Black Gesso, Gelatos and Geometric Shapes

Hi everyone!

Today I'd like to share with you an art journal page I've created using black gesso, metallic gelatos and geometric shapes. 

The Process

1. I painted the whole page with a thick coat of black gesso.

2. Using a fine tip Posca pen and a ruler, I randomly ruled lines for the geometric shape effect.

3. These are the gelatos I initially selected, but I ended up swapping a few for the metallic ones as the colour and shimmer showed up better on the black gesso.

4. Random colouring around the page with the gelatos, leaving random shapes around the page black for more visual interest and a striking effect.

1. You can see here how it looks with the colour added, and blended with a sponge.

2. I then used a thicker-tipped Posca pen to go over the lines again and make them stand out.

3. I used this opaque white crackle paste with a stencil in various areas around the page.

4. Then went over the rest of the background with this clear crackle paint.

1. Here's what it looks like with the white crackle paste...

2. And with the clear crackle paint.

3. I then dabbed some Tim Holtz distress ink on the white crackle paste.

4. Which gave this effect.

1. Next, I used some Shimmerz Texturez paste with a fine circle stencil...

2. as you can see here...

3. and silver Texturez with a rings and puddles stencil...

4. as seen here :)

1&2. Then to add another layer of depth (cos I can't help myself!) I used Versa Mark ink and embossing powder to stamp around the page. 

3&4. Then some Dylusions ink spray over the page in black.

1&2. Finally, I used white Dylusions ink spray to splatter the page a little.

I added a little quote ("Don't sacrifice your peace trying to point out someone's true colours. Lack of character always reveals itself" Mandy Hale) with white Posca pen, and voilà! There you have it:

I felt this quote rather suited the way this page turned out with the pops of colour peeking out against the black background. It's a quote that I've liked for some time. 

I hope this has inspired you to try something a little different, or to experiment with some mediums you may bit have used before. 

Thanks for looking.  Catie xo