Studio Visit #7: Art Journal Underpainting

Lately, I've been doing a lot of redacted art work. I start with a painting and then add something contrasting over it. This could look realistic or be totally abstract.

As you probably know, my art journal of choice is a self-made "junque journal" -- created with leftover bits and bobs from my art studio. I prefer a junque journal because I hate starting with a blank page. This particular journal I'm working in happens to have a lot of white paper in it.  So, I've been giving myself an underpainting to react to.

You can watch the process in the video.  The goal is to cover the white page without hiding anything that already exists. I use collage, paint, and colored pencils in the video:

As you can see from the video, my art journal page isn't finished.  The idea that art isn’t created in one sitting, but must percolate over days, weeks, even months, is one of my personal core principles. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to take a break from making art; it simply means that you need to give yourself the space, time and freedom to explore your ideas and reactions – it’s more about the journey rather than the destination. Taking time away can actually help to enhance creativity and give you the opportunity to view the artwork from a fresh perspective.

The beauty of art journaling isn’t just in the act of creating, but in the knowledge that every page is just the start of something bigger – it’s an outlet for creative expression, an exploration of ideas and feelings, and a chance to tell your story. It’s about allowing yourself to have freedom and flexibility, without forcing a predetermined outcome. As such, it’s not just the end result that’s important, but the journey you take to get there. 

For artists looking to challenge themselves, an art journal is a great way to start or reignite your creative journey. An art journal is open-ended and allows you to have fun with your creativity. Whether you prefer realism or something totally abstract - there's no wrong way to do it. So, grab your junque journal, find the right materials, and let your imagination take the wheel.

Thanks for stopping by!