2016 #10 Texture Doodles {by Laura Bomber}

2016 Topic 10: Doodles

Hi everyone. Laura from Laurart here, joining you this evening with a post about doodling. I was a bit nervous about this subject because I, like most of us, don't doodle unless doing so absent mindedly. My craft work is quite organised and very rarely left to random ideas. So to actually start off a project with the intention of doodling seemed very strange at first. However, I am never one to shy away from a challenge, and I soon realised that it was far easier than I had ever imagined. 

Come with me and see just how easy it was.... 

Step One: I started with a candle holder that I had decorated previously – it was a bit too bright for me and I wanted something more vintage and subtle. I began by smoothing texture paste all over it. Apply in quite a thin layer, and don't worry about making it perfectly smooth – it all adds to fun texture! 

Step Two: Pastes vary in texture and the speed at which they dry. The one I used is quite soft and takes a long time to dry, so I find that the paste is easier to work with if I leave it to dry for 5-10 minutes. Then I began doodling! You don't need fancy craft tools for this job - first I used a 3mm crochet hook to draw this pattern and I followed it by filling in gaps with smaller swirls drawn with a cocktail stick. 

Texture paste isn't as tricky as you might think - if a bit gets smudged, don't think that it is ruined. The paste can be quickly nudged back into place....and remember paint will hide a multitude of 'mistakes' 

Step Three: When dry I painted it with Fresco Finish Nougat acrylic paint - which is my favourite neutral colour. 

Step Four: To highlight the texture patterns I covered it with Decoart Antiquing cream, which I left to dry and wiped away the excess with a damp cloth. I have also had good results from using watered down acrylic paint as a wash to highlight texture like this. You could also dab it with ink and wipe any excess away with a baby wipe. 

Step Five: I covered a piece of card with Frayed Burlap and Evergreen Bough Distress inks. To blend the inks more and add a chalky finish I added several spritzes of White Linen Dylusions spray. 

I then began to add some doodling to the card with white and gold pens. I followed the same swirl pattern that was on the candle holder but I also added leaves and dots. 

Step Six: I then stamped the flowers from EDY18 In Coffee Archival ink and cut them out. I dabbed around the edges with Frayed Burlap DI.

EDY18

Step Seven: The centers of the flowers needed highlighting so they were stamped again onto card that had been covered with Evergreen Bough DI. I cut them out and stuck them onto the flowers and added a tiny bit of Clear Rock Candy Distress stickles to add some subtle texture. 

Step Eight: The candle holder was smudged with hints of Classic Gold Treasure Gold and all of the flowers were then arranged around the candle holder. 

Why not have a go yourself. This is such an easy and effective way to jazz up a candle holder that has seen better days. Or why not give it a go on a picture frame, make it part of a mixed media canvas or journal page – it can be used on anything! 

The great thing about doing this technique is that you have time to work and time to change your mind. If you don't like what you have done, the texture paste is so easily re-worked. If something doesn't look right, grab any tool on your craft desk and change the texture. Just draw over the doodle you don't like and find an even more elaborate squiggle. Or use old credit cards for sharp lines, dab with old paint brushes to add texture, draw with ends of paintbrushes and in the unlikely event it goes totally wrong, then just wipe away and re-apply. 

Experiment with using different tools to draw through the paste to give different effects and just take some time to sit and doodle on all those bits of inky painted card that we can never bear to throw away...see what happens! 

Laura Bomber 

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Hi Laura and welcome, we love these texture doodles. The paste is so forgiving and extended drying time means changes can be made. Your stamping over the doodled background is genius, it fits perfectly. ~Darcy 

We would love to see how you interpret this Doodles topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #10: Doodles, on this page HERE.

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas,  particularly if you were inspired directly by their post. 

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Doodles link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, May 29th 2016. The winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.