Art Journal Page ‘Light in the Darkness’

Hello my Creative Friends,

I hope you are all well. In Today’s Tutorial I will show you how I made an Art Journal Page. I hope it inspires you to start an Art Journal / Gratitude Journal to document your day / thoughts / feelings / worries / dreams / goals or for anything else you would like to put in it.

Art Journal

I had a Journal which I hadn’t used, I thought this would be the perfect time to start it. It is 8 and 1/4″ x 11 and 3/4″. Hardback Sketch Pad.

You can use whatever size Journal you like, some people like to work on smaller sizes and others prefer a bigger Journal. It’s a personal choice, you could try both and see which you prefer working in.

I opened my journal in the mid-section. This is a good idea when starting a new journal as it can make the prospect of starting or filling a journal less intimidating. Hardback Sketch Pad.

Covering the Art Journal Page

I got a Black A3 Card from the Pack. A3 Card-Black.

I put Pritt Stick all over the White Journal Page and attached the Black Sheet to the Journal. Pritt Stick.

I turned back the Page and cut around the 3 sides of the Black Sheet for it to fit the Journal. A3 Card-Black.

Using a Stencil on the Page

I had a ‘Happy Birthday’ Stencil in my Craft Supplies. ‘Candle’ Stencil.

For my Art Journal Page I will be using the Candle on the Stencil. ‘Candle’ Stencil.

I put the Stencil in the middle of the Page and got some Yellow Acrylic Paint. Acrylic Paint Set.

I got a fine tip paintbrush and painted the candle onto the Art Journal Page through the Stencil. I went over the candle a couple more times with the paintbrush and yellow paint. Acrylic Paint Set.

This is a close-up image of the Candle.

Adding Angels to the Art Journal

I had a Pack of Gold Angel Silhouettes in my craft stash. Angel Confetti.

I stuck down 10 Gold Angels to the Art Journal using Pritt Stick. Pritt Stick.

A close-up of the Angels around the Candle. Angel Confetti.

Forming a Heart on the Page

I got my ‘uni POSCA Paint Pen in White 0.7 mm’ and made polka dots around all of the Angels forming a Heart Shape. uni POSCA Paint Pens.

A side view of the Art Journal so far.

Making the Quote for the Journal

I got my DYMO LetraTag Label Maker. Dymo LetraTag Label Maker.

I printed out ‘There is Always’ and ‘In the Darkness’ using the Label Maker. Dymo LetraTag Label Maker.

I removed the backing from the ‘There is Always’ print-out and adhered the label to the top of the Art Journal. I wrote the word ‘Light’ underneath the label using the White Paint Pen. uni POSCA Paint Pens.

I removed the backing of the ‘In the Darkness’ print-out and adhered the label to the bottom of the Page.

This is a full view of the Page.

Completing the Art Journal Page

I got my Glitter Yellow Gel Pen and drew and coloured in stars on the Black Page. Glitter Gel Pens.

A closer image of the top of the Page.

The mid-section of the Art Journal. Glitter Gel Pens.

Side angle of the Journal. Hardback Sketch Pad.

This Completed the Art Journal Page.

Here are some more images of the finished piece.

The bottom section of the Page.

A closer look at the Candle.

Full view of the Art Journal. Hardback Sketch Pad.

Final image of the Art Journal.

Conclusion

I was happy with the outcome of the Art Journal Page. I think it is an important message that ‘There is Always LIGHT in the Darkness’. I like to remain Positive as there is so much good in the world. I try to find the good news articles or the uplifting stories of people and Communities working together. Look for the Light Workers in the world, as there is way more good than bad. If you can’t find one, be one. Now is more important than ever to Hope and have Faith that everything will work out for the World.

There is a positive to every negative. The Planet and Environment has healed so much in the past 6 weeks from reduced Noise / Air Pollution. There is less carbon emissions released into the air, no over crowding anywhere, less rubbish being dumped in the oceans and public places. The air we are breathing is cleaner and Mother Nature is getting her home back.

I avoid watching the News more than once a day. I would recommend if you do watch it to try and see it at an earlier time so that the negative or fearful thoughts don’t stay with you too soon before going to bed as it will be in your subconscious and disrupt your resting time depleting you of the energy you need to get during sleep.

Meditation, lighting a candle or incense, aromatherapy oils in a diffuser, having a salt bath, reading a self-help book, listening to an audio book, drinking water or herbal tea, listening to or writing down Positive Affirmations, will also help when you are feeling anxious.

It is important during this time of change to be aware of our thoughts / feelings / emotions. It can be healing and therapeutic to get your stress / anxiety / fears / worries out onto a Page. You can use paint with your hands and get messy if want to relieve stress / anger / worries on a Canvas or a big sheet of Paper. Art doesn’t have to be pretty all the time and no-one needs to see it.

You could cut out images or words from old magazines you have and make a Collage in your Art Journal. It can be of anything you want; your hopes and dreams that you would like to manifest into your life. If you have always wanted to Start a Business use your Journal to write down any tips or research that will be helpful. Use your time off in the best way to make any changes you are unhappy about in your life.

You could use your journal as a Gratitude Journal and write or draw the things and people you are grateful for in your life. People have more time on their hands now and it’s a great time to get back to basics without all the unnecessary distractions that people had in their lives. The health and well-being of our loved ones is most important. It would be a good tradition to start with school aged children to write down what they are grateful for or what was their favourite thing to happen for them that day. It would more than likely be something as simple as adults having fun and playing with them.

I appreciate all the Hard Work and Dedication from all of the Workers in Ireland and throughout the whole World who haven’t got a break from work and are putting their own Health, and Life at Risk to turn up each day and do their job to the best of their ability. Each of the Doctors, Nurses, Surgeons, Gardai (Police), Firefighters, Paramedics, Carers, Shop Workers and anyone else who still have to go to work are all amazing and deserve so much more respect and money than what they have been given previously. It is not easy work and I’m sure they are tired and fearful along with everyone else.

For anyone that is working and had a bad day at work you can also use an Art Journal and write / draw / paint your sadness or fears on a sheet of paper. You can scrunch it up and burn it when your finished and it might help to reduce anxiety just getting the words and emotions out.

My heartfelt condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one during this time, whether from Covid 19 or completely unrelated. It must be so strange to have the restrictions when you just want to put your arms around those you love. Sending peace and prayers to anyone grieving throughout the world. Hoping health will be restored as soon as possible.

I hope I provided some ideas for starting an Art Journal. If you have any questions or have anything to add on the subject just fill out the Comment Box below this Blog Post and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

Thank you so much for taking the time to Read my Blog.

Always Grateful,

T.D.C.

xoxox