2017 #3 Framed Botanical Print {by Ruth Mescall}

2017 Topic 3: Paint and Infusions

It's always a joy to see what Ruth creates with infusions. She is incredibly experimental, and yet retains a striking ability to almost 'hold back' and not throw the kitchen sink at it! She always manages to thoughtfully allow some the white space to create a breathing zone. For those of us for who operate on a more-is-more ethos, it certainly is fascinating to observe Ruth's methods, particularly with a product like infusions which can be somewhat awkward to guide or control.
 

Hi everyone Ruth from 'a love to create' here.

Lovely to be here on the PA blog tonight sharing another project using Lin Brown's latest releases with luscious infusions and paint...what could be better? Infusions are so versatile and there are so many techniques to try with them that I originally thought of making a technique tag book, still not sure how it turned into a faux botanical print but then that's the fun in experimenting and following the 'what if?' path. 

In the process I've used 

ELB29

ELB33

ELB34

PS043

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I was originally just going to alter the frame but then thought I really need to put something in it and so it developed into a home decor item that fits very well in my dining room.

One of the things I love about Fresco acrylic paint is their coverage, even over dark wood one coat is enough.

Sprinkling infusions onto wet paint helps seal them in, loving the new 'Sleight Blue' and 'In the Navy' with their little pops of pink and could have watched all day as the colours ran into all the nooks and crannies.

Bit of a mishap in further sealing them in as I picked up matte medium instead of matt varnish and when I came to sand back the Grunge paste the matte medium started to peel off, however I discovered that you can stencil with grunge paste...so can you tell where I 'patched' it?

I've used this technique from Kim Dellow's video using infusions....

And I chose to work with Olive Tree, Emerald Isle and a touch of Green Man, all lovely colours from the 2017 Infusions release. (see here for more info/ stockists).

Spray with water and the result was magical, I almost felt like a water colour artist, the subtle specks of colour and Lin's stamps, I'll definitely be trying this again.

Even the blobs of water from a faulty water spray bottle on the right added to the effect and further stamping with fresco paint mixed with a little sprinkle of infusions worked a treat.

To finish, it needed a small focal point and I was originally going to make some 'Magenta and Violetta infusion flowers to echo the pink specks in the frame but opted for green shaded flowers made from card that I'd painted with pearl glaze and infusions.

I particularly like this close up as it shows the variety in infusion colours in both the picture and the frame and the walnut crystals that haven't quite dissolved add to the texture as they are highlighted by Pewter Treasure Gold.

I feel like I will be friends with Infusions for a long time and I'm really only just exploring how they combine with paint and other products. I hope you might try Kim's technique, it is so, so easy to get beautiful results. Not sure I'd do anything differently but next I will definitely be using the pink infusion stained card in some handmade flowers. Ruth 

Blog: 'a love to create'
Twitter: @argeum1
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This is a fantastic interpretation of Kim's technique, and all your extra touches make it super special - what a brilliant way to recycle that frame, I hope you have found a special place to hang it! It's gorgeous! ~ Leandra

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