Tutorial: Art Journal Page

Last week I shared an art journal page. 

I had originally planned to post a tutorial

for making that page, but when I got the 

paintbrush in my hand and started 

creating, I completely forgot to take

 scans of the steps to complete the page!

I also realized that not everyone likes 

their own handwriting, or wants to take

the time to draw fancy letter styles.

So here's an Art Journal Page Tutorial

  with a variety of ways to add text, 

other than writing in your own handwriting...

"GOOD DAY" Art Journal Page Tutorial~

Supplies:

• Art Journal of your choice; mixed media or watercolor paper is good, but not essential
• Permanent (waterproof) marker or pen, in medium and fine point sizes
• Watercolors and water
• Paintbrush: 3/4" flat
• Highlighters
• Your choice of text - words/phrases
• Scraps of a variety of papers: scrapbook, book text, painted scraps
• Scissors and adhesive (I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)
• Ideas for wording to be added to the page

•  •  •

My first step was to think about what

words or phrases would be included on 

the page, and determine the number of 

sections into which I would divide the page. 

I drew a border around the page: a

variety of wiggly lines, curlicues, 

marks and dots. I didn't try to be

necessarily balanced or 'even.'

I used a medium point permanent marker,

 over which I can use water media

 without smearing the ink.

I divided the page into the number

of phrases in 'my list' for a Good Day,

again making different little patterns

that are easy to draw. You could 

also just use 'straight' or wavy lines

as dividing borders.  Those who like

to Zentangle could really showcase

their abilities here!

I applied light watercolor washes to

the page,and chose to vary the colors

from section to section.  This is a Canson

sketchbook, so the pages aren't intended

for water media.  Some buckling of the 

paper occurred, but I just tried to use as

little water as I could. After it dried, just

closing the book flattened the pages again.

I used Prang pan watercolors--the kind

you can buy for elementary school kids,

and a 3/4" flat paintbrush to fill in

 the areas quickly.

For the lettering, there are a variety of 

ways to add text on the page:

• --Your own hand-written cursive
• --Your own hand-written printing
• --Letters cut from magazines or newspapers
• --Computer generated words or phrases
• --Stamped text using rubber stamp letters
• --Words cut from a book, or junk mail
• --Lettering from scrapbook paper
• --Letters from sticker sets or rub-ons
• --Stencil lettering
• --Use a typewriter to type words on a separate paper, then cut and paste the paper to your page

I didn't have any stencils small enough

 to fit on this page, but I did have some

 scrapbook letters that I cut out, and 

stickers--used in the last line.

This is a place where you could 

call your art journal page 'done.'

But I find that adding doodles, shading,

and decoration is my favorite part of

the process!

A view of the Bic highlighters I used,

and my morning cup of Mocha coffee.

I added highlighter (above) to some areas

to brighten up the page, add shading

and accents.  I also decided I needed

to clarify what I meant by

"accomplish something,"  so

 there is now another line in parenthesis

below it. Keep in mind that housework is 

the last thing on my daily 'To Do' list...ahem!

 This could be another 

point where you could call it 'done.'

but I want to create some

simple flowers for filling in some

spaces, so let's keep going...

I made some 'flowers' from

a book page. You could also use

ledger paper, scrapbook paper, or

any painted paper scraps.

Draw simple oval shapes with the

medium point permanent marker.

Then add color using watercolors,

or highlighters.  I used highlighters.

Be sure to draw your flowers in

a size that will fit your journal page.

Using highlighters, overlapping colors

can give you additional colors. I didn't

have a purple highlighter, but overlapping

pink and blue gave me purple. You can

add more details with a fine point

marker now, or later when you've 

adhered the flower to the page. 

Cut out the flower heads with scissors.

I cut several 'outside' the outlines, letting

the text create an additional border.

Adhere the flower heads to the page

where you like, draw in stems, and

accent stems with green highlighter.

At this point you could also draw leaves, 

but I drew leaves on the text page

scraps, cut out, and adhered

them also.

Beneath the top flower heads,

I didn't feel there was enough room

for leaves, so I drew in some 

curlicues and dots.

Another option for adding a decorative design is

to add some stamping. Since I am not confident

with my 'stamping abilities,'  I usually just draw

or doodle where I want to add designs.  It's your

Art Journal...do whatever you like best.

 For additional decorative motifs, research symbols in the assorted fonts of the word processing program on your computer. Look for symbols that might be fun to use on your journal pages. If you have any version of 'Wingdings' you can find a wide variety of symbols to use as 'fillers' or design elements. I printed out a page full of assorted motifs on white card stock, so I can have them on hand for future projects.

I chose a leaf design in Wingdings 2. (above)

 I made sure to include the reverse design 

in the motifs I printed out, so there would 

be a mirror image on opposite sides. I chose

to leave these uncolored, as I felt the black

and white went well with the striped scrapbook

paper on which I mounted these words cut

from an old book.

I rather wish I hadn't added the highlighter

to the word 'Art'...but it will do.

When I was looking for words to cut from

an old elementary school Health textbook,

one of the things it mentioned for the children

was being safe.  I rather take that for granted.

But I really shouldn't. Not everyone feels

safe...even in their own homes.  So

I decided it was a good reminder to 

include on this page.

Once I go to bed, I usually sleep fairly

well. But I am notorious for staying up 

late.  I've discovered, though, that 

many people don't feel as though they

get enough sleep. So again, I am fortunate.

Lastly, sign and date your page.

It's a helpful step in seeing 

your art work progress and change

over time.  Also, it's important

to have that signature to signify

your copyright of the work.

It's a good day when I finish

a blog post, and actually create

the tutorial that I had intended! 

Linking up for T Tuesday

with Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

Join us for a beverage...

What makes a "Good Day" for you?