If you’ve ever felt the urge to just paint without a plan, this project is for you. I’ll walk you through an intuitive, playful mixed media art journaling session using acrylics, gesso, and my signature heart details. You’ll create a beautifully loose, daisy-inspired floral piece that leans into bold brush strokes and spontaneous color mixing.
Prep your art journal page by taping off the edges with painter’s tape. Instead of using gesso, I sealed the art journal page with matte medium. It creates a smooth, non-absorbent surface and lets the acrylic paint move around more freely. No need to wait – this medium dries quickly, and you can start painting right away.
Next, I’ll work on painting my background. I’ll add Payne’s Gray, Carbon Black, and white to my page, using an old hotel room key to swipe and add texture. I’ll also use my room key to “stamp” on some lines in my background with Carbon Black. Dry with a heat tool.
Next, I’ll use Gesso to paint three flowers onto my page. Next, I’ll add color to the petals using Primary Magenta, Phthalo Turquoise, and Titanium White and Diarylide Yellow for the flower centers. I’ll use Blue Green Light to paint the stems and leaves. Dry with a heat tool.
Use your stencil brush to add more Diarylide Yellow to the flower centers. Then, use your heat tool to heat up the paint, making it bubble up for some texture. (If you smell burning, then stop!)
Use a liner brush with Carbon Black paint to outline and add detail lines to your flowers. I’ll also use a stencil brush to add some black around my flower centers and the outer edges of my page. Dry with a heat tool.
Once the paint dried, I came in with a Posca paint pen to outline the flower and leaves further. You could use a Sharpie or black acrylic with a liner brush, too. I added a few scribbles and sketchy lines to give it that expressive, art journal feel.
Finally, I’ll use a foam detailer to add some black dots to my background. I always add three little red hearts somewhere on the page too – that’s my signature. You can do the same with any little symbol or shape that feels personal to you.
Add a coat of DuraClear gloss varnish to seal your piece. Remove the painter’s tape and enjoy!
Watch the replay below!
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Supply List:
- 5.5 X 8.5 Mixed Media Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- DecoArt Gesso
- DecoArt Matte Medium
- DecoArt Media Paints: Titanium White, Primary Magenta, Blue Green Light, Diarylide Yellow, Carbon Black, and Paynes Grey
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Set 1
- Foam Detailer
Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!
Tracy’s Resources Page and visit Tracy’s Shop