ART JOURNAL TECHNIQUE (using bubble wrap)

(transferred from kaywallacescrapbooking.blogspot.com, dated 5-14-2012)


I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had started an art journal.  Now, while I do describe myself as a scrapbook artist, I will never claim to be an artist of any other genre.  But, still, that desire to create in other media is still within me!  So, I do try!  I have created quite a library in Pinterest (Kay Wallace) of tutorials and examples of others' art journal pages.  One technique that interested me was that of using bubble wrap!  Here's my finished art journal page:

But, let's back up.  I begin by "preparing" every journal page on which I work by applying a coat of Gesso.

It curls just a bit when wet, but dries and flattens within minutes, and I am ready to proceed.

For this page, I used actual dress pattern tissue paper for my background.  I tore it into small random sections, trying to get a bit of the printed directions on most all pieces.  As an adhesive, I applied a bit of Mod Podge to my page, then quickly added a bit of the torn tissue paper.  I added a second layer of Mod Podge over the tissue paper, and then moved on to the next area, always overlapping the layers.  This process creates "wrinkles," which you do want as it adds a bit of texture.  I continued this process until my whole page was covered with tissued paper.  I allowed this to dry overnight.

The fun really began when I cut a small square of bubble wrap and "painted" the bubbly side with red paint.  I then used it as a stamp in two places on my page (I forgot in all my excitement that normally elements are added in 3's!).  I attempted to dry the ink with my heat gun, but finally gave up and allowed it to dry overnight. 

Next, I used the same red ink (mixed with a bit of water this time to thin it out a bit) to add circles to my page.  I used those small measuring cups that often come atop cold remedies.  I used a smaller cap and white paint to create the smaller overlapping circles.

The last step was to add my "title" to my page.  I used a well-used stencil and a black Flair pen to create the words READ and WRITE.  Two things I love!

Thanks for coming by!  Please do take a moment to leave a comment so that I will know you were here!

Cheers!