Use watercolor or acrylic paints and prepare at least 3 pages using one or more of the following methods:
Paint a page a single color.
Paint a page with more than one color.
Apply paint with a sponge.
Use a toothbrush to flick paint onto a page.
Paint household-found objects such as bubble wrap, plastic mesh, bottle caps, wine corks, etc. and stamp the objects onto a page.
Paint a page and while it’s still wet, sprinkle salt on it.  Let dry, then brush the salt off.
Paint a page and while it’s still wet, press a piece of wrinkled plastic wrap into the wet paint.  Let dry, then remove the plastic.
Apply tape in strips horizontally, vertically, diagonally or use a mixture; apply paint; let drug, then remove tape. Â Many possibilities: can vary the tape width, length, etc.
Dip string or yarn into paint, apply to page by dabbing and lifting; can also create curvy lines by throwing string onto page after dipping in paint and carefully lifting
Combine any of the above methods to really build up a background page.
Finding a Focal Point
After you’ve created the background for your page, ideas for a focal point include the following:
Use a large focal image such as a bird or flower to take up the majority of your page
Use your handwriting to fill a page
Use a simple quote and write it large and/or using various font. Practice creative lettering.
Doodle using simple mark making techniques. A black Sharpie marker looks striking on a colored background.
Add bold imagery with photographs and/or magazine clippings.
Use one simple word that stands out and makes a statement on its own.
Sometimes, the background itself becomes a work of art and nothing more is needed.
Karina Enriquez, COM-P Staff
Lakshmi Madhavpeddi, Graduate Student
Josie Valladee, COM-P Staff
Cindi Standley, Faculty
Cindi Standley, Faculty