Friday, February 22, 2013

Art Journal Exercises Based on “Art Journal Freedom” by Dina Wakley

I don’t actually do much “training” or “studying” for my new art hobby (as is fairly obvious from the results). But, I am really enjoying “playing” with some ideas I am learning from Dina Wakley’s book, Art Journal Freedom. I am learning to insert a little variety in my projects.

For example, sometimes I might want to use symmetry, as in the next two examples:

use words journal page-symmetry w border

For the above page, I started with Tim Holtz music tissue paper, adhered on top of wet white gesso. Next I used Tim Holtz Distress Stains (Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn, and Mustard Seed). Used several stamps, some with Archival Ink, some with paints. Outlined border of page with Oil Pastel.

symmetry grid pages w border

The above spread was made with several acrylic paints. The eight squares on the grids were cut from Gelli Plate prints on white card stock.

At other times, I might want to use asymmetry, as in this example:

Happy colors journal page left side

On this page I used some Dylusions spray inks (this is NOT my favorite technique—just can’t get the hang of it) and acrylic paint, white gel pen.

Dina also points out the value of using “white space,” as in the following example:

white space

Now, that is something I almost NEVER do, and I can see her point. However, it was almost impossible for me to leave this page as is. This was a second-generation Gelli Plate print that I adhered into my journal and then used Perfect Pearls/water to highlight some of the empty squares. I also sprayed through a “mask” that was left over from a scalloped heart I cut from the Cricut.

Learning…

3 comments:

Beverley Baird said...

It is fun to explore and play. Great journal pages!

jasann said...

Love this art journal, it's lovely!!! Thanks for sharing

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous pages! Love the color and design! Beautiful!