Don't Box Me In by Michelle Henderson

I recently taught this Art Journal page as a class at a retreat for my local scrapbook store - The Paper Teapot😊

Although I'm relatively new to art journalling, I love that you can't make mistakes - what happens, happens...

 I started by covering my journal pages with White Heavy Gesso - you may not need this step, but my journal is an old book I picked up from the second hand book store.

Then I added some Light paste through a stencil, and let it dry thoroughly.

I sprayed the pages with water, then dripped Colour Artist Ink on it and let it run - I used Lime, Mermaid, Grass, Oasis and Calypso.

I also used Colour Artist Ink in Marine, but but only used very little of this as it's such a strong colour.

Next I stamped some squares and a large Carabelle Art stamp with Black archival ink. I also stamped a few more squares of varying sizes with navy and turquoise archival inks.

I then went back over the area I wanted to be the face with the White Heavy Gesso - I was happy to let some of the background still come through. I also shaded some of the squares with this.

I used an aquarelle pencil, Distress crayons and a black Posca pen to shade and outline the face.

The lips were highlighted to give some fullness with Colour Paste in Punch.

Then I stamped some sentiment stamps with archival ink...

At that stage I decided she needed flowers, so added them in the same way as the face...

Time for the title; and finally I mixed some Colour Mica Powder in Olive Grove with string gel, and dribbled some lines to make some crosses...

I also added some tears to my girl with the clear Colour Shimmer Brush Marker {and a few spatters - I just can't help myself with those pens!!) 

Here's the final page...

And all the wonderful Colour Blast Australia products I used!

Go on - have a play!