Sketchbook ideas | nature journaling, painting & collage 

Waking up and seeing Orla has new video.. such a good feeling. you should have more subs the qualitty is top

Ohhh I wish we lived on the same continent so I could see this exhibition 😂❤ watching you work reminds me to get out of my own head and enjoy the process more! I usually get stuck in one project so much I get stymied by how everything feels the same and then need a break. Ex. I’m currently working on a colour library with my core mixing palette I am enjoying at this time. It’s getting to the point where I don’t necessarily want to mix more colours, but I didn’t have another project on the go and felt stuck. In your last video you talked about working on multiple projects at once and it inspired me to try that too. So now I have a second project where I’m experimenting with watercolour ground. I want to push the limits of what surfaces I can use it on and how I can use it to add a 3 dimensional quality to my art.

Lovely as always! (I will admit I squealed with joy at the sight of you pulling up the dried paint - very ASMR! And absolutely a painting in it's own right. I was super interested to learn about the ground for watercolour too xxx

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and process. Wow!

This is just wow!!

I love all your art, but the collage here really makes your mark-making sing. It's gorgeous!

WOW. I am absolutely blown away by this process and final artwork! Thank you so much for sharing all of these things with us, Orla. You've totally changed my ideas of my own artwork and methods, for the better! I am so appreciative of your videos. :- )

So beautiful can’t wait to get the print❤

Every new video you share, and every contribution you make to your Patreon and Substack strikes a wonderful cord for me. Your work is fantastic Orla, you’re a gift to a beginner like me. I wish you every success with your commercial projects.

Welcome to the family, tiny brush Great video Orla!

This was fantastic!!!

Hi Orla! I just love all of the paintings you showed us! Two of my favorite children book illustrators do cut up collages : Eric Carle ( there is even a museum of his work!) and Leo Leonni If you don’t know their work you will really enjoy it!

That’s lovely, thanks for sharing ❤

absolutely loved watching this process! It had a very nostalgic childhood feel about the cut out collage look you went for. I remember loving children's books that had this style and feel when I was younger

Gorgeous work as always Orla❤️

Oohh I really love the painting at 8:40 min ❤❤❤

👏☺

lovely video! isn't it so satisfying to pull off paint off a tray? :) I really love all the textures and marks on the painting. I also love all the colours. I also am inspired by how you take your experience and express it in a painting. :) so wonderful and inspirational. Thank you for sharing.

So beautiful!! Your work brings me joy!

Sempre molto belle le tue creazioni...😊

Beautiful work❤

Oh crap i missed the exhibition, i would have went along.😊

Love seeing where your creative exploration leads you. Your process is so different from what I’ve been exposed to - it helps me to break into new ways of creating. Just so fun.

Beautiful! As a scuba diver, your work brought me right into the water. Thank you for sharing. Peace.

Oh Orla I love the poster, and the work on the deep edge board … both are glorious.

Love the otter ❤

Your videos and processes are just wonderful...so full of ideas and inspiration. Thank you do much. I look forward to more❤

Beautiful! I really love seeing the nature journal pages and the final piece

Absolutely beautiful I love hearing all your expressions Orla thanks for sharing soooo inspiring ❤

what a gorgeous idea, I love this ☺☺

The watercolour on wood was so cool to see- I had been thinking about doing this too! So nice to see it working out for you Orla and I hope your prep is going well for the exhibition.

Great project Orla. Its like you've come full circle in a way... from scuba diving and the emotional side of your experience on paper and then a more detailed abstract poster, highlighting the underwater world and the plants and organisms that are becoming endangered. It has inspired me to do rock pool studies around my coastline....when i was 11 yrs old, we used to have school day trips to the beach and sketch limpets and the many different seaweeds. Id love to do this again....as you said"out of sight means out of mind", when it comes to the underwater world in different countries. You really have had a different direction this year and it has pushed you to experiment so much more. Excited to see what you pull out of your imaginings next. 😊Jo, from NZ with joy and curiosity.

This was such a great process video to watch, Orla! I've also been trying to bring my commercial and personal work closer!

Love the residency video and your analog work on the sweatshirt effect!! Ok, Orla, I see you! Stepping up the effects. 🎉 😊 Powerful idea of using your artwork to connect people with what is happening below the surface in the body of water. You are right, we don’t think about/learn about what is happening below the surface and about our own impact & responsibility. That’s deep (pun intended😅)! The piece you made on the wood panel highlights the vibrant and full ecosystem that exists below the surface. I see how the taped line balances with the looser below. Gorgeous! And the poster! Amazing! Is there a list somewhere of your exhibitions this year or as they come up?

I'll buy your activity book Orla xx

you must have been supported and provided time and peace to develop? I find it the hardest to feel worth outside of a class experience. There are few with arts depth and insight.

Hi Orla, l love when your videos pop up, l say "Oow goody" 😁 they are so interesting. I am very happy with imperfections, they are all around us, and hold their own beauty. It took me years to come to that idea. Just wondering if you know of SAMS, Scottish Association for Marine Science? If not you may find it interesting. They do so much good work for the ocean. Thank you for such good content.......Alioban ❤

How do I triple like this?? ❤