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Textured Background Techniques for the Art Journal
I love adding interest to my projects with art journal textured background techniques. These beautiful techniques work for both my art journal projects and canvas projects. Adding texture as part of the initial layer before adding color lends to unique and beautiful results. Textures enhance the final look of your project and can help with design cohesion. Preparing the Surface Before adding background textures make sure to add a layer of gesso, especially on stretched canvas surfaces. This will strengthen the surface, add tooth, and allow you to add texture easily to the surface. Art Journal Textured Background Techniques There are many art journal texture techniques out there, but here…
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Wild and Wonderful Art Journal Papers: An Exploration into Japanese Paper
There are so many unique art journal papers that I like to use in my creative projects and Japanese paper is one of my favorites. As much as I love my paints and mediums, I get just as excited about good quality paper. Using Japanese paper in collage and creative projects can add unique designs and textures to your pages. Today I’d like to share with you why I love Japanese paper and why you might want to try these unique art journal papers on your next project. Why Use Japanese Paper? If you want to create a unique look on your next art journaling project, try Japanese paper. This…
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Mixed Media Art Journal Collage: Finding Intention at Christmas
An art journal technique I love to use in my pages is mixed media art journal collage. I love mixing a variety of paper types and designs to create a unique look to my art journal pages. Today I am sharing a Christmas art journal page using collage, watercolor, and acrylic paints. This page is about finding intention during the Christmas season. Finding Intention at Christmas I believe that every art journal page needs to start with an intention. That intention may be trying out a product or a technique. It may be based on an idea or a quote that you want to explore. This week’s art journal…
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Must Have Mixed Media Supplies for the Art Journal
With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to share with you the must have mixed media supplies for the art journal. Depending on what and how you like to create, your essential mixed media art supplies may be different. Here are my recommendations for mixed media supplies for the art journal. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Mixed Media Art Journal There are a variety of different journals that I use in my creative practice. When choosing a journal, I look for a journal with smooth paper that can take wet…
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Deco Foil all the Things! How to Use Deco Foil
Have you ever tried using Deco Foil or any other type of foil in your projects? Understanding a few fundamentals of how to use Deco Foil can help you get better results. Today we will focus on how to use Deco Foil with Transfer Gel Duo, the Deco Foil Adhesive Pen and with laser prints in this post. To transfer the foil to your project, we will talk about how to use a laminator, iron and dry transfer to get consistent results. What is Deco Foil? Deco Foil transfer sheets are a colored foil that has been formulated to easily be added to projects using a variety of mediums and…
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Living in the Moment: An Art Journal Painting Tutorial on Denim
Do you ever find yourself surrounded by distraction? Living in the moment is not always easy, but is an important habit to cultivate. By being present in the moment we can find enjoyment and peace in the small and precious moments in our lives. Art journaling can be a useful tool to help us practice living in the moment by writing about what we experience in these moments. Why Living in the Moment? I recently had the opportunity to visit Banff National Park. It was a day to enjoy the outdoors and practice photography. Visiting the park with my husband we both commented on interesting behavior that we saw as…
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Mixed Media Art Journal Page – Hot Summer Days
Do you ever struggle with adding layers to your mixed media art journal page? Adding layers and still ending up with a cohesive page can be challenging. In today’s project, we will be exploring how to create a mixed media art journal page using inks, acrylic paint, stencils, and mediums in many layers that work well together. Art Journal Page Inspiration This mixed media art journal page was inspired by the paper collection Pour Decisions by Jenn Aguilar. When I saw this paper collection it made me smile. Between the puns, colorful imagery, and the feeling of summer it evokes, I just had to add it to a journal page.…
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How to Blend Pan Pastels: A Journey in Blending and Layering Pastels
Do you ever struggle with how to layer and use Pan Pastels? Today we will be exploring how to blend Pan Pastels using Sofft tools in this art journal project. Learning to Use Art Mediums New art mediums are exciting to learn, but they can sometimes feel difficult to master. It can look so easy when you see a demonstration, but your own experience may be different. Ever new art medium takes time and patience to master. By changing our expectations towards new mediums, and accepting that there will be trial and error, the process of learning can be so much more enjoyable. Blending Pan Pastels Pan Pastels are a…
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Easy Art Journal Project: Jumping into Art Journaling
Today’s easy art journal project is a great way of jumping into art journaling. If you are new to art journaling or not sure where to start, this easy art journal project may be a great place to dive in. Art journaling is a great practice for self-expression. It is a place to express our thoughts and feelings in a safe space. It can also be a great way to try out new techniques and products by practicing on a small surface. Jumping into Art Journaling At first, art journaling may seem intimidating and challenging. There are so many techniques and supplies out there, it can be hard to know…
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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…
The Art of Self-Care
