UNSUPERVISED PLAY

I can get lost for hours watching YouTube technique tutorials and, sadly, retaining little.  That said, once in a while something seems totally within my grasp and my abilities, and I immediately head for the studio and begin pulling out supplies.  Yesterday, I found several tutorials on the "waxed paper resist technique" for creating art journal page backgrounds.  Most of the tutorials require using an embossing machine.  While I have one, I was being lazy and thought I might be able to accomplish much the same thing by using Gesso as my base.  First, the reveal:

Here are the simple steps for creating this background:

1. Apply a generous coat of Gesso to your art journal page.
2. Create a random textured pattern by using your brush to push around the Gesso.
3. Cover your page with a piece of waxed paper; press gently.
4. Allow to dry naturally for a couple of hours.
5. Peal off the waxed paper and discard.
6. Use spray inks (I used two) to cover your page, blotting with baby wipes as you progress.
7. Allow to dry (do not recommend using a heat tool).

While I am pleased with the outcome, what I learned is that you cannot successfully stamp directly onto your textured background!  An "oops" moment very quickly averted by stamping my image again on a piece of cardstock, coloring it, cutting it out and adhering the image to my background using pop dots.  I then used stencils and some acrylic paint applied by "pounching" with a stipple brush to add the clock and flower images.

Here are some close-ups of the journal page:

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Joy to you!