Now that all the internal layouts are done in our tiny art journals, it’s time to tackle the cover! Here we’ve used a variety of techniques to create an antique look, added a title and the date, and created a focal point on the front. If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this cover and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

Working on a tutorial for my tiny art journal’s cover… And making a puddle of color! #microart #microartjournal #miniatureartjournal #miniartjournal #miniatureart #tinyjournalnation #allthingstiny #allthingsminiature #microartjournaling #tinyartjournal #travelersnotebook

It’s time to make a new book for the month of March. I’m going with the theme “I am becoming.” I want to work on paper dolls, women, portraits and related subjects. What are your plans for the next month? #microart #microartjournal #miniatureartjournal #miniartjournal #miniatureart #tinyjournalnation #allthingstiny #allthingsminiature #microartjournaling #tinyartjournal #travelersnotebook

This is the last finished layout, incorportating the background which was created using water-based markers to color a background and then used various found objects to “stamp” texture on it. In this tutorial, more texture was added to the background using stencils and Versa Magic ink. Posca pens and gel pens were used for mark making and word art. The bird were stamped with Archival ink. Then colored pencils and more ink pens were used to finish the layout.

I was out, getting weekly exercise by hiking through the local art and craft stores, when I came across the new Archival Distress Inks from the Tim Holtz collection! I knew they were coming out from watching the Ranger Ink website. I didn’t know if they would be in the stores any time soon, but I have been watching for them. The are the same formula used in all Ranger Archival inks.

This is the sixth finished layout, incorportating the background which was created using a colored pencil resist and water-based markers. In this tutorial, features were added with stamps and more color was created using Inktense and watercolor pencils and regular colored pencils. If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this layout and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

This is the fifth finished layout, incorportating the background created in earlier where we used a water-proof gel pen to write words across the layout. Then we painted over it with ink from water-based markers to create an antique look. This tutorial shows you how to turn die-cuts into rusty metal object, how to use bits of ephemera and how to stamp out your words. If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this layout and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

A while back, I speculated on what a Zentangle sounds like, and I came up with a way to convert Zentangles into sounds. Recently, I ran across an article that addresses the opposite question: what does sound look like? It turns out that, in some cases, it can look a lot like a Zentangle! The image at the top of this article is from cymascope.com, which explores the use of the Cymascope in visualizing sound with applications in art, physics, and biology, among others.

This is the fourth finished layout, incorportating the background. We used water-based markers to make a watercolored, striped background on the center spread of our tiny art journal. This tutorial helps you discover different mark-making techniques which are then used to finish the background stripes. You’re also introduced to glue pens,and how to use one to attach word art to the layout. If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this layout and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

We celebrated Valentine’s Day yesterday because today a lot of rain and bad weather is expected. In addition, we wanted to avoid inflated prices, weird menus and big crowds. One of the places we went was to the “big” Hobby Lobby that is a bit further from where I live. I like this store because it is huge, about the size of a grocery store and another store stuck together.

Today, we’re all taking a break from working in our tiny art journals. Instead, we are going to make tiny ATCs! Grab your supplies and join us on Facebook for further instructions! If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with these and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

This is the third finished layout, incorportating the background created by scribbling color on a piece of plastic. It was the second background created in the book. This tutorial gives you techniques for creating stencilled, painterly looks without using acrylic paints… Another way to “set your art free!” If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this layout and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

This is the second finished layout, incorportating the background created by simply brushing color on the page. It was the first background created in the book. Here, stamps, colored pencils and gel pens have been used to add the artwork to the page. If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this layout and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

Last week, I posted a tutorial for creating a textured background using plastic food wrap. I thought you would like to see what could be done with it. If you would like to join a group of fellow art journalists, follow along with the instructions for this layout and other tutorials, and show off your work, you can find this and more in the Micro Art Journal group on Facebook!

Note: I realize that many of you are experienced book makers and art journalers. However, this tutorial will make no assumptions about where you are at in your path. It is written for anyone, even those with little or no experience. You are welcome to follow exactly, or adapt it to your own skill level and needs. For this tutorial you are going to use water-based markers to paint the pages with color.