Journaling is one my favorite ways to create. I love to make weekly layouts in my dot grid journal and I also enjoy making artful spreads on mixed media paper. I’ve decided to take my creative journaling up a notch.
This time, I’m mixing photography and art journaling in my Mixbook Photobook.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved taking pictures of mushrooms. I am absolutely amazed with how quickly they grow overnight. So, I decided to make a Mixbook Photobook with several of my pictures.
Instead of creating a photobook with several mushrooms on each page, I decided to use one picture per spread. The Mixbook design process allows me to design the layouts any way I want. That way I can have a mushroom on one side of the page and a blank spot for my art on the other.
Mixbook also offers many customizable themes and a “start a blank book” option too. I chose the latter. Other options for the photobook design include- backgrounds, stickers, and various fonts for text. Most importantly, it’s simple to use!
Check out how I used my Mixbook Photobook as an art journal.
See my Mixbook greeting cards here, and for up to 50% off your entire order visit Mixbook.
Supplies
- Mixbook Photobook
- Acrylic Paint (similar)
- Acrylic Brushes
- Stamps (polka dots, specks, numbers)
- Black Stamp Ink
- Paper Towel Cardboard Tube
- Tombow Black Permanent Marker
- Alphabet Stamps
- Number Stamps
- White Cardstock
- Matte Medium
- Blue Stamp Ink
- Blending Foam and Tool
Step One
First, I must mention I did not gesso or primer the pages beforehand. The Mixbook photobook paper is smooth with a subtle gloss. The paper can withstand acrylic paint and once it’s fully dried, the paper will flatten.
With that in mind, I covered the blank white portions of the entire spread with a blue and bluish-green acrylic paint (these are basic $0.75 paints from any arts and craft store). I used enough paint to cover the pages without over saturating it with paint. To expedite the drying process, I used a heat gun. Just an FYI, to avoid getting paint onto the picture, cover the edges with washi tape.
Step Two
Next, I added black circle outlines with the cardboard portion of a paper towel tube and black acrylic paint (the black really pops against the blue). When creating an art journal layout I try to find objects from around the house that I can throw away afterward (so I don’t have to clean it). Let this dry completely.
Step Three
Then I just grabbed stamps and black stamp ink and stamped all over the layout, even on the mushroom picture (just not on the mushroom itself). Stamps add a fun textured look and eye appeal. For this layout I’m using a speckled stamp, polka dot stamps, and number stamps. For the most part I’m applying the stamps without a block attached. The lack of the block provides a more natural asymmetrical design. This is the complete opposite of my dot grid journals- I’m all about symmetry with those layouts. Also, it’s important to note the type of stamp ink I’m using. When I journal, I prefer using this black ink pad because it does not smear, it’s permanent, dries quickly, and comes in all sorts of colors. I stamped the number stamp with this blue ink pad.
Step Four
I also added big bold white dots to this spread. At first I wasn’t planning on adding white dots to the mushroom picture, but I got circle happy and did so anyway. Once the dots dried, I added black circles around them with a permanent pen for more texture and details.
Step Five
Last, I stamped a quote onto cardstock using alphabet stamps and black stamp ink. Then I outlined each word with a black permanent pen, shaded the word with black ink and this blending foam and tool, and glued it onto the book with tweezers, a brush, and Matte Medium (applied to the front and back of the cardstock). Be sure to allow the layout to dry completely, otherwise the pages will stick together and the paint may tear the paper. I waited 24 hours to close my book.
