Gesso and a Dry Brush Video

Hello!
Well I'm back from Edinburgh, had a day's rest and feeling very enthused again…so enthused that I have made another video tutorial!
More on the video in a moment but first I wanted to share with you this abstract painting I am working on using the string technique.
Click Pictures For a Larger View


I found this technique using gesso and string on a website called Loving Mixed Media, it's really worth checking out if you like experimenting with mediums, lots of inspiration and great tutorials.
Ok on to the video, I loved the colours I used in the abstract above so decided to use them on this project using gesso as a textured background and dry brushing acrylic paint on top.
I have decorated a tag and an old perfume box pictured below.


For the tag I stippled the gesso on with a sponge dabber and the box I applied the gesso with a fan brush to give a different texture as you can see in these close-ups.


The secret to achieving this effect is the lighter you go the dryer your brush needs to be, finishing off with hardly any paint in the brush whatsoever.
Note; You will need an acrylic paint with a good pigment like Americana for this to work and if using cardstock a good flexible smooth gesso.
Right I will stop babbling on….here's the video, be warned some of the longer text instructions disappear a bit too quick so have your pause button ready!…PS please give it the thumbs up if you find it of use, it helps with the ratings….thanks!

Urban Grunge Background Video

Hi all,
I have put together a video on the Urban Grunge Background technique featured in my last post.
Here are some of the results I have managed to do with it.

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Tutorial using Distress Ink, Acrylic & Gloss sealer

Really hope you find it useful.

Andy

East Of India

These East of India tags from Calico crafts have been on my desk for a couple of weeks now and I finally got a chance to do something with them.
These super strong luggage labels come in Black, natural and white. They are ready punched and strung with twisted paper twine.

The first picture was made using a natural tag and the second one of the black ones.

Stamps from my Stitch in time set were used for the first tag.
I first stamped the sewing pattern with VersaMark and embossed with clear embossing powder.
Next I blended fired brick and faded jeans Distress inks around the edges.
Faded jeans was then used to stamp the cotton real and Brushed corduroy for the tailors rule.
A Stitch in time was then stamped with Archival black and the tag was finished of with an old button and the cool tailors scissor’s from Calico’s Steampunk range of pendants.

Stamps from my nature set were used on the second tag along with some decoupage paper and Perfect Pearls.

Here is a quick tag I made using Decopatch paper on 300 gsm cardstock with some of Lindsay Masons new stamps.


Andy

A New Video

Hello all,
I have just posted a new video on YouTube showing my image transfer technique part 2.

Just a bit of fun really, hope you enjoy!

Andy

Light Relief Gesso Backgrounds

Hi everyone,
I have been working lots with gesso textures lately by applying it with a pallet knife and stamping into it. I wanted to attempt creating a stamped gesso background on card with a light relief so that when dry I could happily stamp onto it without loosing much detail in the stamped image due to the irregular surface.
Firstly I applied a thin layer of gesso onto the card stock with a flat paint brush and immediately stamped into it. Once dry I started to build up layers with acrylic paint, it may not look like it but there are 5 different colours on there! I finished off with a little Distress ink before stamping with Archival Black.

Here is the result!

This close up shows the delicate gesso texture in more detail.

The other great thing about this technique is that because the gesso is applied so thin it dries really quick, just be sure to wash your stamps immediately after use.

Andy

Mixed Media Backgrounds

Below are a few test pieces using the watercolour, gesso and acrylic paint method mentioned in my last post inspired by Helga Strauss.
On the first piece of cardstock I have used a castle stamp from Lindsay Masons new designs along with the geese from my Nature set.


The Gesso gives fantastic texture to the cardstock as you can see in the close up picture below.
I"m currently working on a quick PDF tutorial for this technique which I will post here as soon as it is finished so don't forge t to check back!

Andy

Seize Life Tag Tutorial

Here is the first of the 11 tag tutorials

New Stamp Sets

Good Morning, I finally worked out how to use my phone as a dongle for the laptop so here are the new designs! I will post some tags made using the stamps later today after the show.
Enjoy your day
Andy