Saturday 29 July 2017

2017 #10 Dark to Light: Layers and Light with ESA {by Nikki Acton}

2017 Topic 10: Dark to Light: Contrasts & Layers

Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

I think Nikki is loving this theme, not only has she combined her love of 'all things Seth', but she also has mashed up Alison's gorgeous new quotes, and in the process given real-life dimension to Seth's stamps - exactly as they were intended to be used! The details are delicious!

Hi everyone, it's Nikki, from Addicted to Art, with you today, and I'd like to share my Dark to Light canvas featuring the amazing new stamps from Seth Apter with a few Alison Bomber words thrown in!

As I was featuring Seth's stamps I decided my Dark to Light technique should be based on Seth's own style. Since attending a couple of his workshops last year this is a method I now use frequently - the results are fabulous!


Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton
Starting with a 5 x 7 inch canvas board painted black (Little Black Dress Fresco Chalk Paint) I built up my layers using other Fresco Chalk paints (Caribbean Sea, Antarctic and Mud Splat ) firstly randomly with my paint brush and finally using Seth's watercolour card printing technique. I love how the remaining black on the surface contrasts with the lighter / more vibrant colours.

Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

This building up of painted layers creates wonderful textures and is a very easy to achieve worn, grungy look.


Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

I used Seth Apter's recently released stamp set ESA05 (stockist list here) - which has so many possibilities. I wanted to use the wonderful large image but decided to remove the central portion. To add to the grungy feel I also scratched over the stamped surface. These stamps are perfect for layering and building up a collage - don't be afraid to cut away the pieces you don't want!





Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

This theme was a perfect fit for one of the wonderful quotes from Alison Bomber's new range of stamps. (EAB02 - stockists here)


Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

I mounted the words on the circular stamp from ESA05 which sits wonderfully on Seth's Wood Chips. 

 Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

I chose to stamp the other elements from Seth's stamp set on card I painted in coordinating colours and cut out before mounting on a little greyboard for dimension. I can see these being used on lots of projects!


Canvas featuring Seth Apter / PaperArtsy ESA05, Wood Chips and Fresco Chalk Paints - by Nikki Acton

I wanted to create a frame for my canvas board so took some wooden dowels and painted with Caribbean Sea Fresco Chalk Paint before wrapping in black string. 


These new stamp sets from Seth are based on his own artwork and I love how they can be combined, altered and layered! Seth loves using found objects in his art and these stamp sets reflect some of those items. He also loves working Dark to Light, building up layers which I have done here, to create my grungy canvas - but I can see these being used with brighter colours too. The larger stamp on each set provides a natural focal point to be used as it is or added to, and the other stamps are perfect additions or background stamps for just about anything!

Happy crafting!

Nikki

Blog: Addicted to Art
Pinterest: NikActon

Bravo Nikki! I totally adore all those painterly layers, but then when you stamped and scratched at the grungy Seth stamps....this seems to magically make the layers look even more interesting and 'olde-worlde' ! Fantastic! ~ Leandra


We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

Why not join our 2-weekly challenge by blogging your create response to the current topic and link it here?

The current topic link Topic 10 (Dark to Light) will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, August 5th 2017, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.

24 comments:

Corrie Herriman said...

Fabulous piece ! xx

Helen said...

Nikki, this is just beautiful! Amazing colour.

Claire said...

This is beautiful, I love how you've used Seth's stamps Xx

A Pink said...

Wow! This is a knockout creation ! Nikki. Think it has to be one of my all time faves of yours . Everything about is works for me in a big way . You certainly know how to showcase Seths products and love that you've used Alisons stamps in your design .
x

Ruth said...

Oh wow Nikki, this is stunning......gorgeous texture, yummy colours, beautiful layering and fantastic use of his stamps, collaged together perfectly! Love this!! Ruth xx

Dortesjs said...

beautiful and very inspirering

Fliss said...

This really is stunning Nikki and thanks for showing all the details and layers, it seems the more you look, the more you see.
Fliss xx

Words and Pictures said...

Stunning work with Seth's stamps and techniques here, Nikki. I adore the colour palette and fabulous grungy look, and the layering of the elements creates such cool dimension. Delighted that some of my words got to play a part in this beautiful hanging. Bravo!
Alison x

Redanne said...

The results are indeed fabulous Nikki, I love this stunning creation, you have used Seth's and Alison's wonderful stamps beautifully! The colour tones are fantastic, the layers and texture are amazing. Beautiful work! Anne xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Magnificent canvas Nikki, I too love the exposed black peeking through. Everything marry's together so well and your dowel surround has transformed it all into something else. Thank you for sharing Nikki.. Tracey x

geezercrafter said...

Fab canvas Nikki. Love the colours and the grunge look. Great use of the stamps and Seth's woodchips.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Absolutely wonderful! Love the colours and especially love the way you made the frame! Chrisx

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is wonderful Nikki! I love the grungy layers and textures you have achieved and your choice of stamps is just perfect!

Lucy x

Craftyfield said...

Beautiful Distressed and grungy layers.. Great make Nikki!

Dorthe said...

Nikki, I love this, love your grungy texture and the frame of dowels and black string, around them. So gorgeous!!
Dorthe, xx

Mac Mable said...

I would go right ahead and hang this on the wall...it is amazing. Love the layering, the stamps and your fabulous layout x

Sue said...

This is gorgeous Nikki, the colours and the layers are fabulous! xx

Hazel Agnew said...

This is great Nikki. Lovely feel to it and combos are perfect! Xx

Miriam said...

Great project Nikki

Nikki Acton said...

Thanks for all the lovely comments xx

laury55 said...

your canvas looks fantastic, love it

Etsuko said...

Brilliant project Nikki. Great work of patina and dark colours with the Seth's stamps. And I love the way you have used the Alison's new stamps! xx

SewPaperPaint said...

Absolutely brilliant! This is so creative and beautifully designed. Such an inspiration! Hugs, Autumn

Corrie Herriman said...

SO gorgeous !
Corrie x