Art Journal

Art Journals

What is an art journal you ask, basically it is a diary. It can be a daily journal or just about everyday things each month or memorable moments that you wish to journal about. How you use it is entirely up to you :)

Art journals are fun and a great way to learn or share new techniques. I am going to share a quick step by step to creating your very own Art Journal page. I love the freedom of these journals, you can try new products or techniques and be as creative as you like, journals are awesome for using up all those little bits of left overs or your stash :). First you need a book, can be a cheap exercise book or a hardcover blank book in whatever size you like. Then you need to decide what you are going to put on your page. Journal about the things you love, what's on your mind, where you've travelled, things you are grateful for or inspire you, choose a song and add the lyrics or maybe what you want your future to hold. So lets get started...

Step One: Gesso is your friend and a great base, so apply some to your page and while that's drying you can use this time to go pick out some scrap papers, embellishments, inks, pens or markers from your stash or if like me you are a little impatient give it a blast with your heat gun. (No need for this step if your page is white, has no blemishes or bleeding from previous pages)

Step Two: Choose two or three distress inks and use your blending tool - I used Tattered Rose, Aged Mahogany and Scattered Straw. Mist lightly with water to help blend all the colours together. Gives a lovely soft look. Another idea for backgrounds is using an old giftcard or credit card and scrapping paint over the page for really cool effect!
 

Step Three: Pick out one of your favourite Glimmermists or Perfect Pearl Mists in coordinating colour and spray onto your page. I used Tattered Angels Vintage Pink, adds a really nice sheen! Watercolours are also great.

Step Four:  Choose some stencils, templates or punches and create your design, you might like to add some texture and depth. Ripped paper, drywall tape and other household items can add extra interest and texture. Using TH Distress Paints, TH Distress Inks, Donna Salazar mixed media Inx Chox, texture paste or any other medium you like just keep building layers.

Step Five:  Randomly add some stamped images, allowing some to hang off the page. Using a black (or a colour of your choice) sharpie pen start doodling on your page. Don't think to much about it, just have fun and let your imagination flow! Using black and white charcoal pencils are also fun. Add a quote or an inspiration thought!

Step six:  Ink around the edges with TH Walnut Ink or DS Inx Chox Sparrow to grunge up the pages a bit to finish off.

TIPS: Jar lids, bottle tops, sponges, kitchen spatula's, plastic doily's, steel wool and so much more can be used to create different textures on your backgrounds in your journal. Just think outside the square :)

Later I will share some different background techniques so remember to pop back and visit often.

Sue
xx