How to crackle without the waiting!

This is going to be a picture heavy long blog so go and grab a coffee as this may take some time lol.

First thing I need to share is the announcement yesterday that I have joined Decoart Inc, STANFORD, KY as executive creative consultant.
I will be assisting with product development, support of DecoArt’s Helping Artist Program, and technique video production as well as serving as DecoArt brand ambassador at trade shows and conferences.

I will continue my role with Country Love Crafts while serving as DecoArt’s executive creative consultant.

The collaboration is something I am very excited about, my head is absolutely buzzing with ideas at the moment and can't wait to get started, especially with a company who's products I believe in both for quality and their exceptional value for money, this is very important to me.

A link to the Press release showing all the details can be found  HERE  on my Facebook page.

Last Sunday I was at the Stamp Attic holding what was to be the last day of the 5 day techniques workshop, we kind off ran out of time so a new date will be added.

We had end of term cakes pictured below,... they know me to well!! :)

Next to share is a Gelli plate printed tag with dandelions painted on using a Posca white pen and a fine brush with American Titanium white, once dry subtle washes of acrylic colour were painted over the flowers.
I even had a go at making my own rub-ons for the words to some success, it was allot of faffing about though I have to admit.

Right, on to experiments with crackle paint, I have been wanting a reliable crackle paint where I can control the intensity of the cracks and to be able to dry it immediately.

The great Michael de meng blogged recently to say that he found by putting a layer of glue beneath Kroma crackle allowed him to dry it instantly, this gave a different type of crackle but one that was instant allowing it to be used in a one day workshop.

I had a go with painting a base-coat of Americana Cadmium orange and a little gold, once dry I added a generous coat of Americana Decoupage gloss glue and dried being careful not to blister it.

Finally Distress Crackle paint was applied and dried with a heat gun, within seconds the cracks started to appear as you can see below.

I was very happy with the result and will use this technique but I was still in search of larger cracks and yesterday I managed it with a concoction of different products, I was able to vary the effect from small to very large!! Going to keep this one to myself just for the time being until it's perfected but as you can see below, the cracks are very much chunkier and larger.




Have a great Easter weekend,

Andy