickly! Love those pinks and blues!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Yay thank you so much! That’s really kind of you x

[@alicevn7020]

I love your sketchbook! That inspires me to prepare one for my upcoming christmas holidays… I won’t have a lot of free time but with a prepared notebook and easy to use material I think I can maximize my chances to create a bit during the holidays madness 😅

[@HelenWellsArtist]

A little creative refuge from the mayhem is always good in my book. Love Helen xxx

[@madelynsmith8281]

Beautiful sketchbook! Great idea for prepping pages. What a wonderful view of the sea in Portugal. 😊

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh thank you. It was so pretty! 🤩

[@nima222]

I love your style and your personality. You and your art inspires me. I use scetchbooks in my Artjourneys, too. It's like feeling at home in my body and soul.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

What a beautiful way of putting it…feeling at home. I often feel it’s a homecoming too xx

[@denisemossman2904]

Thanks for sharing Helen, a wonderful idea and great outcome.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you Denise! 😊 Thats very lovely of you x

[@apple369]

Fantastic sketchbook!❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh how nice you are. Thank you so much x

[@bodyshopgdysbodyshop]

I have been doing this for a few months now and it has really helped me to keep creating. Almost like half the work is already done! You are much bolder with colors than I am, so I’m going to try a bit of your style and see what happens! Thank you!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Yay that’s brilliant…have fun x

[@LulybelleLullaby]

I love your approach to life and art.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Well that’s a very lovely thing to say. Thank you x

[@DCarey]

What a great idea to prep before traveling. I love your work.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thanks so much! That’s very kind of you x

[@maribelbaltadano1537]

What a fun idea! Thank you, Helen ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

I love your sketchbook Helen! Love your abstracts (I could tell they were boats 😉) your palm trees and I just love your orange sun! Definitely going to try this! I have learned so much from you ❤ oh and your destination looked beautiful and divine 🏝🏖

[@HelenWellsArtist]

What a fantastic reaction. Thank you for your kindness and warmth xx

[@sandrafisherhayes3219]

@HelenWellsArtist ❤💚🏝

[@lollypopstar70]

Love this idea Helen - definitely something I want to try. So often the blank page of a sketchbook can turn me into a perfectionist. I love the idea that your sketchbook is "a great place to 'hang out'"! Do you have more details about the Pentel Brush Pen and the white pens you used, please? x

[@HelenWellsArtist]

The Pentel pen is called a Pocket Brush Pen and has refills and the three white pen set was from a brand called Kuretake Zig pens..x

[@HelenWellsArtist]

amzn.eu/d/3kimQir Here is a link to the white pens...

[@HelenWellsArtist]

cultpens.com/products/pentel-pocket-brush-pen-xgfkp and here is a link to the Pentel pen

[@wendyanash]

So freeing and inspiring .. I have several sketch books that I have made here .. keen to free up some pages and move more into intuiting and spontaneous creating!!!! Wonderful thanks Helen 🎉

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh I’m so glad it was helpful. Happy creating xx

[@suzannewalker6741]

Interesting Helen!❤I am thinking of using my markers to create backgrounds.😊THANKYOU

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Wonderful! Enjoy x

[@juliereilly6308]

Omg I love it xxxx thank you for sharing ❤️

[@HelenWellsArtist]

ah what a nice reaction. Thank you so much Julie x

[@tinas8807]

Absolutely delightful; I love your approach and want to give this messy gloriousness a try. Thanks for sharing

[@HelenWellsArtist]

You are very welcome, thank you so much for such a nice comment. Have fun in the glorious mess! Xx

[@angelinamichelle8474]

Oh so inspiring! Glad we didn't have to wait to see the result. Thankyou so much!!!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much. Helen x

[@deborahcolman3035]

Oh wow. Your prepared sketchbook is SO much more inviting than the new pristine one. I will be doing more of that. I enjoyed the free teacup workshop doing that. And what a good idea to only take dry supplies. Thanks for everything you share with us. It sounds like you had a fab time in Portugal ❤ 🇵🇹

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Yay, thank you! I did indeed have a lovely time. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@gailmariage5318]

I love the cover of the journal.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Yay thank you x

[@alison64able]

Such a great idea

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Glad you think so! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@jennifertomes8892]

Your head space is a beautiful space too. Helping us to open up arty doorways in the mind. I’m not going on holiday but will attack one of my sketchbooks and kill those blank pages. Jenny

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh that’s such a sweet thing to say. Thank you…and you’re so right you don’t have to go anywhere to do this…x

[@lindas5412]

What a fantastic idea, I have an empty sketch book waiting!!🥰

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Hope you enjoy it! X

[@betinabjerre5428]

Love the idea 🤩 I will try that 🥰

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Have fun! Thank you x

[@terriponcelet2169]

Loved this.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Yay. I’m so glad and thank you x

[@antjemirbach709]

Thank you so much for this awesome Video, it makes me feel better in this ugly novemberday and inspires me, to go to my desk and play in my sketchbook ❤

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh what a lovely response. Thank you and happy creating. Sending love Helen x

[@dianadee23]

Wow. Great idea.

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Thank you! 😊

[@nadiadragonfly11]

Another Fantastic video, Helen overFlowing with Joyous, Playful, Inspiring Creativity🥰👏🏽My fave thing to do during the nice weather is Create outdoors; however, I never consider it plein-air since I'm not illustrating what's in front of Me, just simply responding in whatever ways Feel right in that moment. I absolutely Love Your Mark Making!!! It always provides Me with a Wondrous Spark of Creative Juiciness😜😘 I saw that You used the new Kuretake White Pens, and wondered if You liked them? Because indeed white pens can be very tricky, and I'm trying to find ones that are opaque, bright & consistent. Much Gratitude & Love for All You Share in the World🙏🏽🧡🖍🎨🖌🧡🙏🏽

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh what a beautiful share…thank you much. Creating outside is just lovely. I really liked the Kuretake white pens…I thought they weee great…but I haven’t taken them for a proper road test yet just my initial reaction… xx

[@nadiadragonfly11]

@@HelenWellsArtist Thanks for Your response☺I've put them on My list😘 May Your week ahead be Joyous, Playful, Creative, Inspired, and Peaceful🧡🌟

[@louloufabrique]

👍😊

[@juliesteiff533]

Super inspiring! I wonder if you've read the book Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness (by Ingrid Fetell Lee). It makes me think of your art!

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh wow that’s a lovely compliment. I just love that book..I must reread it. I power read it a few years ago thinking I’d like to come back to it when I had more time and I never did. So your message has prompted me to reread it! Thank you so much x

[@ducky72la]

Your email for this disappeared from my email....it happens....but I don't know why.....I looked on my tablet....it wouldn't load..the inky messy travel sketchbook video.....I've just found this....I don't know if this is what would have been in the email..... ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY

[@HelenWellsArtist]

Oh no, if you’ve received an email it shouldn’t just disappear…that sounds mysterious. I wonder it if has ended up in a promotion or spam folder somewhere…sometimes that happens. The email was a link to my blog which contains this video. Here’s the link incase you want to read the text too helenwellsartist.com/blogsandvideos/2024/10/28/an-abstract-art-travel-sketchbook