Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Mixed Media Tutorial

Each member of the 7gypsies Design team was asked to create something for the new release using one of the new papers.  I picked the paper, 'Balloons' that has the silhouette of a girl. Some of the new "Off the Wall" collection paper really screams mixed media or at least that's what came to mind when I got the paper in the mail.  Here's how I created it....

Cut a piece of plywood 7 x 10"
Paint the entire piece with Gesso, let dry.
Once dry, smooth it out with sandpaper.  Use a tack cloth to get rid of excess dust.
Use acrylic paint in some bright colors (don't worry I haven't lost my mind), let dry.
Next, cover the colors with Titan Buff.
NOTE: I added a bit of water to the paint I had squeezed from the bottle so I could still see the paint underneath.
Now a bit of white, let dry.
Once dry, I sanded it back to bring out more of the colors underneath.
Now to start layering...first a vintage library card.  I chose this one on purpose because of the name of the book, "Neat and Scruffy".  I used Claudine Hellmuth, Multi Medium to adhere all the ephemera. 
I felt the library card needed to be knocked back a bit so I used the same watered down white paint I used earlier and a large brush to add a white wash layer.  
Next, a ripped piece of a ledger was added.
I cut out the silhouette of the girl for layering on the library card but there was so much of the paper left that I decided to rip the top the paper with the word Sunlight so I could adhere it to the top of the wood.
Next, the new 7gypsies Alphabet...love it.  I always use Archival Ink because it is fade resistant.  I learned the hard way since my first pieces, on which I used Staz-on, have faded away.  Not good.
People ask me if I write on the board first but I don't.  Sometimes if the phrase or quote is very long I will plan it out on paper just to see the spacing but for the most part I just eyeball it and cross my fingers.
After the lettering, I adhered the black balloon to the piece and circled it with a thin Sharpie.  The string is just red sewing thread that I dipped in Multi Medium and then manipulated to look as natural as possible.
The last steps include adding the ruler to the bottom (I drilled a couple holes in the ruler so I could add the brads to each ends) then hand drawing little flowers along the bottom.  The orange and green color comes from watercolor crayons (Caran d'Ache).  The words "tell me what you seek" was cut from a book.  Funny, it usually takes me a while to find words I want to cut out but this time I quite literally opened the book and saw the words.  I personally think it was a blessing from heaven since I had so much on my plate the week I was working on this.
This is definitely one of my favorite pieces I have made in a while.  In fact I wish it was still hanging on my wall instead of in the 7gypsies office!  I guess when the paper is finally released I can make a similar one.
Cheers to all!
paula

22 comments:

  1. Great art collage. Your layers of color and effort are truly what draw the eye in to see every detail. Love the girl cut out. Happy collaging...

    ReplyDelete
  2. This piece is incredible! For some reason I find myself just staring at it and getting lost in it...maybe it conjures up memories of when I was a little girl..not sure...the words you chose for this piece were perfection...and the ruler, what a great addition!!!
    Thank you for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just love it! Thanks for sharing how you did it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is lovely! Thank for the tutorial...love how you achieved the background! And I can't wait to get these goodies now and try something like this for my house.

    ReplyDelete
  5. oh wow! this is amazing!! LOVE everything about it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paula you always create the most incredible things. I love that you can use found objects without the need to hoard... you know what I'm talkin' about. Hope to see you in Arizona again soon. Your friend on the Avenue of the Arts.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is just a magnificent piece!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this piece! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really love it, thanks for going step by step!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This has turned out so great and thanks for all the helpful steps you detailed. Really looking forward to that paper coming out.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just love this quote...just pinned it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is fabulous! I love the details and how you created the background for everything to "rest" on! Reminds me of a carefree day during my childhood!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This project is wonderful, and I was so glad that you showed us step by step how you created it. Loved your hints about Archival Ink not fading, as some others do, and how you dipped the string in multi-medium to give it a little sculptability and for it to adhere.
    I am curious as to why you chose to use solid plywood for the project, rather than say a canvas frame or a lighter weight material for the base? Again, a beautiful project, and thank you for sharing. ls4atwindstreamdotnet

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful! And I love the ruler at the bottom.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you so much for this post! I've been wondering how to do these layered collages :) Yippeee!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, this is so pretty, I love the layers and colors, so nice!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Linda asked me why I used the thick plywood wood on this piece and not something lightweight like a canvas.
    I use canvas all the time but when you are going to stamp on it, it can become troublesome to place something underneath the canvas so you can use the rubber stamps. I have tried many things like books and such but it is always a little precarious.
    I had the wood in my garage, the piece wasn't large and so I thought why not? I really didn't want to go to Home Depot to get more. Both the painting and stamping were a breeze and of course no worries about shoring up the canvas for stamping.
    paula

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful piece! I love the layers and details! Fabulous job! TFS

    ReplyDelete