Sharing this with you from last year, and whoops, should have shared it with you a good week plus ago, but there is still time to jump on the "counting the Omer with art" train, so do it!
I'm sharing this a bit on the late side to actually be inspired this year, that is to use my idea and make a loose-leaf watercolor counting the Omer art journal, but you could certainly make the journal anytime and save it for next year, or use it as a gift or for some other purpose. We are so blessed to have a new bride in the family, as one of my sons got engaged, and I was just thinking that an art journal like this one would be a great "count down to the wedding" gift, maybe for the last two months or so......So friends, check out my idea, and keep it in mind, whether for counting the Omer, or counting down to a big day, or even as a gift to a loved one to use as a journal.
And my biggest piece of advice? Keep it simple! The only reason that I actually have succeeded with this project is that I only allowed myself to use watercolors, and collage with watercolor painted elements, and then pens and paint pens for the lettering, that is it! Ah yes, and one more thing, the success of this project is also partially due to all the amazing instruction and inspiration that I soaked up from Wendy Solganik aka @willa.wanders via her huge hand lettering for art journaling course, called Love Your (Imperfect) Letters, which has just been so very perfect for this art journal. Of course I do need to go back and learn some more styles, but this journal was a great start and really the first time ever that I've been so lettering focused and so happy with the results! Want to see how I made this journal? Keep on reading!
You'll Need:
- watercolor paper, a letter-sized paper pad is perfect, mine is a bit bigger at 22.5cm x 30cm roughly
- watercolors and round watercolor or chinese calligraphy brushes
- glue of some kind for collaging watercolor botanicals and flowers
- pens and paint pens for lettering after the journal is complete (or not), especially a Uniball Air 7mm, my new favorite pen, and a pink Posca paint pen!
- ribbon and a hole punch to bind the pages together
How To:
- Paint both sides of each sheet of watercolor paper with florals and patterns and blotches of color. Try clouds or gradated color or stripes. In some cases paint a design on just half the page once you've cut the pages in half. You'll want a nice variety of art to keep the journal interesting. I made my journal using 25 halves of that original watercolor paper size, which accounts for a front and back cover, and enough pages to count 49 days of the Omer.
- You will want to make lots and lots of watercolor art, and in some cases you'll want to cut out botanicals and florals and use those as collage. Dont forget splatter, layering color and removing color with paper towels!
- Once you have enough pages, work on their sequence so that there is a nice progression of pattern and color, and each spread is special. Then punch holes, in each page, tie ribbon through each hole, and voila, your journal is ready to become something special.
- As mentioned earlier, I took a lettering course online as I've never really done lettering and I thought this would be a great way to practice, but you can choose to do whatever excites you!
- Below I've compiled a series of photos that shows some of the art I created, the individual pages, and the completed spreads. It has truly been fabulous and can't wait to make more watercolor art journals!
Above: Here is a page that I painted with watercolor floral pattern. This page was then cut in half and each half was used by itself.
Above: Here are two pages that were painted individually not as an entire sheet. These are 2 examples of pages that are very simple to add text to.
Above: Here is an example of two pages that I really love together, and a pear that I cut out of a striped pink page.
Above: Here are six pages that I created, that look so very happy, right?
Above: Here is a collection of floral pages that are both collage and not.
Above: This is one of my favorite lettered pages!
Above: I do love the abstract red poppies on the green background and the white gel pen really looks amazing.
Above: Here is another spread that I just love, and I did not know how I'd use the round watercolor circles page, but really happy with the results.
Okay, that is it for the little tour of my Counting The Omer Watercolor Art Journal, and proof that you don't need fancy stitched binding to make a journal, a hole punch and ribbon works just fine!
