2015 #22 Christmas Masterboard {by Alison Hall}

 2015 Topic 22: Christmas Masterboard {by Alison Hall}

Hi everyone! Alison here, joining you this evening with a Christmas themed masterboard.

I've used my favourite way of applying paint, with a brayer. It's so quick and easy to get a lovely random background. There's also a little bit of collage thrown in for good measure, and some stamping with paint, and I've used Sara Naumann's beautiful Christmas Eclectica sets ESN17 and ESN18.

Step One: I began with a light layer of paint on a sheet of White Smoothy Stamping Card. I used my Brayer to apply Chalk, Moonlight and Mermaid Fresco Finish Paint.

Step Two: Next I added some medium shades of Fresco Finish Paint in Captain Peacock and Professor Plum (both from the Sept. 2015 Special Edition Set of Fresco Finish), then a light application of Claret and South Pacific.

Step Three: Time to knock those dark shades into the background with another application of Moonlight and Mermaid Fresco Finish Paint.

Step Four: Next I took a piece of White Tissue Paper, and used Jet Black Archival Ink to stamp a collage of images and words from ESN18. 

Step Five: I ripped the tissue into thin strips, then used Ranger Glue 'N Seal Matte to adhere them to my background.

Step Six: To finish my masterboard, I stamped some images from ESN17, using Captain Peacock, Professor Plum, and Chalk Fresco Finish Paint.

I decided to cut my masterboard into four to make some Christmas cards.

To make my cards, I mixed a little Golden Fluid Acrylic Micaceous Iron Oxide into some Golden Glass Bead Gel, and used a Palette Knife to apply this through PaperArtsy Stencil 001 {ELB}, onto two of the masterboard quarters.

I used Jet Black Archival Ink to stamp the lovely bird image from ESN18, as well as some branches in the opposite corner, and some of the words. I finished by sponging Chalk Fresco Finish Paint lightly onto the Bead Gel stencilling, then matting my artwork onto black card and then a white card blank.

Here's a closer look at one of the cards. I just love the texture of the Bead Gel. Mixing it with the Micaceous Iron Oxide Acrylic gives it a lovely sparkle...thanks Leandra for that tip!

Using a brayer is such a quick and easy way to apply paint, definitely my favourite, and it looks different every time. Build up some layers with a little collage, and stamping, and you soon have a handy masterboard to use for any type of project. It's definitely a good way to get started on your Christmas cards! I hope I've inspired you to give this technique a try.

Alison x

Blog: Craftytrog's Inky Adventures
Facebook: Alison Hall
Twitter: @craftytrog

I love the idea of mixing the micaceous iron oxide into the glass bead gel! How lovely to add that texture to the masterboard. These look great Alison, I know you are a massive fan of Sara Naumann's stamps and this is a fabulous was to use them! I love how the brayering technique is always so individual to whoever is holding the brayer! ~ Leandra

We would love you to join in with challenge #22: Masterboards 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. 

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Masterboards link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Dec 6th winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.