Vicky P inspired mixed media ATC

By Leave a Comment

We are LOVING the Create Happiness release from Stamperia and Vicky Papaioannou – AND – we LOVE making little pieces of art like ATCs!

ATCs are Artist Trading Cards and are 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ in size. They are the perfect platform to practice your mixed media techniques and to swap with friends; think of them as your creative business cards!

Today we are making an ATC inspired by the range from Stamperia and Vicky P; we will learn a few mixed media techniques including ink blending, creating borders and composition.

Craft supplies you need to create an ATC:

Materials:

Tools:

Step by step instructions to create an ATC

Using a palette knife, spread volume paste through a stencil onto white card. Set aside to dry.

Choose two inks. Using the blending tool, apply two inks to white ATC.

Choose 1 stamp. Stamp in three places, without reinking with one ink.

Choose a border stencil. Add top and bottom border with stencil and second ink.

With same ink, apply direct to paper and edge white card, giving the piece a border.

Use double sided tape to stick white card onto black card [2 1/2 ” x 3 ½”]

The base of ATC is complete.

Chose a flower and a leaf from the collection. Stick with glue into bottom third of ATC [only need a little glue]

Chose a word or quote. Ink border with first ink colour.

Stick your word on with double sided tape.

Your Vicky P inspired ATC is complete

I hope you enjoyed creating your Vicky P inspired ATC, adding texture to volume paste through a stencil, blending inks and using stamps and stencils to add more mixed media layers. Then we embellished the ATC with the flower die cuts and a foiled word, considering the composition of the layout with the Rule of Thirds.

You can see our full Stamperia Create Happiness range by Vicky P on the Mixed Media Art website or in our store in Mount Waverley

Filed Under: Altered Trading Cards Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A Desert at Sunset Painting by Gloria Malouf-Marsh

By 4 Comments

~*~

This article is written by Gloria Malouf-Marsh

I started this painting from scratch.  I imagined a desert scene, I introduced working with sand textures, texture paste, warm colors sprang to my mind. The gold/yellows/oranges, different shades of hues, spindly plants that thrive in the desert climate, rock techniques, cactuses and the like. I also worked with dark and light – shadow and brightness.

Gloria Malouf-Marsh's Desert at SunsetI started at first to gesso the canvas. From 2/3 of the canvas up, I applied a paste and sand composition and let dry. This raised the texture and added an atmosphere to the base of the picture, which I would like to call a desert composition.   I had no idea where I was going; I just allowed my creativity to lead me.  I knew there was a road leading me somewhere. This road, I could see far in the distance. So I sketched mountains, rocks, cactuses, and started to build the tones and the painting started to come alive.  The rock face at the bottom and foreground was built up with texture paste composition.  I used a palette knife to apply knife shapes and irregular shapes to create the jagged rocks.   I wanted to maintain the warm shades and not to introduce any cool shades.

The different shades of the sunset were very effective.  I painted the area from the mountains upwards with vermilion red and used graduated shades of yellow/gold/ orange to create the sunset-scape.

As the painting was taking shape, I was transported into an earthy desert and the connection to the earth was of paramount importance to me. It’s also a form of meditation for me.  The warmth of the earth beckoned me deeper to the roots of the soil. I felt very close to the earth and very grounded. The symbolic meaning evoked a sense of humility and a deep sense of  gratitude. This desert time  brings on a change of heart, a transformation and a time to reflect.

The desert represents the hardships and challenges one has to overcome in one’s life. And through this challenge, one comes out so much better for it.

Keep creating! Enjoy!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *  ~

My name is Gloria Malouf-Marsh. I live in Brisbane, Australia, with my husband Greg and my daughter Salwa .  Springtime is glorious in Brisbane. I rise early and go for brisk walks, do my yoga practice and I’m inspired to face the day with inspiration and confidence. I get creative ideas for painting when I’m in nature. I love listening to nature’s sounds and watching and hearing the birds.

I am developing discipline in creating and making time for myself to daily paint. I seem curious to want to further my techniques.  I’m working with the building texture  mediums.  A sense of confidence and enjoyment has developed with me regarding honing my skills and techniques in the art medium, and I do enjoy this website so much.  Hearing peoples’ ideas and seeing their talents, just simply amaze me.  It is a special global family.   If I can create, so can you! Enjoy!

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Painting Tagged With: , ,

Don’t Be Afraid To Texture

By 5 Comments

~ * ~

This article was written by Kim Kelley

In this age of technology we have sites, blogs, tweets and Pinterest making all sorts of suggestions to use their brand of paste or gel; even sites on how to make your own paste. There are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. 

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste

In this project I decided to use 3 name brand products; Wood Icing by Stencil Girl, Stucco Patch (from local hardware store), and Gloss Gel by Golden. The Wood Icing cost me $12.99 but had $12.00 shipping, whereas the Stucco Patch cost $5.99 and we were going to the store anyway! The Gloss Gel I purchased a few months back at Michael’s and used a coupon, so it probably cost me just under $5.00 but it is about half the size of the Wood Icing and ¼ the size of the stucco.

I am going to make a layout that can be used as a scrapbook page, framed art, or just wall decor. This is a kit that I purchased from Scrapbook Diaries consisting of papers, frames, flowers, sprays and even micro beads.  This is the first creation I actually made on paper, rather than canvas or wood.  So we will all be surprised at the result. 

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste

 After getting my papers layered and glued where I want them, it is time for texture. I decided to use my “circles” stencil and started with the stucco. First thing I noticed was the texture! No pun intended. It is rougher, having almost a concrete feel. I used it in both top corners of my project.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
The lower two corners I used the Wood Icing. My only problem with this is it has a brown tint to it. The way to get past the color issue is to add gesso over it before adding any paint, spray or color technique. The feel and thickness you achieve is perfect, so for me it is worth it to use.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Next I added the regular gloss gel, really just dabbing it anywhere on the page with my palette knife. Then added micro beads to give it some texture, since it dries clear and the beads are clear it really shines. You can buy the medium with the beads already mixed in, but you are stuck with the color and consistency. If you add your own beads you can change the color of them and add as many as you want. You can even change the size of the beads that way.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Now for some color. The kit comes with Amber and Dark Brown Chalk spray. The colors are very pretty but I really wanted and added pop…so I used some sprays from Lindy’s Stamp Gang. These gave it the sparkle and shine that was needed.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Once I was happy with the colors, I started on some embellishments I wanted to add. I colored a chipboard frame with sprays, paints and crackle gel. I attached this to a piece of paper that was also colored the same…this way someone can slip a picture right behind the frame. I had to add some flowers, chain, stickers and some chipboard. Then I used a few Tim Holtz stamps to add not only color but some dimension.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
Now for the fun part and something I had never tried before…glue gun goop…yes that is a technical term! (ok- ok one I made up but still technical) For this you take your glue gun and make swirls, circles, loop de loops; whatever you want to create and let it dry right on your project. You can paint or spray over it for added color or leave it clear and shiny. I did both.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
The final step is putting it all together. Whatever you feel looks right, is right. That is the best part about Mixed Media Art, there is no wrong or right way to end a project. Here is the end result.

Kim Kelley tried three different types of texture paste
I did add some gloss Mod Podge over the top; it seals it as well as gives it that glorious shine!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kim Kelley is borderline obsessive about her crafting and her art. She loves mixed media art because you are free to go beyond your comfort zone, using your imagination and exploring an anything goes mind set. Kim loves to learn and explore new techniques and hopes that any art she creates leads someone to find their inner creative artist!

Sites: itsallaboutcrafting.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/kimscraftyconcepts

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Materials Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Desert at Sunset

By Leave a Comment

This article is written by Gloria Malouf-Marsh

I started this painting from scratch.  I imagined a desert scene, I introduced working with sand textures, texture paste, warm colors sprang to my mind. The gold/yellows/oranges, different shades of hues, spindly plants that thrive in the desert climate, rock techniques, cactuses and the like. I also worked with dark and light – shadow and brightness.

canvas mixed media textures

I started at first to gesso the canvas. From 2/3 of the canvas up, I applied a paste and sand composition and let dry. This raised the texture and added an atmosphere to the base of the picture, which I would like to call a desert composition.   I had no idea where I was going; I just allowed my creativity to lead me.  I knew there was a road leading me somewhere. This road, I could see far in the distance. So I sketched mountains, rocks, cactuses, and started to build the tones and the painting started to come alive.  The rock face at the bottom and foreground was built up with texture paste composition.  I used a palette knife to apply knife shapes and irregular shapes to create the jagged rocks.   I wanted to maintain the warm shades and not to introduce any cool shades.

The different shades of the sunset were very effective.  I painted the area from the mountains upwards with vermilion red and used graduated shades of yellow/gold/ orange to create the sunset-scape.

As the painting was taking shape, I was transported into an earthy desert and the connection to the earth was of paramount importance to me. It’s also a form of meditation for me.  The warmth of the earth beckoned me deeper to the roots of the soil. I felt very close to the earth and very grounded. The symbolic meaning evoked a sense of humility and a deep sense of  gratitude. This desert time  brings on a change of heart, a transformation and a time to reflect.

The desert represents the hardships and challenges one has to overcome in one’s life. And through this challenge, one comes out so much better for it.

Keep creating! Enjoy!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *  ~

My name is Gloria Malouf-Marsh. I live in Brisbane, Australia, with my husband Greg and my daughter Salwa .  Springtime is glorious in Brisbane. I rise early and go for brisk walks, do my yoga practice and I’m inspired to face the day with inspiration and confidence. I get creative ideas for painting when I’m in nature. I love listening to nature’s sounds and watching and hearing the birds.

I am developing discipline in creating and making time for myself to daily paint. I seem curious to want to further my techniques.  I’m working with the building texture  mediums.  A sense of confidence and enjoyment has developed with me regarding honing my skills and techniques in the art medium, and I do enjoy this website so much.  Hearing peoples’ ideas and seeing their talents, just simply amaze me.  It is a special global family.   If I can create, so can you! Enjoy!

Emails are welcome at Gloria@radiantpathways.com.au

.

.

Filed Under: Mixed Media Painting Tagged With: , ,