Friday, 29 March 2013

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.

Andy skinner gelli print decoart traditions
























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.


Andy Skinner Crackle paint

Have a great Easter weekend,

Andy


Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Coming up for air!

It's the end of what has been a very fun but busy few days and I'm coming up for air!
On Saturday I was at the Artistic Stamper in Faversham  running the second Tando gothic clock workshop using Decoart paints and mediums. I again was looked after very well and it was lovely to meet everyone in the class, I had a great day and I am sure you will agree they all did a fantastic job with there clocks.

Andy Skinner decoart altered art clock
















On Sunday I was at the Craft Barn, holding the first Gelli Plate workshop.
We used a mixture of both Decoart Americana and Traditions acrylic paint and took prints on both paper and acetate.
Unfortunately I forgot to take photo's but here are a few examples I made during the day.

Andy Skinner Decoart Gelli plate prints
















Andy Skinner Decoart Gelli plate prints


















Then onto Monday and I spent the day bespoke training on baby hand and foot keepsakes  and yesterday we held a Decoart product training day at Country love crafts in Oxfordshire.

So today I am trying to catch up with emails and everything else, apologies to anyone awaiting a reply from me, I will get there in the end.

A quick message to those who attended my book of ruination workshop at The Craft Barn a few weeks back, I lost the paper with your email addresses on :( could you email me for the pdf files?

Thanks for reading.

Andy




Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Work in Progress

A quick post to share a couple of canvases I am painting for a new live workshop at the Craft Barn on the 19th May

The first has been grunged up a little while the second is more calming I think.


andy skinner abstract canvas decoart acrylic paint


















A quick reminder that The Book of Ruination lifetime online workshop goes live 10am GMT this Friday, the introductory offer then ceases and the price will be £29.99




Thanks for reading,

Andy



Monday, 4 March 2013

Strange Goings-On at the Craft Barn

Yesterday was the last club day at the Craft Barn at its current premises, the next will be at the all new barn!

Grotesques were the item of the day, these little fellows are made from earthenware pottery which we painted with a mixture of Decoart Traditions and Americana acrylic paints.

Andy Skinner Acrylic Decoart Grotesque Altered Art
















Aren't they cute?!

Andy Skinner Acrylic Decoart Grotesque Altered Art
















Just a little?? lol

Andy Skinner Acrylic Decoart Grotesque Altered Art



















Andy Skinner Acrylic Decoart Grotesque Altered Art



















As it was the final club workshop there we decided to take a group photo.
When I returned home and viewed it on my computer I noticed something strange lurking in the background.... Is this the Ghost of the Craft Barn old??? lol

Andy Skinner Acrylic Decoart Grotesque Altered Art






























Bye for now and thank you for reading.

Andy