I always like mixing it up a bit so for this post have combined the grungy colours of Infusions with the light, shimmery Lustre Sprays.
Supplies:
PaperArtsy Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Elenazinski Art - ZA07
PaperArtsy Infusions: Slime, Sleight Blue, Blackcurrant
Ranger Archival Ink Pads: Jet Black
That's Crafty! 6.5ins x 7.5ins Stencil - Distressed Harlequin - TC7016

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

What I did

I began by giving the MDF round a couple of coats of white gesso and then randomly some pink, blue and lavender paint, leaving a little space, then applying the sprays both on the pain and in white space. Then using the Dinky stencils and Texture Paste added the snowflakes and leaves details, giving texture and contrast. I then stamped the hearts, clouds and leaves directly on to the round and coloured the hearts and clouds using watercolours. The deer and tree were stamped on white card, coloured with watercolours and adhered in place.

What I used

That's Crafty! Surfaces MDF Rounds
That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste
That's Crafty! White Gesso
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil - Leaves
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil - Snowflake Background
That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paint  I used Lavender, Light Blue and Light Pink
That's Crafty! Flat Matte Spray  I used Rose and Bluebell
That's Crafty! Lustre Spray - Lilac 
ABStudio TandiArt Stamp ID115 (the deer)
ABStudio TandiArt Stamp Set ID45
ABStudio TandiArt Stamp Set ID44

(Extras; ABStudio TandiArt Stamp Set ID114, the Christmas Tree)

Next Wednesday I shall reveal the completed triptych! Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope I've inspired you a little. Wishing you a lovely day, Sam xx

Hello! I've noticed that animals, flowers, trees and celestial bodies feature quite heavily in my art work, these are the things I've loved since a child and things that inspire me so much now and I'm certain they always will. This moon/planet was great fun to make and the shimmer from the interference paints are perfect for space makes but as with all things shiny, such as glitter it's very hard to capture in a photo, I'm hoping the second photo shows the shimmer and texture in more detail for you.

The rocket stamp was a lovely surprise gift from team mate Donna, (how lucky am I?), perhaps if lots of you like it she'll design a space set of stamps ;)


What I did:

I began with a 6 inch MDF Round and using a plastic bag like an icing bag applied some texture paste over the top of pre drawn circles and using my fingers I applied paste in the spaces between the craters. It was then simply a case of painting until I achieved the look I wanted.

To finish I stamped and added detail to the rocket using black and white posca pens and glossy accents.

What I used:

That's Crafty! MDF Surfaces Rounds
That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste
That's Crafty! White Gesso
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Interference Blue
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Ivory
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Metallic Black
That's Crafty! Multi surface paint - Metallic Silver
Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Posca Pens

I do hope you like it, thanks for looking.

Wishing you a lovely day,

Sam xxx

Hello
This week I have wee collages to share which feature That's Crafty! Greyboard Mushrooms as the focal pieces.  Above is the collection I made but I will only focus on instructions for one as they were essentially made in the same manner.

Supplies

That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Lynne's Affirmations Set 9
That's Crafty! Surfaces White/Greyboard Matches - Doodled Shrooms
That's Crafty! Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit (Kraft Card and Corrugated Cardboard)
That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Multi-Surface Paint Black 
Gel Medium
Watercolour Brush
Watercolour Paints (Indigo, Grey)
Small Tag
Gesso
Sewing Machine
Sewing Thread - Walnut
Old Book Page - eco dyed
Summer Fruits Teabags (if you want to tea stain small tags and rice paper)

Instructions

The watercolour paper was eco dyed, to show the effects achieved, this is a photo of the rear of the collages, of course, the front of the panels are all but covered up.

Eco dyed old book text was layered to a panel with tea dyed rice paper (a soft blue/grey tone although the teabags were Summer Fruit), I added machine stitching, as a means to adhere but also for texture. You can ever so slightly see the edge of the rice paper behind the book page.

Inking up one of the Affirmations, I stamped it onto tiny fragments of eco dyed rice paper I had kicking around, you can see I only partially used the Affirmation. Before adhering the words, I tore off the bottom edge (saving that piece) adding machine stitching for texture.

The saved piece you will see in the photo above, where the word "courage" was layered. For each collage I repeated the word to layer beneath the mushrooms, such as courage, grounded and strength.

Hello
My initial plan, a nature themed journal but when working with a nature theme, I like to crack on with projects, this journal I wanted as something where I could spend time, whether mere minutes or longer, on an area where I could view development over the journal - it was decided....faces. A journal to sketch faces and features and so it was easy to decide on the direction of the cover of the journal, the Lana stencil.

Supplies
That's Crafty! Lana Stencil
Pink Pig A5 Posh Matte Ameleie 270gsm Watercolour Paper Sketchbook Landscape
Distress Crayons: Ground Espresso, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo
That's Crafty! Multi-Purpose Acrylic Paint: Ivory 
Rice Paper (Eco Dyed)
Posca White Paint Pen PC-5M
WaterBrush (That's Crafty! stock a variety)
Extras:
Dip Pen
Bamboo Dip Pen
Acrylic Drawing Ink Black, White
Golden Fluid Acrylic Titanium White
Baby Wipes
Vintage Book Pages

Instructions

I had some eco dyed rice paper and vintage book pages to hand, which I adhered to the front cover of the Pink Pig journal. I would normal advise to wait until papers are completely dry, preferably overnight but I like to see how media reacts and in this instance, began stenciling the face while the papers were still slightly damp.

With Stabilo watersoluble pencil, I stenciled Lana, flipping stencil over after I stenciled the left side then penciling  in lines for her neck and hair. At this stage, I swiped on some Titanium White Fluid Acrylic, using a waterbrush to activate the watersoluble pencil.


Once the paste was dry, I began the process of bringing the face to life working with the Distress Crayons, watersoluble pencil and Titanium White building up colour then pushing it back, either rubbing with a baby wipe or squeezing the water brush directly onto the face, allowing water to dribble downwards. This process took me longer than I anticipated, I ended up over-working the face because I, somehow, made her lips too prominent and I lost a sense of emotion to her eyes.  At this point (no photos), I was tempted to ditch this as a project which would have been the easiest action but I also know, that is not the way to make progress.  So I battled through and it was a battle!

For mark making, paint was applied with the edge of the glue spreader also adding marks with the Posca pen. For her hair, other than the Light Texture Paste and Distress Crayons, there is also the colour of the eco dyed papers which peek through and working with the dip pens and acrylic drawing ink. Dip pens are lovely for creating loose tendrils. 

Hello
Today I am sharing an Upright, a substrate which I always return to. This project also features one of the 8"x8" stencils, which I used with That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste, a lovely paste to work with.

Note: The focal on this Upright is a PaperArtsy ELB stamp which I have since discovered, this particular set is now not available at That's Crafty! However, click HERE for ELB substitutes.




Supplies

That's Crafty! Crafty Surfaces MDF Upright Jagged Edge
That's Crafty! 8"x8" Stencil - Flower Border - TC8020
That's Crafty! Light Texture Paste
Ranger Archival Ink Potting Soil
PaperArtsy Eclectica EAB Alison Bomber EAB04
That's Crafty! Multi-Surface Metallic Antique Gold Paint
Gesso
Gel Medium
Palette Knife (selection available HERE)
Extras: Eco dyed paper twine, beeswax, Melt Pot, twig, eco stained papers, rusted washer


Instructions

My preference, apply Gesso to the Upright before randomly stenciling the Flower Border with Light Texture Paste. I like to use this stencil partially but obviously, it comes into its own used in the full glory of 8"x8", as a border/frame.

After the paste had dried, I then randomly stamped the PaperArtsy Eclectica EAB stamp with Potting Soil ink and smudged some ink to highlight the relief of the stenciled flowers.

For the focal, onto eco dyed Abaca Tissue, I stamped a PaperArtsy Eclectica ELB leaf and then, dipped it into melted beeswax, curling the edges just before it hardened and then buffing with a soft cloth.  To edges, with fingertips, I applied the beautiful Antique Gold paint.

Onto a fragment of eco dyed paper, I think this was Rice Paper, I stamped words from one of the EAB stamps, adhering to the stamped focal, simply embellishing with a rusted washer.

For the base, also stamped and simply trimmed the front edge of the Upright base with a twig, which is wrapped with eco dyed paper twine.

Final touches to the project, I hand-stitched with brown thread, the lower right corner of the beeswax focal and a lovely fragment of rusted paper.

Thank you for your visit today.

Wishes
Lynne