Category: expressive arts

Paper Craft in an Art Journal
art · crafts · expressive arts · journal making

Paper Craft in an Art Journal

caroline

Supplies Needed

  • Decorative paper
  • Construction Paper
  • Card stock paper
  • Mod podge
  • Brush
  • Tray to pour mod modge on
  • Stencil-optional
  • Marker

Journal Photos

You will need to have decorative paper. This can be ordered online, found at the craft store in the scrap booking section, or you can save interesting design paper from the mail or from gifts or wrapping paper. Also needed is mod podge. You can have it glossy or matte, either is fine. It really comes down to what you prefer.

I also suggested a stencil. This stencil will be easier for those that what an image without having to free hand draw it. You can trace an image as well through a light box. Pick a simple object, and then you can make more complicated ones later.

You draw your image, I used an apple shape. Then tear the decorative paper into small pieces and use the mod podge to glue it down onto the image you drew, the goal is to fill it in with decorative paper.

After it dries you can use a marker and trace the edge for a border.

Youtube

Caroline

Shaving Cream-Pollock style
art · art therapy · expressive arts · journal making · painting

Shaving Cream-Pollock style

caroline

This is done on a separate paper due to the type of technique. It will be added to the journal. This is a two-part post.

Supplies

  • 12″x14″ mixed media paper
  • Shaving cream
  • Acrylic liquid paint
  • Scraper/straight edge
  • Paper towels
  • Rags
  • Tray

Start with spreading the shaving cream onto a pan.

Then add paint onto the shaving cream. Be creative with your pouring. Add as many colors as you want.

Then place the 11″x14″ paper on top of the shaving cream and gently press and rub the paper.

Lift the paper slowly.

Set aside and add more colors and continue to make prints.

Use the straight edge and gently remove the shaving cream from the paper.

After the shaving cream is removed below is the result.

More Prints

Next post I will show how to include this in your art journal.

Painting with soft pastels
art · art therapy · expressive arts · journal making · painting

Painting with soft pastels

caroline

Supplies

  • Water
  • Brushes
  • Towels
  • Journal
  • Soft pastels

There’s a few ways to paint with soft pastels.

First use the soft pastel in a dry form. Rub a color onto the paper.

Then add water and use a paint brush to spread the color across the paper.

You can use a second color and blend the colors together along with diluting it with water.

Let’s keep making creative art journaling…

Watercolor and Pen
art · art therapy · expressive arts · journal making · painting

Watercolor and Pen

caroline

This is an abstract art piece for your journal.

Supplies

  • Watercolor
  • Brushes
  • Water container
  • Paper towels
  • Pens-assorted colors

Start by painting shapes onto the paper. The shapes can overlap and the paint can bleed into another color. Fill the paper with as many shapes as you want.

Let dry. Use a blow dryer to speed up the drying time.

Then use the pens to outline the shapes and doodle in and around the shapes. Let your creativity flow.

Crayons and Watercolor Painting
art · art therapy · expressive arts · journal making · painting

Crayons and Watercolor Painting

caroline

Supplies

  • paper/journal
  • gesso
  • brush for gesso
  • watercolor paint
  • crayons-various colors
  • pens-black and blue or various colors
  • canister for water
  • brushes
  • towels

Start by picking the size of paper or the journal you want to show your creativity.

My Choice in a Journal

Then gesso the paper. (Gesso is a primer to prevent the paint from soaking into the canvas or other materials such as paper). Let dry. A blow drier can be used to speed up the drying process.

Then use the crayons and mark on the paper lines going in all directions.

Then use the watercolor paints and start painting over the lines. Add splashes of colors onto the paper until you get the desired colors you want.

Let dry, again you can use the blow drier to speed up the drying time.

Once dry, take the pens and add details to it. You might want to highlight certain areas with doodle-like drawings, or outlines shapes. So much possibility is in this process.

This technique can be used for a background, a part of a larger painting, a book cover, bookmarks, or stationary.

Benefits of an Art Journal
art · art therapy · expressive arts · journal making

Benefits of an Art Journal

caroline

What does Art Journaling Do?

Art Journaling helps to reduce stress.  It is a tool to help with self-growth.  It allows for your brain to relax and release the mental thoughts that are causing anxiety.  An art journal exercise is a relaxing activity that involves color, pattern, texture and self-expression.  Using an art journal can increase your artistic expression and freedom. 

Art journaling can help to focus and manifest goals.  The entire art journal can include inspirations, quotes, pictures, travel, a dream home, or a dream job etc. 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Topics and Themes for Art Journals

  • Nature/seasons
  • 4 elements-earth, fire, wind, water
  • Vintage
  • Victorian era
  • Planets/sky
  • Flowers
  • Doodles
  • Zig-zag line drawing
  • Animals/insects
  • City-scapes
  • Ocean/water
  • Relationships: family, friends
  • Travel destinations
  • Health and Fitness
  • Goals and dreams
  • Inspiring people
  • Religion/Spiritual
  • Poems/short stories
  • Inspirational quotes/scripture
  • Creative techniques
  • Fictional character/cartoon/superhero

Part One of the Creative Journal

The Journal I am introducing for the first section of creating a journal is a technique journal. You will learn different techniques to use in a journal that will give you expressive and interesting effects that can add creativity and detail to your journal page.

Let’s start journaling….

Photo by Brett Jordan on Pexels.com