A Review of the Strathmore Visual Journal

I recently attended a visual journal workshop at Catalyst in Westminster, California that featured Kari Foteff teaching multi media techniques on Strathmore's new Multi Media Visual Journals.  The class was offered by the Art Supply Warehouse and in conjunction with the fine folks at Strathmore.  

   The mixed media visual journal from Strathmore solves the problem of pages that warp under the weight of different types of media.  The medium-weight paper was specifically created for both wet and dry media applications.  Strathmore offers several papers of different weights and types of paper (Vellum Finish, Bristol, Drawing, Mixed Media, and Water Color) in these journals. 

   The manufacturer claims that folks can use water color, acrylic paint, pen, ink, pencil, crayons, charcoals, markers, collage materials, and even some of the fun texture mediums that art stores carry in these journals.  To give you a better idea of what types of mediums and materials that can be used on these pages, I have uploaded some fun examples of techniques and materials that can be used to decorate these journal pages.

Example 1: Strathmore Mixed Media journal pages painted with Airbrush.

Example 2: Pan Pastels and Stencil used on the journal pages.

Example 3: Watercolor color with pen and ink.

Example 4:  Letraset AquaMarkers water-based twin-tips..

Example 5: Golden's Acrylics and hot sticks.

Example 6: Acrylic paint and colored pencil.

Example 7: Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal with acrylics, mulit media and ephemera.

Example 8:  Acrylics, Gesso, Golds liquid medium and various ephemera

Example 9: Liquid Acrylic Artist Ink and calligraphy (paper was smooth enough to utilize modern calligraphy techniques effectively).

Example 10: Card stock, liquid masking medium, water color, and crayons.

Example 11: Pigment Ink Marker 

Additionally, this journal has wire binding which makes it easier to lay flat while you are working.

The workshop was a lot of fun and had a "Mardi Gras" theme.  I wanted to share with our readers some pictures from our workshop and the finished pages made by various students using the materials they had a available to decorate our journal pages.

Example A:

Example B:

Example C:

    It was fun to see how each person used the same theme and materials to create a layout that was reflective of their own style and interpretation.  

    If you are new to the mixed media visual journaling trend, it is mostly the use of different media to reflect the attitudes, values, experiences, and/or thoughts of the person journaling.  It can also include visual images and the written thoughts.   There are many ways to do visual journaling and/or multi media journaling.  A search on Google, YouTube, and other online sources can provide you with more in depth information on this art form.  You can also attend a class at a local art store or find books on the topic.  If you want to learn more and cannot find a local source, Strathmore offers a free online course that you can register for.  They have a great one called "Doodles Unleashed: Mixed Media Techniques" given by Traci Bautista that you can learn some great techniques from, she also has a new book coming out on a similar topic.

   I also found a blog called iHanna,  that has a great tutorial on how to alter a journal.

Pros

• These journals come in three sizes with a choice of several different types of papers.
• The paper is thick and can hold up well to a variety of media.
• The books are wire bound which allows for them to be opened flat while working on the pages.

Note:    The price of the books is higher than some lesser quality books, however there are great deals to be found online and at local art supply stores and I found the quality to be worth the expense.

The journal papers can buckle or warp if you do not allow the pages to dry properly before closing the book and/or storing it away.  I also recommend using pallet paper between the pages until the ephemera, glues, media have set.  It will keep the pages from getting stuck to each other. Strathmore offers these books with various types of papers,  so be sure to read the label to make sure you are getting the type of paper you want.  By picking the right paper before beginning your journaling project,  you will not have any unexpected issues or disappointments.

I would love to hear from about your favorite journaling techniques and supplies. Please leave a comment and share your tips.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

A review of the "Collage Vintage Notecard Kit" from Accord Publishing

I recently bought a cool collage kit from Amazon.  The "Collage Vintage Notecard" kit is published by Accord Publishing.  The artwork, papers, and projects in the  "Collage: Vintage Note Card Set" are designed by Maryjo Koch who is known for artwork and her book "Vintage Collage-Works: Artful Ideas with Antique Ephemera".  The kit is a complete collage kit with instructions and an assortment of supplies.  It is affordable at a price of under $16.00.  


The instruction manual is full of pictures of the various things designed and made by Maryjo Koch with the materials in this kit.  They range from cards to decorating journals. It offers very simple step-by-step instructions that are written for those who not familiar with collage work and/or working with antique style ephemera.  For someone seeking more advanced knowledge and ideas in collage, I would recommend one of Maryjo Koch's books.  This kit is created for beginners and is represented as such through the materials in the kit.


The kit contains:

• A Detailed Instruction Booklet
• 12 notecards and envelops
• 96 sheets of assorted artwork
• A proportion wheel
• A glue stick
• A handy organizational box to hold and protect the supplies.

Collage Kit

Don't be fooled by the picture of the box above, there are a lot of supplies provided in this kit.  The selection of decorative papers is so varied that it will appeal to a broader group of crafters. 

There are papers with maps on them.

There are cool vintage looking letter style papers.

There are wall paper print papers.

There are postage stamp images.

There also a great selection of music sheet papers.

There are various animal images.

There are also a nice selection of rose papers.

The kit also supplies a "proportion wheel" which is a very handy tool for the beginner who likes to pre-calculate their layout.  It helps the beginner figure out the measurements when working with different size ephemeral.  For those who enjoy the more traditional "cut and paste as you go method" you do not need the tool.

The instructional booklet is really easy to understand.  It goes into detail on the composition of decorative papers and ephemera.  It also gives you some fun collage project ideas to build on.  

First Project.

My first project was very simple, I combined some of the different papers from the kit to create a simple card.  

First, I chose the background image.  Then I cut out the bird image and the flower image and glued them onto the card.

Bird Collage Card

Second Project

For my second project, I decided to cover a plain journal with some of the papers from this kit.

I choose the papers, ephemera, and plaid paint products to cover the book.

Then I took the butterfly that I had cut out and added some "Martha Stewart Glitter" to it.

I cut the various pieces out and then glued them onto the book cover.  The project took about 20 minutes to finish (including paint drying time).

Journal

Third Project

For my third project, I decided to make a small wristlet type purse for my daughter.  I started with a wood triangle purse blank.  

Then I decided to use some scrapbooking papers that I had from the Echo Park Paper Co "Dots and Strips" collection.  The first paper I used was the "Large Leaf Dot" paper.  

I put the wood frame onto the paper to trace the pattern.

I then did the same thing with the "Ruby Red Large Dot" paper.

Then I cut out the "Tuxedo Dot" paper for the side of the triangle shape.

I added a border from Colorbox to the front of the piece.

I painted a couple of coats of Modge Podge to protect the papers.  To finish, I added some hardware, wire and beads to make a handle for the piece.

The finished wristlet.

Purse

The techniques covered in the instruction manual cover a nice base from which a beginner can create some fabulous work and build upon.  Beyond instructions on how to make your first collage card, the book offers hints on aging, scumbling, and other tips and techniques.  Additionally, due to the very generous amount of supplies, you can apply the knowledge learned from the kit to journaling and home decor pieces.

Tips

Plaid Extreme Glitter Paint

• Lay out the papers and ephemera that  you are planning on using to make sure they compliment each other.
• Keep the paper scraps, you can use them for other projects.
• Don't forget to add fun items like buttons, charms, etc. to give your pieces dimension.
• When working with the Plaid Extreme Glitter paints, I put a piece of plastic wrap onto the container before I put the lid back on.  It keeps it from drying out.

Disclosure