Art Up Your Journal Cover
Art up your Strathmore® Visual Journal cover by adding expressive texture and color using gel medium or molding paste and paint. Collage in ephemera and found objects to tell your unique, creative story.
Designed by Linda Blinn
Material List
- Sand Paper
- Gesso
- Pallet Knife
- Acrylic Gel Medium (medium or heavy) or Acrylic Molding Paste
- Texture Tools (such as combs, plastic bottle caps, etc.)
- Stencils (optional)
- Ephemera (such as old letters, book pages, tickets, found objects, etc.)
- Artist Brush and/or Small Spray Mister
- Fluid Acrylics or Acrylic Paints
- Journal of choice
Project Instructions
Prepare the cover by lightly sanding it. Wipe clean.
Apply a coat of gesso and let dry.
With a palette knife, apply gel medium or molding paste to an area. Then use a comb, bottle cap or texture tools to add design and texture to the surface.
In other areas, apply gel or molding paste through a stencil with a palette knife. Immediately lift the stencil off.
Continue adding gel medium or molding paste, and creating texture to achieve desired effect.
While gel/molding paste is still wet, add collage elements such as vintage letters, text from old books or “found objects” such as sea glass.
Let the cover dry completely.
Apply fluid acrylic paints with brush or with spray mister, letting colors mix naturally.
Inside View
Close-up View of Front Cover
Example of Another Journal Cover
