Teaching basic art journal techniques to novices, as well as children can successfully be achieved through use of stencils. Not only do they open the doors of creative exploration, but also they allow those who are intimidated by blank pages to jump in and create without hesitation. This is an easy art project simple enoug to be worked on by anyone!
Materials:
- Stencils (a variety of many shapes and styles)
- Crayons (a wide variety of colors)
- Acrylic paint (a wide variety of colors)
- Pouncing or stiple brush
- Small containers of water
- Black sharpies (ultra fine would be the best choice)
Instructions:
- Open your art journal to the first blank page spread. Apply a very light and very thin color wash using the acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step. You can speed drying time through use of a heat gun or hair dryer.
- Place stencil under the page, and then rub over various areas (or the entire stencil) using several different crayon colors. Cover the entire page spread using this method, but be sure to keep the coloring light wherever there aren’t details showing through.
- Using the same stencils, or different ones if you choose, pounce acrylic paint across them and create another layer of stencil patterns across the entire page spread. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Again, you can speed drying time through use of a heat gun or hair dryer.
- Draw all over the page spread using the black sharpie. These drawings can follow the theme of the stencils, be whatever inspires you in the moment, or be completely random. There are no rules. Create random swirls, a border, and some tracings around various stenciled patterns.
Variations:
- Create a themed page using stencils and colors that are coordinating.
- Add further embellishments through use of brads, eyelets, beads, and gems.
- Use the black sharpie to create journal entries, quotations, song lyrics, and poetry.
- Use charcoals or chalks rather than crayons, but don’t paint over those areas. Switch the steps around to prevent smudging, and the use a spray fixative.
This art journal prompt is also great for other art projects as well. Follow these steps to create greeting cards, book covers, and gift-wrap. Children need very litter supervision and they’ll enjoy having the opportunity to create something random, make a mess, and try new techniques. Stencils, while they are a structured shape or pattern, really can help bridge the gap between perfectionism and artistic freedom.
