Have you ever heard of the 100-Day Project?  This is a project created by Lindsay Jean Thomson over 10 years ago using #100DayProject on Instagram. There are over 1,300,000 photos to help inspire you. This is a free challenge and people from all over the world participate. If you’d like to learn more about the #100DayProject, simply go to her site and sign up for her newsletter.

I started in 2020 by drawing faces every day and very quickly gave up.  My faces didn’t seem to be improving. I really wished that I’d kept it up. 

Repetition is the key to success and learning. (I’m not even going to show any pictures of my faces!!!)

In 2021, I decided to create collage fodder which is basically any kind of embellishment that can be used in an art journal, planner, scrapbook or mixed media piece. I started with some 1 ½” x 11” strips which were leftover from making an art journal.  I didn’t want to throw the strips away!

I used watercolor, acrylic paint, markers and gelatos creating all kinds of different patterns and textures.  I then used these small pieces in my weekly planner, art journal and I even made a few tags.  I also, painted copy paper that I was going to throw away as well as made gelli prints.

I even made a few watercolor collage fodder while we were on vacation from an old book, watercolor and pens.

What is the Purpose of the 100-Day Project?

The purpose of the 100-day project is to motivate anyone who participates to get into the habit of doing something every day. 

Do you have a desire to learn calligraphy and have never taken the time? Now’s your chance.

How about making a quilt out of your child’s t-shirts from school? Do a little each day and take a photo and show everyone your process. It doesn’t even have to be art related.  It can be writing, taking a photograph everyday, or exercising…the sky’s the limit! 

Do what ever you are passionate about.

Here is a list of three core motivations to consider written by Lindsay Jean Thomson :

1.    To play: you’re doing the project to have fun, either on your own or with someone else. You’re not particularly motivated by the outcome, but you know that sometimes the best things come from letting yourself experiment and doing something you enjoy.

2.    To practice: you have a skill you’d like to improve, something you’d like to learn, a new tool you want to get to know better. The project is a way for you to build that skill.

3.    To produce: you have something you want to accomplish and you know what it is. For example: finish your portfolio, put on an art show, write a book. You’re using the framework of a daily commitment to help you complete something.

This year, 2023, I plan to practice my watercolor skills (which are very limited at this time) for my 100-day project.  I’ve purchased several how-to books and online classes over the years but never really taken the time to learn. I have about 5 different watercolor palettes, a variety of tube paints and a bunch of paint brushes. With each attempt, I always seem to use either too much paint or not enough. Too much water or not enough. Or I rub too hard to try to fix a mistake and the paper starts to peel up.

My plan is to start with the basics and see how I improve over 100 days! I’ll start with washes, wet and wet, wet on dry, etc. After that, I plan to start painting leaves and then go to flowers.

Since my WOTY (Word Of The Year 2023) is “consistent” which you can read about on an earlier blog post, my goal is to complete the project. 

My Project for 2023

I decided that I wanted to make one long project so that I didn’t lose anything. Also, this will help me remember what day I’m on when I get behind!!!

I purchased a 18”x 12” watercolor tablet from Hobby Lobby. I tore each page in half, long ways, and then folded each cut sheet into 3 six inch squares. I plan to paint on the front and the backs of the paper because this isn’t a masterpiece….it’s just practice! After I folded each sheet into an accordion-fold, I used painters masking tape and taped each section together. I used about 26 6” x 18” sections for my watercolor journal.

I wanted to use a piece of watercolor artwork but I knew if I did that it could be easily ruined. I had a piece of artwork that I had scanned into my computer and decided to print it on cardstock. I did do a few embellishments with Posca Pens, Neo 2 crayons and a white gel pen.

I cut the paper about 1/2” wider than my book boards (which are 6 3/4” square - I wished that I’d made them 6 1/2” instead) and used Yes Paste to adhere the paper to the cover.

I attached one 6” x 6” square to the inside front and back of my cover.

Let’s Create Together!

I hope that you will plan to participate in the 100-day Project. If you do, don’t forget to add the hashtags #100dayproject. Also, let me know in the comments below so that we can keep each other accountable!