This mixed media art journal page is all about bold layers, vibrant color, and expressive texture. Using acrylics, gesso, matte medium, and a few favorite tools, we built up a richly painted background, added some sketchy abstract lines, and topped it all off with a big, beautiful bloom.
After taping off the edges of my journal page with painter’s tape, I started with a coat of matte medium to seal the surface. You could use gesso here too, but matte medium gave me a smoother base for layering paint. Let it dry before moving on.
With a round brush, I loosely added blocks of color using green gold, teal, yellow, and magenta. No blending, no overthinking – just playful patches of color. While it was still wet, I pressed a towel into the paint to lift some color and add instant texture. That unexpected crinkle effect gave me the best base for what came next.
Using the edge of a ruler, I drew horizontal lines across the background with a Sharpie. These were totally freeform – some thicker, some thinner, and all totally unmeasured.
With gesso and a size 6 round brush, I painted in a massive bloom that covered nearly the whole page. I kept the petal shapes loose and imperfect, letting them flow naturally over the painted background.
Over the gesso petals, I added layers of warm, vibrant reds and oranges: Pyrrole Red, Vermilion Orange, and a little magenta. I brought in Payne’s Gray and DecoArt Extreme Sheen – 24K Gold for shadow and shimmer. As the layers built up, the flower took on tons of depth and texture.
Next, I used a liner brush with black acrylic paint to outline and add details to the petals. I also used a small stencil brush to add some black to the flower centers. Dry with a heat tool.
Next, I grabbed an aquarellable pencil to trace over some of the flower’s edges and lines. These water-activated pencils give you soft shading when you blend with water and they smear beautifully (on purpose!). I blurred a few of the lines and left others crisp.
Then, to bring back some of the lost texture from earlier, I rubbed archival ink across the surface with my finger. It caught on every bump and ridge, giving it that rich, layered look. Finally, use a fan brush to splatter metallic gold paint across your page by tapping it against another brush.
I finished with a clear satin sealer. Remove the painter’s tape and enjoy!
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Supply List:
- 5.5 X 8.5 Grumbacher Mixed Media Art Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Decoart Media Acrylic Paints: Green Gold, Quin Magenta, Cobalt Teal Hue, Pyrrole Red, Diarylide Yellow
- DecoArt Extreme Sheen – 24K Gold
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Set 1
- Sealer: Duraclear (satin Varnish)
- DecoArt Matte Medium
- Decoart Gesso (White)
Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!
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