You Can't Make a Rainbow ~ Art Journal Page with Melinda Sweetman

Hello CB fans, Melinda here with you today with an art journal share!

I had recently purchased a stamp set that I was desperate to play with so pulled out a rainbow of Colour Blast goodies, my art journal and of course my brand new stamp set!

I wanted a drippy, pretty rainbow-y effect on my page but before I did anything I applied a quick coat of White Heavy Gesso using an old card.

I gave that a quick blast with my heat tool to ensure it was completely dry and onto my step which was a little stamping using some grey archival ink and one of my new stamps. I just randomly stamped a few of clouds across the page.

Next up, colour! 

First up, I used Sunset Colour Spray (I was after all going for a rainbow of colour so was working with ROYGBIV) and used the nozzle to apply a little colour to the top of the page, added a little water and then tipped the page to get a fun drippy effect happening.

I did use my heat tool to dry alot of this up and also it helped the colour to pool and dry in the fun way it did. 

I forgot to photograph each colour but going from left to right I have used the following products/colours after the sunset, Saffron Colour Spray, Tangereen Dream Colour Shimmer Spray, Rainforest Colour Spray, Lagoon Colour Spray and Sapphire Colour Spray. I did the exact same technique all the way across.

When that was all dry there was a little too much of the Sunset colour so I simply applied some of the Bubblegum Colour Spray straight over the top and the colours mixed together nicely to give a different shade.

Next up, I decided I wanted to add a bit of a different texture so again, to my stamp set, this time with some clear embossing ink and the same cloud stamp. I applied my ink onto the stamped image (I stamped onto some scrap white cardstock) then sprinkled with Dusty Charcoal Colour Embossing Powder and then heat set with my heat tool.

I love how these clouds came out!!

I fussy cut these and popped them aside while I decided what to do next. Raindrops!!!

Again, some more embossing ink, this time paired with the beautiful Snow White Colour Embossing Powder, straight onto my art journal page. I applied the stamp in a few places, under where I knew I was going to stick my already embossed clouds and then heat set the powder.

So shimmery and pretty!! I love, love, love this Snow White!

I wanted to add a pop of a darker colour and thought that I would that in the raindrops. As you can see the raindrops all have different little patterns on the inside of them so I knew that whatever colour I added the embossing would resist! I decided to go with the Duke Colour Shimmer Dust and a tiny paint brush and added some pops colour randomly to some of the raindrops.

I love the extra colour this gives and that little pop of a darker shade!

I wanted some more texture so grabbed a Dusty Attic raindrop stencil and the Steel Colour Paste and once again, randomly applied some across the page.

I left that to airdry (which does dry super fast by the way!) and then stuck down the clouds I had fussy cut earlier using a little craft foam and cutting off the excess hanging over the edges.

I added my sentiment using black staz-on and then stamped that off around the page to add a little extra something.

And my very last step was getting some of my Black Heavy Gesso, a little water and a small-ish paint brush and applying little drips of black across the page.

I was a little unsure of this in the early stages of it coming together but in the end I am super happy and thrilled that I decided to keep going until I had something I was happy with! I guess, it doesn't always have to be pretty in the beginning for us to love the finished design ;)

Here are a few close ups

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this art journal page come together and if you would like to see the whole lot come together in a process video just click below and enjoy!

As always, thanks for stopping by and have a messy, crafty day!

Melinda
xx