Media Canvas

Morning Friends and Crafters, I will be sharing a few more posts with you this week and then I will be having a break for a little while. So today I m sharing a media canvas that I made using one of my A5 Media Stencils,here I have used 'Bailey'. I hope you enjoy the tutorial.

You will need:

Craftascope 'Bailey' A5  (Approx 8 1/4 x 5 3/4) Media Stencil

Selection of Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylics
Amsterdam Acrylics (They go a long way)

Canvas Board 8 x 8

White Gesso

Black Fine Liner 1.0

HB Pencil

Selection of Acrylic Brushes

Palette Knife

Step 1: Mix some of the Blue Acrylic with some white Gesso to thin it, use this to prime your canvas board. Use the fine liner and stencil to add the face to your canvas. This is just a guide at the moment. (dont forget you only need one edge to make the face no the full shape) choosing either the inside, outside or mixture of the lines with give you a different look. Stat building up your colours and textures, This project is all about layering, which will show through to give you the depth.

Step 2: Next start adding you lighter blues, whites and more of the warmer tones for the face. Maybe add some splatters as well, I find these are easiest with a fan brush, always wash it out straight away. Leave this to dry before replacing the stencil and roughly adding the details with an HB pencil. Again this is mainly a guide for you.

Step 3:  Continue adding more depth and texture to the background, start adding shadowing and shaping the face, you might prefer to use a finger or brush for this. Use a small brush to add some definition to the features. The lips are best not so defined as it can make them look unnatural but we can subdue them later.

Step 4: Now add more dimension to the face, bringing in even more of the warmer tones to add the illusion of the facial curves. Use deeper tones of the cooler colours to add shadows under the jawline and chin.

Step 5: Now it's just a case of fine tuning until you re happy with the result, Start dulling won the lips to blend them in more. Oncce again, dont forget it's not finished until you are happy with it. You can always add more to it, it's your artwork and creation, this is not a portrait, but your expression of one.

I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial I have shared with you today, along with the finished project. I do hope you will have  ago yourself, especially if it's something you've not tried before, it's all about having fun, dont forget.

Please take a look at my Etsy shop, the link is at the top of my blog. If you do want anything I will only be sending out until the end of  the week unless I can arrange something, if not the shop will close until my return. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Mixed Media Acrylic Portrait

Morning Friends and Crafter, Im back today with another mixed media project for you, There are lots of extra photos to go with this tutorial, making it very easy to follow. It's one of those pieces that really does look better in real life the camera just hasn't picked up the colour as much as I would have liked. With Cyber Weekend in full swing it's really a good time to get all of your essentials and while your at it why not treat yourself to something new.

You will need:

Craftascope A5 Media Stencil 'Bailey' (Only available at my Etsy Shop or via Hochanda)

8 x 8 Board, Here I have used Zutter but any board will be perfect.

Pebeo Studio Acrylics Modeling Paste

Indigoblu 'Townhouse Teal Acrylic Paint

Pebeo Deco Paint (81) Mango

Dylusions 'Squeezed Orange'

Eco Green 'White' Acrylic Paint

Black Gesso

Step 1: Add a couple of inches of the modelling paste to your board.

Step 2: With a palette knife, spread over the surface unevenly.  

Step 3: Cover with a sheet of medical gauze, making sure it makes contact with the paste, especially around the edges.

Step 4: Start building texture around the board, making sure you leave an area for your portrait. Coat each layer with the paste before adding and molding to your project.

Step 5: Repeat step 4.

Step 6: Keep building layers as before to create as much texture and dimension as you like. Leave this to dry thoroughly before continuing.

Step 7: Start adding your background colours. Have lots of fun and dont think about it at all!!!

Step 8: Add a little white Gesso where the face will go, again dont be careful with it, keep away from heavy lines. Add the Gesso roughly. If you add to much you can always add more colour.

Step 9: Lightly trace your 'Bailey' Stencil, use only one set of lines, either the inside, outside or a mixture of both, you dont want to draw around all of them or you will get a thick line. each choice will give you a different look.

Step 10: Use a graphite pencil to deepen the lines of your face, roughly.

Step 11: Start building up more colour to you piece, darker around the edges by adding the smallest amount of black Gesso with your finger. Next use the mango, again with your finger to start building up the features, nose round the chin and cheeks. Use the colours first then to deepen use the smallest amount of black and only if needed, as the colours mix they will give you the depth.

Step 12, 13 & 14: Continue building your layers of colour, until you are happy. Don't worry if you go through stages, when you dont like it, carry on. I went through a lot with this piece. Remember it's not finished till you decide and white Gesso is a very good friends sometimes.

My Etsy shop 'Craftascope' is now open and fully stocked, I have joined in the Cyber Weekend by adding a 20% discount on all orders over 30 pounds (or equivalent) with free postage and packing, until tomorrow, or while the stock lasts. There is a link at the top of each blog page or CLICK HERE.

I do hope you have enjoyed the Tutorial along with the finished project. Maybe try it especially if it's something you have never done before, It's always fun to try something new, It's always fun and there's never a dull moment in crafting, more inspiration to come so do pop back. Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Under the Sea

Morning Friends and Crafters, Today I am sharing a stitched project with you, using my Craftascope Dolphins set of stamps, along with the Under the Sea collection from Leonie. These have gone so well together to create a framed wall hanging. It was a really fun project to do, it would be very relaxing and enjoyable for those winter nights that will be upon us soon. It would also make a great gift.

You will Need:

Craftascope A5 Media Stamp Set 1

'Under the Sea' Collection by Leonie Pujol.

Fabric Ink Pad or Versafine

Selection of Threads

A Selection of Blue and Green Acrylic paints

Calico

Embroidery Hoop

8 x 8 Greyboard 

8 x 8 Greyboard Frame

Stick N Stay For Fabric

Step 1: Using the acrylic paints, start building up layers of colour on your fabric. I scrunched it up first to get some creases for more texture. Keep adding your paint in a random fashion to give an underwater feel and texture. I used a selection of things from a Brayer, Gelli Plate,sponges and brush.

Step 2: Continue to add colour and depth to your fabric, until you are happy with the result. Before adding to the hoop, iron to smooth the fabric, you ill see you have some lovely patterns where the creases were.

Step 3: Stamp you design, taking into account the size of your greyboard, then add to the hoop.

Step 4: Start to stitch your design, I have used a sort of satin stitch, I am not a regular stitcher so I am sure you will make an even better job than I have, it gives a great result if you overlap the stitches to blend the colours, rather than a definite line. But that is personal choice.

Step 5: When you have finished stitching, remove the work from your hoop. press first then stretch and secure your piece on to the board with Stick n Stay.

Step 6: Use a piece of the excess fabric to stamp the wave from Leonie onto an stitch all around the design. Add some PVA to the back of the embellishment, once dry trim around the edge with scissors.

Step 7: Add your frame using 3D glue gel, then position and secure the waves with the gel for even more depth and dimension. To create the wall hanging, simply attach some ribbon to the back of the frame.

Another thing, here is a 30% off voucher to use on your first order (anything) from Hochanda, use code FEY5JBP7.

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/

Thank you ever so much for joining me today, I do hope you have enjoyed the tutorial along with the finished piece. Hope you will pop by again for more inspiration. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Let your Spirit Soar

Morning Friends & Crafters, lovely to have your company again. Today I am sharing a card I made with just one set of my stamps along with the Funky Wave stamp from Leonie. As most of you will know my favourite colour, so this was just perfect for me. A wonderful card which could be made to suit anyone and for any occasion.

You Will Need:

Dolphin Stamp Set 1

Funky Wave Stamp from Leonie

Blue Acrylics

White Acrylic or Gesso

Shrink Plastic

Colourblend Pencils

Salty Ocean Distress Oxide

Stayzon Black Ink

Brayer

Black Card

White Card Base

Heat Gun.

Step 1: Start by creating a nice layered background, using a coupe of blue acrylics, Brayer the darkest first and then layer up, adding the white after and build up the layers and texture until you are happy. This gives such a lovely texture for your background.

Step 2: Make copier paper masks for your dolphins and waves. Stamp the waves first, then mask them off. Then arrange your dolphins, remembering to mask off each time, always check the masks as they can slip. Next add your sentiment, when dry use the heat tool to shrink and mount onto black card.

Step 3: From the background piece you have made cut your layers, For the top layer you need a 4'' square, use the 'Love' & 'Compassion' to complete this background. I have used Salty Ocean to stamp the words. Mount this onto black card, leaving a narrow border.

Step 4: Take the next piece of background, this time 5 1/2'' square. Layer this onto a black mat with a narrow border.

Step 5: Layer your project onto a white/silver Centura Pearl base card.

Just a little extra here: If you have not shopped with Hochanda before, here is a voucher code giving you 30% off your first purchase (FEY5JBP7) it can be used for any purchase, feel free to share it.

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/


Until Tomorrow, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

Acrylic Portrait

Morning Friends and Crafters. Well the day has finally arrived, my first show on Hochanda at 4 pm this afternoon. All of the drawing,designing and re drawing has taken me on this exciting journey and what a scary journey it has been at times, I hope you will be rooting for me and praying that I wont end up on the bloopers reel lol. Today I am sharing a tutorial for one of the demonstrations that I hope there will be time for. I have chosen this project as it gives a really strong and punchy look, but it is totally achievable for everyone to create. I have just used one stencil from the collection, any of the words or sentiments from the collection would work, but I chose to leave it, for now anyway.

You will need:

Craftascope 'Trent' Stencil

Distress Crayons Set 3

Indigo Blu Townhouse Teal Acrylic Paint

White Gesso

Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Paint Orange Popsicle

Pencil

Purple Spritzer

Orange Spritzer

Black Card 12 x 12 9 (Smaller if Preferred)

Ste 1: Create your background with the acrylic paints and a Brayer. Build up your layers to create interest, texture and dimension. (*Top Tip* use rice paper or a piece of Calico to mop up any excess paint, this can be used for future projects. Another idea is to use an ATC size to create later.)

Step 2: Use the Spritzers to create another level of interest. Try letting the colours run either side of where your image will sit, like a sort of frame.

Step 3: Trace through your stencil with a pencil, these have been designed to give at least 3 different faces. By using either the inside line on it's own, the outside line on it's own or a mixture of the 2 lines. Remove the stencil and using the Black Distress Crayon strengthen the image.

Step 4: First using your White Distress Crayon, start by adding the shape and highlights to the face, add some white and rub in with your finger, decide where your light is coming from, here its from the right.

Step 5: Start by adding more shape with the black add the black and rub in with your finger, be sparing with this as it is a strong tone, less is more, continue until you are happy with the image. To finish your project you can add some of the brown and cream Distress Crayons to add texture to the hair.

Thank you so much for taking a look at what I have shared today, I hope you have enjoyed the tutorial and the finished piece. It would be great for you to have a go to see just what you can create. Hope you will join me on Hochanda today at 4 pm or if you have missed it you can see a repeat on Catch up. Another thing, here is a 30% off voucher to use on your first order (anything) from Hochanda, use code FEY5JBP7.

As you know I love writing my blog and helping as much as I can, well I would really love for you to add you support by adding me as a favourite blog. All you need to do in that section is choose other and add my blog address nickinbarnsley.blogspot It would be great to get a mention even if I dont come anywhere.

Here is the link to add your support for all of the categories. 

https://www.britishcraftawards.com/


Until Tomorrow, Take care and Happy Crafting.xx