2013 Christmas Cracker Video #2 {Abstract Canvas Prep}

Hi Everyone, Leandra here again

If you haven't noticed yet, post-Christmas we've gone a bit crackers here at PaperArtsy

This video is another 'foundation' idea. It's possible to adapt this idea onto all sorts of surfaces, chipboard or wood, in fact the idea could be used for pretty much any type of substrate preparation. 

Sometimes, when you are working on canvas, you may not want to see the weave of the canvas texture, it might be too dominant, or perhaps you don't want to see it at all, particularly if you plan to stamp on top, in that situation it may need to be particularly smooth. 

Alternatively, you could use Grunge Paste as the canvas feature. Today it has been both tinted and textured a variety of ways to create an abstract canvas background. 

The canvas was then framed with a second bespoke heart-shaped canvas.

2013 Christmas Cracker #2: Abstract Canvas Preparation

With this technique, we are trying to soften the texture canvas has, but also add a bit of colour, and perhaps some more random, and interesting texture at the same time. It's pretty fast, fun, and again, helps to kick-start your muse into action.

You could use this idea for book covers, a wooden frame, in your journal, or as I am doing, as the first step for a canvas feature. The possibilities are endless.

Cracker Ingredients:
Paint: 3 or 4 Fresco paints (opaque, light shades); Lake Wanaka, Stone, Sage, Space Cadet, Snowflake, Taupe, Mud Splat . 
PaperArtsy Grunge Paste
Palette Knife or old credit card
Pointy thing like a skewer or end of a paint brush
Stencil: Art is
Craft mat
Script stamps eg: Mini 44, Mini 23, Mini 29, Mini 62

Cracker Method: Grunge Paste dries in its natural state a sort of off-white shade, but as there is no pigment in GP at all, it is really easy to tint it. This means you can turn it into a texture past of any colour you like. Handy!

In today's video we are applying 4 shades of tinted GP to a small 8 inch canvas board in blocks, then smoothing off, and adding texture with stamps, tools etc. We will then frame it with a second bespoke heart-cut canvas in neutral brown tones with stencilled detailing, and finally we wash the texture on the canvas in taupe to reflect the tones of the frame.

Play Along:
Link how you have been inspired by this technique below. Play along and you will go in the draw to win a set of Limited edition paints and a brand new 2014 A5 stamp set.

Link closes 17:00 Sunday Jan 5th 2014.

Winner for Christmas Cracker Video #2 will be announced 19:00 Sunday January 5th 2014.