Journal Page { with Hot Picks Stamps by Seth Apter}

Hello to everybody, Seth here. I am thrilled to back on the PaperArtsy site as a guest designer. This is my second guest post and I am pleased to be able to share a journal page with you. I am a mixed media artist from New York City and love to use my journal as a place to explore art techniques as well as a means of expression. Not surprisingly, this page is all about the layers.

My journal is a 9 x 12 inch wire bound book filled with 140lb watercolor paper. My first step was to cover the page with black gesso. I love the effect that this has on the layers of color I will be adding next.

I then loosely painted the page with three colors of Fresco Finish Paint: Haystack, Pumpkin Soup, and Toffee. I used the same brush and let all the colors randomly mix. I also made sure that some of the black gesso showed through.

Using permanent black ink, I covered the entire surface with beautiful cursive text using a stamp from the PaperArtsy set Hot Picks 1304. I did not use an acrylic block as I wanted the pattern of the stamping to be variable.

 Hot Picks 1304.

Some design elements were added using two stencils from StencilGirl Products designed by Pam Carriker: Texture #6 and Texture #8. Honeydew and Chocolate Pudding Fresco Finish Paint were both pounced through the stencils using a sponge.

I tore a book page to create a curving edge and placed it over the page to use as a mask. A thin layer of PaperArtsy Crackle Glaze was spread using a palette knife onto the lower part of the page that was exposed by the mask. 

Once the Crackle Glaze layer was dry, I brushed on a coating of Caramel Fresco Finish Paint. The Crackle Glaze immediately begins to act on the top coat of paint, causing crackling and crazing. Before that layer was completely dry, I rubbed a sanding block around the edge and over the surface to add additional texture.

Then I removed the scrap paper mask. 

My next step was to add hand-drawn marks to the surface using a variety of pencils, pens and markers. One of the best things about Fresco Finish Paint is its matte finish, which allows you to successfully use every ‘mark maker’ available. I kept consistent with the color palette and used white, black, red and sepia tones. I also added additional design elements using permanent ink in shades of black, olive, and brown along with PaperArtsy rubber stamps from both the Hot Picks 1306 and Minis 72 sets.

Hot Picks 1306

Minis 72 

My next step was to add more paint and I used a variety of colors including Toffee, Brown Shed, Nougat, Caramel, and Sage Fresco Finish Paints. For different effects, I varied my method of applying the paints, using a brush, a brayer, and a mister. For the misting and splattering effects, I mixed the Fresco Finish Paint with water in a spray mister, shook vigorously and sprayed directly on the page.

My page so far was very abstract and I wanted to add one main focal image. I sketched and cut out a silhouette of a face in profile using cardstock. I took the negative portion of the silhouette and placed it on the left edge of my journal page. I sprayed and spritzed Little Black Dress Fresco Finish Paint, which I had mixed with water in a mister, as described above.

When the cardstock was removed, the face “magically” appeared on the journal page.

The final step for this page was working over the surface to add more detail and design. I outlined the face silhouette using markers. The word ‘secret’ and the splattered eye were added using one of the Inside Out stencil that I designed for StencilGirl Products along with Stone Fresco Finish Paint. These were outlined with markers as well. I added random splatters using watered down Little Black Dress and Toffee Fresco Finish Paint. Additional marks were also drawn using pens and markers.

I will be using more of the PaperArtsy paints and stamps on the other pages of the journal and look forward to seeing how the journal journey unfolds.

Seth

A huge thanks to Seth from all at PaperArtsy HQ for another fascinating peek into your working process. We love how you have layered the paints and marks, each stage complimenting the next. The 'magic' face looks great too. 

If you would like to join in our weekly challenge with any of this week's guests who have blogged since Sunday night, then join in to link up your creativity HERE you will go in the draw to win PA stamps of your choice! You need to link your entry by17:00 (London time) Sunday 17th Aug 2014