5 Art Journal Background Ideas Using Ink

The art journal is a wonderful place to create, but it can be challenging to know where to start. Today I am sharing 5 art journal background ideas using ink to help inspire your creativity. These are some of the ways that I start my journal pages, especially when I’m not sure where to go next.

The blank page can be intimidating. There are so many directions a page can go. These easy techniques can be a springboard for your creative ideas, to help you move past the blank page.  

5 Art Journal Background Ideas Using Ink

Ink Blending

Ink blending is one of the simplest ways to quickly get color down on your page. By using an ink pad and a blending tool, you can add color to your background very easily. I have devoted an entire article and video on ink blending that will show you how to blend ink on multiple surfaces. To view the post, click here.

Adding Ink through a Stencil

Adding ink through a stencil is an art journal background technique you can use to add both pattern and color to your background. This is a great technique because you can add additional layers of inks or paints on top of your base layer to create a beautiful mixed media background.

When adding ink through a stencil, it can help keep some of the white areas visible on your journal page. The stencil works as a mask which leaves some white areas exposed to create more color values and contrast. When adding ink through a stencil you can use ink pads and a blending tool or use ink sprays or washes to add color.

Adding Ink Drips

Adding ink drips to your art journal background is a great way of adding interest in a random way. Start by adding ink at the top of your page. Then tilt the project so that the ink drips down the page.

To get more randomized patterns and to soften the look of the ink drips, you can add water. The easiest way to do this is using a spray bottle to add water as the drips move down the page. To see an art journaling project where this technique was used, click here.

Adding Ink Stains

Adding ink stains as an art journal background technique is a fun and easy way of adding color to your page quickly. Simply run the Distress Ink Stains along the surface of the paper allowing the colors to meld. If the colors are not moving enough, add water to the surface with a spray bottle get a softer and more cohesive blend. To see a project using this technique, click here.

Stamping with Ink

Stamping is a fun art journal background technique to add pattern and texture to the page with very little effort. By stamping in random patterns around the page, this creates a variety of texture and color to your project.  

Where to Next?

Once you add your first layer of color onto the page, this can be a springboard to add other creative images and techniques. You can continue to add layers to your project with stencils, acrylic paints, collage items, napkins, washi tape and a variety of images. The ideas are limitless. Getting started is often the hard part.  

Prepping Pages in Advance

I will often prep my pages in advance using one of these art journal background ideas as it takes time to let ink dry, especially is water is used. Often I will choose a day where I feel uninspired and will go through my journal and prep a few pages.

When you have prepared pages in advance, on a day where you feel inspired, you can get started on the project right away. You don’t have to start by preparing the background. Instead you can get right into your creative project. 

Looking for more Art Journal Inspiration?

If you would like to see some of my projects that include these techniques, I have a variety of projects included under Art Inspiration as well on my YouTube Channel. My hope is that these art journal background ideas will give you inspiration about where to go next to create beautiful journal pages. 

Questions?

Do you have any questions about the ideas I shared today? If you do, please comment below or contact me directly. I would love to hear from you and know how I can help you in your creative journey. I hope that you give some of these art journal background ideas a try and find inspiration that will help you in your creative practice.

Project Supply List

• Art Journals: Dina Wakley Blue Media Journal, Dylusions Journal 8″ x 8″
• Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Broken China, Faded Jeans, Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon
• Tim Holtz Distress Oxides: Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Speckled Egg, Faded Jeans, Mermaid Lagoon
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay India Inks: Blue, Teal, Red
• Other Materials: Spray Bottle, Mini Mister, Reinker, Mica Powder, Stamping Block
• Ranger Mini Blending tool and foam
• The Crafter’s Workshop TCW902 Fantangle Stencil
• Distress Oxide Spray Peacock Feathers
• Stamper’s Anonymous Stamp Sets: CMS 400 Baroque and CMS 397 Faded Type
• Tim Holtz Distress Stains: Blueprint Sketch, Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Tumbled Glass, Hickory Smoke, Peacock Feathers