How to Make Your Own TARDIS Diary: Part 2

Now that you have cut and glued and let the book dry overnight, it should look similar to this:

Now you are ready for Part 2: Prep and Painting!

You will need your journal, a roll paper tape, the 1/2 inch flat brush, the small detail brush size 0, 1 bottle of primary blue acrylic paint, 1 bottle of black acrylic paint, and the painters’ pallet for this part.

Step 1: Preparing to paint.

Take the paper tape and line the front and back cover pages to prevent any excess paint getting on the inside pages. Sometimes you will find that the paper is not glued down securely to the front cover, usually at the corners. If that happens, leave the corners loose. We will paint under the corners and glue them down later.

I also suggest wrapping the pages of the book with paper to keep the edges of the pages from getting paint on them.

Now we are ready to begin!

Step 2: Painting

Using the blue paint and the 1/2 inch brush, start with the inside cover and work your way around the edges and under the corners. You may have to go over it a few times to get good coverage. Give that about 10 to 15 minutes to dry before closing the book and starting on the front cover.

Give yourself a generous amount of blue paint and start on the front cover. I like to use up and down strokes because it gives it a nice finish once the paint dries, but you can do it any way you want. Pay special attention to the top and sides of the book to catch any places you may have missed before.

Now take your small detail brush and go in between the grooves and the squares. Be generous with the paint, the book will soak up a lot. When finished with that, go over the book once more with the 1/2 inch brush to smooth out any excess paint and set aside to dry completely. This will take about 4 hours.

Getting into the groove.

Wet paint.

First layer of blue paint finally dried.

At this point you can turn the book over and repeat the steps for the back side, or you can line the grooves and squares with black paint using the small detail brush and let that dry before working on the other side.

NOTE: Using the rounded end of a small paper clip instead of the small brush to work the black paint into the grooves also works, and provides more control on where you are putting the paint.

And now you are done with Part 2! Next time, even more painting!



Journal with black lines. Finally starting to look like a TARDIS.