2015 Topic 20 Triptychs {Challenge}

 2015 Topic 20: Triptychs

Art above by Lynne Perrella
... created for a class she taught at ArtsyCrafts UK in October 2011

Artwork by Jo Firth-Young (see here)

Hi everyone, Leandra here and today we re exploring the topic of Triptychs. 

A triptych... (/ˈtrɪptɪk/ trip-tik; from the Greek adjective τρίπτυχον ("three-fold"), from tri, i.e., "three" and ptysso, i.e., "to fold" or ptyx, i.e., "fold")

...is a work of art (usually a panel painting) that is divided into three sections, or three carved panels that are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all multi-panel works. The middle panel is typically the largest and it is flanked by two smaller related works, although there are triptychs of equal-sized panels.

I was obsessed with Triptychs when I first started crafting, and they are easy enough to make from a sheet of card decorated in a masterboard manner, then cut apart. But of course, it can be more complicated than this if you wish to introduce texture, layers, paints and gels or even images. There are numerous products out there in craft world that can be used as a substrate and arranged in a triptych manner, such as card, chipboard, wood or any other surface that suits your needs and direction.

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 19: Faces Challenge...

Hi, Darcy here. Well, what can I say.. I am beyond thrilled that so many of you jumped right in, and despite reservations and fears you had a go at creating faces. a topic close to my heart, I am so proud of you all. You were inspired, and became inspirational with such a diverse array of styles portrayed. 

The winner of Faces is:Gill from Gibberish Jottings

Please get in touch with Darcy by emailing darcydotneedles@hotmail.com to claim your prize.

Ok, so it's Leandra back to explore the Topic 20 of 2015: Triptychs..... 

It's been bothering me that we haven't done a video in a while, and I have quite a few I am itching to film for you. This triptych one shows you some of the newest stencils that recently arrived in from The Crafters Workshop, partnered with Sara Naumann's latest stamps. 

If you watch the video, you will see in the picture above after we finished filming I played a bit more adding the leaf stamp and the quote, and some more black branch for the bird to balance on.

In the video I wanted to show you a pretty simple and fast way to make a Triptych (picture above) with brayered paints, stencils, archival inks and a few stamps. The gist was to keep it simple, but think a bit more about the composition by layering the colours and textures. Here's the video.

 

First up there are so many awesome examples on our own blog from fabulous crafters who have created glorious Triptychs. They are just such a great format that once you see a few examples, you are itching to have a go!

Linda Cain (Feb 2013) created this gorgeous example with Lynne Perella stamps, in fact, in my online searhcing, LPC stamps seem to often feature in triptych art!

And in May 2014, she did this colourful post, again, Lynne Perella stamps!

In April 2014, it was Liz Borer who made this in her go to palette of soft purple tones. Beautiful details on the side panels, also with Lynne Perrella stamps!!

Just recently, in August 2015, Liesbeth Fidder featured this triptych with our brand new Hot Pick stamps, you can see the details of how here.

I found this made by Astrid Maclean using ephemeral style images, love the gorgeous crackled border of the frames!

Diane Salter has glorious artwork on her blog, and if you check out this blog post (September 2011), you can see she made 3 pictures that became an accidental triptych. I adore the inclusion of lace and texture, and the idea of the 2 outer images facing the inner one really appeals.

Nichola Battilana has another example of this arrangement on her blog from earlier this year. She also has a video there to show the process she went through which is worth a look if you are unsure where to start. 

I love this idea of a triptych on a pedestal. The 3 niches look to be quite deep.

I love this interpretation by Claudia too. Take a minute to go to her blog and read the beautiful story she has written behind this creation. The corrugated card and cracks work so well. Simple colours and gorgeous aging techniques.

So onto more traditional Triptychs....

This gorgeous carved and gilded ivory piece is from Cologne, Germany 1325-50. The detail is stunning, and such religious icons are often represented in triptych form. 

This 15th Century wooden piece is more rustic in style. More info here. And I can imagine a modern, non-religious version of this could be great fun to create!

Onto more modern, abstract creations....

I stumbled across this encaustic wax layered piece which is gorgeous for its colour and textures...you can find the artist, Laura here. Love the vertical layout too.

Here is another vertical arrangement by Carol Nelson with striking colour and texture.

And what's not to like about some whimsical triptych stones! Proving you can do this on anything and depict anything too!

Lastly, 3 assemblage-style niches might challenge your minimalist composition skills! Give it a go!

Don't forget to follow my Triptychs pinterest board 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!

Leandra

Topic 20: Triptychs PaperArtsy Blog Challenge

We'd love you to share your ideas and link up your creativity to this page. Please familiarise yourself with the challenge guidelines below before entering.

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Triptychs link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Nov 8th , winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

1. The challenge is a chance for you to show how you have been inspired by a particular technique of the fortnight. 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. We love to see how you are inspired and your twist!

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, or we will be unable to find the post to leave you comments.

3. Spam links will be deleted.

4. We prefer your challenge post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then of course your post may link to both if you feel it is appropriate.

5. 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!

6. You can enter as many times as you like in the fortnight. We don't want to restrict your creativity or participation! Link closes at 17:00 Sunday Nov 8th   (London Time)

7. The winner of the random draw will receive a £50 credit to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website, the credit 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

8. Each Sunday fortnight the winner will be announced at 19:00, also, in the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy: email her darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

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