Dreaming from the Journal Page: Transforming the Sketchbook to Art

by Melanie Testa

Transform your sketchbook to art!The artist's journal is a great place to start a library of personal marks, doodles and ideas. The reader is introduced to basics such as choosing a journal and then immediately guided into techniques such as color mixing, drawing and a variety of surface designs. The reader is encouraged to experiment and play in the journal to try out new directions for creating works of art. The art journal becomes the starting point for bigger projects.

In addition to step-by-step techniques for working in a variety of media, each chapter features one or more jumping-off points to show the reader how to move out of the journal and onto an actual project. In the final chapter, Melanie steps out three journal spreads to show how many techniques learned previously are layered and worked together. By using the art journal in this way, the reader learns confidence in developing their ideas into tangible works of art.

Genres: Art, Crafts, Nonfiction, Drawing, Journaling

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2012

About the author

Melanie Testa is an accomplished textile and quilt artist. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile/Surface Design and has taken many courses from well-known quilt and surface-design artists including Natasha Kemper-Cullens, Ann Johnston, Carol Soderlund, and Jane Dunnewold. She exhibits her fiber art at various galleries and quilt shows around the country and currently teaches fiber arts at Coconino Community College. Her articles have appeared in Quilting Arts Magazine and the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Journal.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one didn't really work for me. It covers a lot of ground - from drawing and painting to carving rubber stamps to extremely detailed instructions for dyeing fabric. And it felt like the journal bit was more of an afterthought than anything else.

Reread (2018): This time I found something I want to try - mixing a little liquid soap with watercolor so it can be used for stamping. But still not a favorite - in fact, I'd forgotten I'd already read it...

[Sarah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great art book that explained many mixed media techniques but I bumped it down a star because I didn't see where a lot of this had to do with journaling, yes some of it could be used to make mixed media or drawn art pages but it didn't focus on working directly out of an art journal but rather on various papers and fabrics. Also no prompts for journaling either, so I find that the title didn't fit the book itself. Overall there was a lot of techniques a few I already knew and some that I hadn't heard of yet. I did get some great ideas for mixed media that I will be trying in the future.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great techniques, color, multimedia creations…but, I lost sight of how it relates to journal making. Maybe a better titling would be creative multimedia crafts; she goes over rubber stamp making, fabric making, stencils, etc.

The technique background on color mixing is decent.

[Theremin Poisoning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book from an artist who clearly went to art school 😅 (I didn't) and it's one of the best I've read on art journaling and mixed media.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reveal of Melanie Testa’s art journal is beautiful and well organized. The author reveals techniques to draw, paint, transfer, stamp, and stencil on paper or fabric.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider myself an intermediate artist. I've drawn for years but am still learning. I feel as if a beginner or advanced artist could pick up Melanie's book and learn something new. Melanie takes you through everything you'd like to know about creating your own art journal. She introduces the reader to the materials they will need (and even recommends inexpensive options for those who still aren't sure if they want to invest a lot of money) , how to work with color, techniques to use and exercises in drawing. Some of the best parts for me are the explanations of different grades of paint (I knew professional grade paints were the best but didn't know why!), and papers, as well as the drawing tips and the challenges that help pull all these skills together to make awesome art. Melanie is an accessible artist who loves to share and help others become better. I think this comes across well in her book.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Melanie's work and her teaching. I've taken several classes with her, and her down-to-earth explanations make this a great book! Melanie includes some of the things she taught us in class, but also expands on them, as there is only so much you can pick up in a 6-hour class. It's a great companion and I'm working my way through it. Thanks, Melly, for writing it and sharing it with us!

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to various art and transfer techniques. Wonderful photos.

[Gina Lento · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent journaling book. I was impressed with this one and can't wait to try the wax resist and home made stamp making

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to make art journals