2015 #6 Embossed Grunge Paste {by Seth Apter}

2015 Theme 6: Grunge Paste

Hi all. It’s Seth and I am back as a guest designer on PaperArtsy. I am a mixed media artist from NYC and all about layers and texture. Grunge Paste has become one of my go-to supplies to achieve a dimensional effect in my work.

Although I love to work with Grunge Paste right out of the jar, it is especially fun to alter and experiment with it to find additional creative uses of the product. Today I am happy to have the opportunity to share one of these techniques with you.

I started with a sheet of watercolor paper that I painted with Fresco Finish Acrylic Paints, loosely layering Little Black Dress, Space Cadet, Caramel, Pumpkin Soup and Chocolate Pudding. I added some accents using a gold metallic inkpad.

I mixed Grunge Paste with a combination of Caramel and Pumpkin Soup. One of my favorite properties of Grunge Paste is the ability to mix it with paint before applying. I added it to the background in a rough layer using a palette knife, being sure to let the background show through in spots.

While still wet, I randomly sprinkled the surface with embossing powder.

Using a heat gun, I immediately heated the surface until the embossing powder melted and took on its metallic sheen. Because the embossing powder settles into the wet grunge paste, it takes a little longer than usual for it to react.

Happily, the extra heating time also reacts with the grunge paste and adds extra texture and dimension as a result.

Although I thought the surface that was created stood on its own as abstract art, I couldn’t resist adding text as I often do in my work. To echo the dimensional effect of the grunge paste, I used 3-dimensional wooden letters.

I enjoyed this creative process so much that I immediately made a second piece in what will no doubt become a series!

Seth. 

You can take part in my workshops here:

Art & Soul retreat - Kansas City, Missouri - April 28-30

The Studio of Mary Beth Shaw - St. Louis, Missouri - May 2

Pacific Northwest Art School - Coupeville, Washington - May 16-22

ArtWorks - Edmonds, WA - May 26, 28

Wow! I am positively drooling at this texture. Brings to mind all kinds of wonderful things, old houses, barns and boats... abandoned vehicles reclaimed by nature. This technique could be used to great effect in so many projects. Thanks Seth. 

We would love you to join in with challenge #6: Grunge Paste If you are inspired by any of our guests who blog with us over the fortnight, then please join in and link up your creativity HERE. 

NB.  you will get 3 weeks to participate in this challenge, as we will interrupt the usual schedule for our 3UP week which starts April 5th.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Grunge Paste link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, April 12th, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.