Dream Art Journal Layout with NEW Donna Downey Stencils

 

Hi folks!  I'm back with a two-page art journal layout that I created after grabbing a large handful of Donna Downey's new stencils...LOVE 'em and had a hard time not buying all of them to add to my ever growing stash of stencils!  Today I've created a photo tutorial for you so pull up a chair, get comfy, and read on!

 

Step 1 (photos above and below) - I start any painted pages in my journal by applying gesso.  The gesso preps the paper and keeps the paint from soaking into the paper.  (If using ink sprays, don't gesso).  Once my gesso was dry, I wanted to add some texture to the page (something that would be painted over) but didn't want anything as thick as embossing paste.  Donna uses this tape product on her journal pages that I adore but since I had no such product in my stash, I peeled off the backing of a sticker sheet and applied the entire piece to the middle of my layout.

 Step 2 - I used Dina Wakley's acrylic paints to add color over the entire layout.  This is a combination of Sky, Lapis, and Night.  I adore Dina's acrylic paints...they're heavy bodied and mix beautifully.  (Forgive the never ending glare of my work light...)

 Step 3 - I used Wendy Vecchi's white embossing paste and Donna's NEW Bloom Group stencil to add the main image on my left hand page.  Note that the flower stems are not as long as shown.  I had to lay down the stencil a second time to increase the steam length to the bottom of my page and I also added two more flowers.  While my paste was drying, I added four book text circles on the right hand side of my layout.

 Step 4 - My favorite step...Paint!  I again used Dina's paints to paint the flowers.  I put the stencil back over the dry paste to minimize any paint oozing on to the background, in between the flower petals.  I used Magenta and Ruby on the large flowers and Tangerine, Lemon, and a hint of Umber on the smaller flowers.  I also used a white paint pen to add a few highlights, after the paint was dry.

 Step 5 - Are you confused by this step?  These are my text circles, surrounded by more white embossing paste. The centers of each circle was covered with translucent paste (also from Wendy Vecchi).  Wait until you see what happens when the translucent paste dries...

 Step 6 - I used an older Prima stencil (I think it was Prima) and Dylusions White Linen ink spray to add a bit of design to the background.  I also used more Magenta and Ruby paint to the now dry embossing paste that is surrounding my text circles.

Here's a closer look a the circles...see that glare off of the Love circle?  The translucent paste dries clear and with a glossy finish.  My text circles are now encased in paste...it's very cool!

 Step 6 to the end - (I confess that I got a bit caught up in all the creative fun and missed a few photos!) - I used Higgins black ink to add black circles and DRIPS around each circle and then also added just a few drops of ink on the left hand side of the layout.  I stamped the words using a Catherine Scanlon stamp set....they fit perfectly!!  I then finished with a date stamp...very Donna Downey style. :-)

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial and layout!  I really must get some better lighting in my studio, right?  I'll work on that next week...if I can start making art!!

In other news...I've officially announced that I'm closing eclectic Paperie (not for lack of success...this girl just really needs her life back!)  The entire store is now 20% off...head on over and grab yourself some paint, journals, paper, and stencils and then get to work on your own art journal!  Used code EP20 when checking out!  Craft On!