Art Journaling Tips for Adding Texture

art journal
Fabric, fiber, and layers give this art
journal by Vivian Bonder, in Pages.

cate pratoAn art journal can be anything you want it to be. So, why not make it a place for experimentation?

Texture is one of the elements of art journaling that can be the most fun to experiment with. Adding texture is the quickest way to add depth to your handmade journals' pages. In most cases, it only takes a couple of minutes to apply texture, and you can do it with the simplest of materials.

Here are 10 art journal ideas for adding texture to your pages.

1. Apply a layer of gesso across the page. Scratch in it with the end of a paintbrush, stroke the gesso with a dry brush, or fold the page in half, press lightly, and open it up again to create peaks and valleys.

2. Apply layers of paint with a palette knife instead of a brush.

3. Apply molding paste through a stencil.

Jacqueline Newbold adds dimension and texture to her art journal pages by making marks in gesso before painting with watercolors.

4. Spread gel medium that contains pumice, microbeads, or glitter over the page (or parts of the page) with the edge of an old credit card.

5. Insert a page made of corrugated cardboard or embossed wallpaper.

6. Apply white glue or Mod Podge® to the page, cover it with tissue paper, then apply more glue on top, creating wrinkles as you go.

7. Add a piece of lace or a small piece of embroidered vintage fabric.

8. Glue flaps, envelopes, or pockets onto the page.

9. Cover the page, or parts of the page with tape (masking, packing, drywall, etc.)

10. Stitch the paper.

Some of these techniques you may want to apply to the naked page and build up from there. Others, like adding flaps or pockets, you might want to apply at the end.

Pages, our new special publication on bookmaking and art journaling is full of tips, tricks, ideas, and techniques for creating texture in your handmade journals, and much more.

P.S. What do you use to texturize the pages in your art journals and handmade books? Share with everyone in the comments, below, and feel free to include a link to a picture.

Categories

Art Journaling and Lettering, Blog, Mixed-Media Techniques

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