Tuesday 1 August 2017

Blue and green - mixed media journal cover

I'm still making Eileen Hull midori size journals and this time I thought I'd create one for art/ mixed media techniques. As the midori style journal can take three or more signature booklets I thought I would begin by creating one using my DecoArt paints and mediums. This panel is for the front cover, I'll show you the journal as it unfolds as I want to create panels for the back and inside covers too. It is my DT sample for the new Country View Challenges theme starting today with the lovely Corrie choosing 'Blues and Greens'.


I began with some old book and music paper, adhering it to the panel with decoupage and applying a coat over the top at the same time.


Next using phthalo turquoise, viridian and green gold I painted watery blends over the surface and dried it.


Next two brayered layers of the blue and green colours mixed independently with some gesso .....


.... and then white gesso through Andy's gorgeous ammonite stencil using white gesso with a blending tool and foam.


I knew at this point I was going to add some words and maybe embellishments so I didn't want to add too much more to it  and although I love these bright colours I thought I would tone it down with a coloured varnish to knock back the colour and seal it at the same time but as I was thinking that I thought I'd add a few splatters of paint as well.


So I've still got some lovely contrast of colour but they're not in your face, just toned down a bit more. It's actually not such a big sea change as I only used some ultra matte varnish with some paynes grey in it.


Panel one complete with some stamping, remnant rubs and a quote chip to finish it off. Three more to go which is when I will reveal the journal ready to be filled with techniques I am experimenting with or want to practice

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I hope you'll get a chance to pop over to see the fabulous line up of projects my lovely teamies have been making and also get a chance to join in with us.

August - where did summer go????? I know the gardens needed rain but we could do with some sun as well to keep the flowers flourishing.

I hope August is a good month for you. Tomorrow is my next fracture clinic appointment and I am keeping fingers crossed that I come home boot free so that I can wear normal shoes again and get back to driving my car - that will be fabulous if it happens.

Enjoy your art.

hugs Brenda xxx


30 comments:

Helen said...

summer went in a flash but I bet you feel like you've been in that cast forever! hope it comes off today. Love your journal covers.

Jane said...

Good morning dear Brenda...1 more day...how exciting to have finally got here. I love your journal cover,so much depth in the blues and greens ..it looks perfect. Take care and have a fab August , hugs xxx

Annie said...

Your journal cover is beautiful Brenda xx Thank you for sharing the details xxx hoping to play with my journal die this week as getting together with Astrid and mammy on Thursday

Sending huge hugs to you xxx
Annie xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great tutorial Brenda and good luck for tomorrow. Sending hugs, Angela xXx

hazel said...

I love your journal cover - the colours are beautiful, I'll have my fingers crossed for you tomorrow.
xxx Hazel.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

My favourite colours Brenda, adore the touches of white and Gesso. Gorgeous journal. Sending hugs. Tracy x

Karen said...

My favorite colors too!! Love the techniques and can't wait to see the finished project. I will keep an eye out!

Patty O'Malley said...

Love this journal page, Brenda. The colors are so peaceful. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.

Julia Aston said...

You are the master of layering Brenda! I would end up with mud! Love that stencil and everything you have used on your layers - what a great cover for your journal!

Redanne said...

Your panel is gorgeous, my favourite colours and I just love Andy's ammonite stencil, it looks so beautiful! The eye was such a clever idea, it looks amazing! Looking forward to seeing more of your panels now.

Wishing you luck for tomorrow, I hope they do 'release' your foot, keeping my fingers crossed for you! Hugs, Anne xx

froebelsternchen said...

A M A Z I N G - I am thrilled about those texures and colours ! Fabulous!

Corrie Herriman said...

Beautiful cover Brenda !
Corrie xx

Words and Pictures said...

Fabulous layers of blues and greens and texture... this is glorious! Can't wait to see how the rest of it shapes up - it's going to be another showstopper!
Alison x

Monika Gulyas said...

Wow Brenda, your cover is amazing!!! I love how you built up the layers!!! The black stampings look fabulous on your toned-down blues and greens!!! I love it!!! Big hugs

Miriam said...

gorgeous journal cover Brenda.... it makes me want to reach out and touch the texture!

Craftyfield said...

Another superb background Brenda! I love how you placed the eye, very clever. Hope you find yourself footloose soon...

Hazel Agnew said...

Wow Brenda, what a fabulous stencil! Not seen that one before! Great build up of the background and great choices! Xx

Meggymay said...

Its a gorgeous cover Brenda, the colour combination and the layers of detail look fabulous.
Yvonne xx

rachel said...

Amazing cover - I adore what you have done. I love that you have used the fossil stencil in this way...inspired. Gorgeous! Hugs Rachel xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

A fabulous cover Brenda that came together beautifully!! I look forward to seeing it progress with different techniques!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Gorgeous journal cover Brenda, sadly I was too late to grab the die when it came back in stock! Good luck at the fracture clinic too :)
Hugs
Donna xx

Sue said...

I love this Brenda, and thank you for the tip of adding colour to the matte medium. This stencil has been on my wish list for so long I really must get on and order it lol. Good luck at the clinic tomorrow xx

Lisa said...

Oh wow, this is so artistic and gorgeous!! I love the colors!! The texture is amazing!! I love, love seeing how your art comes together!! Good luck tomorrow!! I hope you return home boot-free!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My Brenda ! This is so striking! I love the colours you used ! The eye is err…eye-catching!! I still haven't managed to get the die yet - had hoped to make my own travel journal…hey ho!! Hope you get a 'GO' from the clinic! Hugs, Chrisx

Gina said...

Every project you create makes me crave more!!! keep them coming, they are getting me through the grey murk of our lovely summer weather lol :D XXX

SewPaperPaint said...

Such an awesome effect framing the eye - I just love this Brenda! And my favorite colors too. <3 Hugs, Autumn

Mrs.B said...

Another fabulous journal, colour combinations and texture of the stencil look amazing with the 'eye'.
Avril xx

Evelyn Walter said...

Wow, this journal cover is fabulous again! I love the eye in the middle of that round stencil. I am very curious about the inside and back of your journal!
Have a wonderful time, dear Brenda!
xxx Evelyn

Jackie PN said...

Omgosh!! Another fabulous favorite!! I love how you added the eye in the center of that shell! The mixing and blending of the colors is perfect and this reminds me of the eye of the storm! Fabulous Brenda- saving to Pocket with my other Brenda B favorites!! xx

A Pink said...

Fabulous panel! Brenda . Love the blues and greens with the black - the eye at the centre of the ammonite is an excellent move- brings the whole panel to life .
When your journal is complete its definitely gonna be one not to be missed. Looking forward to seeing .
Hugs x