Letting Colour Lead in a Layered Wreath Art Journal Page
This art journal page started as an experiment in using colour differently - not overly blended, but strong, noticeable circular blocks to work with a wreath design - allowing stamped elements to both stand out and quietly support the background.
I love creating designs that can be used in more than one way, and this page is a good example of how the same stamps can become bold focal points or subtle background texture, depending on how they’re coloured and layered.
How I Built the Page
I began with the wreath, stamping it in a soft grey to be my “place marker” and guide the overall composition. From there, I could then see how far I wanted to blend out the blocks of colour.
I chose a limited colour palette, starting with darker shades and moving to lighter tones, and repeated those colours across:
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The main floral elements
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Smaller stamped embellishments
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Soft background stamping
Rather than treating everything as a feature, I let some images fade back while others came forward. This creates depth without the page feeling too busy.
I also made the decision to give the illusion of a split page, with the colours predominantly on one side of the page and leaving the other side white (or white-ish!).
Did you notice… I’ve added a wee bit of purple! Those of you that know me will know I have a love-hate relationship with purple, but every now and then I’m trying to be a bit braver with using the colour.
Designing for Flexible Use
When I design stamps, one of my key aims is to make them as flexible as possible. Not everyone feels confident with complex layered stamping, so I love creating designs that can:
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Work as focal images
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Break apart into background details
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Create the feel of layered texture
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Help build confidence through repetition and overlap
This page uses stamps from my Wild & Free collection for Shady Designs, along with coordinating elements from the same range, to show how a single design style can play different roles within one project.
When I use the term flexible, I also think about how you craft. Although I’m probably known more for my art journal pages, it’s important to me that my designs can cross over into all styles of crafting.
Carrying These Ideas Forward
Although these designs are from an earlier chapter of my creative work, the ideas behind them still influence how I approach stamp design today. I still want the designs I create to give people options - whether that means creating a strong focal point, building layers and texture, or simply having something that makes you want to experiment.
Ultimately, I want every crafter to feel that they can achieve the idea that's in their head on to the paper. That might sound a little corny, but it's genuinely something I believe in!
It's a design approach I continue to carry forward into new projects and collaborations.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “right” way to use stamps. Colour, placement, and layering can completely change how a design behaves on the page. With a new idea, work with colours that you feel confident using - that’s half the battle won.
Whether you love bold focal points or subtle background texture, the most important thing is giving yourself permission to experiment and make the designs work for you.
Until next time, take care,
xxx
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