2016 Topic 7 : Resists {Challenge}

2016 Topic 7: Resists

Jo Lynch

Well hello everyone, Darcy here with another fantastic topic for you. Resists! hands up who has heard of them? who has done them without even realising what they were called? The answer is all of us. Whether you deliberately used wax to resist your paint, or you accidentally dripped some glue and then your paint wouldn't cover it, you have all done a resist at some point. 

There are a ton of resist mediums and techniques; I will try and cover as many as possible. We can explore everything from homemade pastes to household items through to specific art products. 

Gel dish soap resist

So what is a resist, and what does it mean? A resist in art is where two mediums are incompatible, where they will not blend, but rather one repels away from the other. For example paint will not mix with wax, so they create two separate layers. Anything with a synthetic coating such as embossing powder will not mix either, and any added medium will be repelled and easy to wipe off. 

This technique is used to create layers of colour and texture with areas of the top layer wiping away to reveal the negative space or a coloured layer beneath. 

Before we start exploring let's see who won the Topic 6: Liquid Sculpting Mediums Challenge...

Liquid Sculpting Medium is proving to be very popular, the projects you made were stunning. We had figures, planters, jewellery,flowers a book cover and even a chicken. the possibilities with these mediums really are endless. From the photos that I have seen you had so much fun. 

The winner of Liquid Sculpting Medium is: Sam  from Sam21ski

Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

Ok let's dive in. There are two distinct resist mediums, those that are removed after applying the top layer and those that are left in place. The earliest forms were washed out, so we'll begin there. Going back 2000 years we hear about Batik, this is where hot wax is applied to fabric either with printing blocks, a brush or a tjanting. The fabric is then dyed. Once the dye is set the wax is washed away. 

Leonard Thompson

Shibori is another ancient technique, going back to the 8th century. Cloth is tied in elaborate sections before dyeing, again the resist is removed, in this case tied or stitched threads. I am sure many of you know this as tie-dying, didn't we all have a tie dyed tshirt?

Katazome is another old technique, from around the 17th century. The resist in this case is a rice paste which is applied often through stencils and allowed to dry. The fabric is then painted and used to make Kimonos. 

In the same way we can use a flour paste, a simple mix of flour and water. This is applied to fabric, you then make marks. Then allow the paste to crack then dry, add ink and then wash. There is a great tutorial here from Carolynn Coleman

Another household staple that can be used is salt, try using both table and rock salt for different sizes of resist. This example also has glue added, but it is the salt that has created the speckled effect. 

Bella Manu

Other mediums that are applied and then removed after painting are masking fluids, rubber cement and in some cases hot glue. They all provide a barrier to paint and can be gently rubbed and peeled off to reveal the layer beneath. The Elephant image at the top uses masking fluid to create the lines and then the spaces are flooded with watercolour paint. once dry the fluid can be rubbed away. 

Here masking fluid has been used then sprinkled with Bistres and sprayed with water. You could achieve something equally gorgeous with our new Infusions. 

Janet 

If you don't want to freehand a design with masking fluid you can use a stencil or mask, or cut your own from Frisket. Each of these will shield the bottom layer. 

What else could we use to protect the bottom later, things that can be peeled away? how about good old fashioned stickers? or washi tape, both are low tac and will peel back up when you are ready. 

Buggy and Buddy

This is seriously a really cool way to paint a birch trees canvas using tape as a resist, so simple and so effective.From the channel of Angela Anderson. 

Now for some of the mediums that remain on the project even after painting. The most notable of this is wax, and it's variations. 

Wax candles, white or indeed coloured wax crayons and oil pastels can all be used as a resist. I think a lot of us have done rubbings when we were kids. Try rubbing over leaves, then add paint for a great background. Use dry leaves as the veins are more pronounced, and rub over the back of the leaves. 

Try making a background using a white or coloured crayon and watercolour paint like Sara Roizen did here. 

If crayons aren't your thing then dig out the wax paper from your kitchen. Crumple it up really tight to get lots of cracks in the wax then open it up and sandwich it between 2 sheets of paper. Now iron the papers to transfer the crackled wax to your paper, and then add paint. You will end up with fabulous backgrounds like these from April. 

Using the same technique, you can run your waxed paper through a die cutting machine first, then iron to card and then add colour, this is extremely effective. Another variation is to run the wax paper throughan embossing folder and then iron to card to transfer the waxy pattern. 

Anna Karin

Using Vaseline is another great way to resist and distress, a brilliant technique not just for small art projects but for upcycling furniture too. 

A lovely way to create a background like Julie Fei-fan Balzer 

..and a gorgeous shabby chic desk from Denise 

Next up we have glues (hot and cold) and gels, you can drip them, pipe them, stamp with them.. The thicker gels can be pushed through a stencil and the super runny ones like tar gel can be written with. All of these can be used over plain or painted backgrounds and will resist the next layer. 

Holly made this cool tshirt using glue as a resist, be sure to use a glue that will wash out.

Or try something like this, drip your glue, allow to dry and add colour. Bam! Funky tree!

This furniture uses wood glue as a resist, before having wood stain applied. The results are delicate and stunning. 

The background on this tag uses a gel resist and was created by Ellen Vargo. 

Gesso and paint can provide a resist too, this one created by Kim uses Gesso. The same technique can be achieved with Snowflake Fresco paint. 

Here is another video for you, this time from Sara Naumann, this technique uses an embossing ink pad as the resist. 

Finally let's look at heat embossing. I feel sure most of you have tried this one so it needs no explaining. 

This card by Lisa Carroll is stunning with bright white embossing. 

as are these tags by Jill Foster 

These cards by Heather Nichols are also done with embossing powder, but they very cleverly look just like Batik. 

If all those aren't enough then check out this little set of samples done by Michelle Remy Look carefully and you will see a few more options on here that we haven't already covered such as white pencils and china markers. 

I have also found mentions of resists done with rubbing alcohol, gel dish soap, alcohol inks and blender, rub-ons, contact paper and goache and glossy accents.. I wonder just how many there are? maybe you can come up with something completely different. Whatever techniques you decide to try out i hope you have a great inky/painty resist filled two weeks. 

Have fun!

Don't forget to follow Leandra's pinterest link if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! 

I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

Darcy 

Topic 7: Resists PaperArtsy Blog Challenge

We'd love you to share your ideas and link up your creative response to our current blog topic. Take a minute to read the challenge guidelines below.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Resists link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 17th April 2016, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

1. The challenge is a for you to show how you are inspired by the current blog topic.

Your entry should contain:

- a mention of which post inspired you and why, and 

- a link in your blog post to that original post on the PA blog.

The whole concept of this challenge is 'play along with us'. You are encouraged to put your own twist on ideas you see on our blog, do your own thing - whatever grabs you!

2. The link you put on our linky page must lead directly to the specific post on your blog where you have explored the technique/ idea mentioned in point 1 above. Don't link to the home page of your blog.

3. We prefer your challenge blog post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then you may link to both if appropriate.

4. You are most welcome to use stamps/ products/ substrates you have to hand from a variety of companies, we do not expect you to exclusively use PA products - it's lovely when you do though!

5. You can enter as many times as you like. We don't want to restrict your creativity! 

NB. Link closes at 17:00 Sunday 17th April 2016 (London Time)

6. The winner of the random draw will receive a £50 credit voucher to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website. The credit voucher includes VAT and postage. We request that one of your purchases is an A5 rubber stamp. You can add any other items to your basket, but the final total should not exceed £50.

7. Each fortnight on Sunday, the winner will be announced at 19:00 (London time). In the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted. 

8. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy. 

email: darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!