I have this art journal that is getting a little big to work in, lol. It very puffy and unwieldy, so I decided that I am done creating in it. So I filmed an art journal tour so you can see all the pages I created in my journal
Some of the pages I did video tutorials and some of the pages I did not. It was fun to create and explore in this journal, and it was fun to look back at my growth.
Elephant Art journal page
I explored so many different techniques and styles, this was my safe space. A journal where I could explore and create without always worrying if it was “right” or not.
Winter art journal page
I did have some extra blank pages at the end of the journal, so I removed them to use them later. I really like this journal (it is a Ranger journal) the paper held up to all the different mediums I used. I love the larger size, I will be repurchasing this same journal to continue my journey.
New beginnings art journal page
I am excited to keep creating and to finish more journals.
Have you completed a journal and what is your favorite one to work in?
Today I am painting this Prima Princess water color art journal page and doing a little story time. I wanted to talk about why I started Take Time to Create and what it means to me.
I am passionate about taking time to create everyday and that is what I encourage everyone to do. We are all so busy and running from here to there that we forget to stop and relax and to create. Creating can be anything from art to gardening to cooking. Whatever you need to do to feel creative.
Prima Princess Watercolor Page
Creating everyday helps keep my stress at bay and having a blog and YouTube channel keeps me on schedule and motivated to provide content to you guys. It is what works for me and I love it. I enjoy creating and sharing!
I love teaching and seeing what you guys create.
Prima Princess Watercolor Page
What do you create? What do you to keep the stress at bay?
Sometime things just get lost. That is exactly what happened to my journal that I created for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Art Journal. Mine was lost in the mail! All that hard work gone. But we are only half way though so I created a new one and I am sending it on to the girl that did not get it.
If you are not up to speed with the Sisterhood here is a link to my very first post about it.
I have been loving the journaling and the themes that everyone is coming up with. This whole journey has been amazing! And I will admit that I even liked creating a new travel theme page, lol.
And getting out my watercolors was so much fun and refreshing. I need to grab them more often.
Paris Art journal page
So is this journal swapping something you might do you with your friends? You can even do a version with quilts or crochet. The ideas are endless.
I have really been enjoying watercolors! This art journal was an experiment with a green galaxy rather than a pink or blue one. I really like the way it turned out!
Watercoloring is so freeing and expressive! I love that you can do so much with a watercolor and you can create some really cool textures and images with watercolors.
For this galaxy I wanted to use some yellows and greens and dark grays to create this galaxy. That bright yellow in the center is so fun and exactly what I was going for
I don’t have the skills to paint a whale, lol so I used this really cute whale I had in my stash, just the perfect touch for the journal page. I used a stencil from the Dollar Tree to create a mandala effect and i think it ties it all together
The last piece to the journal page was for me to add a quote. My handwriting is not the best, lol, but I really thought this quote was perfect for the page.
I really love how this all came together! Art journaling is becoming one of my favorite activities, I love that is is the perfect place to play and experiment with new techniques and ideas!
Sometimes an experiment turns out really cool, and this just so happens to be one of those times! I did a class at ArtVenture in January of this year that taught us how to watercolor on fabric. Not quite like this example, but it got my creative juices flowing! I really wanted to explore this method and develop my own technique, and this is what I came up with- A Fabric Watercolor Landscape (actually the ocean, and it is abstract…. lol)
As always the video goes over all the steps, and it is a good companion to the blog post.
To start prep your canvas by painting it a light color, I used a slightly off white and painted the top and sides.
you will need a light gauzy fabric for the base layer. I had some in my stash, so use what you have, as long as it is a very light fabric. Take a Heavy gel and spread that all over the canvas, then coat each strip of fabric with a gloss gel. (this is the same procedure that I use on all my canvases) Once the strip is coated adhere it to the canvas. Add as many wrinkles as you want and create the texture you are going for. (I have to say I really like this stage, in fact I almost stopped here because it is so pretty, an all white fabric canvas. I might have to make one and just leave it as is. Some thing to think about, lol)
Once you are done with the fabric, let is step dry. I usually leave it over night just to make sure.
After it is dry it is time to start watercoloring! gently spray the canvas with water (this allows the watercolors to move freely on the canvas) and then start watercoloring! Slowly add colors and see where they go and blend to create new looks. You can dry in between layers if you want and just keep building until you get the look you are going for. I wanted to create a sunset on the water, it is a little abstract, but that is ok, I really like how it turned out.
Once the watercolors are dry you can start adding in texture. I added some iridescent micro bead to add some more shimmer and shine to the water. Just apply some gloss gel and pour on some beads. Let it dry over night before removing the excess beads.
Once the beads are dry you can add even more shimmer and shine by adding Metallic watercolors. I thought this would be the perfect way to add some more details. It is a little hard to see in the photos, but up close the metallic really added that perfect final touch.
Let everything dry completely and then spray it with a spray protector.
I really like how this turned out and I can’t wait to try this technique on another canvas! What should I try to watercolor next? I love experiementing with my supplies and I would love suggestions on what to do next!
It has been a while since I posted. I have an Investigative Art Journal for you today. Today we are seeing how many half pans can you get from one tube of watercolors.
For this experiment I used Reeves Watercolors that I picked up at Michael’s. The affiliate link is listed here:
I found this a very interesting experiment, how much is actually in a watercolor tube? I was pleasantly surprised.
There are four and half, half pans in a tube!
This is a great if you want to invest in higher quality watercolors, but you don’t think you can go through that many pans, so sharing with a friend or 2 is now a viable option.
There is plenty of product to go around to everyone!
Check out the video to see more on the experiment and there are links to my other Investigative Art Journals.
What other experiments do you want me to do with watercolors?
Thank you cards are something we all need to have and these easy DIY cards are perfect for almost any occasion. And since I am obsessed with watercolors, these are right up my alley 🙂
These would be great gifts for new homeowners, newly weds, or graduates.
This first card is super easy and looks really cute. All you do is spritz the watercolor card with water and then lightly spray 2 different Dylusions ink sprays. Move the card to blend the colors in the middle, then add some washi tape at the bottom and stamp Thank You in the middle and you are done! Quick and easy and they look great!
This next card is also super fun and easy to make. Which is great because you can make a lot of them ahead of time and have them ready! For this one take a wet paint brush and paint with water in a blob type shape. Then add some watercolors into the blob, you can mix the 2 in the middle and blend them together. Add splashes and a stamped Thank You to the middle and some washi tape on the bottom. Now you have another Thank you card for your stash.
This last card takes a little longer, but it is worth it. All you do is watercolor the sky, starting with the lightest color and work your way darker. Blend carefully, you don’t want to create mud. Once the sky is dry it is time to paint the mountains. I just used black acrylic paint to make the mountains and then I lightly drew in the trees with the same paint. Now you have a cute sunset card that is perfect for all occasions.
There you have it, 3 easy watercolor Thank You cards.
