Diana Trout's blog

Journal Spill with Watercolor Pencils and Pitt Pens

Sometimes the blank journal page is hard to confront. That's why I sometimes start my pages with a word spill. It puts me in touch with my head and heart. Word spilling is something writers use to get started. Whatever is in your head comes out of your pen (or... Read more →

Sumptuous Painted Paper

Three cheers to paint all the paper! I taught this class again a couple of weekends ago in the studio. It's a spin-off of my Playful Papers dvd and I have taught many variations. You can see pictures from the class here. The process is pretty straight forward. Take paints... Read more →

Color It In * Pencils, Pens & Books

DickBlick's got some free shipping today only (12/16/16) for merch over $29 (!). I've put together a little video comparing colored pencils. I love to use gelly rolls or other glittery, shiny pens in coloring books too. Amp it up. LOL. (I don't much care for loud music these days).... Read more →

Art Journal With Me, Bird Box

Art Journaling with limited supplies is so refreshing. Gather just a few supplies and go with them. I almost always start with the collage elements. Going through an old magazine or a pile of papers. Do this quickly, journal-spill style. Don't think, just react and pull what speaks to you.... Read more →

How to Paint on Japanese Paper

I'm a paper addict. I love the stuff. I've never held a paper that didn't immediately ask me to bring it home. Japanese papers hold a special place in my heart for its paradox of light as a feather, strong as an ox. Sumi-e paper, aka "rice" paper, is a... Read more →

Art Journal in Layers

Are you having trouble getting that layered look in your art journal? I get alot of questions about this! Let talk layers using a template. Bear in mind throughout that your layers need to be translucent or spotty. In other words, don't cover the entire page with acrylic paint or... Read more →

Artist of the Month: Mary Wheeler

Happy June gang! It's a pleasure to share Mary's journal pages with you today. Mary is a dog-lovin' scientist and a wonderful artist to boot. I'm honored to have her as a friend and student. Very few words needed here today. And speaking of Joy ... Seamless use of collage.... Read more →

Spontaneous Journal Spill

Fridays's Live Stream was a success! Yay! I had great help. I hope that this video will inspire you and give you an easy way to work in your journal. You can apply this drawing game technique anywhere and with any media. I've done it with Crayolas with little kids... Read more →

Journal Spilling: Layering

At Saturday's MeetUp we worked in layers. Personally, I like thin layers so that the feel of the paper remains. But some folks don't worry about that. Most of my students have been with me for a bit so they go confidently into that dark night :). Because really, the... Read more →

Circle Journal Online, Open Registration

Circle Journal is a reformated class from last year's work-along class. An independent study class that you can work at your own pace. The material will be permanently accessible. This is a LOT of information: a painting primer, a mixed media primer, art journaling primer: much more than I could... Read more →