2020 #13 Using lines in composition with Kim Dellow Stamps {by Nikki Acton}

2020 Topic 13: Lines

Sometimes simple cards can take more planning and design choices, and Nikki has taken a deceptively simple card which actually has lots of designed elements within. Nikki cleverly transforms some inexpensive plastic grid that we'll all be looking out for now.
~ Keren

Hi, Nikki here today, from Addicted to Art. For the theme of lines I decided to utilise various 'lines' to, hopefully, enhance the composition / layout of my card.

Composition in my artwork is really important to me - although sometimes I get it very wrong! Colour, positioning of items, focal points and tonal balance can all impact the overall design. The goal is for the eye to be drawn to the focal points and not get confused chasing elements around a page or being drawn out of the picture!

I started with two initial line ideas - some of this grid material I have (had it ages -UK  Poundland I think!) and my inky highlighted folds in the background. But as it developed I also used the lines of numbers and the horizontal tag to bring it all together.

I first brayered some white card lightly with Sand and Chocolate Pudding Fresco Paints. I  used my score board to create lines on the reverse and then swept the edges and creases with Potting Soil Archival ink (any brown ink will do). I stamped the little circles from Kim Dellow stamp set EKD01 and the lines of numbers from France Papillon Stamp set FP002. However I did these later so I knew where to place them to build the composition.

I added some Chocolate Pudding paint to the plastic grid so there was more of contrast with the background and also added a little tissue paper underneath.

I used Distress Oxide (Peeled Paint) to colour some card which I used to stamp my flowers and little hedgehog from EKD01. I cut my little tag to frame my greeting (from EM18). This horizontal 'line' compliments the vertical lines of the the background, the flower stems and the stamped numbers.

A relatively simple card! But hopefully you can see how I used the various vertical and horizontal lines to create the composition. 

Nikki x

Blog: Addicted to Art

Instagram: @Nikki_Act

Pinterest: nikacton

YouTube