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Journal Spilling: Mixed-Media Techniques for Free Expression
Go ahead--make a mess!There are no lines to stay inside of here. You're free to quiet your inner critic and spill color (as well as your thoughts) all over the page. Author Diana Trout offers a double-dose of encouragement for you to try out new techniques, to ask yourself new questions and to see how safe of a place your private journal can truly be.
Whether you've been carrying around an art journal for years, or have been waiting for just the right push, in the pages of "Journal Spilling" you will learn new ways with mixed media as well as new insights about yourself. Step-by-step instruction will make the process easy and you'll explore such techniques as: Using salt, alcohol and wax paper as resists for watercolorSpilling" color over your page with the help of watercolor crayonsCreating unique lines and shapes with a fun ink-blowing techniqueMaking secret pockets and flaps for storing wishes and private reflectionsCarving and stamping with hand-carved stamps, making your pages even more personalGetting out of a writing rut with prompts and inspiring exercises and much more Find out just how fulfilling using creative expression in your personal journal can be and let "Journal Spilling" be the friend to offer you support for each page you create."
Whether you've been carrying around an art journal for years, or have been waiting for just the right push, in the pages of "Journal Spilling" you will learn new ways with mixed media as well as new insights about yourself. Step-by-step instruction will make the process easy and you'll explore such techniques as: Using salt, alcohol and wax paper as resists for watercolorSpilling" color over your page with the help of watercolor crayonsCreating unique lines and shapes with a fun ink-blowing techniqueMaking secret pockets and flaps for storing wishes and private reflectionsCarving and stamping with hand-carved stamps, making your pages even more personalGetting out of a writing rut with prompts and inspiring exercises and much more Find out just how fulfilling using creative expression in your personal journal can be and let "Journal Spilling" be the friend to offer you support for each page you create."
127 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2009
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588 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 1, 2016
This is a tourist's review. I read the book, but did none of the exercises or projects. I have, however, been seized with the desire to buy watercolors and gel pens immediately. This book makes me feel like I could add color and imagery to my notebooks.
June 17, 2018
I might like this more than I did the first time I read it three years ago! Original review: Very good overview of art journaling techniques, complete with prompts at the end. "Spilling" refers to writing (or creating an art entry) without thinking about it - basically stream-of-consciousness. I liked this book enough that I've ordered a used copy for myself.
April 30, 2010
Art journaling is a technique (tool??) that I have struggled with for a while. Part of the problem for me is the mess. I thought I didn't like to make messes. What I found was that I don't like to make messes that I have to clean up! The Purpose Journal showed me that under the right circumstances, I can really use this technique in a creative and satisfying way.
Journal Spilling by Diana Trout is a really encouraging and pleasant book to read. I read it and thought about it, but didn't try any of the projects that are integrated into the various chapters.
The first thing that I liked was in the Welcome message. First, "Welcome" is much friendlier than "preface" or "introduction." In her Welcome, Diana states that you don't need to be an artist to be an artmaker. I have long refused to label myself an artist - for better or for worse. Like Wayne Thiebaud, I have decided to let history decide my artistic fate and concentrate on making. If history ignores me, so be it. Thus, Trout's comment really hit home.
The author also has a sense of humor, which is infused throughout the book. On page 9, she says "...I once did a 'highly scientific' experiment to check the lightfastness of Portfolios alongside Caran d'Ache. They both held up remarkably well when exposed to sunlight for six months!" I love the idea of this 'experiment'. It really made me smile.
Ms. Trout writes about things I have never heard of, but that I find very useful. In her section, Stretch & Spill, she discusses 'micromovements.' About them she says "micromovements refers to a system of breaking down a large job into tiny parts. This is a great concept that addresses the biggest obstacle between you and your journal: Fear. It also helped me greatly with time issues. If you break down a job (or hope or dream), step by step it seems less scary and overwelming." I didn't realize until I read this that I had been doing this with the Purpose Journal. since I couldn't face making a mess, I have been breaking down the steps, before I have to make the mess, into manageable bites that fit into my schedule and my comfort zone.
The books title, Journal Spilling, seemed a little confusing to me until I read the section on the generosity and hospitality of pouring sake. By creating that analogy, Diana gave me a picture in my mind to understand as I read the book.
Throughout the book, the author talks about keeping moving. At one point she refers to it as aerobics for creativity. The idea is to not think to much and keep moving creatively; to keep your hand moving. Some examples Ms. Trout gives are to draw boxes (good for writing in later!), circles, little houses and flowers. She also gives some advice on what to say to your mind if it starts to interrupt (which mine does all the time!!): "...quietly tell it you are busy right now." (pg.76). This was another thing that really made me smile.
I think that most people who make beauty have an inner critic. A very revealing and interesting section was about her inner critic. She names him, tells us how he looks and sounds. I thought this was a great technique, because things that you name are much less scary than the unknown. In this section, Diana reminds the reader "My art does not have to be BIG ART." This is wonderful. In a way I feel like I have been doing this with all of the sewn accessories I have been making: journal covers, pencil rolls, tote bags. They are mind sorbet, in a way, but they are also, for ME, small art. For me, small art is valuable as well. She follows that up by saying "I pick up my brushes and pens in the odd spaces of time that occur in the life, gently coaxing the art out into the light." I think this could be used as an excuse to move on to a different project, creating another UFO, but for me it means sometimes things have to simmer and by working often, the simmering happens a bit faster.
Ms. Trout uses the various sections to convey techniques through her various projects. At the same time, she drops little pearls of wisdom in the introduction to each section. The Secrets & Wishes section is, somewhat, about getting things out without revealing too much. In the introduction, she writes "Respect the power of the words you write and believe that writing them will fix them into your mind and, maybe, with some attention, some of your dreams will become a reality." This makes me think that I should write down some of the things that I dream about. Perhaps the power of the word, which is so important to me, can help me identify my goals and make them a reality.
I think, in general, creativity books are more interesting to look at. I have seen a lot of well designed, well laid out and visually appealing books of late. This book is not exception. Not only are the photos appealing, the step outs clear, but the page layouts fit the theme of the book. It looks like we are looking at Trouts journal. There are watercolor strokes, bits of masking tape, scribbles, and doodles interspersed with the regular book information.
As I said above, the messes stop me from working in this technique. When Diana says (pg. 55) "write into the wet gesso" I stop cold. I have to say that working at a Work of Heart helped with this feeling. I just have not, yet, been able to translate to working at home.
I found this work to be really inspirational. As I read, I found myself inspired to create a quilt design or add something to my Purpose Journal. In the Personal Landscape section, the author suggests the reader go on a walk and think about the area in which s/he lives. She follows this suggestion up with an exercise to create a collage about your thoughts and feelings. I read this section and immediately thought of the Women's Work quilt. Reading the words made me imagine the next in the series, more of a cityscape, still using Gwen Marston's style.
In the same section, but also mentioned throughout the book, Trout talks about writing - spill writing - in her journal and then covering some of it up with her collage style. This appears to be something that she does frequently. I am not sure I want my words covered up. I may not want people to read them, but I feel like I want to read them later, which I can't do if I cover them up. This was also confusing, because of the power of words section she discusses in the Secrets & Wishes section.
The Drawing Games Section has perfect exercises which dovetail nicely into the CPP! She suggests exercise really clearly that would work for quick drawings of the words I suggest each week. For regular contributors, it might be a way to vary what you are doing or break out of a rut. One exercise is to draw a "curved line from one of the paper to the other, three times. She, then, asks you to observe the shapes and take some further steps, which she outlines in the book.
Who Am I? Is the question that slammed into my head when I was partway through the Lifeline section. This section has discussions of writing your autobiography in a way that she found, she was able to handle. This feeling blew me away and I'll have to consider a bit.
There are lots of things to try in this book: paper dolls, using book covers to make a journal, making glitter glue, using white out as an art supply, cutting rubber stamps, using regular household items to make marks, book making, and many other exercises and techniques. She also tells you how to make a traveling kit. In the end of the book are sections with various resources, such as quotes, supplies and materials inspiration and techniques.
I am planning on putting this book on my wish list.
Journal Spilling by Diana Trout is a really encouraging and pleasant book to read. I read it and thought about it, but didn't try any of the projects that are integrated into the various chapters.
The first thing that I liked was in the Welcome message. First, "Welcome" is much friendlier than "preface" or "introduction." In her Welcome, Diana states that you don't need to be an artist to be an artmaker. I have long refused to label myself an artist - for better or for worse. Like Wayne Thiebaud, I have decided to let history decide my artistic fate and concentrate on making. If history ignores me, so be it. Thus, Trout's comment really hit home.
The author also has a sense of humor, which is infused throughout the book. On page 9, she says "...I once did a 'highly scientific' experiment to check the lightfastness of Portfolios alongside Caran d'Ache. They both held up remarkably well when exposed to sunlight for six months!" I love the idea of this 'experiment'. It really made me smile.
Ms. Trout writes about things I have never heard of, but that I find very useful. In her section, Stretch & Spill, she discusses 'micromovements.' About them she says "micromovements refers to a system of breaking down a large job into tiny parts. This is a great concept that addresses the biggest obstacle between you and your journal: Fear. It also helped me greatly with time issues. If you break down a job (or hope or dream), step by step it seems less scary and overwelming." I didn't realize until I read this that I had been doing this with the Purpose Journal. since I couldn't face making a mess, I have been breaking down the steps, before I have to make the mess, into manageable bites that fit into my schedule and my comfort zone.
The books title, Journal Spilling, seemed a little confusing to me until I read the section on the generosity and hospitality of pouring sake. By creating that analogy, Diana gave me a picture in my mind to understand as I read the book.
Throughout the book, the author talks about keeping moving. At one point she refers to it as aerobics for creativity. The idea is to not think to much and keep moving creatively; to keep your hand moving. Some examples Ms. Trout gives are to draw boxes (good for writing in later!), circles, little houses and flowers. She also gives some advice on what to say to your mind if it starts to interrupt (which mine does all the time!!): "...quietly tell it you are busy right now." (pg.76). This was another thing that really made me smile.
I think that most people who make beauty have an inner critic. A very revealing and interesting section was about her inner critic. She names him, tells us how he looks and sounds. I thought this was a great technique, because things that you name are much less scary than the unknown. In this section, Diana reminds the reader "My art does not have to be BIG ART." This is wonderful. In a way I feel like I have been doing this with all of the sewn accessories I have been making: journal covers, pencil rolls, tote bags. They are mind sorbet, in a way, but they are also, for ME, small art. For me, small art is valuable as well. She follows that up by saying "I pick up my brushes and pens in the odd spaces of time that occur in the life, gently coaxing the art out into the light." I think this could be used as an excuse to move on to a different project, creating another UFO, but for me it means sometimes things have to simmer and by working often, the simmering happens a bit faster.
Ms. Trout uses the various sections to convey techniques through her various projects. At the same time, she drops little pearls of wisdom in the introduction to each section. The Secrets & Wishes section is, somewhat, about getting things out without revealing too much. In the introduction, she writes "Respect the power of the words you write and believe that writing them will fix them into your mind and, maybe, with some attention, some of your dreams will become a reality." This makes me think that I should write down some of the things that I dream about. Perhaps the power of the word, which is so important to me, can help me identify my goals and make them a reality.
I think, in general, creativity books are more interesting to look at. I have seen a lot of well designed, well laid out and visually appealing books of late. This book is not exception. Not only are the photos appealing, the step outs clear, but the page layouts fit the theme of the book. It looks like we are looking at Trouts journal. There are watercolor strokes, bits of masking tape, scribbles, and doodles interspersed with the regular book information.
As I said above, the messes stop me from working in this technique. When Diana says (pg. 55) "write into the wet gesso" I stop cold. I have to say that working at a Work of Heart helped with this feeling. I just have not, yet, been able to translate to working at home.
I found this work to be really inspirational. As I read, I found myself inspired to create a quilt design or add something to my Purpose Journal. In the Personal Landscape section, the author suggests the reader go on a walk and think about the area in which s/he lives. She follows this suggestion up with an exercise to create a collage about your thoughts and feelings. I read this section and immediately thought of the Women's Work quilt. Reading the words made me imagine the next in the series, more of a cityscape, still using Gwen Marston's style.
In the same section, but also mentioned throughout the book, Trout talks about writing - spill writing - in her journal and then covering some of it up with her collage style. This appears to be something that she does frequently. I am not sure I want my words covered up. I may not want people to read them, but I feel like I want to read them later, which I can't do if I cover them up. This was also confusing, because of the power of words section she discusses in the Secrets & Wishes section.
The Drawing Games Section has perfect exercises which dovetail nicely into the CPP! She suggests exercise really clearly that would work for quick drawings of the words I suggest each week. For regular contributors, it might be a way to vary what you are doing or break out of a rut. One exercise is to draw a "curved line from one of the paper to the other, three times. She, then, asks you to observe the shapes and take some further steps, which she outlines in the book.
Who Am I? Is the question that slammed into my head when I was partway through the Lifeline section. This section has discussions of writing your autobiography in a way that she found, she was able to handle. This feeling blew me away and I'll have to consider a bit.
There are lots of things to try in this book: paper dolls, using book covers to make a journal, making glitter glue, using white out as an art supply, cutting rubber stamps, using regular household items to make marks, book making, and many other exercises and techniques. She also tells you how to make a traveling kit. In the end of the book are sections with various resources, such as quotes, supplies and materials inspiration and techniques.
I am planning on putting this book on my wish list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2009
I completely failed in my resolution to limit the craft books I bought this year (2009), though I am determined to limit them next year (maybe 1 each quarter, that seems manageable?). I did stop subscribing to craft magazines ... maybe trying to cut out craft books at the same time was too ambitious?
Anyway, this is a lovely book about art journaling with a heavy emphasis on watercolor paint which I found refreshing. Lots of good technical watercolor info combined with journaling techniques.
Completely irritated by the constant repetition of the word "spilling" and "spill". Sabrina Ward Harrison coined the concept of "spilling" in her book "Spilling Open" and while she doesn't have a market on the word, I thought the author could've found a new, different word to describe her process. And, I didn't need to have the word repeated six thousand times.
This book's main value to my creativity is the watercolor emphasis.
Anyway, this is a lovely book about art journaling with a heavy emphasis on watercolor paint which I found refreshing. Lots of good technical watercolor info combined with journaling techniques.
Completely irritated by the constant repetition of the word "spilling" and "spill". Sabrina Ward Harrison coined the concept of "spilling" in her book "Spilling Open" and while she doesn't have a market on the word, I thought the author could've found a new, different word to describe her process. And, I didn't need to have the word repeated six thousand times.
This book's main value to my creativity is the watercolor emphasis.
September 12, 2015
This book is absolutely beautiful with the full color pages. It is easy to use for visual learners who like to copy what they see and also has easily laid out step by step instructions for a bunch of different techniques and designs that you can choose from. I learned so many new simple techniques, such as "ink blowing" and layering Crayola crayon colors underneath Gesso and writing in to wet Gesso and that is just a few of the many techniques. Highly recommend to any creative person looking for a fun journal art or scrapbooking hobby! It is so much fun!
March 17, 2016
3.5 stars - Lots of great exercises, though some could have used a bit more clarification on directions I felt. The actual art techniques were mostly nothing new to me as someone who has worked with mixed media for nearly two decades now. I'll definitely be taking some notes before returning it to the library and may look into picking up used copy if I can get myself to start art journaling like I've been thinking about wanting to do for months now.
May 3, 2019
I learned some new techniques for art journaling and had some fun using some of them in my mixed media junk journal. I absolutely love the idea of doing messy art journaling, and am glad I read this book. I was mainly looking for the attitude of anything goes when it comes to creating a page in my journal.
Diana Trout introduced me to Caran d'Ache Classic Neocolor Pastels... what fun! I'd never used them before but got a set to use on one of the projects she detailed in this art book. These pastels are water soluble and after drawing with them, a bit of water on a brush turns them into colorful watercolors. I appreciate the inspiration to try something new.
New-to-me art supplies and techniques - they are the reasons I'm reading a different art book each month this year. I read Journal Spilling for my April 2019 adventure in artistry.
Diana Trout introduced me to Caran d'Ache Classic Neocolor Pastels... what fun! I'd never used them before but got a set to use on one of the projects she detailed in this art book. These pastels are water soluble and after drawing with them, a bit of water on a brush turns them into colorful watercolors. I appreciate the inspiration to try something new.
New-to-me art supplies and techniques - they are the reasons I'm reading a different art book each month this year. I read Journal Spilling for my April 2019 adventure in artistry.
February 17, 2018
I actually read the book a while ago (like, two or three years ago) and will have to refresh my memory. But it is filled with good techniques to get you going in an art journal. It’s not what I call a gripping read like a novel, and you probably won’t read it straight through like it is. But there is good stuff in here. Check it out, see how it works for you.
September 7, 2019
For a creative break in reading, this how-to art book delivers well many basic tips on tackling the blank pages of the art journal and jump starting creativity for fun and personal expression.
August 15, 2023
Lots of inspiring ideas.
November 20, 2023
Most of the ideas were good.
I'll try some techniques.
I'll try some techniques.
October 6, 2017
This was interesting to read through and I will see how it goes trying out some of the prompts. If the prompts I try work out the rating may go up. I find that with many art tutorial books I find more use out of it once I try things in them. I like the author and follow her on youtube so I thought it would be nice to read her book.
March 5, 2013
JOURNAL SPILLING draws on your inner muse. It is about creating and not judging yourself. Whether you are a novice to journaling or someone that has an imagination-block you are bound to learn a new technique to fabricating a unique work of art. There is no wrong or right way when you follow the author's suggestions.
Ms. Trout fabricates various pages beyond simply writing things down. Besides using paint, crayons, pencils, and glue, you are also introduced to using wax paper, water transfer, blowing ink and debossing. You learn to 'deconstruct'. Most importantly, you are encouraged to forge ahead. She wants to remove the creative brake and dares you to invent your own piece of art. Something you will be proud of.
Besides learning new methods of expanding your reflections, she assists the reader with 'creative aids'. Words for you to think about. Various prompts to help pace your thoughts. And quotations to inspire you. Ms. Trout does all of this with colorful pictures and wonderful instructions.
Currently, this is her only published book and I found that I missed her 'voice' when I was done reading everything. I found her blog, dianatrout.typepad.com/, for more refreshing ideas until she comes up with something else.
Ms. Trout fabricates various pages beyond simply writing things down. Besides using paint, crayons, pencils, and glue, you are also introduced to using wax paper, water transfer, blowing ink and debossing. You learn to 'deconstruct'. Most importantly, you are encouraged to forge ahead. She wants to remove the creative brake and dares you to invent your own piece of art. Something you will be proud of.
Besides learning new methods of expanding your reflections, she assists the reader with 'creative aids'. Words for you to think about. Various prompts to help pace your thoughts. And quotations to inspire you. Ms. Trout does all of this with colorful pictures and wonderful instructions.
Currently, this is her only published book and I found that I missed her 'voice' when I was done reading everything. I found her blog, dianatrout.typepad.com/, for more refreshing ideas until she comes up with something else.
December 24, 2014
A Fine craft book
I really like the approach of imperfection being just right, even a perfect, art form for most people. Embracing the inherent flaws in human artwork shows our personalities and quirks.
Most paper craft books directed at art journaling contain the same tips, which is annoying when you try to read quite as few of them. Despite that, I found this book to be a good guide with accurate pictures that show how to do the techniques and what can be done with them. Even the pamphlet-making section was a little new for most paper craft books.
I really like the approach of imperfection being just right, even a perfect, art form for most people. Embracing the inherent flaws in human artwork shows our personalities and quirks.
Most paper craft books directed at art journaling contain the same tips, which is annoying when you try to read quite as few of them. Despite that, I found this book to be a good guide with accurate pictures that show how to do the techniques and what can be done with them. Even the pamphlet-making section was a little new for most paper craft books.
September 4, 2018
My sister from another mister. This book is fantastic. Let me tell you how fantastic -- I can read a book about sketching or techniques or journals and bookmark a lot of bits and write quotes and ideas and nod my head and go, "Yeah! This is good stuff!" Four pages in, and I leaped off the couch, cleared the junk off my desk, opened up three of my watercolor journals and got lost in them. I worked feverishly for eight hours straight. It was that inspiring. I will come back to this book over and over again when I need a kick in the seat.
April 20, 2011
I really liked this book. She works in watercolor a lot. It helped me move beyond the block I had with this medium. She has great sections on dealing with the inner critic. I also like the techniques for making Japanese paper. There isn't a lot new in this book but I liked the way she presented things. It has spurned me to try things I have heard about before.
August 8, 2014
I thought this was an excellent book into the process of artistic journaling. Trout offers concise and realistic actions to take to begin journaling. There are also very easy techniques that can be accomplished by anyone. This is a book on creating your own art rather than duplicating a specific project.
October 9, 2009
This was an inspirational read. I thought it was going to help me with my journaling for scrapbooking. It wasn't really that type of book, but it did give me plenty of ideas for my scrapbooking and some new techniques to try.
June 21, 2012
Could not have loved this book any more - it was perfectly written for where I am right now as an artist and a teacher. So many incredible ideas that just melded with other concepts I'd been working on and mulling over. Fabulous book!!
February 24, 2010
This is a great technique book for making art journals.
March 12, 2016
What do I say here? I guess I confess that I am not enough of a crafter to really use this book. That means I am not a good reviewer of it either.
June 16, 2012
A fun book and a great way for those looking to get started with mixed media journaling to get some inspiration. Diana is a friend of mine. I like her book!
August 26, 2011
An excellent intro to art journaling, well written and well photographed, lovely.
February 20, 2014
Can't wait to start getting my sample journal done and running my Creative Journaling Group with these techniques!
February 21, 2013
lots of good ideas in this one, and i have strted my scrapbook!!!!
May 24, 2015
Great book for anyone beginning art journaling. Many ideas.......lots of encouragement.
February 10, 2016
Neat idea on how to create impulsive, creative, exciting journals. It is all about "free expression" and experimenting with various media. I think teens would like this book.
November 22, 2016
Got some new ideas!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews