Come see how to quickly add Contrast to the pages of your altered books or junk journals. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the How To Video Tutorial.
Add Contrast to Junk Journal Pages – Stenciling & Stamping
Today we are looking at making contrasts by using dark and light. Contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements and effects. Contrast can be used to create variety and visual interest, even drama in our artwork. It is very important that your art subject stands out from the background. Art is really all about choices. The first choice is determining whether the subject is to be lighter or darker than the background. Once that decision is made you can work accordingly. Today we will add some light and dark to the pages that we have already artistically created.
The first method is rubber stamping, and using a dark ink stamp against a light background or a light ink stamp against a dark background. This is a favorite technique of mine because it works so beautifully. Second is the option of adding text, whether handwritten with lettering or calligraphy, or stenciled or stamped. The third is mark making, accomplished by writing with a black pen against a light background.
Since we have already done the mark making, we will review stenciling and stamping today as we work with contrast. As you see, I sometimes take blue painter’s tape and tape it to my jacket first to reduce the stickiness a bit before setting it over your stencil. After shaking the paint bottle well, I apply one of my favorite Folk art colors of navy blue. Dip your stencil brush into the paint, rubbing and spreading it around evenly to ensure that the paint gets up thoroughly into the bristles. Just dipping can result in too much paint and cause blotching.
Tapping and swirling the paint over the stencil as shown produces two entirely different looks. Tap first before swirling. When finished, slowly remove the top section of tape to see if you are pleased with the result. If not, you can tape it back down to proceed further. The end result shows the enhanced texture from tapping and a more refined, smoother finish with the contrasting swirl effect.
Now we will go to rubber stamping with text. I prefer to stamp an an angle as you see. It is a good idea to have a bucket of water on hand to clean your stamps and stencils. Try to stamp down directly flat instead of ‘rocking’ stamp back and forth. Add repeating stamp patterns throughout your altered book. Stamp, stencil, and have fun as you continue on your junk journaling journey!
How To Video Tutorial
DREAMERS INTO DOERS – DAILY CREATIVE PRACTICE DAY 13
May joy be with you all!
How can I serve YOU? How can I inspire YOUR creativity today? How can I help YOU? Learn about our Dreamer Into Doers 2020 Challenge. 20 minutes per day to develop and nurture a Personal Daily Creative Practice. There is Contagious Creativity awakening all around us. Come join the Contagious Creativity movement at https://www.facebook.com/Cre8Tiva/.
Leave a Reply