Feb 225 min read

7 Secrets for a Stunning Art Journal - Art Journal Background Techniques

Hello crafty friends, I can't wait to share with you my tips and tricks that I have learned over my years of creating art journal pages. This series, 7 secrets for a stunning Art Journal, will include 3 parts. Today's part 1 will be a spotlight on Art Journal Background Techniques. The first Layer of your Art Journal page; The Background.

I have divided a page that I got from the new Art by Marlene paper pad into 4 sections using ABM handy washi tape. I thought that keeping all the techniques in one sheet will help more to show the final look each technique gives you.

I. FIRST WASH

The first layer to create a lovely background is the first wash. First wash could be any of these, it is just your first foundation of the background:

Watercolor Wash I used Art by Marlene watercolors set to apply a watercolors wash on the first section of my paper, I usually use one of these two techniques to apply the watercolors wash, (you will find me demonstrating both techniques in the video tutorial below):
1. Wet on dry: load your paint brush with the pigment and apply your brush strokes on your dry paper.
2. Wet on wet: load your brush with water and apply it on your paper to make it wet then load the pigment and apply your pigment strokes on the wet areas.

2. Gel Plate Transfer

In this technique, we use a gel plate (all supplies linked below) and create any pattern you wish on your gel plate. The gel plate retains your pattern and when you place your paper facing down n the gel plate and lift the paper you basically lift the pattern from the plate transferring it onto your paper. I created my pattern using one of Art by Marlene 4X4 stencils and dabbed on it with ink blending tool using Worn Lipstick distress ink. I then placed by paper on the plate and transferred the pattern from the gel plate to my paper to have a hexagonal pattern of the stencil.

3. Smooshing Technique

I use this technique a lot on my art journal pages, it gives a lovely first wash. You basically choose distress ink colors that you feel they complement each other, could be different shades of blue, could be blue and purple, yellow and orange, yellow and green, blue and light brown for a more vintage look, or any other combination you desire. Smoosh these ink pads on your mat, I like to use my glass mat for this technique, then spray water on the mat and place your paper facing down to lift the ink from the glass mat.

3. Acrylic wash

Apply acrylic paint directly from the tube randomly on your background and then use your paint brush to make strokes to spread the paint, here you can also use different color combinations. You can also spread your paint with a brayer.

5. Embossing Powder

Use your embossing ink pad, I used Versamark embossing ink, with the ink pads apply on random area on your paper then sprinkle your embossing powder. Use your heat gun to set the embossing powder.

6. Collage Paper

Collage paper is a light thin pattern paper. Since it is already colored and has the pattern ready for you, it is the quickest way to create a lovely first wash and then on top you can continue with the next washes.

II. STENCILING

The second step is stenciling. You can use any stencils you have, I have linked below multiple ones I have from my Art by Marlene collection for you to find easier. I will include here also multiple ways to use your stencils:

Ink blending: Lift the ink with your ink blender, place your stencil on your paper and lightly apply the ink over the stencil with the ink blender. I recommend using a slightly darker color than your first wash so it is subtle but still showing. I usually use the same ink color but I press gently on the blender to apply slightly darker color.
Ink lifting place your stencil on the paper and with a baby wipe, wipe the ink where the stencil is to remove the color from those areas, it is sort of the negative effect of the ink blending.
embossing paste place your stencil on the paper and load your paste applicator with a little bit of the embossing paste or modeling paste and gently apply it on your stencil and then remove your stencil to reveal the beautiful raised texture of your embossing paste with a pattern from your stencil.

III. STAMPING

I use many stamping sets from Art by Marlene that have lovely little versatile doodles and patterns. I press the stamp against my ink pad and stamp here and there randomly on my backgrounds. Again slightly darker color than your background.

IV. ACRYLIC ACCENTS

I love this step so much, it adds a beautiful color to my background. I use my fine tip acrylic markers (linked below with the supplies list) to add tiny patterns or color the stamping that I made on the previous step. I use the same acrylic colors that are on the focal point that I will add on my art journal page. You will see me in the video tutorial holding the focal point next to my background to color the doodles with the same focal point shades.

At this point you have a fabulous background full of details, patterns and textures with lovely acrylic accents that match your focal points.

On part 2 we will thoroughly go through perfect placement for your focal elements and how to arrange them in perfect composition. Stay tuned, subscribe to the channel and turn on the notification bell so you do not miss it!

Find the video tutorial here: