painting my journal cover

I started by applying 3 coats of gesso to my planner - I forgot to take pictures of the cover with the plain gesso.

I knew the effect I was going for and had an idea to try to get me there...

I love space and wanted my cover to look like a nebula out in space... :D

SO, knowing that a white background will make your colors seem brighter, I picked out a few fluorescent colors and went to work.

I applied a few larger areas of distinct colors on the front cover(above, right) - using my fingers in order to control the the paint application

and because it's fun to finger paint.

this is the back cover, where I used a paintbrush and got into a little brush stroke groove...

if you look at the bottom, left area of the cover you can see it is fluorescent GLITTER paint....

I mean seriously!

I added some pieces of old book pages I had punched into leaf shapes just before I began painting. You can see them above....I like the fish.

this is a close-up of a set of fluorescent fabric paints I used ....

And here is the final result:

I tried a midnight blue and a black acrylic craft paint and determined the black is what worked.

Those pretty shimmery colors are Glitz Spritz sprayed onto the dried paint. 

I used Royal Peacock Fire, Royal Emerald Fire and Royal Lapis Lazuli Fire.

There is also a bit of Hottie Patottie Pink Starburst Spray in the mix as well.

Do you think it resembles a nebula? 

leave me a comment - I love hearing from you!

Thank you for stopping by!