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Art Journal Backgrounds







There are so many ways to create art journal backgrounds. Every piece is a custom unique piece of art. But for most of us, it is all about looking at that blank page and not knowing where to start. So, here are some tips and ideas to help you get started.  

You can use a single media or a mixed media for your background. As always, it is your art, your way!

I am always looking for new ideas for art journal backgrounds. When I can across these, I was very impressed. They are great ideas that even a beginner could do. How do you do your backgrounds. We would love to hear your ideas.


What Can You Use To Create An Art Journal Background?

  • Alcohol and other ink sprays
  • Gesso
  • Inks
  • Distress inks.
  • Oxide inks
  • Paints
  • Watercolors
  • Watercolor markers
  • Gel Pens
  • Embossing paste
  • Gilding flakes
  • Distress crayons.

Water Stamping Technique

Supplies

  • Journal page.
  • Distress inks.
  • Gesso
  • Paint brush.
  • Fine tipped pens
  • Blending tool with pad
  • Water 
  • Spray bottle filled with water.
  1. Spread a thin layer of gesso on your pages and let it dry.
  2. Choose the distress ink colors you want to use and add color to the pages.
  3. Use a damp brush and blend the ink. It works like watercolor paint. 
  4. Let it dry.
  5. Use a blending tool to add more ink. That will intensify the color.
  6. Spray a stamp with water.
  7. Stamp the page to create a design.
  8. Once the page is dry, outline the stamped sections with a fine tipped pen.


More Ideas To Get Started

  1. Just add one or two colors to your page and build from that. It can be any pattern anywhere on your page.
  2. Doodle. Create patterns and drawings. Your doodles can be anything you can think of from flowers, to abstracts to shapes. You can use a pencil, fine tipped marker, gel pen or whatever you may have. 
  3. Divide the page in half either vertically or horizontally. Use two different colors in each of the halves. 
  4. Use stencils to create your background. Do an overall stencil or create bits of patterns over your pages. Add colors to the patterns with ink o other media. 
  5. Create patterns with sponges and paint.
  6. Use a layer of paint or ink on your page and let it dry. Then "pour" a little paint at the top of the page and let it drip down the front. Be sure to have something below to catch the excess paint. 
  7. Brush some paint on your paper. Let it dry. then add a different color on top and scrap it across the page till you are satisfied with the result. 
  8. Spray some ink spray or alcohol ink spray on your pages. Then sprinkle some salt on the wet spray. Let it dry and brush off the leftover salt.









Just focus on creating the background and nothing more. Take it one step at a time so that you do not get frustrated. 

Choose only one or two different media to create your background pages. Adding too many tools to the process will make your creative process too cumbersome.

Dig in and get started. Even if you are not sure where you are headed, just start adding color. Inspiration will come as you move along. 

If you are using paints for your background, it is always wise to prep the page by using a coat of gesso. 

Scrap any left overpaint onto a clean page to start another background.





















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