Your paper is too thin for mixed media art … now what?
Are you ever creating in an art journal, or maybe using some of your hoarded vintage papers, and discover that the paper is too thin? I think that this can happen to the best of us. I’m often more focused on what the paper looks like than what it feels like. Most of the time we don’t have a choice in varying thickness when it comes to speciality, second hand papers.
Pro tip: when looking for vintage books/papers to buy for art journaling, think about what your end use will be. If you are using them for collage, pretty much any and all papers will do. On the other hand, if you are looking for pages to be bound in an art journal or to be used as the base layer in a project, you need to look for something more substantial.
HOW CAN WE USE THE PAPERS WE LOVE FOR MIXED MEDIA ART JOURNALING EVEN IF THEY DON’T FIT OUR IDEAL CRITERIA?
I use a couple of different work arounds, let’s dive in.
1. Limit the use of wet mediums
This option may be the most obvious, but I find it the most limiting. When I create art with mixed media methods I enjoy being able to build up the layers while getting as grungy and messy as I please.
What are wet mediums? Think fluid paints, acrylic inks, using your spray bottle directly on the page, water in your paint brush, etc. Anything that can affect the integrity of your paper.
2. Use gesso as your first layer
Gesso adds stability and a bit of tooth to your substrate. This helps the paper to hold up to various mixed media techniques.
Switch it up and use different colors of gesso. White, black, or clear.
Pro tip: black gesso dries very quickly and is opaque, meaning you can’t see through it. This creates a wonderful matte (not shiny) appearance.
Pro tip: vintage papers can often be brittle and are not suitable in their unaltered state. Try using clear gesso as your base! This allows you to still see the text on the paper while adding tooth/texture, allowing future layers to be added with ease.
3. Collage
Collage plays such a big role in my art, that this method just makes sense for me!
Use collage to build up some thickness and sturdiness to the paper. Be strategic about your placement and reinforce weak points.
4. Back it with a sturdy piece of paper
This method will look different depending on how you are working, whether loose leaf or in the bound form.
A quick fix on loose paper is to back your work with cardstock or another heavy weight paper. This can be done before creating, or after you are complete.
Pro tip: I like to back my tags with sturdy paper or lightweight cardboard. This allows the tag to slide in and out of pockets without getting bent or feeling flimsy.
In a journal this may be something I do after my creation is complete if I feel like my page is at risk. This will only work if you have not created anything on the back side yet.
Similarly, you could glue 2 of your pages together in your journal to double the thickness.
Alternatively, use tape on the backside on any areas that have torn through or feel susceptible to breakage.
5. Glue a finished piece of work on top
Instead of working directly on the paper, paste a completed work on top. This may sound kind of redundant, but I use this method most on rolodex pages and art journals.
Busier master sheets often look much better when used in smaller pieces. Trace the rolodex page size and cut out your desired portion.
If you aren’t jiving with a paper that is in your art journal, replace it! Glue a new piece directly on top of your old one! Use an old credit card to smooth out the page and make it look seamless with the binding.
I hope these art tips help when you are creating with thin and tricky papers!
