Monotone Journal Page - ALL Copics

Today I'm going to use my Copic products to create a monotone journal page.  Working with a limited colour palette was a new thing for me and monotones even more so!  I used my Copics to add custom colour to my embellishments and create a custom background for my page.  It took me a while to decide on an idea, but once I had, I have to confess the Copics pretty much made this so simple I was practically cheating!

You Will Need:

• Copic Products
  Various Inks: Colorless Blender '0', E25, E59 & Black 100
  Copic Markers: Black 100, E18, E25, E47 & E59
• X-Press It Products
  Mixed Media Journal, Double Sided Tape, Adhesive Sheets, Clear Gel Glue
• FabScraps Products
  12x12 Paper - Australia, Journal Inserts - Love and Travel, Chipboard Die Cut - Lamps, Stencil - Stars & Vintage Mist
• Chromacryl: Gesso Primer & Texture Paste
• Collage items eg: ribbon, lace, leaves, material, metal findings, photos or papers

Custom Background

Step 1: Cut 12x12 paper down to a size that will fit into X-Press It Mixed Media Journal (do not glue in until finished).  Glue on Love and Travel Journal Insert pieces to add texture.  Apply a thin layer of gesso - you should still be able to see patterns from the paper underneath.  

Step 2: Apply texture paste through stencil to add more interest, wait for the paste to dry completely.  

Step 3: Copic Various Inks to Tint Gesso - Mix Various Ink (E25) into some gesso to create a tint and brush over page.  Wait until gesso is dry.

Step 4: Copic Various Inks as a Glaze - Mix Various Ink  (E59) into glazing fluid and brush over page, allow to sit for one minute then wipe off with a baby wipe.  This will allow the glaze to settle into the texture and create a grungy look.

Once dry, see how the glaze really highlights the texture!

Step 5:  Use Copic Markers ( Black 100, E25, E47 & E59) to outline elements, 

edge the page and scribble over texture.  

NB: After repeated use in this way (contact with paint and use on rough surfaces)
you will need to replace the nib on your marker.

Step 6: Fill mister with Copic Colorless Blender ('0') and spritz over the page - this will make the colours you applied run and bleed.  Allow page to dry completely,

 Once dry you can add stamping, stencilling, mists, anything you like. 

Custom Colour Embellishments

Using the same Copic colours on your embellishments as used on the background, will create a beautifully coordinated page.

Step 1: Gather all of the embellishments you will use to decorate your page, these can be metal, wood, chipboard, plastic etc. Colour the embellishments roughly with your Copic Markers (Black 100, E18, E25, E47 & E59) - leave some uncoloured space.  

Step 2: Make a pile and randomly drip on various ink (E59, E25 & 100).

Step 3: Spritz with Colorless Blender and leave to dry.

The Finishing Touch

Put it all together and glue your embellishments onto your background using Clear Gel Glue.  

You can see how the same colours of Copic ink look slightly different depending on

the material they were applied to.

I love that no matter the material - fabric, metal or chipboard, everything looks so fantastic and was so easy to colour.

My finished page looks like this... aren't those Copic colours gorgeous!

I hope this has given you some new ideas about how to use your Copic products!  Don't forget, use over paints or rough surfaces will deteriorate your nibs - so have some replacements on hand, or a few special Copic markers that you use for 'naughty' things only! 

Kate