Instructions 

Heya, art journalistas! Jessica Sanders here.  I’m excited to be back with you on the Ranger Blog! 

Have you ever felt that it’s a challenge to combine two different substrates into a cohesive page spread?  Today, I am sharing a way to create a 2-page art journal spread that unifies the white burlap with a watercolor page in the Dina Wakley MEdia Blue Edition Journal.  This technique will take advantage of the beautiful texture of the burlap, combined with the sprays, to create the same texture on the watercolor paper.

Step 1: In the Blue Edition Journal, find a page spread that has burlap on one side, and watercolor paper on the other. Fold the burlap page over the watercolor page, and spray Gloss Sprays through the burlap. Do not spray the center area of the page spread - it will be white space. Open up the page, and let dry. Remember to shake the sprays before using, and wipe the nozzle clean when finished.

Step 2: Gesso the center area of the page spread with White Gesso and a palette knife. Next, apply Texture Paste through the Paint Comb with the palette knife to add dimension to the page. Allow to dry.

Step 3: While the texture on the page is drying, create the focal point. Spread several pieces of Collage Tissue, along with the Chipboard Shape, on the Non-Stick Craft Sheet. Spray the chipboard with Eggplant, Magenta, Cheddar, and Turquoise, working from the head to the toe of the figure. The Collage tissue will catch the overspray, and be ready for collaging in the next step. Set aside to dry.

Step 4: Tear the collage tissue into small pieces to resemble confetti. Apply to pages with Gel Medium as if it is confetti scattered around the pages. Add a bit of sparkle with Stickles and a palette knife. Also add Stickles to the painted chipboard.

Step 5: Once texture paste is dry, add drips to the pages with gloss acrylic sprays. Open the bottle of the spray, and apply the paint with the spray nozzle wand to the edge of the page. Spritz with water, and tip the journal to allow the paint to run down the page. Gently wipe the texture paste to remove some of the paint. Repeat this step on the bottom edge of the burlap page.

Step 6:  To finish the background, apply heavy body acrylics with a brush to the pages.  Use white gesso to blend some of the collaged tissue paper into the background.

Step 7: Prepare to layer the chipboard and a tag as the focal point of the page.  Add text to the tag with Big Chat.  Paint the edges of the tag with white acrylic.  Add Stickles for sparkle.  Attach strings from the journal to the tag with the Tiny Attacher.

Step 8: Apply the tag and chipboard figure to the page with Ultra Thick Gel Medium.

Done!!  The 2 types of pages are tied together into one cohesive page spread.  The burlap and sprays combine to create beautiful texture and color.  The white space provides plenty of journaling space for adding your thoughts and feelings.  Happy creating! :)

Here is a video so you can see my process.

Jessica Sanders is a self-taught artist and teacher, living in Houston, Texas. Her passion is exploring art, creativity, and art supplies! It makes her happy to explore, to find the answer to 'what if', and to share it with her community. Her mission is to help others experience the joy of making art with a spirit of exploration and discovery. You can find her at ColorMeCreativeArt.com, as well as follow her on YouTube and Instagram for more exploration, inspiration, and tutorials.