Journal Spilling: Mixed-Media Techniques for Free Expression
At its core, Journal Spilling is about incorporating journaling and art making into daily life, all the while encouraging a carefree, non-judgmental approach. In addition to step-by-step instruction for getting started in 25 media techniques (watercolor, resist, ink, transfers and more!), you will be guided through exercises to help with writing. The exercises are broken down into accessible parts that can be undertaken in small bits of time and are open-ended, encouraging various paths for journaling. Let go of complete control and trust the journaling process!
Welcome to those new to the art form of Mixed Media and also to those who have already started your journey and are looking for ideas and inspiration. We aim to cater for all levels of experience here.
We cover a multitude of Mixed Media Art topics:
- Mixed Media Techniques
- Mixed Media Collage
- Mixed Media Painting
- Altered Art
- Altered Books
Across the top, you can find the Projects shortcut, some Terms and Definitions and Hints and Tips.
To the left, you can find the Topics.
Have a look around and feed your inner muse – you never know when inspiration will hit.
The term “mixed media art” is a broad definition that covers many arts and crafts, including collage, assemblage (both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional), altered objects, including books and boxes, handmade greeting cards, artist trading cards (ATCs) and tags, art journalling and book making.
Hanging Art
The “mixed media” used includes paints, papers and board of all descriptions, glues, buttons, fabrics, found objects, photos, metal bits, fibres, things from nature, inks, pencils, crayons, markers, pastels and polymer clays, to name a few.
How long has Mixed Media Art been around?
There is no definitive answer as to how long Mixed Media Art has been around, but we do know that many different forms of art have been around for as long as there has been people to create it.
The term “mixed media art” is a newer term used to describe the vast variety of techniques and mediums that are around. And while the internet didn’t create these new art forms, it has certainly allowed many to share their work that would not have been otherwise possible.
What materials do I need to get started?
The beauty of mixed media art is the flexibility to start with things around you and expend from there. To get started you need a substrate or base. This could be a clean sheet of paper, sketchbook, a cereal box or anything else that may be sitting still. Then, if you are heading down the collage path, you’ll need something to stick with (glue sticks are fine to begin with) and something to stick on (coloured papers, newspapers, catalogues, and anything else that grabs you).
If you are heading down the drawing / painting path, then once you have your substrate, you’ll need something to make a mark, whether its pencils, paints, crayons, markers or pastels.
Any or all of these are all you need to get started. Just use the things you have around you
What skills do I need to get started?
Another attractive feature of Mixed Media Art is that you don’t need fine art or drawing skills. That doesn’t mean you are excluded from mixed media art if you do have these skills, but it opens up a world of creativity for the rest of us who like to make things but “Can’t draw”.
The skills you need to get started are as simple as being able to use a pencil, scissors and glue. These skills will expand and develop with practice, depending on which “branch” you follow. More complicated skills of mixing paints and developing your “artist eye” will happen as you expand your own creativity. Specific skills for particular media or art types will present themselves as you move into these areas. As with many things in life, the techniques and teachers will appear when you are ready.
Creating a mixed media art journal page uses many of the mixed media techniques we have discussed previously. Art journalling give you a chance to bring all of those techniques together to create a piece of art that is uniquely yours.
Start with a book ready for altering, a sketch book or a notebook. Open to a new page and give both pages a good coat of gesso. Remember to be aware of the brushstrokes or scratchings you put into the gesso; these will still be visible and add texture to the finished design, after the paint has been added.
Next add some colour. Here I’ve chosen a green and a purple, both craft paints. They have been added at a diagonal, using first a dry brush, then a wash after the first layer is dry.
To tie the two colours together and to “dirty” it up a bit, add a little black paint, using the edge of a credit card to create thin lines.
To add further layers, paint on some tissue paper with matching colours and tear into strips. These can then be stamped and edged with black ink. Glue these onto the page. Ink used here is Brilliance Graphite Black. Stamps are from See-D’s Perfectly Paisley set (#50326).
Now your page is ready for journalling. I have used a white and a black gel pen of the Uni-ball brand. Both wrote well and dried on the paint. Take care when writing onto layouts; you may need to heat set your writing with a heat gun. Also some pens don’t write well on gesso.
The brilliant aspect of art journalling is that you can write about anything; it does have that journalling aspect to it! Lately I have had the words from Pink’s song “I don’t believe you” going through my head. I have written the words out, as best as I can remember them. And like any song that just keeps going through our heads, I may not have started at the beginning, or finished at the end, or repeated the right bits…. but it is a reflection of the melody that is flowing through my brain.
I hope this introduction to art journalling will inspire you to give it a go. If you have completed some mixed media art work or altered book before, then the step to journalling is taking faith in your handwriting and what you want to say. If you are just beginning, then the best way to learn is to get started, start painting, start stamping, start writing. Only then will your skills grow.
And remember that this is for you, so choose the colours and images you love. You don’t need to share it with anyone. And don’t worry about your handwriting ~ while you may not like it, it is a part of you and that is what we are putting into our journalling.
If it all goes really bad… you can always gesso over it and begin again. But please sleep on it first; you may be surprised how a fresh set of eyes can appreciate your own work much better in the morning!
Shona shows us how to incorporate our creativity into our busy lives. It all begins with thinking about your vision, setting goals, breaking them into steps and setting up a dedicated space for creating. The instructions are well laid out and easy to understand, with accompanying photos. The 12-week art course is great and will help even the most time-challenged mother get started.
For artist just starting out, Shona reminds us it is important to follow step-by-step instructions to begin with, then you can branch out with your own ideas. The short stories about other artist mothers that are spread through the book are inspiring and remind us that we can fit creativity into our lives.
