She's like a rainbow: mark making with Jennifer Gallagher

Hello! 

Jennifer Gallagher here again with another post for StencilGirl Products®. This month we were challenged to ‘Texture It or Make a Mark on It’ and I’m doing just that with this bold art journal page. Mark-making is super easy with the right stencils. StencilGirl® has many stencils you can employ for adding marks and texture.Let's dive right in!

I decided to work in my large dylusions journal. Using just a basic mechanical pencil, I sketched out my basic layout and shapes. I knew I wanted to feature a fabulous 9x12 stencil from designer Pam Carriker. It was part of the Stencil Club set from November 2018 entitled "Her Story."

Next, using computer copy paper as masks, I followed the penciled design and painted each color of the rainbow one at a time. I used a premium acrylic paint here because I wanted vibrant colors. I started with red on the far right and worked my way across the journal spread from right to left.

I painted the face, my page focal point, through the stencil with a mini-blending tool and black acrylic paint. Once it was dry, I added a floral headdress with stencil L352, Deconstructed Floral Bouquet Stencil.

Now onto the mark-making. Using a different design for each colored section, I applied white acrylic paint through the stencils. Be sure to use a mask to prevent any unwanted cross-over of paint. I’ve picked the March 2019 Stencil Club release, Mail Art, designed by Ann Butler, the Playtime Collection, by Carolyn Dube,for Stencil Club in August 2018, and the February 2019 Stencil Club release, Mary Beth's Private Collection 19.1. I’ve left the yellow section free of marks. This is where my words will later be added. 

At this point I realized that the face would look much better if I “beat back” the colored sections that were peeking through. I used a watered down white acrylic and brushed a few layers on. Once dry, I placed the stencils back down and reapplied the black to keep those designs nice and dark and visually impactful.

With a black gelly roll pen I added doodling all around the stenciled designs. Then with a mini-blending tool, I added a rough black edge all around the art journal spread.

On my computer, I typed up a few song lyrics that I’ve had stuck in my head for a while now. I cut them out and glued them in place with a premium matte medium.

I have had so much fun on this mark-making adventure. Thank you for letting me share this art journal page spread with you. If you would like to see more of my work visit my blog or  look me up on Instagram.

Happy Creating,

Jennifer Gallagher