Hi creatives, Tammy (aka Tambarambaa) with you today to share a colorful Art Journal Page – I haven’t shared one of these for a while, but was really in the mood to layer up lots of stencils.
![Art journal page with loads of color and the word happy](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/57987E9C-6F52-45AA-8D86-A36368118A11-1024x1024.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
TCW provided me with lots of amazing products to play with, but the art and the opinions are solely my own.
![art journal page in pinks, yellows, oranges and deep blue](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6404.jpg?resize=750%2C560&ssl=1)
Let’s get creating!!
First, I cover the background in patches of paint, which I apply with a dry brush. This part is just about adding sections of color, not thinking too much, just losing yourself in the process.
I selected a few different tones of pink – some soft, some bright, and then a splash of orange and yellow and a hint of deep blue.
![creating the background with patches of color and some stencil work](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6367-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Once dry, I begin to blend the colors. I started with the deep blue, and selected stencil TCW2019 Punchinella. An oldie, but a goodie. Using the honeycomb section, I lay this over the patches of blue and then with a dry makeup sponge, dabbed some blue paint through the stencil, bringing it outwards.
I then repeat this process with different stencils and the paint colors I have already used, ensuring I begin the stenciling on the solid color, and then move outwards. Love the little sections of magic that occur during this stage.
For this process, I used Stencil TCW385 Moroccan Tiles – I love that this one gives me lots of options on the one stencil. I also used TCW5009 Stripes.
![building up the layers by adding more and more stencils](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6368-1024x683.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
I love the layering and the different shapes and patterns that start to come through. This really takes it from blobs of color, to a more finished piece.
![adding in grunge with painterly stencil and splats](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6369-683x1024.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
Time to add a bit of grunge. For this I used stencil TCW964 Encircled. Those painterly marks are awesome. I used an aqua paint and also some more of the deep blue for this part.
Now that you have a riot of color, it’s time to calm it all down a little. To do this, I add some white back into the page. This brings some calm to the chaos, as the neutral tone pulls all the colors together. I did this with both stencil work (stripes) and some splats of paint.
Time to let this all dry properly.
Whilst drying, I grabbed some old book pages and stencil TCW963 Hanging Vines. I sponged some TCW9001 White Gesso through the stencil to create some gorgeous leafy fronds. I then loosely drew around these with a black paint pen, adding a few extra details here and there.
![using a leaf stencil to create leafy embellishments on text paper](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6370-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Then I cut them all out.
Next, I felt my page still needed a touch more white, so I added some mark making by painting on some rainbow inspired shapes using TCW9001 White Gesso.
![adding white arches with white gesso and adhering leaves with gel medium](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6371-683x1024.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1)
I also adhered the cluster of leaves using TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium, giving them a coat using a spatula, both underneath and on top.
![close up of leafy branches](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6410.jpg?resize=750%2C737&ssl=1)
Finally, it’s time to add in some black. I did this by adding more scribbles and lines around the white arches, and also adding TCW9002 Black Gesso around the edges of the page.
![adding detail with pen work and a title by sponging through a word stencil](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6372-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
I used stencil TCW585 Inspired Words and black gesso to create a title. I used the ‘Happy’ word, and added some highlights with a white paint pen. I then hand journaled a quote underneath to suit.
![the title and journaling](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6408.jpg?resize=750%2C736&ssl=1)
There you have it!
![completed page filled with colour and a touch of grunge](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_6405.jpg?resize=750%2C555&ssl=1)
A page of pure HAPPY!!!
Thanks so much for popping in today, I hope this has inspired you to throw some color onto a page. Using stencils to add layer upon layer is such a therapeutic way to spend a few hours.
If you’d like to see more of my colorful art, I share more on Instragram, just head HERE. I’d love you to join me there, or leave a comment below, so I know you popped in.
Yours, in all the bright colors,
Tammy Klingner (aka Tambarambaa) – TCW Design Team Member.