Hi everyone ! Karen Burchill aka CreativeKady here with a bright colorful art journal page that shows how we can use our stencils in multiple ways.

The Crafters Workshop provided me with stencils and mediums to use but the opinions I share are solely my own.

Today I am working in my Canson Mixed Media 7 X 10 journal. It is the perfect size , not too big and not too small. I put painters tape across the side to keep paint and mediums from getting into the coils and to keep the edge clean.

I’ve included the link to the step by step YouTube tutorial at the end of this blog post for those who may prefer that.

• STEP # 1- APPLY BASE COLORS

I blend the colors bright yellow, bright green and white gesso right on the page with a make up sponge. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth. Remember this is just the first layer.

• STEP # 2 – ADD PATTERNING TO BACKGROUND

Using the same green I stencil on TCW764 Numbers Scramble then do more stenciling using gesso.

Once that is dry, I add more patterns using TCW902 Fantangle. This time I want to add some contrast so I pick turquoise. I love how this stencil adds motion to the page.

• STEP # 3 FOCAL IMAGE

The background seems to have an Aztec feel to it so I go searching my files for a suitable focal image and come across this clip art lizard. I choose to paint it a complementary color to the green/blue in the background as I want it to stand out. I painted the triangles the same turquoise I had in the background to make it cohesive. I add linework using my Fineline Bottle which really makes it stand out.

• STEP # 4 CREATE BORDER USING STENCIL

I wanted to build more contrast into the page and add to the Aztec feel so I selected TCW538 Tribal Triangles (no longer available 🙁 ) and just using one part of it stencil a black border around the page. If you wish you can tape off the part you want to use.

• STEP # 5 GLUE FOCAL IMAGE AND SENTIMENT

I choose a sentiment from my Sentiment Pack # 2 When Nothing Goes Right Go Left. If you wish to purchase email me at creativekady@gmail.com. I love how the white print on the black background looks. I glued the focal image and sentiment down.

• STEP # 6 FINISHING

I use the floating acrylic technique to shade the lizard and to edge the borders of the page.

I decide to add more contrast and line work and use my Fineline bottle and add detail to the triangles.

WANT MORE IDEAS ON HOW TO USE TCW STENCILS TO CREATE BORDERS

The videos for these can be found on my YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe https://www.youtube.com/karenburchill

If you use TCW stencils to create border I hope you will share your creations and ideas on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/creativekady/. Be sure to tag me @creativekady . OR please share in my Facebook Group Mixed Media Creations https://www.facebook.com/groups/1021241874586337/

Happy Creating

Karen Burchill/CreativeKady

TCW Brand Ambassador