TECHNIQUES for Art Journaling 2- T Tuesday

More ideas for Art Journaling techniques:

• Seasonal Themes- Whatever the weather or season, it can be a topic for a journal page.  These pages (above) are done in an altered book of 'Seasons', and seemed appropriate, since we are celebrating Thanksgiving this week in the U.S.  The art work is done on brown craft paper that was crumpled up and then smoothed out.  I painted the images in craft acrylic paint, and the green leaf border at the top was created from hand-carved stamps. The text reads: "give thanks...for all that we are and all that we can become...for moments of Beauty, for truth, and for joy..."  

• Collage Scraps- Whatever scraps of delicious papers or images you haven't been able to throw away, those are great elements for collage!  Above, are some bits of watercolor paintings, pen doodles, and even a photocopy of a drawing that I had previously drawn. I also love to use bits of scrapbook papers, greeting cards, food packaging, junk mail, envelopes, fabric scraps, and the occasional magazine image. 

• Combine your own art work with collage- Above, one of those tiny paper collages from scraps, combined with fabric and watercolors.  The green leaves in the foreground were drawn on a separate paper, then cut out and glued to the page...and the only text on the page is my signature and the date.  Below, the collage creates a border around the text.

• Use a Quote: Above, a quote from Maya Angelou. TV and radio quotes and also song lyrics are favorite sources for text on the journal page.
• Use "Challenge" art work- If I participate in a challenge or a swap on-line, I sometimes have an 'extra' copy of art work left over...sometimes a person drops out of a swap or I purposely made extra, "just in case."  Those extras can be adhered to a journal page. I often use a decorative tape to create a hinge-fastening the art work into the journal, so that both sides can be viewed. If you don't have decorative tape, you can easily just use glue and a strip of paper or fabric.

Top, the Linen and Lace 4x4 collaged with fabric and stitching. Below it, a detail of the Anniversary swap page flipped open to reveal text and designs beneath it in the journal.

• Sketches of Future Projects- Art Journal pages don't have to be 'finished' works of art. Sketches of ideas for paintings, or drawings of things you want to make are always good to record.  Ideas have a way of disappearing from our minds if not recorded! The above necklace was an idea to make from fabric and beading, inspired by an on-line image of a metal necklace from Africa.

Linking up with Bluebeard and Elizabeth for T Tuesday at Altered Book Lover.  Please visit to see what else is happening this Tuesday! 

♥ ♥ ♥

Jokers and Jesters for April Fool's Day

Drawing in my index card book.

Sharpie marker, extra fine point.

Page of an altered book spread in

a book of seasons and holidays.

Gesso over scrapbook paper, Sharpie

marker drawing, and some

clippings of architecture from an

art history book.  The jester is 

a photocopy of a drawing that I did,

and the arch is actually raised from

the background with pieces of

adhesive foam.

Opposite page of spread, featuring

drawings of medieval style

decoration.

The original drawing in pencil.

I photocopied, darkened with pen,

and reduced it in size for the 

altered book spread.

A sketch in one of my journals

of an idea for an art doll...

haven't attempted this one yet.

May all your jokes today

be fun and funny!

Altered Book Spread

I've been working on an altered book that has a different technique featured each month. I also focused on the holiday or season for that month. Past blog posts have shown July, August and September. This is the process for December's spread. I started by painting the pages with acrylics-in dark maroons & reds. Over the dark under painting I applied white, light green and pink by drybrushing, scrubbing, and blending with my fingers. I used a paper napkin to remove some of the paint
when it obscured the dark color underneath.




Acrylic paint that had been thinned with water was used to write words & create "swirls..."




Here is the spread with final collage elements added. I still have a few pages to fill at the end of the book, and the front & back covers to complete.

Apple Pie

Altered Book spread using scrapbook papers, calligraphy marker, watercolor, pen drawing and colored pencils...the challenge was to use fall colors in the composition. The book itself has been an exploration of the holidays and seasons, and this is the September spread...I am a little behind, obviously. So many projects...so little time! The recipe is for sugar-free apple pie, very tasty and great if you are diabetic or watching your calories. The image of the apple is a watercolor that I did ...and then I got to eat the model!

For some reason, I tend to do the covers of my altered books last instead of first...how do you progress with your altered books? Comments welcomed!

Impressions of August

This was a challenge for Artgang Ohio to use polymer clay in an Altered Book spread. The button-shaped pieces of polymer clay were made from impressions of old buttons from my grandmother's button jar. The background is acrylic paint over gesso. Circles were stenciled on, flowers from tissue wrapping paper were applied in opposite corners, and hand-carved stamping in green acrylic was added. The clay buttons were also painted in acrylic, layering yellow, tan, and black to highlight the textures. Words were added in brown Sharpie marker...things that remind me of the month of August and the sweet days of the end of summer.