An African Mystery

Hi. I have another big project for you today, in fact the largest piece I have done to date about 60 x 40cm. It's my piece for the All-and-Create Africa Challenge No4. The first idea was an African landscape, which evolved as a result of research, elements I wanted to create and a story. There are a lot of elements all of which, tell just one version of a mans journey. So what's the story surrounding this mans life? Was he part of the Trans-Saharan gold trade, providing gold to the Mediterranean economies that demanded it. The man was unearthed at the foothills near to the Sahara Desert. Among his possessions were some trade beads, traced back to Ghana, threaded onto copper wire. Whats your version of his story?  

To start with I created his face using a polystyrene head and allginate. This was filled with plaster, I made the mould to one side rather than face on.

The face was secured to my board. Then using polystyrene, I created the high and low points to start the land.

Using Ivory Powertex and Calico I began building the landscape, creating Mountains,hills,valleys and delta's.

The next layer was sand to create the ground, here i used a selection of fine and medium sand. Then added more layers of a texture paste in certain areas which gives another interesting texture, completely different to the sand.

To add pictorial interest to my piece and tie in with the story and theme, I create a landscape within a map of Africa. I made a stencil with copier paper and then used distress inks.

Then it was back to the main piece, building up various layers of colour from pale creams, yellows through to oranges and reds, leaving each to dry before moving on to the next. 

The final stage of the landscape was to create even more dimension, texture and colour. I decided to use rust, with it's lovely rich but sometimes unpredictable colours, which was scary. I went back to this many times with vinegar, brushing and moving it around to get the effect I wanted. Here is a photo of part of the process. It's looking a little disastrous and close to going in the bin.I was constantly worrying, wondering whether all the work so far had been wasted.

This project was a great learning process for me. I had loved geography and studied (minimally) parts of Africa in secondary school. This time round I read about the trading beads and found photos of some from Ghana. I wanted to make some and include them as an element in the finished piece. First I rolled out some paper clay into thin sausages and left to dry.

Next, I painted them with matt black gesso.

I then painted the 3 thin lines with yellow ochre.

To add the design, I used a white 4Artist marker from Pebeo.

Colouring the face came next, I had already built up the colour as I did the landscape, but now needed to tie it in with the background, I used layers of burnt umber, black and reds, distressing these as I went to get the finished result.

The first layer of rust was finally finished, I was extremely happy with the effect and wonderful colours it had given.

I layered up my pictorial element onto black card, drew in a double black line to create a frame and stamped using a mixed font from Clarity.

Meanwhile I added more rust and texture around the face to ensure it appeared as part of the landscape rather than just stuck in.I wanted it too look like it was coming 'OUT OF AFRICA'

Thank you for stopping by today and taking a look at this project. I hope you like all of the photos, the close ups really show the detail off, much of which is impossible to see without seeing it in real life. Take care and Happy Crafting.

Rose Twists

Here is a lovely gilded wall hanging with a twist. It's been made with the wonderfully detailed 3D Embossing folders, launched on Hochanda by Crafters Companion. If you would like to see the shows for even more inspiration take a look at the  Rewind Facility on the Hochanda website.

To begin with I embossed the 'English Rose' onto Matt Black Cardstock and cut out the centre cartouche.

Next, I took a couple of leaves and painted them with Pebeo black Gesso.

The leaves were then wired onto copper, using the same copper wire I created some copper twists by winding it around a pencil.

I then attached the roses onto the wired leaves, then painted all of the copper with black gesso.

I trimmed the embossed card to the edge of the design, then cut another piece of black card and cut to the same size, for the backing.

For the backing, I took a piece of scrunched up tissue paper, secured it to my card and painted with black gesso. This was to show through the aperture so there is no need to cover the whole area.

Next I took my embellishments and using the Pebeo Gilding wax, added highlights, Here I have used Empire and Renaissance golds. I then added a little red Iridescent Watercolour paint by Cosmic Shimmer.

The excess tissue was torn from the background once dry. I highlighted the creases with Silver and Empire gold Gilding wax to bring out the texture.

I applied the Empire and Renaissance gold gilding waxes to the embossed design.

To finish the piece, I secured ribbon to the inside of the backing sheet, then applied 2 layers of 3 mm foam tape for depth. Before attaching the front I added a generous amount of Collall 3D Glue Gel to the lower half, making sure it wouldn't be seen through the window. Then I arranged the roses and other embellishments, inserting the wires into the glue gel I had applied previously.

I do hope you have enjoyed the step by step and the finished piece I have made. I hope to see you again very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx