Art Class: Petroleum Resist Technique

 

This week we’re going to learn a really fun, and easy acrylic resist technique using – what else – petroleum jelly!

Materials needed:

• Acrylic paint
• Petroleum Jelly
• Cleansing clothes

Here’s the general idea of the application: you will apply petroleum jelly with your fingers (since it’s hard to clean from brushes) to the areas that you do not want paint applied to. Next, you will paint all over everything. Once dry – and it’s very important that it’s completely dry you can wipe away the jelly using some sort of cleansing cloth: baby wipes, face wipes, ect. And – tadda! That’s it! Simple! Right?

Now for the demo :) I am starting with an ‘already-in-progress’ piece.

I’ll start with some progress pictures, and then show you the resist demo. There are collage and mixed media elements to this painting.

As you can see, I’ve already applied two layers of resist. We are going to now add the third and final layer.

1. Apply the petroleum jelly to the areas that you would like preserved. Thicker the better, you don’t want any paint to get through.
2. Apply paint to your piece. Wait until dry
3. Wipe off and enjoy!

Golden Aspiration – Mixed Media on 5x7” canvas board.

As you can see, you can layer the resists to create neat effects.

Colour Inspiration: Frosty

 

Color by COLOURlovers

Happy (6)

…crisp and clean mornings

Shipping Deadlines

It’s that time of year again!

I just wanted to make sure that no one is disappointed with late packages.

Happy (5)

A spa hour in the Blue Mountains village...ahh

Purple Hair

So when I went to the hairdressers yesterday, for a second time this week. We were able to make the purple stay! We ended up mixing a more pink purple, and it took. We’re both still sort of boggled as to why it never took in the first place – my hair has had only one colouring treatment before this, the brown is natural colour, and it’s never been heavily bleached before. I guess it will stay a mystery.

It’s definitely ‘peek-a-boo’ colour, but that’s what I was going for. I work in health care, and so I don’t think I could get away with anything too crazy.

It’s two thick purple chunks on both sides. So to peak out perfectly when my hair is down and curled or straight. The show a lot more when it’s up.

I do love them a lot, and I’ll see how my experience with them goes (how long they last, ect). If it’s really positive, then I may just get a little bit more next time :)

Happy (4)

Weekend getaways with the one I love most.

My Creative Space

I’m on a bit of a mini-vacation this week, starting yesterday. So, last night I was up late dabbling and painting. I crawling into bed without straightening up, and this was my desk / creative space in the morning:

I had a whole table of watercolours, complete and in the works drying:

I also have a table full of family tree commissions – but since I know a lot of them are gifts, I don’t want to post them and ruin the surprises. I

Everything is cleaned up now:

I also got a little creative with my hair yesterday…

It’s a lot more blonde then before, probably the most blonde I’ve even been. Now, it’s not done – my hair is a work in progress (unfortunately). There is supposed to be a bright purple in there too…and well, as you can easily notice – there isn’t. I didn’t chicken out: the colour wouldn’t take *frowns*. She bleached out the blonde, and then applied some purple, and it just completely washed out – there’s not even a tint.

She’s going to try today…and I have my fingers crossed that it takes since I really wanted that splash of colour. If it doesn’t, then I’m just going to have to manic panic it I think. It won’t last as long, but at least it will be there.

Oh, and one last update: pooky has a name! Say ‘Hi’ to Charlie:

He’s still pretty shy. He has a castle now that he likes to hide in. I hope he becomes friendlier, but he does still keep my company when I’m working.

You can see more wonderful creative spaces, here.

Happy (3)

Getting my hair done

Monday Class: Inspiration–David Blackwood

David Blackwood is a Canadian artist who has recently exhibited at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). I was sad to realize only after he was gone that he had the exhibit. Nonetheless, if he had never exhibited, I would have never found his artwork.

He is a printmaker (etchings) and a painter – I am particularly a fan of his etchings. My favourite is the one above, of the whale called: Fire Down on the Labrador.

…I love this whole series of the iceberg, whale and sail ship images. Here is my inspirationally created image:

‘Old Norse Iceberg’ - watercolor on 140lb watercolour paper

The term ‘narwhale’ comes from an old norse word: nár – so I felt an appropriate title. Show me your David Blackwood inspired images!