You can't count on your government..but you can count on me! (tutorial)
6x8" journal page
JeriAnn mentioned in a comment yesterday that everything I mentioned in my "interview with self" was reflected in my art. The highest compliment I think...you have the real me. There is no smoke and mirrors...just Julie.
Yours in 8 easy steps!
I thought it might be time for a quick tutorial this week! I can't show you the pictures of the page in progress, but I can explain the order I put everything onto the page and my thought process:
- On this page, I started by covering the enter surface with paper. I normally leave some of the journal page collage free, but this goes to show you that there really is no right or wrong way of making an art journal. YOU are the artist. Go with the flow. You can see: A) a French book page. B) Scrapbook paper. C) Ledger paper. D) A page from a hotel guide. I cut these papers with scissors...most of the time I tear the paper.
- Most of my projects are done with professional grade acrylic paint, but you can easily use craft paint to achieve the same look. Pick two colors that go together. Slop the first color down on the page, dry brushing, to get a hit and miss effect. If you end up with too much paint on the page, use a rag to wipe some off.
- Once the first color of paint is dry (or at least semi-dry) add the second color in the same fashion as the first. Hit and miss, here and there. You can add the second color on top of the first color.
- Grab a found object to add some texture. For this example I used a coffee cup wrapper from the trash at my husband’s office. Smoosh it into the paint, stamp it onto the paper. Here and there, hit and miss.
- Spray paint. Now I know a lot of people don’t use the spray paint as much as I do, and you don’t have to. You can push paint or ink through any stencil you may have at home or even try painting up a foam stamp for this step. The bottom line is that you can add another layer of interest to your page by using another paint color and another image. For this example, I drew a cherry blossom, burned the stencil in my garage and hit it with a spray can. Ahh...sweet rewards of intensive labor. Just like child birth.
- Another stencil or stamp. Use a different color to make the layer visible.
- To add further depth here, I outlined all of the stenciled images with pencil. Not a fan of defined lines, I smudged everything with my finger. I use my index finger, but feel free to use any finger you like. Well, maybe be sure it is your own finger…not an appendage of an innocent bystander.
- Add text. A lot of the time I feel like I wreck my artwork by adding my handwriting. I know...I know…I didn’t want to take any chances with this page, so I printed out text on my computer and glued it to the page.
There you have it! If you want to get on with your journaling self, don’t go out any buy anything. I challenge you to use what is on hand…or in the trash. Short of printed text? Check through the junk mail you are putting into the recycle bin. Start a collection. You’ll be amazed at how much you amass so quickly!
No journal? Make your pages on watercolor paper and bind them together later. You can use traditional bookbinding supplies or even duct tape! It’s all good.
Always happy to hear from you! If you have any journaling questions, feel free to post them here or in an email. I always do my best to answer every comment that comes through; every day.
Cheers, and thank you for coming by!