Mixed Media Art Journal Page Tutorial with Crackle Paint, Stencils & FREE Printable

Apr 17

Mixed Media Inspiration

I was inspired to create this art journaling page after seeing a beautiful page created by Vicky Papaioannou. If you are not currently following her, I highly recommend it. She creates elegant, creative, and relatively simple art journal pages that are always inspiring.

For this project, I also created a FREE downloadable printable that includes a birdhouse, birds, leaves, and small flowers that you can use on your journaling page.

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Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 – Prime the Page

Begin by covering your entire journaling page with gesso. This helps prepare the surface, allowing the paint and other mediums to adhere properly. Allow the gesso to dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step 2 – Paint the Background

Once the gesso is dry, paint the entire page with your chosen background color. For my page, I used a warm brown tone. This darker color will show through the crackle effect later, giving the page a beautiful aged look. Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 3 – Apply Crackle Medium

Next, apply a layer of FolkArt crackle medium across the page. This medium will create the beautiful distressed cracks once the top paint layer is applied.

Let the crackle medium dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 4 – Add the Top Coat of Paint

After the crackle medium has dried, apply your top coat of paint. I used Vintage White by FolkArt.

As the paint dries, you’ll begin to see the crackle effect appear, revealing the darker color underneath.

Helpful Tip:
When applying the top coat, paint in one direction only. Do not go back and forth or change directions, or the crackle effect may not form properly.

Step 5 – Allow Everything to Dry

Give your page plenty of time to dry completely before continuing with the next steps. This ensures that the crackle effect sets properly.

Step 6 – Prepare the Printable Elements

Download and print the FREE printable that includes the birdhouse, birds, leaves, and flowers. Cut out the pieces you would like to use and begin arranging them on your page until you find a layout you love.

Step 7 – Add Texture to the Background

To add additional interest to the background, I applied texture paste through a stencil.

The stencil I used had a smaller design, and after finishing the page I realized that a larger leaf motif stencil would have worked even better for this project.

Texture paste is a wonderful way to add subtle dimension and interest to mixed media backgrounds.

Step 8 – Add Color with Distress Oxides

Next, I added some soft color to the background using Distress Oxide inks in:

• Bundled Sage
• Faded Jean

These colors helped tie in the nature elements from the printable images.

Step 9 – Add Stamping for Depth

To give the background a bit more visual interest, I added some light stamping using Distress Oxide in Gathered Twig. Stamping adds layers and helps bring the entire page together. I used a few stamps from the Tim Holtz Collection - Field Notes.

Step 10 – Assemble the Page

Finally, place your elements onto the page and adhere them securely using liquid glue, a glue stick, or hot glue.

For added dimension, I used pop-up foam dots on some of the images to give the page a slight three-dimensional look.

Last but definitely not least….add a few splatters to your page because after all, what is a journal page without a few splatters?

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this mixed media page turned out! The crackle background combined with the soft colors and nature elements creates a beautiful layered look.

I hope this project inspires you to create your own mixed media art journaling page using the FREE printable element.