I thought it’d be fun to share with you my newest journal I just created, well at least the cover, while I work on the next post waiting in the wings. I don’t usually bother much with decorating the covers because I care more about what’s on the inside and use them in the field. But I have noticed as I make more journals, they are getting more attractive, colorful and fun to look at. I can’t speak for other artists who journal (sketch journal), but it becomes a very important part of you, so why shouldn’t you make it something you like to look at?
Swirls and bubbles of green and gold
I made it from colored mat or mount board (for matting/mounting drawings and paintings). It’s a lovely shade of green and I made the spine a different green. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but then thought it’d be fun to play with color pencils.
So as I watched a movie on Youtube, I drew some swirls,
that turned into curls…
and some dots that looked like spots…
then some scrolls filled with green and gold….
And I used a new landscape format for this book, for me to fill and you to look.
My journal open, landscape format
I think this is the first time I created a journal that’s a ‘landscape’ format, it’s spine is on the short side. It’ll be interesting to see how it fills out!
Sketch journal front cover
When I was done I covered the whole surface with wide, clear packing tape you can buy at any office supply store or department. I found the Scotch brand actually was nicer to work with, heavier and stickier than the store name brand.
Sketch journal back cover
I lay the tape on overlapping edges, and then burnish it by rubbing with my fingernail or the bone folder tool I have, you could use a spoon too I guess. (ps. the color looks different here because I shot it in different light with a different camera.) I can’t wait to finish my present sketch journal so I can start this one!
This design was so cool on front and back, that uploaded it to my Zazzle shop and created some neat things with it, even a skateboard!! I’d be so pleased if you had a look, tell me what you think.
Click on any of the following pictures, there’s more there than what I posted here:
I’m going to get one of these for grocery shopping!
Beautiful Mary! I can’t wait to see what you fill it with! xxoo
It’s good to just play and better when the results make you so happy! Nice job on your journal cover.
Looks like you had a fun time creating these pieces. Nice going!
Thank you all for your comments! I did have fun creating this new sketch journal and can’t wait to start it. I enjoy visiting your sites also, such creative people around here isn’t there?
It looks good on the Zazzle products and on the sketchbook cover, like it!
Gorgeous design!~
thanks Cathy, I’m glad you looked, it was fun creating the products because using a design instead of painting or photo was different. I can’t wait to start this new journal.
thanks Alex! It was fun creating it, just letting my mind wander as I relaxed (and played!)