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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…
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Watercolor Landscape Paint Along
Today’s project is a watercolor landscape paint along using gouache. I love using landscapes in my art journal pages. Creating landscapes is great practice for understanding how different art mediums work together. For this watercolor paint along we will be using colored pencils, acrylic paint, gouache, and ink to make a dynamic mixed media art journal page. What is Gouache? If you have never used gouache in a project, it is an opaque watercolor medium. It has similar pigments and binders as watercolor paints, but includes a white filler, such as chalk, which makes these paints opaque. Gouache provides a different result than watercolor. The opaque nature of the paint…
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Art Journaling with Acrylic Paint and Stencils
Have you ever tried art journaling with acrylic paint and stencils? It can be fun, but sometimes it can be challenging to get a beautiful focal image. Today we will discuss some of my favorite tips for adding acrylic paint through stencils to create a dimensional art journal page. Using Acrylic Paint with Stencils Art journaling with acrylic paint and stencils is very easy to learn. Lay your stencil down on the surface and apply paint through the stencil. But the challenge is how to get a crisp, consistent image and beautiful shading on your image. The Right Tool for Acrylic Paint I am always exploring new tools and ways…
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How to Decoupage in an Art Journal
Have you ever tried decoupage in an art journal? If you have ever felt blocked trying to figure out where to start a new project or page, decoupage is a great technique to try. Today we will be discussing how to decoupage in an art journal and some of the techniques to get consistent results. Decoupage in an art journal is a very simple technique but it does require a few materials to get started. For years I did not try decoupage because I was uncertain of the materials to use and how to apply them. Today we will be touching on the paper, gels and mediums that can be…
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How to Create a Traveler’s Notebook
There are so many fun Traveler’s Notebooks available for sale, but have you ever tried creating your own Traveler’s Notebook? Today I will be demonstrating how to create a Traveler’s Notebook using a stitched binding. Why Make a Traveler’s Notebook I have shared about how to use a Traveler’s Notebook in a previous post. In that post I share some of my ideas on how to use a Traveler’s Notebook in a variety of ways. Traveler’s Notebooks are not only fun to use but are also quite easy to make. The process of cutting the paper, sewing the binding, and assembling a book can be a great self-care activity. It…
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How to Create Layers Using Ink Blending
Creating in a journal is a great self-care practice but it can be challenging to add layers and dimension to a page. Today we will discuss how to create layers using ink blending in your creative projects. Layering Inks Layering inks is a great way of creating dimension in your projects. There are several things to consider when you are creating layers with your inks: Color Values In my last article I shared about how to use color values when creating a monochromatic project. By using a variety of color values this creates different shades and intensity of color, which adds dimension to your project. Type of Ink Certain types…
The Art of Self-Care
