Image courtesy of InMyHeadStudios

Adding textures.

Layering is key to the visual journal, but so is texture. It creates a much more interesting product.

One way to add textures is to use found objects and print them on your pages. Whether they're already printed or whether you will be painting over some of your stamped textures, it's another layer and another point of interest for the viewer.

THESE PAGES:

Use whatever you have around the house to create textures. Found object printing can be done as simply as with paint and fingertips! Experiment with different objects and what their prints look like. 

Just a few ideas you probably already have: cups, bubble wrap, stamps from an art supply store, plastic bags, wax paper, rope, twine, good ol' potato printing, coins, leaves, fabrics, spices, utensils, combs, jewelry, paper towel...

You can use a traditional stamp pad, relief printing ink, acrylic paint, tempera paint, even washes of watercolor or ink, gesso, even pastel dust... many things will create a stamped image.

Image courtesy of InMyHeadStudios

Image courtesy of Ro Bruhn

Day 3

It is layers that make things interesting. From outfits, to people, to cakes, to houses, and yes, to journals-- it's being able to see the foundation as a jumping-off point, and the endless possibilities that foundation can start.

When it comes to your visual journal pages, there should be some sort of foundation--whether it's a texture, a color, a mood, a feeling, or an image-- to add depth and interest to the page.
Also, the foundation can serve a real purpose, such as adding a little strength to an otherwise flimsy page. You wouldn't build sheetrock walls right on the grassy lot you purchased, you need to clear the lot, lay the foundation, put up some supports... you get the idea!

Foundation ideas:

• An image you want to cover all or part of
• Scrap paper
• Gesso [primer for canvasses, available in most art supply stores] (white acrylic paint works pretty well, too), tinted with acrylic paint or bright white.
• Tapes (masking, packing, duct)

And those are just a couple.

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 Lay the foundation for several pages. Try to do this for most pages in your book. Not only will it make the paper a little heartier, it will add that layer of interest to your designs.

TIPS:

• keep wet pages from sticking together by placing little cardboard tents between the pages.
• use a scrap paper under your page to protect your table surface and the rest of your journal from your paint or glue. Especially when using [permanent] gesso!
• when gluing things together, think thick to thin. It's much easier to glue tissue paper TO cardboard than vice versa.
• keep textures in mind. packing tape's slick surface is going to mean you won't be able to draw directly on it without a permanent marker or gessoing the surface first.