Thursday, August 9, 2012

Visual Journal Using Gel Printed Pages

Last spring I was looking forward to all of the time I'd have this summer to work on my art. But here I am in August, still looking forward to that time! It's been a wonderful summer, though, and I have been able to squeeze in some great creative time here and there.

One fun exercise I've done is to make a visual journal to play and practice in. The idea comes from Jane Davies and is basically a variation of a sketch book, or art journal. After watching her video tutorials about using a gel plate, I knew I had to get one. Monoprinting has never been so easy, fast and fun! Here is a view of the cover, and inside cover of my booklet. I used a file folder for the cover; read more about making this kind of booklet here.





Here are some pages before I worked on them:

And here is my favorite before and after result.
If you are interested, you can visit my Flickr photostream to see more of my visual journal pages.

In my journey to develop abstract compositions, I don't often consider the idea of practicing in a sketchbook, the way a representational artist would. The format here is bigger than I often work when doing abstracts, so it's helped me to push past my fear of doing larger compositions. I also used color very freely and in different combinations than I might if I were doing a painting or collage. And let's be honest, a visual journal is also just a lot of fun. There is so much freedom in giving yourself permission to play without focusing too much on results. Since I've made this journal, I often think of it, even when I don't have time to work in it, and feel so happy knowing that I still have some more pages to do.

38 comments:

  1. Fantastic work!! I love your flickr pics as well.

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  2. isn't it amazing how fast the time flies?!? i can't believe it's august already.

    i love your handmade journal. you have a wonderful sense of color. looking forward to exploring your flickr photos!

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  3. Oh, I really love this! There's so much color and texture - I can see why you'd want to keep going back to it, xo

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  4. What a great way to use monoprinting! Your journal is absolutely fabulous and full of such wonderful layers!

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  5. Terrific backgrounds. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  6. oh wow!!!! your journal pages are looking amazing Debbie!!! wonderful work!!!

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  7. Your journal is wonderful!! I'm going to look at more on Flickr now..

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  8. Cool journal pages! I haven't tried gel printing yet... you've inspired me to get started.

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  9. What a fun project. You did it so well. I like those pages and the end result of the bottom one came out brillantly. Nice of you to share all the links!

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  10. These pages are beautiful. I really love your color choices and textures. Well done! Happy PPF

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  11. Gorgeous pages! I tried mono printing without the gel and it didn't come out as good but still it was exciting to try. :)

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  12. That gel plate looks like a dream to use, and the pages you have created with it are really great. Hmmmm....might have to order one for myself.

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  13. Hi Debbie. Loving your backgrounds. You did a great job with the gel. I've never tried this, looks and sounds interesting. Thanks.

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  14. I learn something new every time I visit PPF! I'd never heard of mono printing but these pages look fab and I love the before and after one at the bottom!

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  15. lovely pages Debbie, interesting and full of details and texture.

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  16. Wonderful journal pages, Debbie. Such a gorgeous array of colors for backgrounds.

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  17. These are wonderful. I may have to check out the whole gel plate monoprinting--looks fun, and gives a totally different "look" than any other techniques...

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  18. Very creative and colorful ~ lovely ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  19. Your book is very good and I love the pages! Will have to and check out the process :0)

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  20. Oh, this looks like fun! I think a journal would be a great way to work out compositions for abstracts. I can see you are going to love working in it.

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  21. Marvelous unique journal. I agree about experimenting in a journal first. Have a wonderful creative weekend.

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  22. What wonderful colours, I love monoprints as well. Great work

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  23. Looks like fun. Would make a nice background for writing & on instead of boring white.

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  24. what wonderful and colorful pages debbie! You have done a great job moving out of your comfort zone. :)

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  25. This work is fantastic. I love the layers and textures. I have been wanting to try out gel play printing, I feel very inspired. :)

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  26. I love your pages! I don't have the gel pad yet but love it!! Thanks for sharing that link and process!! Very fun!!I agree a sketch book has been so much fun for me and pushed the envelope!! I haven't been using them long either! Great post!

    Hugs Giggles

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  27. Awesome pages, and the process looks very interesting and fun!

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  28. Wow, your pages are amazing! Sounds like a really fun thing to do!

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  29. I have never done journaling, but will do one day. These are gorgeous.

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  30. Fabulous visual journal, Debbie!!
    I hear you about summer flying by! I always plan to do so much in summer, too! :)
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  31. Hi Debbie
    Fabulous pages, and show you were having fun.

    Happy weekend, ev

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  32. Debbie these pages are great!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

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  33. I love seeing the progression and the art come alive. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  34. This looks like a very fun technique. I have never done monogramming, but your pages really entice me!

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  35. I checkout out your Flickr to see all the pages- and they are stunning!!

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  36. This looks fabtastic. Beatiful colors and backgrounds. Love it
    lovely greet and nice weekend Marja
    [marjascreativity]

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  37. Really yummy pages to show for the gelli party...I love the overlapping layers here...Must be fun to journal in them. xox

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  38. Your visual journal pages are just wonderful. Thank you for the before and after Picts!


    ;-> Felicia
    The Journal Junkie
    Blog: http://feliciathejournaljunkie.blogspot.com/

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