Imagine Art Journal Pages

Hello Ronda here.  I am so excited to share with you today how to use die-cuts, Textured Impressions, and Texture Fades in your art journals.  I love that I can mix in different techniques using these pieces to create something I totally love.

To start this particular page, I added gesso to my watercolor art journal page. I like to use paper tape or  washi tape on the seams to give them added strength.  I also use this time to add in bits & pieces tissue paper or patterned paper on the background.

Once i have a nice thick coat of gesso, I use a Textured Impression to push into the gesso to give the page some texture.  Here I am using a beautiful one called Blossom, Circle, Leaves, & Diamonds Set.

You can use either the raised impression or the recessed impression to create the texture.  Or even use both sides of the impression template.  Make sure you wash off the gesso immediately from the Textured Impression.

Once I painted the background, I wanted to add in some pops of color.  I used the Pocket Watch Texture Fade with some Fig Magenta Spray ink to add in those pops of color.  You can spray the fades and stamp down on the page to transfer the images.  You can even add a few spritzes of water to reactivate the spray ink and stamp again.

I used a the Dot Matrix & Gridlock Texture fade on some manilla cardstock pieces and then die cut them using the Tattered Florals die.  I absolutely love the combination of these two pieces.

After painting the background, I like to lay out out my shapes to see where I am placing them and to see what color i want to paint them.  I used the Sizzlits Flower Branches and Leaves set to cut some leaves out of newsprint patterned paper.  After seeing it next to the flowers, I knew I needed some color on the tattered florals.

Blue is a nice complement to the yellow-orange background so i painted the tattered flowers in an light aqua color.  It also happens to be my favorite color too! You can add a little or a lot of paint.

After seeing everything in place, i wanted to use some touches of dark brown/black to ground everything together.  I added a few sprinkles of Espresso mists on the background.  I used the Sheet Music texture fade and some archival black ink to stamp on the background of my page.

I am so happy with the completed pages.  I think the die-cuts and texture fades & impressions added the perfect touches to my art journal page.  Break out those pieces you have and use them on your next art journal piece.

Tim Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Postcard & Sheet Music Tm Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Pocket Watches & Steampunk Set Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Texture Fades Embossing Folders 2PK - Dot-Matrix & Gridlock Set Dena Designs Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders 2PK - Blossom, Circles, Leaves & Diamonds Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz Die: Tattered Florals Sizzix Sizzlits Die Set 3PK - Flowers, Branches & Leaves Set

InLinkz.com

Surfaces: Watercolor Journal Page; Manila Cardstock; patterned or tissue paper

Mists: Maya Road Maya Mist- Fig Magenta, Sunflower Yellow, Espresso Brown

Paint: Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints

Ink: Ranger Ink Jet Black Archival Ink

Gesso: Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso