Nature is pleased with simplicity: Art Journal Page

This page was created in response to the April prompts - set by guest controller Linda Simpson - over on Mission Inspiration.  The colour palette for the month is pistachio, yellow and blush (pink).

Step 1: Add a thin coat of paint or gesso.  For this step, I crushed up some of the Pistachio Gelato from Faber-Castell into some clear gesso (Amsterdam/Royal Talens) and painted it randomly over the page (mixed media paper 28.8cm x 19.5cm).  I also used some Docrafts Artiste paint in Blush, which has a pearl finish.

Step 1

Step 2: Add texture through a stencil.  For this I dragged DecoArt media white modelling paste through the mini script stencil (Claritystamp) in three places on the page.

Step 2

Step 3: Glue patterned paper shapes.  I had punched out several butterflies using the punch from the Martha Stewart butterfly stamp and punch set from suitable coloured patterned scraps from my bit box.  These were glued onto the page, then sealed with gel medium.

Step 3

Step 4: Add a focal image or two.  I had stamped the Poppy Time stamp (Penny Black) directly onto the page using Library Green Archival ink.  I also stamped it onto a piece of Sheena's stamping card in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  The Poppy flower was coloured using ProMarkers in Gold, Tulip Yellow and Lemon and the seed pods in Pear Green, Marsh Green and Lemon Zest.  These were fussy cut,  glued into the appropriate places, then sealed with matte medium and dried.  Once dry, Faber-Castell Big Brush markers were used to add shading and to colour the stems.  The butterflies also had detail added using the same pens, blended out with cotton buds (with paper sticks!).

Step 4

Step 5: Make marks with household items.  For this step I used some bubble wrap and Leaf Green Archival ink to add a diagonal row from top left to bottom right (a very subtle effect).

Step 5

Step 6: Add a border of your choice.  For this, I used a Sakura PN pink micron pen to add 'butterfly trails'  around the edge of the page, connecting all the butterflies.  Once again, it produced a very subtle effect.

Step 6

Step 7:  Add a quote using one or more from the suggested words: Nature, Flower, Showers, Trees and/or April.  As you can see,  I printed out a quote about NATURE onto clear plastic using my Dymo Letratag and added it to the page once trimmed down.

Step 7

Step 8: Finish with splatter, drips or raindrops.  I chose to use some Glossy Accents to add some raindrops to the poppy flower.