PaperArtsy: 2019 #8 Put a Brush on it: Poplar Tree Canvas with ECF06 {by Jenny Marples}

2019 Topic 8: Put a Brush On It

I've been so excited for this topic to come into being. Several years ago I saw Donna Downey incorporating large brushes into her art, and so I associate this idea with her. But, wow are you in for a treat with how our designers have picked up on the theme to great effect! I hope you can join in over the next 2 weeks! Social links below!~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Jenny Marples with you today, sharing this three dimensional canvas which incorporates brushes to depict a tree filled landscape reminiscent of the rows of tall poplars found lining the roads in Southern France.

The background uses a combination of Grunge Paste, Courtney Franich's gorgeous stamps and Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics to create a textural surface.

After spreading Grunge Paste unevenly across the canvas (a relatively thin layer so you can pick up the stamp detail) I spritzed the background stamp from set ECF06 with water and pressed it into the paste repeatedly across the bottom third. A fine misting of water on the rubber helps the stamp release from the GP.

Once the paste had dried, (you can use a heat tool to dry it faster, or it will also dry at room temperature quite fast, approx 10 mins) the bottom stamped third of the canvas was covered with Blue Oyster and the remaining top two thirds with Chalk Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics.

The 'horizon line' created between the two areas was further delineated with a line of French Roast. Then to 'reveal' the texture I diluted Mud Splat with water and brushed it over the whole canvas, allowing the paint to settle into the indented areas.

The pine leaf stamp from the ECF06 set reminded me of trees and was the perfect choice for combining with little brushes.

After repeat stamping with Mahogany Fresco Chalk I used the same colour to cover the handles on the brushes. Once dry, twine, coloured wire and small pearl beads were wound tightly around them.

Whilst threading pearl beads onto the wires some of the surface sheen began to flake off. Thankfully a thin coat of Pearl Glaze proved very effective at protecting them.

Once the embellished brushes were glued in place over the stamped leaves I added a few Emerald Creek Crafts stones to them as a finishing flourish.

The 'sun' and 'stitching' details were drawn onto the canvas with a soft pencil, smudged to soften the impact.

The sentiment came from Alison Bomber's EAB01 set and was stamped with red and brown permanent ink over a base of Chalk paint. Applying Seth Apter's 'Aegean Sea' Baked Velvet Embossing Powder over the top made it compliment the colour of the canvas underneath.

Since this canvas was of a non-standard size a frame was made for it and painted with layers of French Roast, Mahogany, Chalk and Toffee.

The top coat of Metallic Glaze allows a good contrast to the matte finish of the canvas. The metallic in the Mica Glaze is quite chunky, and as you would probably expect from mica applied to a dark surface, it softens the tone of the frame nicely.