Don’t Throw Out Your Mistakes: Learn From Them

I love this Christmas card. I love everything about it. NOW!

I was so excited to borrow a poinsettia stamp from my friend Yvonne. I planned on stamping onto the Strathmore Watercolor Card with black StazOn Ink and then use watercolor to paint it.

Then I decided to use my Inktense Blocks by Derwent. I wet the blocks and painted the poinsettia shades of pink, red and green.  I added multiple layers and was very happy when I dropped in blue near the center of the poinsettia. It was looking good.

Then I turned my attention to the background. I wet it  with my brush and dropped in the colors I had used into the background. It didn’t take long before  I flashed back to when I did watercolor ( last fall) and how I used to do backgrounds first. That was my first mistake. I persevered. What resulted was a very watered down background that was very pastel- like. I wasn’t happy with it so I set it aside and did other cards. You can watch the YouTube videos by following this link which will take you to the Christmas playlist. There will be at least 4 Christmas card videos there to watch.

Still not  happy with the cards, I decided to redo the background. What did I have to lose? I was going to toss them anyway.  I used a couple shades of green and blue and rubbed the brush on the Inktense Blocks  to create a very wet and pigmented Thro background. The pink you see was there from my first background. When I was happy with the background I sprinkled salt on it. The salt gives it texture. It pulls some of the pigment in adding lots of dimension to the background.

I got out my Lindy’s Starburst sprays and opened them up. Dangerous I know.  I used the Poinsettia Red Gold for the flowers. See the shimmer of gold.  I used Ponderosa Pines Olive for the leaves. I applied the color with a very fine liner brush. The green had a silver blue tinge that looked too grey so I used my  Wilton Juniper Green homemade spray over top. Then I outlined all with my Micron Pen.

 

I wanted to add some gold to the background. But how could I stamp over the poinsettia? I decided that since I couldn’t I would splatter thinned acrylic gold paint over the whole card. Here is card #1.

Then I remembered I had seen people stamping the stamp on paper and cutting it out to make a mask to cover what you don’t want to get stamped. So that’s what I did.  I used my Old Letter Writing Script stamp and applied gold acrylic paint with a makeup sponge. Here is card #2.

In the end I got two cards I am very happy with and I used a couple different techniques I’ve never done along the way. I wouldn’t have done either if I had just tossed these cards. So, word to the wise. Don’t throw out your mistakes. Work with them and learn the lessons they have to teach you.

CreativeKady

 

How to Effectively Use Black in Art Journaling: Techniques

This technique is a very simple, yet very effective and striking. Above you see the backs of the start of a pocket letter.

It started out as a piece of 11X14  piece of mixed media paper from Canson. I applied a layer of gesso to it. After drying I got out my Inktense Blocks and colored randomly with a multitude of colors. I sprayed with water and activated the ink from the Inktense Blocks with my fingers. I blended colors , adding more color until I got a background I liked.  I dipped a paper towel in any areas that got too wet or where water was pooling.

When dry I used the stencil Flower Medley  and taped it down in the corners so it wouldn’t move. I  applied black craft paint with a make up sponge. I start at  the top and work my way down, being careful not to have too much paint on the sponge so it wouldn’t leak under the stencil. I find applying two lighter layers of paint allows for more control. Lift off the stencil and dry. I have a tub of water and dishsoap handy to put stencils in so clean up is easier.  I cut the piece into 3 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches -the size of an ATC. I added designs and quotes to the other side specific to the person who received the pocket letter.

Here is the same technique used on an art journal page.

This art journal page was made using the same stencil technique. The only difference here is I spread acrylic paint in fall leaf colors onto the gessoed surface before I applied black paint through a leaf stencil from Plaid. After applying the black paint through the stencil I splattered gold acrylic paint and adhered a quote with gel medium.

I printed off the quote on paper that is thicker than regular copy paper, but copy paper will work. I colored the paper with Distress Ink Walnut Stain. I used liner brush to make the letters blacker and outlined the letters with my cheap dollar store gold gel pen.

Here is an ATC made using the same technique. I used Inktense Blocks here and Crafter’s Workshop Stencil ” Flower Frenzy”  and stamped it with a wooden script stamp. I outlined the flowers using Uniball Signo white gel pen.

As you can see the variations are endless. Give it a try. Use black through a stencil or mask. Be sure to come back and post the results.

CreativeKady

Using Inspiration Prompt Sticks: Just Bloom

 

This art journal was created using my Inspiration Prompt Sticks that I blogged about just the other day. http://wp.me/p6ASQH-4d   Here’s the link if you want to check it out .

For this art journal page I picked the following Inspiration Prompt Sticks

Red: Paint or Ink Medium: Use sprays    Purple: Texture: Use bubble wrap/punchinella

Green: Pattern: Use masking tape           Blue: Color or Theme: Use summer theme

Orange: Technique: Collage                       Yellow: Additional Details: Work with white space

First I applied Liquitex Gesso to the page. I do this because it primes the paper and prepares it to handle wet mediums. To be honest it also helps me get “into” the creative zone or buys time when I don’t know what to do. On this page it did all three.

I got out masking tape and using my dollar store find curvy ruler cut the edges to make curves. I applied this to the page. This will prevent any color from getting on whatever I cover. This hits two of my prompts, use masking tape and work with white space. Gotta love a two-fer.

I then got out Dylusions stencil called “Flower Medley” and sprayed three of my homemade Inktense Block sprays through the stencil. I used 600 Shiraz ( one of my favorites) 210 Cadmium Yellow and 720 Thistle. On my YouTube Channel I made a series of 7 ( yes 7) videos of uses of Inktense Blocks. No, I’m not paid by them, I just really like the versatility of Derwent’s Inktense Blocks.  Here’s the link to  the playlist that has all of them. The one dealing with sprays is Number 2. Do yourself a favor though, while there is a lot of information there, go through all of them. If you do you will  get the most out of this product.

After drying this I used both punchinella and bubble wrap and used it to make designs on the  page. I used similar colors of my craft paint. I have the Ceremcoat brand from my folkart days. I mixed butter yellow, tangerine and ivory for one color, butter yellow for the next and bright red. the red looks pinkish because of the colors from the sprays. I removed the masking tape at this time. Be careful and go slow so you don’t remove some of the paper. I used painter’s tape. You can buy special art tape, but I’ve never used anything but the painter’s tape. I get mine from Walmart.

 

Then I used my Bo Bunny Stamp to making the stitch-like border and a Recollections flower stamp randomly over page. I used my black StazOn  for both because I thought it needed a pop of black and, well because it was my only stamp pad at that time.

The daisy picture I had in my stash. I had cut it out from a magazine. I cut it in half and I adhered each half with mod podge. Feeling that the picture needed more definition. I used my Neo-color IIs to darken the flower and make it blend more into the page. While I used Neo-color IIs  I could have used my Inktense Blocks or Pencils. My decision to use my small set of Neo-color IIs was because I just got them from Amazon and I have a rule about using new things immediately. ( not kidding) . I shaded around the flower with black and brown. I used vermillion, orange and yellow on the flower itself.

I typed out the quote on my computer and chose the Scrap It Up font. I printed it on deli paper. See my YouTube channel for this video. After cutting this out I adhered it with Mod Podge Matte into the white space I had created with the masking tape.

I love this page and I know that I would never have created it without the process of using my Inspiration Prompt Sticks. They challenged and pushed me and I created better for it.

If you haven’t followed my blog yet, please do so on the right by entering your email. Two good things happen when you do this. One, you get an email when I post a new blog. ( right now I’m trying to blog each day, but after Christmas this will not continue. I will still post often, bringing you lots of ideas and inspiration. The second thing that will happen if you are an email follower is that periodically I will be sending out an exclusive “goody” . This time I’m letting you know it is happening, but after that I will just do it as a thank you for following.

Here’s an invitation to you all. Use the same prompts I used and post your page or ATC back on here. I’d love to see your creativity.

I just created a Facebook Group so there is a place to share what you create and can develop “creationships” with others on this creative journey. The group is called CreativeKady: All Things Mixed Media. Hope to see you there. 

CreativeKady

 

Wanted: Inspiration… Look Here

Lost your inpiration ?  Want   to challenge yourself?  Want to use your supplies ? Want to keep out of an art journaling rut?  Then this post will help you do just that.

Just after I started art journaling I decided to make myself a set of inspiration prompts. I had been watching a lot of YouTube Videos and was writing down different techniques and supplies that I saw being used and  that I wanted to try. I also saw several videos where people made  different kinds of prompt cards. I even watched one where the artist was selling hers.

I decided to make my own. First I made a set on the back of playing cards. But even as I was making them I realized that they needed to be organized into categories. So I switched geers mid inspiration deck and did just that.

I brainstormed as many prompts as I could. Then I looked over all the prompts and  decided to use 6 different categories: Paint or Ink Mediums, Texture, Pattern, Color and/or Theme, Techniques and Additional Details.

After typing them up I printed them off on deli paper. I bought tongue depressors at our local dollar store. I chose to buy the pre-colored ones to save myself a step.  I used Mod Podge Matte to adhere the prompts to the sticks. I put one on each side of the stick.

HOW DO I USE MY INSPIRATION STICKS 

Most often I pick a stick  of each color. Since there are prompts on each side I get to “pick” which one fits best. I allow myself to turn in only 1 stick and repick, but you can make your own rules about that. Now I have the basis of my new journal page. I’ve seen others on YouTube do them in the order they draw them. I don’t do that. I look over my series of prompts and start to pull the materials specified. Then I pick a prompt  to start with . The art journal page Where Flowers Bloom Angels Sing was created using prompt sticks in this way. Here’s the link to my YouTube video showing it.

Another way I use my Inspiration Sticks is when I’m stuck in the middle of a page and don’t know what to do. I grab a handful of sticks and look them over. Usually it doesn’t take long before I find one that is ” just right” and makes the page.

When I started the blog I wanted to find a way to “treat” my email followers with little “gifts” periodically . I will be mailing out a link to all  my present email followers that will give you the Word document where I’ve typed up all my categorized prompts. You will have to click on the link to get the document. Now depending on what kind of word processing programs you have, kinds of fonts  plus plus plus the formating I did may or may not come exactly Don’t panic or email me. All you will need to do is save it to your word program ( if you have Word, try to save it as a Word Document) and reformat it selecting fonts you have/like. You will also be able to delete those prompts that don’t work for you (materials you don’t have or even things you will never do) I promise I won’t take it personally . Start with what I send you and make it your own. 

Let me know how this works for you and how you made it your own. Also , would love to hear ways you use your Inpirational Prompt Sticks.

Tomorrow’s blog will be another art journal page  tutorial where I use the prompt sticks to guide me.

CreativeKady

 

“Your Feet Don’t Anchor You” : 3 Techniques To Try

As I said in a previous blog post the small size of the ATCs make them perfect to free yourself and try new techniques without worry of cost , amount of time. In this ATC I throw caution to the wind and try out 3 different techniques:

1. Lifting color through a stencil
2. Using gel medium through a stencil
3. Using Pouring Medium

First I appied a layer of white gesso to the ATC card. This card I cut out of the thin cardboard (about the thickness of a manilla tag folder) that came in the packaging of a stencil I had purchased. ATCs measure 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches.

I then take 3 colors of Derwent’s Inktense Blocks : 740 Mauve,1300 Teal Green, and 850 Deep Blue and applied them to the gessoed surface. I sprayed water on the color and activated the colors with my fingers. I took care to NOT blend the colors as I wanted the three colors to remain. I used the heat tool to dry.

I then put a stencil ( don’t remember which one) over the card and using a baby wipe remove some of the color from the Inktense Blocks. This adds a bit of texture and another dimension to the card. After this dried I used my black StazOn inkpad and stamped the card with the Hero Arts “Old Letter Writing” wooden stamp.  This gives more interest to the card.

Now using the Joggles Amoeba stencil and my Golden Gel Medium I apply the gel medium through the stencil using a palette  knife trying to keep the application smooth. I let this dry naturally as I didn’t want any bubbling to occur. The gel medium dries clear.

Once dry I paint the raised surface black using black craft paint. Once completely dry I take the Liquitex Pouring Medium and, you guessed it poured it onto the surface of the card. This Pouring Medium is  not self leveling so I push it around and make sure it covers the entire card including on top of the raised gel medium stenciled part.

After letting this dry overnight I adhered the quote and attached the flower with gel medium.I bought the flower from Your Dollar Store With More. It is the Forever In Time brand. I’ve seen this brand at several other dollar stores including Dollarama.  I outlined the quote with my Stabilo All Pencil. Used black StazOn to edge the card.

This whole card shines beautifully. The pouring medium really makes the colors pop. I can’t wait to try using Pouring Medium on a canvas.

If you have worked with pouring medium, please share your projects. Would love to use this more.

Keep Creating

CreativeKady

ATC: LOVE- Plastic Wrap Technique

Learn how to create an ATC or art journal page using the techniques used on this card.

As always I started by applying a coat of white gesso. I use Liquitex Professional on this one. Once dry I get out four colors of Inktense Blocks : 850 Deep Blue, 1200 Sea Blue, 1220 Green Aquamarine, 1230 Mallard Green. I apply onto gesso, spray with water and mix with my fingertips. I add colors and blend until I achieve a pleasing background. I then applied plastic wrap on top and crinkle it. I set this aside to dry on its own. Drying time will vary with how wet you’ve made it.

When dry I pull off the plastic wrap and adhere the deli paper which I had stamped with the dangling hearts. I don’t know the name of this stamp, but I have seen it at Michaels.

I colored the hearts with the # 850 Deep Blue Inktense Block. Then I outlined the stamped image with my black Pitt pen. This was necessary as I wanted the stamp to stand out more.

I used black StazOn inkpad to darken the edges of the card and to stamp the word Love. The font stamp set I bought at Michaels . It’s the Recollections brand. I used my white Unibal Signo to dot the letters of the word Love and to outline the hearts.

If you don’t have Inktense Blocks to color the card/page don’t worry. You can use many different mediums with the plastic wrap technique. I proved that in my  YouTube video . I’ve put the link below so please go check it out. While there please subscribe to my channel. That way you will be notified of all new videos. And while there may be the occassional overlap of material on these two forums, I am taking care to put different things on each to make it worth your while.

Have fun using this technique. Please post your cards/pages here.

You Are My Missing Piece-An ATC Tutorial

I

Throughout my entire life I  always did something creative: cross stitching, paper tole, folk art, landscaping.  Then I didn’t. I don’t know when or why exactly it changed, but it did.

Then about three or four years ago I ended up off work for 6 months with my fibromylgia, migraines and a multiple chemical sensitivity. While recouperating I discovered Pinterest. All the posts of water colors called to me. My husband picked up on this and bought me a one huge one box fits all art set. I started to dabble in watercolor. I discovered YouTube videos. I was hooked. I loved getting creative.  Something in me perked up. Then last February I discovered mixed media and art journaling. It’s not an exageration to say that art now fills my mind and is part of every day in some way. It balances me. In fact you can say  creating or art was my “missing piece.”

I started by gessoing the Artist Trading Card ATC. I used Liquitex Professional Gesso. Why? It was on sale and when I started I didn’t know any difference.

I took my Inktense Blocks and colored on the gesso using violet, pink and teal colors. I blended them with my fingers  and water and dried it with my heat tool. While I used Inktense Blocks you could do the same with Neo-Color IIs, pastels, watercolor crayons.

I then sprayed the card with Lindy’s Stampgang Starburst Sprays in the colors, Violet Purple Teal and Afternoon Delight Denim. If you haven’t used these let me tell you they are AMAZING. The Starburst line has two toned shimmer. An effect you can’t duplicate and well worth the price ( in my mind). Again, don’t have Lindy’s use whatever kind of spray you have, if it has shimmer all the better.

I stamped the card with Dylusions stamp heart dangles from the set entitled ” Inbetweenies”. I used black StazOn ink. Substitute with any pattern stamp.

Then I gessoed the puzzle pieces. I bought the puzzle at the second hand store. A great place to find some well priced art materials by the way. I sprayed the puzzle pieces with the same two Starburst sprays I mentioned above. I repeated the spray , drying the pieces until I got an effect I liked. I then outlines the pieces with a Pitt fine liner pen.

I printed off the quote and sprayed the words with another Starburst spray called Tibetan Poppy Teal. I glued the words onto the puzzle pieces and the puzzle pieces onto the card using Golden Gel Medium. I then tool my white Uniball Signo pen and went over the letters and added dash marks around the card. The color of the sprays does bleed through the white somewhat- but I like the effect.

Please take time to share your story of how you came to your “art”. I’d love to hear about it.

CreativeKady