Art Journal Project Using Watercolor Paint and Distress Stains
This week I wanted to share with you an art journal project using watercolor paint and Distress stains. The inspiration for this page was in a moment where I did not feel very creative. Many of us struggle with creative ideas from time to time. I hope this simple page will encourage you to create even when you are not feeling inspired.
You are Not Special
You might be wondering why I chose this quote for this project, “You are not special, but what you have to offer to this world is valuable.” This thought came to mind when I was running errands a few weeks ago. I had been reading Mark Manson’s book, “The Subtle Art of not Giving a Fu*k. He talks about how we are not special, which seems offensive, but there is some truth to that statement.
We often put expectations on ourselves to excel at everything we do. We also put pressure on ourselves to be good at new skills right away. We all want to be the star in our own lives, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But the problem comes when the pressure of being exceptional holds us back. That feeling that we need to be special and to excel at everything. We will not be amazing at everything we do. Moreover, we do not practically have the time to excel at everything.
When we accept that we can not do it all, then we can choose the things that are most important to us. We can accept that we may not be a genius, a billionaire, or a celebrity and that is fine. Maybe you are not “special.” But is that necessary to live an incredible life?
What We Have to Offer to this World Is Valuable
If we believe that what we have to offer to this world is valuable, that can free us up from the pressure of being special. We all have a circle of influence in our lives. These are the people we interact with in our day to day. To them, we may be one of the most incredible and special people they know. We all have influence. The question is do we focus on the things we have to offer or on being something that we are not? Those things that we can offer are truly valuable.
It is easy to fall into an attitude that if it is not a huge goal, reaching a lot of people and bringing fame, money, power, and influence, that it is not valuable. In my experience it is the small kindnesses, the moments of compassion and love that are the things that really matter.
It might be strange to say that “You are not special, but what you have to offer to this world is valuable” but I truly believe that this allows us to live in true freedom.
Art Journal Project Using Watercolor Paint and Distress Stains
On this art journal project using watercolor paint and Distress stains the goal was to get color on the page quickly. I started with stamping the image, then coloring the image with watercolor paint. To easily put down the distress stains as a background, I sealed my watercolor image with Distress Micro Glaze.
I finished up this project by adding in hand lettering and painting the letters with gouache paint. This was meant to be a simple project and a great way for getting ideas down in your journal when you are limited with time and energy. To see the full video tutorial please view it below.
Project Supply List
- Dylusions Creative 8×8 Square Journal
- Stamper’s Anonymous Tim Holtz Travel Blueprint Sketch Globe Stamp
- Stamper’s Anonymous Tim Holtz 9-Piece Acrylic Grid Block Set
- Stazon Solvent Ink Jet Black
- Windsor and Newton Cotman Watercolors: Cerulean Blue, Turquoise, Viridian Hue
- Mission Watercolors: Lemon Yellow
- Holbein Gouache: Turquoise Blue & Permanent White
- Holbein Watercolor Brush Size 10
- DaVinci Cosmotop Spin Watercolor Brushes Size 000 and 0
- Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer
- Tim Holtz Distress Micro Glaze
- Tim Holtz Distress Stains: Mustard Seed, Fired Brick, Candied Apple, Ripe Persimmon, Dried Marigold
- Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens Black
- Other Materials: Water, Water Container, Paper towel
Any Questions?
If you have any questions on this project or any of the demonstrated techniques, please let me know. You can comment below or contact me directly.
