Welcome to another Art Journal Express – a free video tutorial series where I show you how I created one of my art journal pages from start to finish. Each and every Art Journal Express video tutorial is in “fast forward” mode and then narrated so that you can see each and every step and hear my thoughts behind my process without having to sit through a loooong video.
Have you ever noticed that for many of us, it seems to be our natural tendency to focus on the negative aspects of life – the woulda, coulda, shoulda, if only, I wish, why….rather than the positives around us?
This is something that I drive myself crazy with sometimes. I don’t know if it’s a symptom of a Type A personality, a symptom of being a perfectionist, some profound flaw in my personality, human nature, or a combination of it all – but I seem to struggle endlessly with this. Every day, every week, every month I have to continually remind myself that I am blessed – I have so much to be grateful for. Or as my oldest son likes to say “It could be worse…”
I created today’s art journal page as a reminder to myself to look at and focus on life’s positives – the beauty around me – rather than the negatives. The Scripture that is really at the heart of today’s quote and page is one of my favourite scriptures, and it comes from the book of Philippians
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8
While all of that is at the heart of today’s page, when I sat down to create today’s page it was with a very intentional process in mind. I recently added some new Donna Downey Studio stencils to my “stencil stash” and wanted to try them out.
I have to say that outcome of the page is different from what I envisioned. Well honestly, I’m not sure exactly what I envisioned but this isn’t really it. It feels soft with a more vintage or antique feel – very different from what I would say my traditional “style” tends to be. Overall I usually tend towards bright and bold colors, patterns, and textures. I definitely don’t LOVE how this page turned out, but I think I can say I at least like it.
If anything it definitely follows my philosophy of stepping out of your comfort zone, playing, experimenting, trying out new techniques all with the purpose of growing creatively. So in that sense I suppose I can say it was a “successful” page LOL!
You can watch how I created this page in my video tutorial below:
Supplies: Gesso, Titanium White, Titan Buff, Indian Yellow Hue, Green Gold, Sap Green Hue Fluid Acrylics, Fluorescent Magenta, Teal Heavy Bodied Acrylic Paints (Golden); Bombay Black India Ink (Dr. Ph Martin); Sponge Dauber (Martha Stewart) (Liquitex); Lotus stencil, Grunge half-tone dots (Donna Downey Studios); Wendy Vecchi Black Embossing Paste (Studio 490); Gorgeous Grunge stamp set (Stampin’ Up!); Sticky Stuff Embossing Powder (Judikins); Gold Leaf (purchased from Dick Blick); Black Fine poster paint pen, White extra fine poster paint pen (Sharpie)
As with all my other art journal pages I have been working in my Dylusions journal. The Dylusions journals are my absolute favourite – they have lots of sturdy pages which hold up really well to all sorts of inks and mediums and embellishments. I always use the right side for journaling and the left side to list the supplies and make notes on what I did in case I want to use the techniques on other mixed media pieces.
I hope you enjoyed today’s video tutorial. If you haven’t already, please be sure to subscribe to the You Tube Channel I’ve created specifically for the Andrea Walford Designs blog HERE so that you don’t miss a single issue of Art Journal Express.
Also, I will be re-starting posting to my Andrea Walford Designs Facebook Page. I encourage you to “like” my page, as I’ll be sharing exclusive content that you won’t find here – including pictures of some of my other art work (art journal pages, etc), tips and techniques I find around the web, and the occasional Facebook only video tutorial. That Facebook Page won’t just be art journaling and mixed media – I will be posting some card creations as well.
Happy creating!
I have linked to the supplies I used below. Unfortunately not all are available from the same store. Please note that I am an affiliate with the stores I linked to below (Blick Art Materials, Simon Says Stamp and Donna Downey Studios) and I do receive a small commission from the sale of these supplies.
I love this page – it’s so soft and pretty.
thank you so much for sharing! It’s a new technique I will try my hand at !