Ok, so you gotta know by now that I absolutely LOVE making messes in my art journal.  The drippier and messier, the better!  It's pretty simple how I build up layers in my art journal to arrive at the end result: yummy colors and complex layers that can stand alone OR be used as the background for an image, text or more collage.

First, I start with simple marks in oil pastels and add random washes and blotches of watercolor over the top to create a colorful resist:

After the page has dried, you can add collage and tissue papers.  I use a simple glue stick and old book pages covered in paint.  Don't throw away that gift bag tissue paper!  It can be used to create amazing, transparent layers.

The next part is my favorite.  This is where you add the paint layers.  This can be done with paint markers or acrylic paint.  You can drip, smudge, smear, scrape and add a lot of color and texture to this layer.

Finally, you can finish off your page or canvas with an inspirational quote, words of wisdom, a favorite poem or image.  If you want to journal over this page, you can add blocks of black paint and write with a white paint marker (or black on white).

And there you have it! A messy, wild, gorgeous creation from beginning to end!  I'd love to see what you've created lately.  Feel free to share in the comments any questions or links to your own creative work!

Happy Creating!