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I have been exploring art journaling and trying more mixed media techniques and I felt I could use some easy inspiration to help me create. This magazine image hack has been a fun and useful tool kit sparking instant creativity in my craft room and at the same time helps reduce a lot of beginner frustration.

I’ve selected graphic abstract image styles from magazines using a DIY viewfinder to use in three ways for art journals or any type of journal. I looked specifically for interesting patterns and shapes and did not try to be too literal in my image selection.  I then glued these images to 3″x4″ inch card stock weight bases for durability.

Journal Cards

I can use these as journal cards just as they are as the abstract shapes, colors and patterns make great background patterns. I can add a fabric tab, doodle in the shapes with a variety of pens, add lettering, quotes, sentiments, stamp numbers, patterns, more abstracts or collage on top. They can even be the beginning of mini mixed media projects. As an example I added die cut silhouettes but there are so many ways you can use them. 

Color Palette Inspiration

I also chose to use the images for color palette inspiration making sure I could clearly distinguish at least 4-5 colors in my image selections. Look for crisp clear colors and avoid including black or white as a color. To extend the range of color you can include tonal variations and mix the colors together to try to create a neutral color if you want to explore mother color mixing methods. Since professional palettes are employed in printed materials you can add extra color choices by choosing scrapbook papers that co-ordinate and add that to the back of each card. Finding a match isn’t difficult. Using the images in this way helps me choose a no fail palette quickly and then I just mix my colors and create swatches before beginning my project.

Abstract or Mixed Media Backgrounds

I’ve also used these graphic magazine images to help me paint abstract backgrounds just by quickly drawing the shapes, lines or negative spaces on my painting surface so for this reason I tried to avoid obvious subject matter. To avoid being too influenced by a particular object if there was one I turned my image in all directions before sketching. Using the magazine images in this way helps focus on composition before I begin painting as abstracts still require good composition and flow.

I can combine using the color palette and the abstract painting to create journal pages by including a focal point if I desire. I chose to illustrate this by using a stencil on an abstract background painted with the lightest colors in the palette. I can then add mark making or collage to my art journal spread as well. 

This magazine image tool kit is fun to play with and saves me a lot of time and frustration as well as helping me achieve a more pleasing result. If you are looking for new ways to use magazine images I hope these tools I’ve created for myself using magazines will inspire you. 

Happy paper crafting!