Bee journal page

A page in my new 'inspired by nature' journal. The front cover and the first page are complete and this one adds to the story. As the name of my blog suggests bumblebees and butterflies are important to me so you are very likely to see more pages inspired by them but as a retired teacher who loves learning, books have also been a principal player in my life so I just had to use this quote when I found it.

Process steps

Stamp the page with a large crackle stamp and then layer some random texture with white gesso using a palette knife.

When dry stamp the numbers with black archival, make sure they are dry before covering with a gesso wash. If it looks too white knock back with a wetwipe before it dries.

Know roughly what elements you are going to use and where they will be placed ....

.... before building in a little more texture using a stencil and white gesso. When it's dry use watery acrylic paints, dry dabble, spritz and drip some quinacridone gold, heat dry and repeat until you are happy. Then repeat again with carbon black.

Use die-cuts to create a honeycomb (these pieces were in a bits box left over from cutting a frameworks die a long time ago).

Use water soluble wax pencils or distress crayons to edge the paper and create a grungy border by using a wet paintbrush to dissolve the crayon and let it disperse along the edges of the page.

Then assemble your pieces to create your design.

xxx