My approach to journalling varies a fair amount, although this is one of my favourite ways of processing my emotions - it creates a really beautifully layered spread. This post shows just 1 of the ways I fill up my journal with all my thoughts and musings...
Step 1: Do a brain dump.
Scribble down everything that's going on inside your head. Don't worry about the words, just get them out. I tend to have very large, loopy writing and when writing fast I don't worry myself with spelling or even if the words go over each other. This first layer is just about getting your thoughts down on paper. (I've obscured the majority of the text here as y'know, personal stuffz.)
Step 2: Wash over with watercolours.
I use a second layer of watercolours and blend in a mix of the same warmth. E.g. reds, yellows and oranges or blues and greens. I like to stick to the same colour groups as this way they rarely mix to make "mud"; they blend together nicely. I also keep the layer quite light and wet - I don't want to 100% obscure my brain dump, so the words still poke through here and there.
Step 3: Blot on another layer using similar colours.
Using acrylic paint (a mix of brands/ quality/ prices!) I then blot on the 3rd layer. I thin the paint out so it's very watery as acrylic can completely mask stuff. I also splatter paint using the end of the paintbrush and my fingers.
Steps 4 & 5 - Add an image and bring in another colour.
I really liked this image by Alfons Mucha, from a book I recently bought and so I photocopied the image and fixed it to the page using matte medium as an adhesive. I then put a layer of clear gesso over the top, which means I could easily add other medium on top of the image. As the image was black and white, I also added some streaks of black using my watercolour graphite pencil. The result is fairly gloomy looking! But I liked the contrast between the vibrant reds and the smears of grey/ black.
Step 6- Doodle!
Adding doodles over the page for another layer is very therapeutic!
Step 7: Paint over collage.
Paint over collage is one of my favourite mixed media techniques. It's a great way to learn about shading and the structure of the face, by painting over a collaged image. You can also really put your own style on top of the original image. This lady was calling out for wild, firey hair. I painted a watered down layer of white gesso over the face, and re-drew the facial features using a black posca pen; the hair was created using watercolour crayons.
Step 8 - Add a quote and "tinker".
I like to add quotes to my journal pages. My go-to quote guy is Rumi. His quotes are mindful, beautiful and seeped with symbolism. Sometimes I seek out a quote directly related to what my brain dump uncovered, other times it's related to the imagery that comes out but sometimes it is just something I like! I first added the quote in the background using watercolour (the red) and then re-wrote it more prominently in black. I always tinker with my pages - add in little details here and there. I coloured in some of the flowers and just generally fiddled with the page.
Some close up detail shots:
After all those layers, you can still see the original text, which I really like. When do I know I am finished with a page? When it feels right. This spread took a couple of days, in dribs and drabs when I had free time. Before any art session, I try to start off spending some time with my journal. It's like a warm up, or just to help get some inspiration flowing.
Supplied used:
- Yellow posca pen
- Caran D’ache Necolour II watercolour crayons (reds, yellows and oranges)
- Acrylic paint – red, yellow and gold
- Photocopy of a photograph by Alfons Mucha
- Matte Medium
- Clear gesso
- Black posca pen
- Black watercolour graphite pencil
- White gesso
I hope you've enjoyed this little how-to! I highly recommend art journalling to anyone - whether you feel you have artistic qualities or not. It's a fantastic and creative way of working through your feelings and helping you get in touch with yourself. I will also let you in on a little secret... Everyone has inside them a budding artist desperate to burst out and come to life on the page. You can do it!
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