Want to learn how to make this simple background which looks very complicated? This is a simple step-by-step process that can open up a myriad of possibilities in terms of colors and choices. Read on to learn how to use this awesome multi-layered background technique and add it to your background techniques tool kit!

The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with some product to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own.

Today’s simple step-by-step process teaches you how to create a multi-layered background to create interest and depth. This 8″ x 11″ Pentalic art journal I’m using contains heavy weight watercolor paper and I just love it as it will take a lot of wet mediums without buckling or warping the page. Here are the steps I used to create this background:

1. Gather some torn text/book pages, a silicone spatula or palette knife, and TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium.
2. Using the silicone spatula and TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium adhere the torn page pieces in a diagonal pattern from top left to bottom right of the page. (I’m using the page in a portrait format). Dry with a heat gun/tool.
3. Lightly sprinkle Sepia Colorsparx watercolor powder randomly over the book page pieces on the page.
4. Use the Ken Oliver Spritz bottle to lightly spritz the Sepia Colorsparx watercolor powder to activate it, and use a small round brush to move the color around the book page pieces as desired. Dry with a heat gun/tool.
5. Using a TCW9025 Plastic Palette Knife, apply TCW9080 Champagne Gold Stencil Butter through NEW stencil TCW969 Illusions by Ronda Palazzari. (I used the older version of TCW9036 Champagne gold modeling paste which is no longer available for sale, the newer gold stencil butter is much creamier and easier to use!). Dry with a heat gun/tool.
6. Lightly sprinkle Turquoise Colorsparx watercolor powder randomly over the gold stenciled butter.
7. Use the Ken Oliver Spritz bottle to lightly spritz the Turquoise Colorsparx watercolor powder to activate it, and use a small round brush to move the color around the gold stenciled butter as desired. Use a damp paper towel to wipe the gold stenciled butter clean if there is too much color on it. Dry with a heat gun/tool.
8. Using NEW stencil TCW961 Basketweave by Ronda Palazzari, apply turquoise ink using an ink applicator brush through the stencil, down each side of the book page pieces, overlapping the edges slightly and extending out into the white page sections slightly.
9. Using TCW9001 White Gesso, mixed with a little water, create small splatters over the background design using a small round brush by tapping the brush handle close to the top of the brush and close to the page. Dry with a heat gun/tool.

Notice that I used a tiny amount of the Sepia ColorSparx powder. The ColorSparx watercolor powders are super concentrated and strong, a tiny bit goes a LONG way!

I really hope you found this technique outline to be helpful and that you feel confident enough to try it on your own. If you have any questions or feedback, I’d love to hear them. Please post them below.

Do you want to see this blog post as a fly-by video (29 seconds)? Hop on over to my YouTube Channel to watch it by clicking on this video link. I’d really love to hear which part of this background is your favorite and why, please leave me a comment, below! Have a great day and happy making, we LOVE to see your projects, so please be sure to tag us using our hash tag of #ilovestencils !

Michaela Butterworth
The Crafter’s Workshop Design Team Member

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