So, you’ve got a new journal. There is nothing more scary than the first blank page! Where shall I start? What shall I do? It takes a time to gain confidence and realise that ‘anything goes’. I begin by adding colour, but who says that the first page HAS to be the FIRST page!
Try this technique:
Gather together a paintbrush, some clean water, a sheet of clean paper (computer paper is fine) and some sort of watercolour. I particularly like these Koh-i-Noor palettes, but ANY sort of WATERCOLOUR will do.
DO NOT TRY THIS TECHNIQUE WITH ANY SORT OF ACRYLIC MEDIUM
Koh-i-Noor watercolours produce strong vibrant hues that can be changed in a variety of ways
Start by opening your book at a two page spread absolutely anywhere. Start with the right hand page.
Use your paintbrush to make the page wet, then start to add colour from your palette. Don’t worry if it all seems too wet at this stage
Add more paint, allowing the colours to mix and mingle of their own accord.
Finished? The page should still be quite wet. The next bit is a bit scary – trust me!
Quickly, and without thinking about what you are doing COVER the page with the spare piece of paper that you have ready.
Press it down all over. Don’t be tempted to look. Leave it where it is and turn the book around so that the clean page is now on the right.
Can you see the paper? The first page is still covered – that is important so leave it there and begin to add water to the second page, if there is a little colour in it, that’s fine.
Once again add colour. It can be the same as before or different. Just keep going until you are satisfied – make sure that you keep the page wet.
Finished? Page still wet? It should be.
CLOSE THE BOOK!
DON’T REMOVE THE PAPER
DON’T BE TEMPTED TO ‘TAKE A PEEK’!
Put it all on one side for 24 hours…….
(If you like the look of the Koh-i-Noor watercolours you can buy them here.)
I’m wondering if you’re painting in a watercolor book, do you need to add a sheet of waxed paper or something, UNDER the sheet you are using? Won’t the other sheets get wet also? I’m new at watercolor! Thanks for the quick lesson! {:-D
What a great use of your journal – of course you are a lot more experienced with blending your colors.
But when my mind goes blank and I have nothing to write – I think I will take your suggestion and sketch whatever my imagination brings forth!
Also going to check out the watercolors.
Thanks for sharing all your info!
Yes, you can put something under the page to catch the drips – but do you need to? The added colour may just add something to the following pages. Don’t forget – ‘this is just a journal!’
Looks like fun! That’s why I like working with dyes! What a cool idea!
It does look like fun, so free and easy.
Due to my friend Di telling me of this, I shall be ‘having a go’.
Have to say I do like the look of the paint spread.
[Di, just to let you know I've ordered the goods....]
It’s all her fault Myfanwy that I try these things..I am a safe in my little cosy corner type of person really. We shall see what happens with this…..
Jan
I love using these paints and can’t wait to get my journal from white to coloured. Love the idea of having to wait for 24 hours.
I’ll be having a go at this Mwyfanwy. I’ve wanted to make a journal for a long time but the `blank page` has put me off. So I’m going to enjoy it
Di ((Jan’s friend)
Look forward to seeing what you do, Di. Time to get that blog going again?
Just for once I had all the right ingredients to start. Had great fun with some lovely results.
Well done, Maggi. Can we see them?
busy doing….
love
yvette