Hop-A-Long Studio

The Art of Self-Care

  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!3 Techniques to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!
    In Art Journal, Techniques
  • How to Make Collage Papers for FreeMake Gorgeous Collage Papers for Free
    In Techniques
  • How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love
    In Art Journal
  • How to use watercolor powders with stencils
    Techniques

    The Best Way to Use Watercolor Powders with Stencils

    April 26, 2025 /

    Have you tried using your watercolor powders with stencils and ended up with soft images or blobs of color? It can be easy to lose your images and feel frustrated. Today I’m sharing 3 of my favorite techniques with tips for getting the best results with watercolor powders and stencils.   In my last video I shared the basics of how to use watercolor powders and the difference between brands. I also showed you how to use these fantastic watercolor powders on both black and white paper. If you haven’t seen this article yet, click here. But today, let’s explore how we can get perfect results every time using stencils…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love

    February 27, 2026
    How to Use Alcohol Inks and Stencils

    How to Use Alcohol Inks and Stencils

    August 14, 2020
    How to tint acrylic pastes and gels

    From White to WOW: How to Tint Acrylic Pastes

    August 1, 2025
  • 3 Unique Ways to Use Stencils and Stencil Masks
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    3 Unique Ways to Use Stencils and Masks

    September 1, 2023 /

    Are you looking for unique ways to use stencils and masks in your art journal? Today I’ll be talking about the difference between stencils and masks and how we can use them in our art journal projects.   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. What’s the Difference Between Stencils and Masks? If you’ve never used stencils and masks together, it can be confusing to know what the difference is. The Stencil Girl Wildflowers Botanical stencil that I’m using today is sold with the mask and stencil together. If you can find stencils…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Create Unique Art Journal Backgrounds with Plastic Wrap

    How to Create Unique Art Journal Backgrounds with Plastic Wrap

    August 19, 2023
    Techniques for Creating Beautiful Layers with Alcohol Ink

    Techniques for Creating Beautiful Layers with Alcohol Inks

    December 16, 2022
    (SM)ART Goals for Artists

    (SM)ART Goals: Starting and Developing Your Creative Goals

    December 31, 2021
  • Adding Modeling Paste Through a Detailed Stencil
    Techniques

    How to get the Best Results with Acrylic Pastes and Stencils

    January 20, 2023 /

    Do you ever use acrylic pastes with your stencils? Acrylic pastes can create beautiful dimension and crisp images in your art journal, if you know how to apply them. Here are some tips and techniques for how to get fantastic results with acrylic pastes and stencils. 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. Types of Acrylic Pastes Acrylic pastes are beautiful, but they can be a little overwhelming at first. There’s so many brands and types of pastes to choose from. As I’ve been teaching online and in-person, I’ve realized that most of…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Festive and Fabulous Gel Print Holiday Cards

    The Best DIY Gel Print Holiday Cards

    December 5, 2025
    Creative Stamping with Watercolor Markers

    Creative Stamping with Watercolor Markers

    February 11, 2022
    Mixed Media Magic: Transforming Pumpkins with Decoupage

    Mixed Media Magic: Transforming Pumpkins with Decoupage

    September 16, 2023
  • Techniques for Creating Beautiful Layers with Alcohol Ink
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Techniques for Creating Beautiful Layers with Alcohol Inks

    December 16, 2022 /

    Alcohol inks are a beautiful and fun art medium, but how do you create layers and dimension with alcohol inks? This may seem difficult and complicated, but alcohol ink layering techniques are easy to do if you understand the right methods. I’ll be working on a page for my art journal, but these techniques can easily be adapted for card projects or tags too. 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. Creating Layers with Ink Blending For this project, start by choosing your favorite alcohol ink surface. My recommended surfaces for alcohol inks…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    How to Paint a Tree in 3 Easy Steps!

    June 12, 2024
    Canvas Preparation for the Art Curious

    Canvas Preparation for the Art Curious

    March 4, 2022
    How to Create a Wine Bottle Vase Overall Project

    How to Create a Wine Bottle Flower Vase

    May 7, 2021
  • How to Use Layering Stencils to Create Dimensional Images
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    How to Use Layering Stencils to Create Dimensional Images

    September 23, 2022 /

    Have you ever tried using layering stencils to make dimensional images for your projects? Layering stencils are extremely popular but understanding a few key techniques can help you get consistent results. If you don’t own any multi-layered stencils, today I’ll show you how you to create layered images using any stencil in your collection. 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. How to Use Layering Stencils Recently, there has been a trend toward layering stencils that use several stencils to make one image. This means ink, paint and other mediums can be added…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Basic art journal techniques using acrylic paint and napkins

    New to Art Journaling? Basic Techniques using Paints and Napkins

    January 27, 2023
    Art Journaling Project "How did I end up here?"

    Art Journaling Project “How did I end up here?”

    May 6, 2019
    How to Create a Traveler's Notebook

    How to Create a Traveler’s Notebook

    April 23, 2021
  • How to Use Watercolors with Stencils
    Techniques

    How to use Watercolors with Stencils

    August 26, 2022 /

    Using watercolors with stencils may seem like two things that don’t go together in your art journal. The loose nature of watercolor appears incompatible with stencils. But with a bit of experimentation and imagination, you can get some amazing and unexpected results using watercolors with stencils. 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. Adding Watercolors to Stencils When adding watercolors to stencils, you may need to change your expectation for the final result. When using acrylic paints, gel or paste mediums with stencils, the medium can be applied, and the stencil removed immediately.…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Creating an Art Journal Page Using Paper Glossy Accents and Distress Crayons

    Easy Art Journal Page Using Paper

    September 16, 2022
    Art Journaling with Acrylic Paint and Stencils

    Art Journaling with Acrylic Paint and Stencils

    May 21, 2021
    Finding Joy in the Little Things

    Finding Joy in the Little Things

    June 14, 2019
  • v
    Techniques

    How to Create Gelli Prints with 5 Types of Ink

    August 19, 2022 /

    When learning how to create gelli prints with inks, it can be hard to know which ink to choose. There are so many to choose from. What ink is the most vibrant? What inks will stain your gel plate? Today we will cover 5 popular inks and how they work with the gelli plate on both gloss paper and cardstock. 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. How to Gelli Print with Inks The basic technique to create gelli prints with inks is the same as paint. To create a beautiful print, apply…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Layered gel plates created by Nadine Milton

    How to Master Gel Print Layers in Monoprinting

    June 13, 2025
    Mixed Media Art Journal Collage

    Mixed Media Art Journal Collage: Finding Intention at Christmas

    December 17, 2021
    Watercolor Pigment Powders Brusho Crystal Colours, Lindy's Gang Magicals and Nuvo Shimmer Powders how to use on watercolor paper

    Watercolor Powders Demystified! You need to Try these!

    April 18, 2025
  • How to Gelli Print on Tissue Paper
    Techniques

    How to Gelli Print on Tissue Paper

    July 1, 2022 /

    Looking for new surfaces to use with your gel plate? Gelli printing on tissue paper is so easy and you can get amazing results by keeping a few things in mind. There are so many surfaces that you can use with your gel plate, but each surface requires small adjustments in technique to get consistent results. Tissue paper is delicate, but it’s stronger than you might think. Using these techniques can get you consistent results every time! 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. Choosing the Right Tissue Paper There are many types…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Art Journal Backgrounds with Spray Paints and Inks

    Easy Art Journal Backgrounds with Spray Paints and Inks

    April 21, 2023
    Why art journal?

    Demystifying Art Journaling: How to Start & Why It Matters

    February 13, 2026
    Living in Transition: How to thrive in change

    Living in Transition: How to Thrive in Change

    August 7, 2020
  • Art Journal Textured Background Techniques with Acrylic Mediums
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Textured Background Techniques for the Art Journal

    March 11, 2022 /

    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…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    7 Techniques using Zebra Mildliner Mix Pens

    7 Unique Ways to Use Zebra Mildliner Mix Pens

    August 3, 2024
    Layered gel plates created by Nadine Milton

    How to Master Gel Print Layers in Monoprinting

    June 13, 2025
    Art Journal Page Using Gel Textures and Gel Prints

    Creating Art Journal Textures with Gelli Prints

    April 22, 2022

Nadine Milton

Visual Storyteller & Mixed Media Artist

Welcome to Hop-A-Long Studio! I would love for you to join me in the journey of self-care through artistic expression.

Categories

  • Art Classes
  • Art Journal
  • Artist's Journey
  • Projects
  • Techniques

Tags

Acceptance (10) acrylic paint (16) Acrylic Painting (17) Applying Art Mediums (14) Applying Brusho Powders (10) Art Ideas (22) art journal (20) Art Journaling (62) Art Tutorials (156) Art Videos (163) Awareness (19) Blending Color (22) Card Making (16) Card Tutorials (11) Christmas (9) collage (20) Creative Foundations (24) Creativity (29) Drawing (12) Embossing (11) Gelli Plate (10) Gelli Printing (21) Goal Setting (9) Ink Blending (13) Inking (42) Inks (11) Making Good Choices (12) Mental Health (32) Mindfulness (24) Mixed Media (15) Mixed Media Art (16) napkins (9) Pan Pastels (9) Self-Care (47) Self-Care Activities (16) Self-Care Videos (33) Self-Discovery (14) Stamping (62) Stencilling (48) Tim Holtz Distress (23) Values (9) Watercolor (14) Watercolor Basics (13) Watercolor Painting (19) Wild Whisper Designs (21)

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!3 Techniques to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!
    In Art Journal, Techniques
  • How to Make Collage Papers for FreeMake Gorgeous Collage Papers for Free
    In Techniques
  • How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love
    In Art Journal
[mailerlite_form form_id=0]
© 2019- 2026. Hop-A-Long Studio Limited. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.