I am so thrilled to announce the launch of my latest product, the Watercolor Paper Cutouts! These beautifully hand-painted papers are perfect for adding a touch of color and texture to your art journals, junk journals, and mixed media projects.
Here are just a few ways you can use these gorgeous cutouts in your art projects:
Create Backgrounds: Use the watercolor paper cutouts as a background for your art journal pages, adding layers of color and texture to your designs.
Add Focal Points: Use the cutouts as a focal point for your art journal pages or mixed media projects. Their unique and vibrant designs will add visual interest and help draw the eye to your work.
Make Collages: Use the cutouts to create beautiful collages, layering them over one another to create a unique and eye-catching design.
Embellish Your Projects: Use the cutouts as embellishments to add a special touch to your art projects. They can be used to create borders, frame images, or simply as accents to your work.
Make Greeting Cards: Use the cutouts to create one-of-a-kind greeting cards, perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just to say hello to someone special.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless with these beautiful watercolor paper cutouts.
In addition to their beauty, these cutouts are also durable and high-quality. They’re made from thick watercolor and mixed-media paper, ensuring that they’ll hold up to even the most intense mixed-media projects.
So, head over to our shop and grab your own set of Watercolor Paper Cutouts today! They’re the perfect addition to any artist’s toolkit.
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making your own watercolor paints? It’s easier than you might think and can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. Not only is it a great way to exercise your creativity, but it’s also a way to control the quality and ingredients of your paint. In this post, I’ll guide you through the steps of making your own watercolor paints, and also share some fun ways to use them.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
To make your own watercolor paints, you’ll need a few basic supplies:
Dry Pigments: You can find these online or at an art supply store. Choose the colors you wan to make.
Gum Arabic: This is a binder that holds the pigments together. It’s available in liquid or powdered form.
Honey or glycerin: This helps keep the paint moist and workable.
Small containers: You can use empty half-pans from watercolor palettes, or buy them on Amazon. You just need a small container of some kind.
Dropper or pipette: This will help you measure the amount of water and binder you need.
Water: Distilled water is best, but tap water will work.
Step 2: Mix Your Paint
Now that you have your supplies, it’s time to mix your paint. Here’s how:
Put a small amount of dry pigment into a container.
Add a few drops of gum Arabic and mix well. You want the consistency to be like toothpaste.
Add a drop of honey or glycerin and mix again.
Add water slowly, mixing as you go. You want the paint to be the consistency of heavy cream.
Repeat for each color you want to make.
Step 3: Let Your Paints Dry
Once your paints are mixed, leave them to dry. This can take a few days to a week depending on the humidity in your area. You’ll know they’re ready when the surface is dry and they’re no longer sticky to the touch.
Step 4: Have Fun With Your Paints!
Now that you have your homemade watercolor paints, it’s time to get creative. Here are some fun ways to use them:
Paint a watercolor portrait or landscape.
Use them to create a colorful background for your calligraphy or hand lettering.
Create a gradient effect by mixing two colors together on your paper.
Use a white crayon to create a resist effect, then paint over it with your DIY watercolors.
Paint a set of notecards to give as gifts.
Making your own watercolor paints can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do you get to experiment with different colors and consistencies, but you also get to create something that’s truly unique. So gather your supplies, mix your paints, and let your creativity run wild!
Are you a fan of mixed-media art? Do you love creating art from scraps, doodles, and marks? If so, you’re going to love my new art ephemera mixed media kits!
As an artist, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of repurposing and reusing materials. I believe that everything has potential, even the scraps and bits that are left over from other projects. That’s why I started gathering all of my art ephemera – the bits and pieces of paper, fabric, and other materials that I had accumulated over the years – and organizing them into kits.
Each of my art ephemera mixed media kits is filled with a unique assortment of materials.
I love using these kits in my own art journals and mixed media paintings. They provide the perfect starting point for a new project, sparking my creativity and giving me a jumping-off point for my designs. And because the materials are all different, no two pieces are ever the same.
But these kits aren’t just for me – I also sell them in my shop. I want other artists and creatives to have access to these unique and inspiring materials, so they can create their own works of art. Whether you’re an experienced mixed media artist or just starting out, these kits are perfect for adding texture, dimension, and interest to your creations.
So if you’re looking for a new source of inspiration and creativity, check out my art ephemera mixed media kits. You never know what you might find inside – and what kind of amazing art you’ll create with them.
I believe that the experience of opening a package can be just as important as the contents inside. That’s why I take great care in making sure that each of my art ephemera mixed media kits is not only filled with amazing materials but is also a fun and exciting experience to open. I want my customers to feel a sense of anticipation and excitement as they open each envelope, baggy, and flip through the layers revealing the unique assortment of pieces inside. Whether you’re buying a kit as a gift or for yourself, I want the act of opening it to be a special moment, one that sparks your creativity and ignites your imagination.
Writing is an essential element of mixed media art journaling. It provides a way to convey emotions and thoughts, as well as create depth and texture to a work of art. But when it comes to incorporating writing into art journaling, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are eight easy ways to add writing to your art journaling and express yourself in a unique and meaningful way.
Use a variety of writing tools: Try using different writing tools and materials such as pens, markers, paints, and even chalk. Experiment with different lines, shapes, and lettering styles to create a unique and creative look.
Create a list of ideas: Make a list of words or phrases that you find meaningful and inspiring. You can use this list as a source of inspiration when adding writing to your art journaling.
Write about your feelings: Writing about your emotions and experiences can be a great way to express yourself and gain insight into your feelings. Let the words flow freely and see what comes out.
Add quotes, lyrics, and passages: Incorporate quotes and passages from your favorite books, poems, or lyrics. Use these to express your thoughts and feelings or to add a layer of depth and meaning to your art journaling.
Write about your creative process: Writing about your creative process can help you articulate what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. It can also help you identify the steps you took to create something, which can be a useful reference later.
Write a poem: Writing a poem can be a great way to express yourself and to explore deeper thoughts and feelings. It can also be a great way to get started with writing in your art journal.
Record your experiences: Writing down your experiences as you work on your art journal can be a great way to help you look back and reflect on the journey. It can also help you discover your own creative process and help you to push your boundaries.
Write a story: Writing a story in your art journal can be a great way to explore different themes or ideas that you might not have considered before. It can also help to bring your art journal to life and create a narrative for the things you create.
The benefits of adding writing to your art journaling are numerous. Not only does it help to deepen your creative process, but it can also help to create a more meaningful and powerful experience. Writing in your art journal can also help to improve your writing skills and provide a creative outlet for self-expression.
Collage style and mixed media art journaling are both creative and fun ways to express yourself through art. While the two styles may appear similar, they have some distinct differences.
Collage style is a type of art that combines different materials such as paper, fabric, photographs, and other objects to create one cohesive image. It is typically used to create a visually stimulating image, often with a specific meaning or message. Mixed media art journaling is a combination of art, writing, and collage techniques. It is often used as a form of self-expression to explore thoughts, feelings, and ideas. The focus of this type of art is to create something that conveys a story, rather than a specific visual image.
Collage style typically uses a lot of different materials with the focus on creating a visually appealing spread using cut-and-paste techniques.
While mixed media art journaling combines a variety of mediums, such as paints, markers, and ink, to create a unique, one-of-a-kind page. The focus is on combining mediums and techniques to create a dynamic and engaging spread that tells a story or expresses something deeper to the artist.
I love both styles for different reasons. I typically lean on collage-style art journaling when I’m on the go since I can’t have all my paints and inks with me. I like to carry a bag full of random paper, quotes, stickers, magazine cutouts, paper, washi tapes, etc. and when I’m on the go I can create collage pages.
Mixed media art journaling I save for when I’m in the studio and can make a mess cutting, gluing, painting, and splattering.
Overall, both collage style and mixed media art journaling are great ways to express yourself creatively. Whether you use paper, fabric, photographs, or other objects to create an image, or use color, texture, and words to create a story, both are fun and rewarding activities.
Art journaling is an incredibly rewarding activity – it allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings, express yourself in unique ways, and create something beautiful. Over the years, art journaling has become an increasingly popular form of artistic self-expression. It’s a great way to keep track of your creative ideas, as well as document your life experiences.
What is the difference between a sketchbook and an art journal?
Art journals are as vastly different as the people who create them. Each person also has a different idea or interpretation of what an art journal is. For me, an art journal focuses on self-expression. Using imagery as a way to express your inner thoughts and emotions. And yet, I have many art journals where I play with techniques and different media. I have journals that are focused on history and family stories.
The beautiful thing about art journaling is they are exactly what you need them to be and there is no wrong way to do them. Despite their name “art” journal, they are not just for artists. You don’t have to be a skilled artist to create art journals.
The possibilities are endless!
Art Journals are a Powerful Healing Tool
Art journaling is an incredible way to express yourself and reflect on your life. It can be an incredibly powerful tool to help you work through difficult emotions, document your successes and challenges, and foster self-awareness and personal growth.
One of the most powerful benefits of art journaling is its ability to provide a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Artistic expression can be incredibly cathartic, allowing you to express yourself without judgment or fear of being misunderstood. By exploring your thoughts and feelings on paper, you can gain valuable insight into your own thoughts and feelings.
In addition to providing a safe space for self-exploration, art journaling can also help you set and achieve goals. By giving yourself a creative outlet, you can create a physical representation of the goals you’d like to achieve. This can help motivate you to take action, as well as help you stay focused and on track.
Finally, art journaling can help you develop greater self-awareness. By reflecting on your experiences, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and how you interact with the world around you. This can be incredibly helpful in developing healthier relationships and making better decisions in the future.
Basic Steps to Starting an Art Journal
Step 1: Choose a journal
The type and size of journal all depends on what you want to do with it. Mixed media paper is the most universal, but if you plan to add lots of paint, liquid inks, or glues…then watercolor paper may be better. Thicker paper is definitely better just because the page will need to bear the weight of all the layers you plan to add.
Here are a few of the types of art journals I use.
Hardback journal with sketchbook paper, handmade journal with watercolor paper, handmade journal with different paper thickness, composition notebook (pages glued together and coated with gesso), old books converted by added gesso to prep pages for paint.
Step 2: Gather your supplies
You will need supplies such as paints, markers, pens, pencils, glue, tape, and paper. You can also add in any other materials that you like to work with such as stickers, washi tape, and ephemera.
Step 3: Experiment with different mediums
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different mediums to find what works best for you. You can try out different paints, markers, and pens to see what you like best.
I have an art journal that I use to experiment with different supplies. It gives me permission to just play and not be afraid of making mistakes in my main art journal.
Step 4: Start small
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Start small and focus on having fun and giving yourself permission to play.
Start by picking a theme for your page. This can be anything from a particular emotion to a color or pattern you’d like to use. Once you have your theme, think about how you’d like to express it. Will you use drawing, painting, or collage? You can also combine multiple mediums to create a unique page.
When you start to create, don’t be afraid to experiment. Mistakes often lead to new ideas, so don’t be afraid to try something new. As you create, be sure to take your time and enjoy the process. Art journaling should be a fun and relaxing activity.
Step 5: Reflect and Write
Art journaling is not just about creating art. It’s also about reflecting and writing about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. You can write down quotes, journal prompts, or just free write. Let the page you created inspire you. What does it bring up for you? Are there feelings that came up while you were creating it? Write about that.
Creating with vintage ephemera paper can be a wonderful way to add a special touch to any project. There are many ways to use vintage ephemera paper, from creating scrapbooks to making greeting cards. Here are three of my favorite ways to use vintage ephemera paper:
Create a collage. Find a piece of poster board or other backing, then start arranging the vintage paper ephemera to create a beautiful collage. Cut the pieces out and arrange them in a creative way, and use glue or tape to secure them in place.
Art journaling. Include vintage papers, photos, postcards, etc with paints, magazine cutouts, and scrapbook papers as backgrounds for your art, or by layering and distressing to create texture on your pages.
Draw and paint over old book pages. Add a thin layer of clear or white gesso and then paint over the book pages. It adds such a beautiful background to your art.
More Ways to Use Vintage Ephemera
Make a greeting card. Cut out pieces of the ephemera and use them to decorate the front of a greeting card. You can use simple cardstock, or get creative and use a recycled cereal box or other upcycled material.
Create a scrapbook. Choose a theme for your scrapbook, such as family history or a certain time period, and begin collecting vintage ephemera related to your theme. Use the pieces to create pages in a scrapbook, and include photos and other memorabilia to make the book complete.
Assemble a shadowbox. Gather a selection of vintage paper ephemera, along with other interesting items, and arrange them in a shadow box. Use the box itself to create a frame or matting, or use a pre-made frame.
Frame individual pieces. Find a few pieces that you particularly love, and frame them to hang on the wall. You can use a standard picture frame, or get creative and use an old window frame or other upcycled material.
No matter how you choose to use vintage paper ephemera, you’re sure to create something that’s one of a kind. Have fun and be creative!
Unlock the past and add unique character to your art with our vintage ephemera pack.
I used some favorite pieces from my vintage ephemera stash to create these vintage-inspired bookmarks.
This bookmark is a unique and stylish accessory for any book lover. Measuring 2 inches by 6 inches, it features vintage ephemera adding a touch of history and nostalgia to your reading experience.
This bookmark is printed on double-sided high glossy finish, 69-lb cardstock paper, ensuring durability and a sleek look. Print is only on one side, the backside is solid white. The non-slip design ensures that your bookmark won’t slip out of place.
Bookmarks feature a ribbon attached to the top.
Perfect for both personal use and as a gift for friends and family, this bookmark is sure to be a treasured addition to any collection.
Show off your love of history with this unique bookmark that is sure to make a statement.
I started creating Vintage Ephemera Packs because I had acquired a large collection over the years, so I thought it would be a good way to downsize my stash.
What I didn’t expect was how popular these ephemera packs would become and how much fun I would have putting them together. As my personal collection dwindled I had always planned to stop selling them, but I enjoyed this part of my shop so I began visiting antique shops hunting for new items to include. And over the last year, I’ve been able to find some amazing things.
Collections of letters between a husband and wife while he was on a ship in the 1950s. War ration booklets with coupons still inside. A 1905 copy of Cosmopolitan Magazine. It’s about 4 inches thick and full of articles, photographs, and illustrations that share a glimpse into the world at that time. A memory book from a young girl during her Senior Year of High School. And so much more.
Scroll through to see some of the fun things I’ve found
There are times I think I’ve found something too special to give away, but I love being able to share all these amazing finds. Because I know those buying these packs are going to not only appreciate them but they will be using them to create other pieces of art with them.
In each pack, I try to include a variety of sizes, textures, and items. I always try to include photographs if I have them. I include lots of different types of book pages. Some that include text, illustrations, aged edges and marks. I always include pieces with handwriting, such as postcards, letters, and old envelopes. I like to include old documents and banknotes. It’s my goal to have a well-rounded pack that offers lots of options to the buyer. Overall, the key is to carefully curate a selection of items that are visually interesting and historically significant.
I thought I’d take you along as I gather pieces to include in one of my recent packs and then show you how I pack them for shipping.
If you want to buy a pack you can get one in my Etsy Shop.
This month’s Sketchbox art kit is packed with high-quality supplies that have really added to my artwork.
First off, the Inktese pencils included in the kit are absolutely stunning. If you’ve never worked with Intense before…well, you’re missing out. They function like colored pencils, but when water is added to them they activate and look like ink once dried. The colors this month are golden yellow, amber, peacock blue, light olive, red violet and hot red – and are all so vibrant and really make an illustration pop. These pencils are a joy to work with and have quickly become a staple in my art supply collection.
The Inktense paint pan set is equally impressive. This was a new tool for me, but they work exactly like watercolor paint pans do. Just add water with a brush. The shades – sun yellow, poppy red, turquoise, hookers green, red oxide, and paynes grey – are all so bold and yummy and they mix and match beautifully with each other and with the Inktense pencils.
And you all know my love of Princeton paint brushes, so I was super excited to see the 1/2″ lunar blender brush in this month’s kit. This brush is perfect for creating those soft, ethereal blends that I love so much, and like all my Princeton brushes, this one has quickly become one of my go-to tools.
The Hahnemuhle agave watercolor paper is another new one and it took a little bit of playing with but I think I’ve got it figured out. The paper seems a bit bally when working with the wet paint but so far the paper dries perfectly normal and looks beautiful. The texture and weight of the paper are perfect, just play with the paper a bit to get to know it’s quirks.
Overall, this month’s Sketchbox kit was an A+ for me and it included some truly stunning colors and top-quality materials. If you’re an artist looking for new supplies to add to your collection, I highly recommend checking out Sketchbox. You won’t be disappointed!
Heidi Cogdill 