It's always lovely to have a man drop by to contribute on the PaperArtsy blog, and for this topic Bryan is the first of 2 men who are doing their bit to address the gender imbalance in this industry! Bring it on Bryan! Bryan kicks of the post using a common household tool to apply paint ...read on to see the effect...
Lovely to be here on the PA blog tonight. I've chosen to share with you my project on the fab topic of Doors Windows and Architecture using some Urban Snapshots stamps.
The inspiration came from recent articles that I have seen showing photographs of abandoned, derelict places and buildings. A4 Water colour board is my choice of substrate, a bit intimidating, and I decided to work landscape. I like a challenge!!
I like some unpredictability in my backgrounds, so some masking fluid over a coat of Fresco Chalk Paint (Cheesecake) was the starting point. I wanted the effect of decay, so I decided to use Fresco Chalk Paint (Tango), as I have not used orange before.
I love finding new ways to apply and move paint, wonder what will happen with this.
I am really pleased with this colour, making me really happy!! A good source of Dopamine.
I am pleased with the effect of the scourer, though I may have been a little heavy handed. Next time I will dunk it in water, then apply the paint.
The picture frame came together with several die cuts, an idea borrowed from Seth Apter. I knew that paper towel mop would come in handy. A recent play with Infusions: A Bit Jaded.
I chose to use the gate as I was able to cut into it, hinges have rusted away, falling through the frame. The wordage just hanging on.
Glossy card stock is a nice contrast next to the matte of the chalk paints. I love the photographic quality of glossy card, so decided to add no colour leaving the images stamped in black and white.
Textures made up of fabric scraps: wool and cotton. I referred to the excellent Colour Theory post by Liz Borer. It is 'In The Classroom' links section on the right hand side of the blog.
I wanted to create a feeling that nature was reclaiming my piece, so I cut away a section and rejoined using my painted scraps. A little playfulness, my sheep is having a nibble on the Spring greens.
I would love to see how you interpret this topic, perhaps try a new colour and format. I did enjoy working A4, and you must try the scourer !!. I thoroughly enjoyed building up the layers on the background, next time I will take advantage of the translucent quality of the Chalk Paints.
I really like how you have used your coloured scraps to 'hinge' together the different sections of this piece! And the scourer is fantastic! Not for removing gunk, but for adding paint - it has also been re-purposed for much a much higher use in life than cleaning!
~ Leandra
We always hope that you learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired! Why not join our challenge by blogging your interpretation of the current topic and link it here?
The current topic link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, March 26th 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.
Well hello everyone, Darcy here, welcome to our latest topic. This time we are exploring Architecture and the most basic elements that we take for granted every day..doors and windows. For the most part they are purely functional, and I bet many of us never really stop to look at them. Some of course are highly decorative and they catch your eye, but even the most basic door hides a whole other world behind, and a simple window can afford you a sneaky glimpse into what is beyond.
Architecture has been important to humans for thousands of years, and the basic principles of architectural designs all stem from those set out by the romans and Greeks. Each era moving forward had it's own art movements and within those we see very definite architectural styles. One style that you will all recognise is Art nouveau, this style has such beautiful sinuous curves and lends itself to using in artwork.
Unless you are lucky to live in such a stunning building you may have to make do with creating your own architecture in your journals, or on canvasses or cards etc. To get started look around at your neighbour's doors and windows, check out those on hotels and shops, even old scrappy doors on a shed can be inspirational.
Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 3: Paints and Infusions Challenge...
Some stunning pieces as always, with some really inventive uses of the infusions and spectacular results. It is fantastic to see a good mix of vintage tones and vibrant splashes of colour.
Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@gmail.com
If you do want to create an actual door, there is no better way to start than with a fairy door, these can be so magical: especially if you have small children around, they would love to find them in a garden.
How about decorating existing doors, who would not love a fairytale wardrobe, so pretty. This idea translates down from a full size wardrobe to perhaps one in a doll's house or just create these doors on a journal cover? With the variety of PaperArtsy flower stamps available, this would be so easy to replicate.
More magic now in the form of a window, all this decoration has been added to an old cracked window, these can be picked up from junk yards and would make for amazing pieces of garden art.
Staying with decorated glass, wouldn't you love a stained glass feature in your home. there are many ways to achieve this. You can buy panels like this from a glazier, you can learn the art of stained glass for yourself or you can find a workaround. How about recreating this with glass paints, or even the amazing translucent paints from PaperArtsy. Another way would be to add coloured film to the window, or painted acetate. Never give up if you find something you like.
You can create your architecture from almost anything, I found these hollowed out books and thought they were such a cool idea. The window means you could set a little scene inside.
Similarly these books also have little windows, there are so many old books in charity shops that need rescuing, to end up like this gives them new life.
More innovative use of books here, just using a page and creating this amusing collage with a torn window in the centre. This would make a brilliant journal page.
Next we move onto a handmade book with a brilliant window feature on the front. Anna-Karin has a full tutorial for this over on her blog. Just look as that crackle, don't you want to stroke it? I love the piece of hessian that looks like a roller blind just ready to be pulled down!
Another book, you must click through and visit to see the other pages on this book, just gorgeous! Viola has really captured the vintage look with this. The teeny tiny door on the front is such a lovely touch and such an easy addition to so many projects.
Are you a quilter? you will love this next door, such yummy fabrics, don't you want to reach out and stroke it.
Let's look at some collages, journal pages, textures and general painty scrumminess. This one reflects the colours and textures of architecture, with just a few details in pencil, perhaps a stabilo.
Next up a plaque, the focal image is a Gothic arched window, but notice how the texture on the surface echoes the patterns in the window, little details like this can really tie a piece together.
This one is a collage of architectural elements and shapes. Look at the different bits, tickets patterns, the torn,punched edge of notepaper, postage, some text.. none of those are building elements, but together they create a wonderful collage of buildings, tied together with a strong focal image of a real street. This gives you license to just play, collage, add some paint, see what 'architecture' you can build.
Next we have a gorgeous canvas with a window as a focal image, to see this creation come to life take a look at Gabrielle Pollacco's video.
When you think of windows you think of glass right? an excellent substitute in crafting is acetate, this is the perfect window and can be used between book pages and on cards. Try adding some to your project for an extra layer.
Along similar lines you can use cellophane, this can be bought as ready made bags or buy florists cellophane on a roll and make your own bags. Then you can create a window through to a bag of goodies like this sweet Easter gift.
There are just so many wonderful examples of architecture, I suggest you search on Pinterest for styles and take your inspiration there. Windows and doors need not be simple shapes, try some curve, look at cutting out arches, let your inner Bob the Builder take over and have some fun creating your dream architecture! Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards 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
We hope that you learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!Why not join our challenge by blogging your interpretation of the current topic andlink it here? The current topic link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 26th March 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.
Challenge Guidelines
The challenge is a for you to show how you are inspired by the current blog topic. We encourage you to play with us and explore your personal creative style.
Please mention which PA blog post inspired you and and why (link directly to that post). Please don't link to the home page of your blog because then no-one can track back to easily find the original post.
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.
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!
You can enter as many times as you like. We don't want to restrict your creativity!
NB. Link closes at 17:00 Sunday 26th March (London Time)
Prize: The winner 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. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy.
email: darcydotneedles@gmail.com
NEW Challenge/ winner: 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.
Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
It's always a joy to see what Ruth creates with infusions. She is incredibly experimental, and yet retains a striking ability to almost 'hold back' and not throw the kitchen sink at it! She always manages to thoughtfully allow some the white space to create a breathing zone. For those of us for who operate on a more-is-more ethos, it certainly is fascinating to observe Ruth's methods, particularly with a product like infusions which can be somewhat awkward to guide or control.
Lovely to be here on the PA blog tonight sharing another project using Lin Brown's latest releases with luscious infusions and paint...what could be better? Infusions are so versatile and there are so many techniques to try with them that I originally thought of making a technique tag book, still not sure how it turned into a faux botanical print but then that's the fun in experimenting and following the 'what if?' path. In the process I've used
ELB29
ELB33
ELB34
PS043
If you wish to purchase these products, you will find a list of current PaperArtsy stockists here. They will not be available direct from PaperArtsy until end of April/ May 2017.
I was originally just going to alter the frame but then thought I really need to put something in it and so it developed into a home decor item that fits very well in my dining room.
One of the things I love about Fresco acrylic paint is their coverage, even over dark wood one coat is enough.
Sprinkling infusions onto wet paint helps seal them in, loving the new 'Sleight Blue' and 'In the Navy' with their little pops of pink and could have watched all day as the colours ran into all the nooks and crannies. Bit of a mishap in further sealing them in as I picked up matte medium instead of matt varnish and when I came to sand back the Grunge paste the matte medium started to peel off, however I discovered that you can stencil with grunge paste...so can you tell where I 'patched' it?
And I chose to work with Olive Tree, Emerald Isle and a touch of Green Man, all lovely colours from the 2017 Infusions release. (see here for more info/ stockists).
Spray with water and the result was magical, I almost felt like a water colour artist, the subtle specks of colour and Lin's stamps, I'll definitely be trying this again.
Even the blobs of water from a faulty water spray bottle on the right added to the effect and further stamping with fresco paint mixed with a little sprinkle of infusions worked a treat. To finish, it needed a small focal point and I was originally going to make some 'Magenta and Violetta infusion flowers to echo the pink specks in the frame but opted for green shaded flowers made from card that I'd painted with pearl glaze and infusions.
I particularly like this close up as it shows the variety in infusion colours in both the picture and the frame and the walnut crystals that haven't quite dissolved add to the texture as they are highlighted by Pewter Treasure Gold.
I feel like I will be friends with Infusions for a long time and I'm really only just exploring how they combine with paint and other products. I hope you might try Kim's technique, it is so, so easy to get beautiful results. Not sure I'd do anything differently but next I will definitely be using the pink infusion stained card in some handmade flowers. Ruth
This is a fantastic interpretation of Kim's technique, and all your extra touches make it super special - what a brilliant way to recycle that frame, I hope you have found a special place to hang it! It's gorgeous! ~ Leandra
We always hope that you learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!I know time is short, but you have 1 more day to join our challenge for this topic by blogging your interpretation of the current topic andlink it here. The current topic link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday March 12th 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.
In
this post Kay Carley offers a detailed insight into how she works on
one layer. Smooth transitions between Fresco Paints and Dye Infusions
allow her to juggle the effects until she is happy with the balance.
Don't forget the white pen at the end, and you'll have a masterpiece
too!
Lovely to be here on the PA blog tonight.
I've chosen to share with you a technique of combining Infusions with
Fresco Finish paint to give beautiful textured effects for bold, open
type flowers. I
first experimented with this combination about a year ago using my
EKC02 stamp set as this gave my allium flowers (contained in this set) a
fab background to build upon. So when I was designing EKC05 I was
already picturing using this technique again as I feel that it works
best when you don't have a constricting outside line.
The
additional use of Infusions as my 'first layer' over the paint to begin
building up the colours and texture of my flowers, is an interesting
way to start to build these flowers as the Infusions give a beautiful
textured and multi-coloured first layer without any harsh edges due to
the dye stain contained within these fabulous bottles. I
came out of my 'comfort zone' for this card as I tend to stick mainly
with tone-on-tone colouring when combining Infusions with Fresco Finish
paint but as you can see I decided to go with a vibrant colour scheme in
order to challenge myself!
As
I began my panel I still chose to go with tone on tone (using my BRAND
NEW stencil that will be available soon) as I didn't want my background
to become overpowering.
This
is what I had in mind when I designed the sprigs of leaves on this
stamp set - being able to join them up to make different leafy
compositions depending on the size of project.
By
sponging rough flower head shapes in the area where I'm going to stamp
the flower heads enables me to begin the building up of the
multi-layered flower. Here I chose to go with a dark colour first (Space Cadet) as a 'shadow' to stand the flower out from the background and then sponged Snowflake in the middle.
Once
you start to add some stamping it begins to make a bit more sense. If
the stems of the flowers aren't long enough just take a black
multi-liner and elongate them! You can see that I also stamped some of
those swirls joining some of them up to give a different look.
This
was the scary bit for me as I so wanted to go with Sleight Blue
Infusions as this would have kept it tone-on-tone but instead I went
with Raspberry - eeeeeekkkkkk!!! The method I used was to sprinkle the
Infusions, spritz with water, very lightly dab up excess water with
kitchen towel and dry with a heat gun.
Of
course the beauty of using Fresco Finish paints with the Infusions is
that the paints are opaque so once you start to add different colours
over the top it totally changes the look of the flower heads. I used Lake Wanaka, Dolly Mix, Orchid and Snowflake for the flower heads and Chartreuse, Hey Pesto, Space Cadet and Beach Hut for the stems and leaves.
I
often like to add white into my projects and you will find that when
painting over the Infusions that the dye pigment will run into the
acrylic paint and tint it which I really like as it gives a beautiful
soft appearance. You can always add a second layer of Snowflake to make it a little whiter if you so wish.
Adding
white pen makes such a difference as it can really make things pop. I
had felt that the leaves and stems were too dark but adding some detail
with white pen totally transformed them.
For
me the real beauty of using Infusions with Fresco Finish acrylic paint
is that you can simply wipe away any of the Infusion colour that you
don't want or make it softer! 3D'ing the butterflies also adds some
dimension to the card. These were painted with Zesty Zing, Snowflake, Beach Hut, Space Cadet, Bougainvillea and French Roast.
You
might have noticed that upon completing my card I had decided that I
didn't like the 'word panel' being the same as the flower heads with the
shadow and a lighter centre so I took the decision to block out the
word panel with Antarctic
(the background colour) and re-stamp the words which I liked better! As
well as wiping away some of the Raspberry Infusions from the background
area I also very lightly sponged some Antarctic
Fresco Finish around the flowers just to soften the transition between
the flower heads themselves and the background as I felt that the
shadowing that I had previously created with Space Cadet
was too harsh! Me being me, I am NEVER satisfied and can tweak things
for hours!!!! However I hope that this has made you want to try
combining Infusions and Fresco Finish paint to create textured flowers
in this way. I'd love to see what colour schemes you come up with!! Love Kay xx
It
is fabulous to see your tweaking though Kay, often those final
finishing touches are what bring a piece into its final glorious state,
and your bold us of colour really offers some depth to the flowers. I
really enjoyed watching this come together! ~ Leandra
We always hope that you learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!Why not join our challenge by blogging your interpretation of the current topic andlink it HERE The current topic link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday March 12th 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.
