2017 #3 Explore Soft Infusions Panel {by Alison Hall}

2017 Topic 3: Paints with Infusions

It's Alison Hall back tonight. Infusions are already kind of muted due to the walnut crystals mixed in with the dye powder. Alison thinks to take it a step further by using a white fresco chalk paint to activate the infusions instead of glaze or water. This creates pastel toned infusions that are permanent. Isn't she clever! 

Hi everyone Alison (craftytrog) here.

It's lovely to be here on the PA blog tonight. I've chosen to share with you a mixed media panel, on which I've used PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paint, Infusions, and Everything Art stamps.

I love using different mediums on a project, seeing how they layer up, and the effects they create. I didn't have a clear idea of my finished project, I didn't even really know which stamps I would use from the Everything Art designs, but I knew there would be lots of texture, and of course some messy paint splatters!

As I was going to be throwing lots of wet mediums at my panel, I chose to use a white/greyboard panel. This one is 8x8 inches. I wanted some yummy texture for the Infusions to puddle in, so I started with some Grunge Paste, and used my palette knife to make lots of marks in it.

Time to add some colours, and I chose my favourite blues and greens. Hey Pesto and Mermaid Fresco Finish Paints always look good together. I used some Chalk to knock them back a little.

I recently saw Lin Brown demoing at Stamperama, using a sponge to apply Metallic Glaze and Infusions through a stencil, so I decided to see how this would work with Chalk Fresco Finish Paint and A Bit Jaded Infusions through PS021. The results were quite muted by the pale chalk paint, but I rather like the effect.

Now to add some colour and depth with the Infusions. I chose Emerald Isle, misting with water, and tipping the panel to get lots of gorgeous puddles and drips. I'm in my element at this point, and it's hard to know when to stop! As the Infusions have walnut crystals in them, the more water you add, the more grungy the effect. I added more water around the edges as I wanted them to be darker.

I picked out some textural stamps from EEA01, 02 and 04, and used Garden Patina, Fern Green and Jet Black Archival Inks to stamp them. I find the lace stamp from EEA01 so useful for adding a frame to a project, and often reach for it.

I find it very useful to lay out and audition stamps on a project to see where I want to put things. I adore that beautiful focal image from EEA01. Fortunately, I did realise that I'd picked up the 'J' instead of the 'L' from EEA05 before stamping! Lol!

To get focal images to stand out on a project, I like to stamp them onto a piece of paper, usually music sheet painted with a little white gesso. Then I can use inks (Lettuce & Stream Adirondack) or paints (London Bus Fresco) to colour them in. I love to use red as a contrast with blues and greens.

Be careful when gluing down images over Infusions colour, as a wet glue like matte medium will move the Infusions if they haven't been sealed.

To finish my project off, I added some splatters of black India Ink and some watered down London Bus Fresco Finish Paint, then sponged the edges with Little Black Dress Fresco Finish Paint.

I hope I've inspired you to give these techniques a try. Remember to use a sturdy base if you're using lots of different mediums, and remember to have fun! A mixed media art journal is another great place practise these techniques. Explore and Experiment! :-)

Alison x

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

Excellent to see the infusions mixed with a pale paint to apply them - I love the muted tones you have created, and all that texture to drip into is highlighted so effectively too. ~Leandra

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