Art Journal Technique: Sharpie Ghost

[sandyvan13444]

Wow....kool technique! Thanx for sharing xoxoxo

[wlscsms]

This is a really beautiful technique! It looks great even before the gesso. Don't know which I like best!  Guess it depends on the purpose of the background.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@wlscsms It really would work both ways. I guess the thing to remember is that if you put gesso over sharpie (or alcohol based ink in general) you'll get a ghosting technique. It's fun fun fun. JournalArtista (check her here on youtube and also search for her on UStream) did some lovely stuff with ghosting, alchohol inks and colored gesso.

[victoriaenciso]

this is so cool!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@victoriaenciso Thank you!

[LostInLove2014]

Would I be able to use white paint in the place of Gesso for the same effect?

[comfortableshoesstud]

@LostInLove2014 possibly, I know that it works with some white acrylic paints.

[zelda75231]

thanks leslie for the great idea. i will use that . thanks again :-)

[BoardSkate73]

Very interesting layered look.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@BoardSkate73 thanks

[LeipNau]

You sound and act like that woman from the movie 'Brides Maid' :0

[comfortableshoesstud]

@LeipNau I haven't seen it so I assume that is a compliment...

[Sue24301]

I can't wait to see what other techniques you have here. I wanted to do a journal where I can post my writing along with pictures and have hidden messages. Thanks for sharing.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@Sue24301 :) Hope you found some good stuff.

[GrayWatchman]

This is fun & cool. I've done something like this with oil paint over sharpie... the writing bleeds through in unexpected places, but not with gesso on paper, nor witht he cross writing. I love to paint on interesting backgrounds. SO may Il borrow your technique? Floyd Alsbach

[comfortableshoesstud]

@GrayWatchman :) Hope you get good use of it!

[ozmosis1]

Thank you for showing this technique. It solved some problems for me and was an exciting change for a couple of pages in my journal.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@ozmosis1 Glad you enjoy it. It's a fun technique.

[crzyldync]

I live alone - but I was raised with a hint of paranoia - you never know who will find your stuff so be carefull what you write down or don't say something negative about some cause you might get in trouble. I love this tecnique and I know i'll use it again. did you develop this technique? It's a great idea.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@crzyldync I read about cross writing years before but the gesso bit was something I'd discovered when covering a page with gesso after drawing on it with sharpie.

[crzyldync]

I tried this last night and it was incredibly freeing. I haven't put gesson on it but knowing the different color sharpies would hide what I was saying was incredible. Thank you for sharing this technique.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@crzyldync Glad you like the technique! I used it a lot when I lived with a snooping roommate

[sacrycheri]

how fun. Love the ghosting technique but even cooler the way the gesso reacts with the water color crayons. Thanks for sharing.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@sacrycheri Gesso is great stuff

[ZherieLove]

what kind of gesso did you use? :) there seems to be a lot >__< that was an awesome tutorial though! :D

[comfortableshoesstud]

@ZherieLove I use liquitex basics gesso

[ZherieLove]

@comfortableshoesstud thank you very much for replying :)

[MyNameIsMatt1212]

Looks like some kind of epic camo of some sort... LUV IT!!!

[OnlineFootbalManager]

What a come back but the little kid to shame ha :) keep up the work

[comfortableshoesstud]

@OnlineFootbalManager Why thank you!

[wufflemann]

You are a wonderful teacher. I am new at the art journaling. I find your techniques amazing. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@wufflemann Thanks!

[smashinNdashin]

kid your fat

[comfortableshoesstud]

@smashinNdashin thank you for that stunning observation. You act as if I hadn't noticed. Perhaps you should refrain from calling me kid, as I'm probably old enough to be your mother.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@smashinNdashin also it's you're as in you are. Your is possessive, which if you are saying I own some amount of fat, that would be correct.

[smashinNdashin]

kid your fat



[OnlyNemo445]

do i need white gesso or would transparent work?

[comfortableshoesstud]

@OnlyNemo445 you won't get the same effect with clear

[Cat2Awesome]

The fabric thing behind you, are you part of the SCA (Soicity of Creative Anacromisms)

[comfortableshoesstud]

@Cat2Awesome Nope, it's a coffee sack.

[ANNAxYUMYUM69]

youre like really smart!! you should be an art teacher!!!!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@ANNAxYUMYUM69 I WAS an art teacher.

[ANNAxYUMYUM69]

@comfortableshoesstud ohhh that explains it!

[sarahleighton]

really cool but what is jesso and can i get it in the uk

[comfortableshoesstud]

@sarahleighton It's gesso and yes you can get several different brands in the UK.

[AngieL104]

This is super pretty! :D

[comfortableshoesstud]

@AngieL104 thanks!

[AF0093]

Nice technique. Question I bought both Golden brand gesso and golden gel medium regular matte is this used to adhere pieces of paper to your journal? And I also read on the gel medium it has been known to cause cancer in the state of California should I be worried to use it? Thanks, Zoe

[comfortableshoesstud]

@AF0093 Gesso is for sealing your page. Gel medium has 2 uses 1 is to mix with acrylic paint and extend it while keeping the viscosity thick, the other is as a glue. I try and keep paint off my hands as much as possible. You should wear a barrier cream while using any paint.

[baboopeanut]

soooo this is for emo/scene/goth/sad kids who need to hide their journal writing about their pain..... im in! <3 ur vid

[comfortableshoesstud]

@baboopeanut rofl lol awesome

[baboopeanut]

@comfortableshoesstud thnx, you freakin rule at journaling btw, keep at it!

[fionaazreal]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@fionaazreal :)

[That70sHeidi]

Well this is brilliant and solves my problem of hating journaling. AND there's the bonus watercolor crayon/gesso tip you snuck in there.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@That70sHeidi Sharpies, gesso and watercolor crayon= WOOT!

[TacomaSarah]

Does this work on canvas too?

[comfortableshoesstud]

@TacomaSarah It sure does!

[alssutton]

Neat idea!! Thanks for sharing.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@alssutton Glad you liked it!

[TheRUBYTRU]

You helped me figure out one of my ongoing problems with writing in my art journals.

Q: did you use gesso directly on the watercolor crayons?

AND...did you post your finished page anywhere?

Thanks!!!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@TheRUBYTRU Yes I used the gesso directly over the crayons, it blends them. My finished pages are up on my flickr page search there for lessherger

[comfortableshoesstud]

@TheRUBYTRU Sometimes I use the gesso directly on teh watercolor crayons and it slightly blends. Sometimes I spritz it with a little water. The finished page would be on my flickr page look for lessherger on flickr

[keeshagirl4]

great technique! Lesley, what was the brand of the crayon you were using?

[comfortableshoesstud]

@keeshagirl4 Caran d'ache or stadler

[comfortableshoesstud]

Glad you like! it's a fun technique!

[NicNacNot]

Totally awesome technique! Love how creatively "secret" I can make my journal pages, Thanks.

[TheAmpleGoddess]

I never thought to go over watercolor crayon w/ gesso ... I like the way that looks. I always just added water.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@TheAmpleGoddess It's a favorite technique of mine!

[marifrance]

I loooveee this technique~

Honestly, though, I got waay to into writing and by the time I was ready to gesso, it looked like something that could possibly land me into mental hospital. Fffff.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@marifrance hence the idea of covering it up with gesso!

[sassysasha27]

I love this and that BOOK is amazing what type of Journal are you using?

[comfortableshoesstud]

@sassysasha27 I'm using a journal I made myself. Its got strathmore 400 series drawing paper in it. If you go to my UStream I do a video on how to make a similar journal using the long stitch. I 'm lessherger on ustream

[julzabro]

k I got my coffee...;) Ohhhh kewel!

[carolysn]

Great idea for a fun background. I love writing secrets and stuff that I don't want folks to read but I want to write it out. This is perfect and makes a unique background. Thanks for sharing!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@carolysn glad you like it! I love the texture it adds!

[gelpen26]

yes! you do need to do more videos! I enjoy your style and your explanations of the techniques...you are a gifted teacher, thanks for sharing your talents!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@gelpen26 Thanks I have plans for more. I UStream on a regular basis look for lessherger, I"m on every Monday 6-8pm EST. Or go to Artjournaling.ning.com and click the UStream tab!

[vmtee]

OH wow! i really love this techie. TFS! i must try this. Plus this gives me an excuse to buy SHARPIES!! wihoo!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@vmtee its a fun technique!

[ImaginePN9]

very cool. I'll try that on my altered book. check out my videos please. subscribe if possible. :) have a great day ~Aaron~

[comfortableshoesstud]

@ImaginePN9 it's a great technique. I'll check out your channel

[Ragdolljane]

I love all your video's! Your awesome. :) I've done this before, not with sharpies but with ink pens that are made to write on checks.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@Ragdolljane I think that most alcohol based markers would work with this technique. I've done it with the Martha Stewart markers as well. I'm glad you like my videos I love to hear that people like my videos. I need to do more!

[antoniomanley]

OK thanx

[antoniomanley]

Nice! I love this tech. But where do I find that cream stuff to put over my sharpies I have soo much sharpies!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@antoniomanley I bought my gesso at an

art supply store.

[c3stamps]

Thank you for sharing this! Great tutorial!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@c3stamps glad you like it!

[xsammiix101]

wat does your back ground say and can you repeat the writing but in a diffrent direction and diffrent colour

[comfortableshoesstud]

@xsammiix101 well, it's private. And yes the writing can be repeated in any direction and any color of sharpie

[jammyz444]

that's a hella lot of sharpies :] great vids, thanks for helping us improve our art!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@jammyz444 Sales. I look for sales at staples, office depot and other places and I buy mixed packs then. However I've had these sharpies for close to 2 years now. I don't use them as much as I should. I really mostly use them for this ghosting technique.

[jammyz444]

i see, that is cool and i am going to ask for a buttload of sharpies for christmas, and then im going to ghost my art journal :]

[oddfae]

Great technique! Thanx...=-)

[comfortableshoesstud]

@oddfae glad you like, I'd love to see what you do with it

[DianaTro]

Thanks for finding me! I love this technique - simple and low-tech, just the ticket. I'm off to dig out my sharpies.

[comfortableshoesstud]

@DianaTro It's fun!

[Luciebcreativity]

very cool idea !!!!

[comfortableshoesstud]

@Luciebcreativity  try it out!

[ViVidlyBizzarre]

wow i like all your vids ^_^ keep it up! ;D

[comfortableshoesstud]

@ViVidlyBizzarre I'm glad to hear you like them! I'm making more!

[lootsvele]

Hi Leslie!

Thank you for this very cool technique! I think I'm gonna go try right now!

Lotus

[comfortableshoesstud]

@lootsvele post some pics! I'd love to see what you do with it!

[creativeboho]

this is so awesome! Thank you very much for the wonderful idea!

Love, Violette

[comfortableshoesstud]

hope to see you try it

[Netty083]

I am so glad I saw Rhomany's vid that led me to this - awesome technique that I can't wait to try it!

[comfortableshoesstud]

glad you like it!

[Clarachk]

This is really cool. I have noticed that my Sharpies bleed into my backgrounds if i put them on top. THIS is way unique. I never would have thought to put them UNDER the gesso. Thanks for the vid...

I have a feeling that after creating a few pages like these I will have a hard time "wrecking" them, lol!

[comfortableshoesstud]

its a lot of fun and adds a lot of depth to the final page.

[RhomanysRealm]

Very cool. Not tried that with sharpies before, must have a go.

[comfortableshoesstud]

I'd love to see what you do with it

[RhomanysRealm]

Uploading a responce vid as I type :)

[EvelineUK]

Very cool. This is on my Must Try list! Thanks!

[comfortableshoesstud]

When you do post a link or response. I'd love to see what other people do with this technique.

[SHEWHOWANDERS]

Way cool hun! Thanks for sharing,Ya ROCK! Hugs~

[comfortableshoesstud]

Glad you like it. Hope you can use it. More to come next weekend.