Hello

Nudging handmade books to the side, for this week anyway, I am sure one will make an appearance again very soon!

For this week, I am sharing a face on one of the fabulous MDF Rounds, using the Lana stencil.  Yes, this is a version of Lana. I worked with a similar process as this project HERE this time, flipping the stencil over to provide an outline for her features on both sides.

Supplies

That's Crafty! 6.5x7.5 inches Stencil Lana TC7009
That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Rounds 8"
That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit (Rice Paper, Teabag Paper)
Distress Crayons: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain
Palette Knife
Old Book Pages
Fluid Acrylic: Golden Titanium White (HERE is a substitute)
Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Ink Black, White
Dip Pen/Bamboo Pen
Watercolor Brush (Studying the range available at That's Crafty!, I would suggest this brush)
Black Watersoluble Pencil (I worked with Stabilo All Surface)

Instructions

Prepare the MDF Round by adhering torn pieces of book pages, Rice Paper from the Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit and stained TeaBag paper from the same kit. With some areas overlapping, it will create interest on the face but I noticed that during the process of working on the face, especially as I worked with water, layer upon layer, some of the papers began to murl/crumble but I actually liked this - I know, that won't come as a surprise to you!

I only have a few process photos to share. I nearly decided not to share them, only sharing the completed project but it can be interesting to have an insight into a process and also, I wanted to show that I did actually work with the Lana stencil as it might not be instantly obvious.

After loosely outlining features, with the aid of Lana, I also sketched her hair, focusing more on an outline.

Then, dipping a palette knife into Light Texture Paste, I again, very loosely, formed her hair, applying the paste and then using the tip of the palette knife to create the wavy texture.


Allow paste to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step, enjoying the process of taking the time to discover the face that will appear through the loosely, stencilled outline and texture paste hair.
This was a lovely project to work on, I would work on it, lay aside and return periodically. I enjoyed laying down the Distress Crayons and then pushing back with a baby wipe or for more detailed areas, a wet paintbrush to remove the crayon. Trying to achieve depth to her eyes, I discovered it was the same process as for the overall face/hair, the looser I could be in my approach, it allowed me to get as close as I could, with my limited ability with faces.

You can see that I extended the line of the eyebrows and created a neckline which allowed me to form tendrils, to soften the face/neckline.

To add highlights, I used Acrylic Ink. With the white ink, I applied the almost dry end of the dropper, scraping it onto the panel, using this mostly on the mouth, mere touches on the eye and around the nose.

On the hair, I added definition of a few tendrils by drawing them using the dropper from the black acrylic ink. The more light-handed tendrils and waves were from a dip pen, dipped into the same black acrylic ink.

Why go to the trouble of the layers of papers on the MDF and not simply stencil then paint onto the plain MDF? The papers all react differently to the application of the media and water and this in itself creates an interesting surface to work on, instantly bringing a textural quality and on the completed face there will be areas were those papers, especially the book text, peek through.

I know there are so many flaws in this face and it would be so easy for me not to share this as a D.T. project but by sharing it, this pushes me outwith a comfort zone. Although I worked with media which I am comfortable with and drawing isn't alien to me, I have never been one to embrace faces, they are an Achilles heel to me. Maybe because, unless sketching an actual person's face, I always have the sense that we give something of our inner selves when drawing/painting a face, even a Mixed Media face which incorporates a stencil.

Until next week,
Wishes
Lynne