Art Journal Backgrounds and Caran d'Ache Love

I've been working in my art journal and practicing backgrounds.  I really love trying to create depth and layers in my backgrounds.  This page has a little bit of everything.  I started out with three colors, spread around with a credit card.  Next I added some text torn from an old book and some rubber stamps.  Then I added a thin coat of gesso here and there, followed by more rubber stamps, bubble wrap, and some tissue paper.  This was the first time I had worked with tissue paper, but it won't be the last.  I loved how easy it was to apply with some gel medium and it's so transparent that everything underneath showed through and it made a really nice effect.

  I'm pretty happy with the way this one turned out overall.

 Isn't it funny how some of our 'experiments' turn out to be better than our 'planned' techniques?  I did this page at random because I wanted to practice a technique I had read about online. This was done with Caran d'Ache watercolor crayons and a baby wipe.  I did this one in my moleskine sketchbook and the combination of the paper, crayons and baby wipes made a really creamy, blended effect and I love the way it turned out.

I love working with these water-soluble crayons.  They are so versatile and the colors are bright and beautiful.  I use them a lot when I don't have time to dig out all of my paints and brushes, or when I'm away from home but want to paint.  They can be blended with a baby wipe, your finger or a water brush, so if you're traveling these items are small and easy to bring along.  The Caran d'Ache brochure has some neat techniques for using these crayons.  Here's a link to the downloadable PDF if you'd like to have a look.

Do any of you use these crayons, or have a special technique to share?  If so feel free to leave your link below so we can all check it out.

Until next time, happy creating!