Hello, Crafters! Today I'm sharing my first attempt at an art journal page (so please go easy on me!).
I've wanted to try art journaling for a long time, so when I saw these new Copic Sketchbooks, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to start one! I had so much fun, and that's what counts the most, right? :)
I'm using the 5" x 7" Copic Sketchbook, made with the highest-quality Japanese illustration paper. This newest edition of the sketchbook is ideal for use with Copic markers and mixed-media! The 50 sheets of uncoated, medium-weight paper are spiral bound between two heavyweight black covers for stability, making professional grade paper and artwork palette portable and protected.
FEATURES:
• 50 Sheets
• 70 lb professional-grade Japanese paper
• Super smooth surface for clean inking
• Uncoated paper (ideal for Copic markers)
• Warm toned paper for vibrant coloration
• Pencil erases cleanly
• Super thick covers
Here's a little back story on the pretty plumeria flower theme I chose ... My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Hawaii and that was my first introduction to these beautiful fragrant flowers/trees. They were everywhere and their gorgeous fragrance filled the air with the most wonderful aroma I will never forget! I remember seeing plumeria cuttings for sale while we were there, but figured I would never be able to get one to grow back at home in North Texas. Fast forward 23 years later and a move to south coastal Texas (warmer climate), and a benevolent neighbor offered me some plumeria cuttings from their potted trees this past Spring. After about a month of being potted and waiting for sprouts to emerge, I saw signs of life! The first photo on the top left below are how the cuttings look when they come out of their winter dormant state -- bare of all leaves!
The rest of the photos are from this weekend -- 2 months after the first sprouts! I love having this wonderful reminder of Hawaii on my patio, to take in each day! This is where you'll find me start most mornings with a cup of coffee or tea, taking in this gorgeous beauty!
Okay ... on with the journal page, right?!! To create this page, first I die cut a wonderful plumeria-like flower from the Essentials by Ellen Wild Garden die set and used X-Press It Glue Pen as a temporary adhesive to glue it down and use as a stencil for my Copic airbrushing:
First I airbrushed Copic Y06 in the center of the outline flower and outward, covering about half to 2/3 of the flower:
Then (not photographed), I added a little darker Copic Y08 to the very center of the flower.
Next, I replaced the die cut centers of the die cut petals, so they would cover up the airbrushed yellow/white flower petals, and airbrushed Copic B00 around the outside edges of the flower:
I repeated the process two other times, creating three flowers. I think they ended up looking very close to my real plumeria flowers! The Copic Sketchbook's Japanese paper yields beautifully smooth airbrushing results!
After finishing the airbrushed plumeria, I used a Tim Holtz stencil and airbrushed the dots around the flowers with BG01:
I stamped some other plumeria-like flowers from the Essentials by Ellen Stay Golden stamp set with Jet Black Archival and Delicata Golden Glitz inks. Then added some Heidi Swapp washi tape in black and gold patterns -- I loved the "treasure Everyday" sentiment on one of the tapes!
I think I'm hooked on this art journal idea and I'm sure you'll be seeing some more pages from me in the near future! I can't wait to try out some Copic coloring on the super-smooth paper of this Sketchbook, along with maybe some paints, etc.!
SUPPLIES:
Beautiful job. I love your interpretation of the flowers!
Posted by: Barbara Brachfeld | June 19, 2017 at 05:34 AM
Thanks for sharing your lovely story about finding and refinding plumeria!! Your journal page is precious and so stunning! I love the stenciled touches around the flowers. This is made for framing ♥
Posted by: Rosy Newlun | June 19, 2017 at 08:05 PM