art journal summer mermaid

Hi crafty friends!

A summer themed art journal today. I made a page with splashes, happy fish and a colorful mermaid. But this time just for the fun of it I wanted to stretch my self and create something totally out of my comfort zone.

art journal summer mermaid

So as you can see I left lot’s of white space! Which is something I never do! But it’s fun to try new things from time to time and I am so happy with how this page came together! LOVE IT!!! Looks fresh, happy and colorful and it really is a joy to look at on this HOT summer day here in Greece.

art journal summer mermaid

To create the big splash of water I created my own stencil. You will see in the video the whole process that allowed me to then use my distress oxide inks over it. But you can definitely just use your brushes to draw and color a splash if I inspired you and you are going for something similar.

art journal summer mermaid

In this layout there is no quote, which is another thing I always add. But hey, I told you I wanted to do something different…. so instead I just used letter stickers to spell the word SUMMER.

art journal summer mermaid

All images are stamped, colored and cut with matching dies. I used the “Mermaid Fish”( BLT | AMZ | SSS ) stamp set by Stampendous which I absolutely love. Perfect for a summer art journal! I went crazy with coloring as I was going for a very colorful look but I am sure it would look equally beautiful if you kept a paler or monochromatic palette.

art journal summer mermaid

There are lot’s of little details and finishing touches in the layout, such as glossy accents on the droplets, glitter on the mermaid and white highlights here and there.

art journal summer mermaid

You can enjoy the video below or at my YouTube channel here

Supplies:

Links to multiple shops provided. Affiliate links used at no extra cost to you.


18 Comments

  1. Vicky, when we all asked for you to give us an Art Journal layout I never imagined this! Wow! Absolutely beautiful…thank you for leading the way for us to “think outside the box.” One question, did you go over each die cut with a black marker around the edges before adhering it down to the page?
    Thanks again for another of your inspiring works!
    Teresa S.
    p.s. We love your bracelet!

  2. What a great page!! SO colorful (love the colors you used) … and that splash background!!!! WOW! I’ve been slowly getting into making my own stencils and it’s fun to try. Thanks for the encouragement to continue on! I used to live in Boston (Northeast coast of U.S.) and now I live in the desert (Tucson, AZ). Watching you do this layout I felt homesick for the ocean/beach. Hope you enjoy your beach days in Greece!!!! And thank you so much for sharing your art journal pages. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy them. This page is so different than what you usually do and yet it is equally beautiful! P.S. Where’s Ginger???!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Hi Vicki ! Just watched your video on YouTube and I absolutely loved it. I’m still budgeting for the oxide distress inks and can’t wait to get them, they’re truly gorgeously colorful. Keep on sharing ??

  4. This IS so different for you, Vicky. I enjoy watching you create intricate layered backgrounds, but this is marvelous. I love Laurel Burch and recently found these stamps. Can’t wait to try them! Thanks, as always, for the inspiration.

  5. Such a beautiful idea. Thanks so much for sharing. I love watching your videos. You are so inspiring, and your designs are absolutely beautiful. Stampendous is one of my favorite companies. I love that all their stamp sets come with the stencil and masking pieces, and the no line dies are the best. I’ve never cared for a white outline around my stamps. Thanks again!! ???

  6. Beautiful layou with the colorful fish and ocean splash background. I can’t splurge on the oxide inks, but they look amazing.

  7. Your mermaid art journal page is beautiful and delightful. I love your color pallet. Thank you for all your generous sharing of your talent!

  8. Vicky, this art journal page is just striking. I think it’s one of my favorites that you have done. The colors are awesome and I love the white space! Thanks for sharing.

  9. Your backgrounds are wonderful!! Since you use many layers to create them, do you find it necessary to glue the pages before and after in order for your journal pages to hold up. Meaning, do you use every page in your moleskin sketchbook? Or every other page?

    1. I use every other page and I glue the pages only at the end, after I finish working on my layout.
      This allows me to maybe stitch through my pages or make slits for inserts, or spray with water or even having paint bleed without disasters on the previous art.

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