I decided that I would paint my canvas black and pull several pattern papers that were black. I found several that I set to the side. I found a red paper with black script and decided that would be my color pop. Next, I layed out the paper discarding those that did not work.
After a busy week promoting my 50% off sale and managing my first sale on Esty, I needed to work on a project that was easy and quick. Recently I saw a journal page posted by Tracy Weinzapfel Burgos that I loved for it's use of black and simplicity. I decided that I would paint my canvas black and pull several pattern papers that were black. I found several that I set to the side. I found a red paper with black script and decided that would be my color pop. Next, I layed out the paper discarding those that did not work. I pulled my ephemera and vintage pattern. I began gluing the layers making sure to add the rub-on before I added the red paper layer to the canvas. it is much easier to use the hard table surface rather than the canvas which lacks the support for the pressure needed. I also found some red felted stickers to add texture and more red. I cut out the dress in a rich red cardstock. The final step was to add drop shadows and paint in the skin, dress and fur details. I used a medium grey base then added fur texture with a dark cold grey and black using pitt pens. With a little planning, I had a finished canvas in about 2 hours.
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About a year ago, I saw four wooden drawers from a chest stacked on the curb. I couldn't resist throwing them in the back of the car. I finished the fronts but have been struggling on where to take them next. This week I finished one project. I took some abandon stools and made a side table Now on to the mixed media piece for the other drawer. I started by getting a large sheet of water color paper. I did not gesso it since I knew I was going to start my background layer using sprays and a mask type stencil of trees (Lindy's Rusty Lantern Lime, Flatfabio Turquoise, Steampunk Sepia and Crafter's Workshop stencil) Next, I took sepia, madder brown and dark chocolate inktense pencils to add color to the white trees. I just drew a line in and came bacr with a damp round brush to active the ink. This allowed me to fill in branchs and add faint color in some areas. I may need to add shadow and some highlights later to add depth. The elephants were a reference photo from another project. As the layer build, they will become less prominent. I found a travel quote to add and searched for some vintage images to use in the collage. Now it is about adding a foreground by adding depth in grass area. I will also start adding drop shadow to the ephemera to make it look like they are sitting on the background. I will also use brown stazon ink to stamp a crackle pattern to add age and darken the edges. Not sure I like how grass came out but may add more detail using faber castell markers or acrylic paint when I finish the girl. I used Faber-castell Pitt Markers over modge podge to paint my figure. I used a series of dots to represent the lace ruffles. Light blue or a lavender can be used to create shadow, suggesting movement & folds of a white/cream fabric. Finally, I used bubble wrap and watered down white paint to add splatters and a little grunge along the bottom & sides. Next, I stained the sides of the draw and added a little bit of animal print paper to sides and bottom (shelf).
I started my project with my normal background process of painting edges of the canvas and using modge podge to adhere papers to create the base. My next step was to use a number stencil and sepia lindy stamp gang spray. I also added a few scraps of overspray paper to add age and teal. While trying to choose my subject, I remembered a 50's figure I had created to demonstrate. Frankly, she was the perfect fit for this canvas. I added ephemera, a few buttons, and a quote. Finally, I used modeling paste dyed pink through my newly created daisy stencil. And she is ready to ship to her new home. She is traveling to California for an artist, Tracy Weinzapfel Burgos, who is such a big inspiration to me and so many other emerging artist. Check out her Mixed Media Mondays (twstudios) on UStream or YouTube video post.
While doodling this week, I remembered a pinterest pin on my art tips board that showed how to make your own stencils. This started my project for the week. You need a few basic tools: a wood burning tool, exacto knife, piece of glass and plastic dividers from office store. it is important that your design has points that connect. You can see in the daisy how I modified the stem and leaves. Gently trace the design. It does help to have a damp cloth to clean the tip occasionally. Use the exacto knife to help remove cut outs.
Lately, I haven't had as much time in the studio but I have been trying to find new challenges to blog and share. I go on you tube and pintrest daily to look for new videos or ideas looking for new techniques, products or ideas to try. While trying to find ways to use my inktense pencils, I have focused more on drawing skills. A colored pencil drawing from the 7th grade inspired from the pages of Women's Wear Daily. Watercolor piece done using photo torn from a magazine. My Dad who is does landscapes in acrylics often teases me for trying any new craft or art medium that I encounter; however, I feel that has lead me to mixed media arts. Photo transfer method using modge podge on color image and canvas then placing upside down on canvas. Using water to gently rubbing off the white paper fibers. This was difficult and I had to enhance some of the colors after coating the top with modge podge using Faber Castell Pitt Markers. This was a personal piece that I did for myself and the image was from an old Harrod's advertisement. The top was scrapbook papers transferred using the same method. I was pleased with the results and enjoyed trying the process.
Sometimes I have a hard time justifying the money I spend creating. So, I have worked hard this last year to try to find venues to sell art. I have had limited success and it has been in spurts. I have truly developed my own style but still find myself drawn to new techniques and medias. I recently began two projects, both for expecting mothers nurseries, which to a suprising turn from what I first imagined. I planned on exploring zentangle or doodling inside an elephant with an Indian influence. But while looking for photo references, I was drawn to an image which made me want to capture the emotion of a young elephant nuzzling his mother. I created my background layers for both canvases not sure of my direction. I decide that I would try to capture emotion in a realistic style on watercolour paper seperate from the canvas. This way I had options if I didn't care for the results. I used layer of inktense colors to add details then once I was satisfied I used modge podge to adhere the drawing to the canvas. Finally, I added final details using faber-castell brush pens and a few rub-ons along with my quote. This gave me the confidence to tackle the second canvas with the giraffe in the same style. This reminded me of the sense of satisfaction and pride that creating art brings me and I hope my friends will cherish the canvases as they care for their babies. While inventory is necessary in attempting to sell art, sometime there is no comparing the satisfaction of creating artistic gifts for friends and family.
Tonight I explored using a limited palette to build a background then added a few new products and techniques to add depth. I recently purchased some Lindsy Stamp Gang sprays and magicals to explore when I discover they are permanent once dry unlike some of the other sprays that reactivate when I try to add layers using wet medium. I purchased the Industrial Chic magicals for their versatility and the 3 extra add-on sprays. I started by testing the sprays on white cardstock which I later tore into strips to add to my canvas. I chose to use neutral creams with the teal colored sprays. I layered the background then mixed in teal magical powder to some modeling paste to add texture through a cherry blossom stencil by Martha Stewart. I felt like it needed my depth so I added pieces of sewing pattern. I like the transparency to the layer below and interest from the black print and lines. Once these layers were dry I added sepia spray made from the magicals in a mini mister. Added my base figure to paint later. See the photos below showing the canvas as I progress. I will finish painting the main figure later and post in my gallery, esty and facebook page.
I am not really fussy about my brushes when I am using a lot of mixed media products, such as gesso, modge podge and modeling paste. In fact, I have allowed on of my favorite palette knifes to stay grungy because I like the textures added when applying heavy body acrylics in layers to a canvas. However, I am really fussy about the scissors that I use to fussy cut. I use two fiskers products. A pair of teflon coated scissors and a smaller pair of spring-loaded scissors. Tonight I gathered several figures that I plan to use on multiple canvases to fussy cut out of plain 65 lbs. weight cardstock. This gives me a smooth surface to apply papers and paints to complete the figures. Now when I am done, I can set aside in the studio to keep moving through the creative process rather than having to stop and laboriously cut the fine details before I can move on.
Wow, I don't know where the time has gone. I have been so busy with school that it has been 3 weeks since I worked in the studio. This week I worked on drawing I started a few years ago but never added watercolour. I prefer to draw on tracing paper then use graphite paper to trace my drawing on to the watercolour paper. I used my new Dewert Inktense pencils instead of traditional watercolours. They have vived pigments and once dry are permanent. I lightly added color in a few places on my drawing. I always start with my lighter colors first. I used a 12 round brush to activate and wash the color across the piece. I used my heat gun to dry the paper between colors to take advantage of the Inktense permanentcy. How to use the final piece on a canvas was a challenge for me. I decide to keep the background simple and added my word for the year "explore"! Now the canvas is ready to take to school, I teach 5th grade Science and Math, where I can be reminded to continue to take risk and explore.
As we finished up 2013 and welcome in the new year, I began to think what goals did I want to explore. I started in the studio by organizing and straightening up...helps me work and makes me aware of what I have or lack in supplies. I was short on canvases, but found sets of four 6 x 6 canvases at Ross. I strive to move my artistic pursuits forward both in techniques and as a business endevor. These smaller canvases challenge you to focus and edit your design since space is limited. They will also give me new original inventory at a lower price point for art shows and my Esty shop. I was able to use the Dewert Intense India Ink Pencils I recently purchased. I hope to revisit some of my watercolor techniques but enjoy the benefits of the permanent pigment of the intense pencils allowing them to easily be used with mixed media gel mediums. Once dry they will not smear or bleed. Finally, I hope to continue to expand my blog readership and explore the challenges of creating videos to upload and share.
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