![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TCW-Capture-Today5-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Creating an art journal page does not have to be hard… I know a lot of people tend to overthink it (I am one of those people!) but I have found that using the same type of layout with different materials is quite therapeutic and disengages our minds from operating in over drive. Using circles, large or small, is a great start with hundreds of variations on a classic but comforting shape.
The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with some product to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own.
![gel printed circle with TCW 9001 White Gesso](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TCW-Capture-Today3-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
For the background, I used a mini flower Gel Press plate with pink and purple acrylic paint as the first layer for an easy and soft abstract layer. I then applied an 8″ round Gel Press plate with parchment colored acrylic paint onto the center of the layout. I softened up the middle of the gel printed circle with TCW 9001 White Gesso to avoid the hard undertones that would contrast with the background.
![TCW9010 Silver Gesso through 12x12 TCW541 Believe Script Stencil.](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TCW-Capture-Today2-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
On top of the center circle (and only in the circle) I applied a layer of TCW9010 Silver Gesso through 12×12 TCW541 Believe Script Stencil with a sponge.
![TCW9066 Orchid Stencil Butter through 12x12 TCW554 Butterfly Collage Stencil](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TCW-Capture-Today4-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
I chose the 8″ round Gel Press plate because I knew it would fit perfectly with the circle design from this 12×12 TCW554 Butterfly Collage Stencil. I placed the stencil directly over the circle and applied two layers of TCW9066 Orchid Stencil Butter with a sponge. I then outlined the edges of the stencil print with a gold gel pen to prevent it from melting into the background layer.
![TCW9005 White Modeling Paste through 6x6 TCW361 Tiny Circles Stencil](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TCW-Capture-Today1-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
After applying my focal point and phrase within the printed circle, I decided the background needed a little more toning down to prevent the viewer from focusing on the printed circle too much. In the top right and bottom left corners I applied a thick layer of TCW9005 White Modeling Paste through 6×6 TCW361 Tiny Circles Stencil with a palette knife.
Below are some close up photos of the project and a link to the process video on my YouTube channel. Enjoy!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2021_12-04-33PM.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2021_12-04-54PM.jpg?ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eZy-Watermark_23-06-2021_12-05-12PM.jpg?ssl=1)
Renae Davis, The Crafter’s Workshop Design Team Member
- My Blog: www.splendiferossity.com
- Instagram: @redhedtm
- Facebook: @splendiferossity
- YouTube: @redhedtm
- Pinterest: @redhedtm
Beautiful art journal spread! Circles are my go to favouites!!