Art Journal: Experienced workmen

It's not often that I make masculine themed art journal pages but for some reason I was inspired to make this page in my art journal. I suppose it's also to do with the fact I got those Tim Holtz paper doll packs and there a bunch of masculine images in there and it prompted me to use one. Also perhaps, when doing free association art journaling, my dad popped up in my mind. Art journaling definitely helps me through this grief process and while he may not be here anymore to celebrate father's day with, which is this weekend, he will be always in my heart. And thus I also dedicate this page to men whom worked hard all their life and see possibility in every turn.

I started this page on watercolor paper by strathmore and used some Cosmic Shimmer pixie powder in emerald green which I already mixed with water and sprayed over the page. Then when that dried, I scraped some transparent texture paste through the Diamond Dance Stencil by Terri Stegmiller over the page that then dried would show through the deep emerald color and keep that under layer safe. I added some pewter pixie powder for some darker aria's and traced the shapes with first a black posca pen and then a white one. More texture with stamping mixed media stamps from VLVS! and AALL and Create. Some fine gold and white gouache splatters and created the border with the black and white posca pen. The image is popped up with some foam dots and he is grounded by washi tape. I created a shadow around him using stabilo all pencil and faber castell pitt pens.

The sentiment is put together with Tim Holtz sentiment and chit chat stickers. I found the gold lettering on white too light so I traced it with a sakura pigma extra fine liner.

The texture paste (which is semi glossy) resisted the other water soluble mediums and kept the brightness in the diamond shapes and the pewter pixie powder gave them more shadow and dimension on the page. And I love how these paper dolls have such a beautiful sepia tone that when you use a bright cool color tone under them, they just pop from the page as well. Definitely like how this page came together. 

Would love to share this journal page in the following challenges: 

Simon Says Stamp - Monday challenge - Anything but a card 

Art Journal Journey June challenge - Inspire by theme 

(Inspired by my hard working dad and all fathers/men in general really) 

Try it on Tuesday - For the boys theme 

Country view challenges - the written word 

Thanks so much for stopping by and have an awesome day!