Mixed Media South of France Journal – Page 10

I loved creating this Mixed Media Art Journal with picture from the South of France – what fun!

In this video I show you how to create a textured tree with Mod Podge and tissue paper.

Here is the video for the final page 10. https://youtu.be/aQhj-w_o8A8

Here is the original picture that I started with:

And here are the finished pages.

Supply list –

  1. Plastic binder cover with clip
  2. Tissue paper
  3. Paper wrap from a straw or two
  4. Thick string
  5. Mod Podge
  6. Clear Gesso
  7. Liquitex varnish

The plastic binder cover with the clip that holds the picture in place worked great.  I simple put the photo copy of the tree in the binder and I was ready to roll.

  • Rip up pieces of tissue paper.
  • Pour some Mod Podge in a container; only pour out a small amount at a time.
  • Fold the tissue paper like an accordion; back and forth to get the folds and ridges.
  • Use a small paint brush (I liked the one with a point on the end the best) and paint the Mod Podge on the plastic cover one area at a time.
  • Saturate the tissue paper with the Mod Podge and work the tissue paper into place. Using the tree pattern as your guide. Try and keep the accordion folds and paint the Mod Podge in the valleys.

  • Use the paper wrap from a straw (twisted) to add a different looking branch. For thinner branches I cut the wrap length wise and twisted it to get the look I wanted.
  • I cut small pieces of thick string to make the supper thin branches – it worked great.
  • Paint Gesso on the tree after Mod Podge is dry and let Gesso dry.
  • Paint the tree using distress stains. I used the light ones first and the darker one on top.

I couldn’t wait to see how the stain would look on the tree, so I started before the tree was even completed.  After a section of the tissue paper dried, I used the clear transparent Gesso. Let that dry and then I used the Tim Holz Distress stains. I have had so much fun using the inks and spray stains from Tim Holz: https://shop.rangerink.com/collections/spray-inks.

I used the Spays (but painted them on): Linen, Vintage photo and Walnut were the colors used. Mostly I used the Walnut but started with the other colors to add dimension and depth and went back over the tree with the Walnut color.

  • I use the Liquitex Professional Matte Varnish at the end to seal and protect the tree.  I love this product.  It is a little pricey – if you buy it with a coupon at Michael’s it’s not too bad – but worth it.
  • After it dried a bit, I used a putting knife and removed the tree from the plastic. Any of the varnish that was remaining on the sides I just rolled it back on the tree. It dries clear, so depending on what you are doing with it you might take a small sharp pair of scissors and remove more of the varnish that is still visible.

Helpful hint:

I thought the plastic knife, with the serrated edge was helpful to make the ridges the grooves the way I wanted them.

For thicker branches, I twisted the tissue paper using longer piece. I also use the paper from a straw for a slightly different look.

Take your time; this is a multi day project.  But I found myself wanting to work on it every chance I had.

The background for the journal was  ink dyed using the All Purpose Inks from TSC Designs. http://stores.teacherstamp.com/inks/

I used red glass beds as apples and a few leaves to finish of the tree.

I really did love working on this tree!

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