Titled Watermedia Sampler, it was similar to Barbara Close's in terms of painting background pages and using a variety of techniques to affect the final product.One of the differences, though, is that rather than using watercolor, she had us prepare a highly diluted acrylic, using water and tube-acrylics. They are mixed in small water bottles with sports caps on them.
Then the fun begins -- using a cookie sheet, you wet your paper, squirt color on the page.
Then you add another -- generally up to three. Let them bleed or run together.
We did eight pages -- seven of which used this technique. On each of those pages (using 300 watercolor paper as the substrate) we used a variety of "add-ons": kosher salt, sand, a mixture of the two, powders, charcoal and pastels scraped into a fine powder using a razor blade, alcohol, lace paper, Rit dye.
On the eighth sheet, we made a design in Tar Gel. Later we painted the area around this design and using a gold or copper foil (similar to Jones-Tones), we ironed over the tar gel, leaving the metallic. (The page below has Rit Dye and gold powder.)
After that we made a book with samples of each page.Well, some of the folks made a book. I was stumped with the binding and I didn't finish mine in class, but here it is now!
I have to say I had a great deal of fun in this class, although I think they overfilled it considering the size of the room. (I thought that about Barbara Close's class as well. This conference needs larger workspaces for the type of work we were doing.)
That said, I will most definitely do this technique again and look forward to using the papers I made. There are lots of applications for the "final pieces" -- backgrounds for mixed media collage, tags, cards, and even as accent pieces.
Just work in an area where you can make a big mess and have lots of room to dry your stuff! (A hotel room wasn't quite the spot!)
That looks like fun! I think I had something like that when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteKarla
This looks like something I'd like to try. Thanks for sharing all the pics!
ReplyDeletejust awesome. what a way to spend time - doing this lovely (and usable) art and making books as a result.
ReplyDeletesigh.
Really you've done not only some wonderful art of your own here but recorded it for all of us as well and that's a feat all on its own - and we LOVE it!
I know you're busy "art-ing" this weekend and wonder if we'll get to see the results of that, too?
Haven't been upstairs to my writing (& craft) room but will keep you posted!
just awesome. what a way to spend time - doing this lovely (and usable) art and making books as a result.
ReplyDeletesigh.
Really you've done not only some wonderful art of your own here but recorded it for all of us as well and that's a feat all on its own - and we LOVE it!
I know you're busy "art-ing" this weekend and wonder if we'll get to see the results of that, too?
Haven't been upstairs to my writing (& craft) room but will keep you posted!
gorgeous ... a bit like tie dye!
ReplyDeleteoxo
It sounds as though you had a wonderful time playing with colors and texture. Such fun. Enough room is always a good thing. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog!
ReplyDeleteWell done!........................................
ReplyDeletedid you know that often the paper towel is just as yummy as the paper....oh yeah, save the towels !!
ReplyDeleteThat looks ace. I'm very jealous of your crafting opportunity. Hope you had a ball and it helps when your feeling down. I find it calming being in my crafty space even when I'm not doing anything.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Sullivan is great! And this class seems really neat. A bit different than her acrylic layering work. What is the plastic tray you are working in? It almost looks like a house painter's roll tray but flat. Seems like a great way to keep the mess at bay...as much as possible :)
ReplyDelete