Canvas Art - Christmas Angel

As I stated on the CLASSroom post yesterday I am completely intrigued by the possibilities of mixing stamping, canvas art and painting. When I find a new product line that I feel has many possibilities I just get giddy thinking about what I can create using those products. At Summer CHA it was the Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line that tickled my fancy Ü Being able to explore, experiment and learn is something that fascinates me and makes me happy - so my explorations with this product line continue. Below is a creation that is reminiscent of a class that I taught a couple of years ago. So today rather than creating "kitchen art" I put a bit of a festive twist on this little pieces of canvas art and painted it, rather than coloring the images in with pencil.

You could hang these little canvases in a series of three from a ribbon, or set them beside one another on your mantel. You could possibly even turn them in to little stocking holders if you find a simple base to adhere these to.

 

The completed canvas finished size is 4" x 4". These small canvases can be mounted on to a larger canvas surfaces for even more impact.

 

To begin I suggest that you prime the surface withgesso, even though these canvases come already primed. By adding additional layers it helps fill in some of the surface texture, making it easier to stamp on the canvas surface. The piece above has the first steps completed. This canvas was remaining from the class that I taught several years back and being I was on a limited "budget" of time today I thought I would just quickly explain these first two steps that were already complete. After priming the surface I then painted the entire surface with white acrylic paint. Next I inked a soft "foam" stamp using a deep blue chalk ink. I have carried these foam stamps in my store for FAR too long without explaining their purpose - it's about time I shared their purpose - LOL!

As you can see on the right side, the script that I had stamped is rather uneven. This is due to the fact that these little framed canvas pieces have a wood edge that dip down slightly. When using a foam stamp you can easily stamp right off the edge of the canvas without any side effects. The script was stamped using a Silver Encore ink. Once these inks had dried I once again brushed the canvas with a white acrylic wash. 

 

To segment my canvas I use painter's tape. I dipped one side of my brush in Sky Blue and the other side in Blank Canvas (white). Using the edge of the painter's tape as my divider I brush this color on to my canvas as shown. Remove the tape immediately and allow your paint to dry. Once dry I arranged the tape in the opposite direction and adding only Blank Canvas, created my "frame" for the stamped image.

 

As you can see the backs of these canvases show that they are primarily wood, with just a small hole in the section. When stamping on this canvas it is important to have a stable surface on which to stamp and so I fill this little hole with a piece of Penscore. (This is a foam-like material that comes in handy for all sorts of stamping projects.) 

 

I then ink my image with Palette Noir ink and stamp directly on to my canvas. As you can see some of the lines are not as distinct as I would like them to be due to the grain in the canvas, as well as my inability to always stamp evenly - LOL! 

 

Using my Copic Multiliner .05 I fill in any of the image that needs a better outline.

 

I then proceeded to paint the Wreath Angel using the Studio LIne of paints together with a little Lumiere for the Angel wings, ribbon and garment. As you can see I use the smallest of the paint brushes and a little palette in which I mix my colors. I simply dip my paint brush in my color of choice and then proceed to mix it with a small "puddle" of paint that I have transferred to my palette. I always work from one side of this puddle. It is hard to paint and take pictures at the same time, so I apologize for not documenting this better. I simply added the blue paint on my brush to the very right side of this "puddle" and proceeded to mix it in. I leave the left side of this little puddle completely white - this allows me to pick up a diversity of colors and fill in my spaces. It is amazing how many different colors you can fit in to such a small canvas!!!

To create this piece I used a combination of the following colors:

• angel hair - Sable Brown and Charcoal Black
• flesh tones - Blank Canvas, Painterly Pink, Altered Orange, and Yellow Pastel (to create this mix I used SO little - I just barely touch the end of a toothpick to my color and then I mix it in with the white, adding a small drop of water to make this mix a little easier to spread)
• garment - Sky Blue, Canvas White, and Smidge of Blue
• wreath - Landscape Green, Charcoal Black, and Dab of Yellow

Remember - less IS more! I always add just a tiny speck of the darkest color when creating a mix of color for these tiny little canvases.

 

Once all my painting was completed I added tiny specks of Glossy Accents around the wreathe where the little balls were indicated. I then poured tiny silver beads over the surface and then poured the excess back off. Next I stamped the word "joy" and embossed it in Sterling Silver.

 

Next I painted the edges of the canvas with Metallic Brushed Pewter Distress Crackle Paint and once thoroughly dry, I sponged it with Faded Jeans Distressed Ink. Last but not least, I added Stickles to her wings.

 

I would love to see how you create your own custom pieces of art using the canvas selection that we have available for you. If you don't like the idea of stretching your own canvas then purchase those that are "prewrapped". If you prefer to have a flat surface on which to work then I highly recommend the Sticky Back Canvas. You can then wrap your own frame or put it inside of another frame. Options, options, options - it's something I value - LOL!

Comments

[Mary in Chicago]

Very nice Ellen. Thank you for the inspiration! Happy Holidays!

[MaGooo]

Ellen this is so precious! I LOVE how it turned out!
Maria

[Debbie Fisher]

Ellen, this is absolutely gorgeous!

[bonnie weiss]

Oh my...something different to try and how beautiful! They would make such unique gifts. Thanks for letting us know how to create these beauties!

[Elaine]

A beautiful showcase piece! Very nice!

[KathyN]

WOW Ellen! This is so beautiful!

[SueB]

what a cute idea! reminds me that I have some canvas and quilting projects beckoning to me from the basement storage area! I'm making some of my family's and friends' presents this year and had forgotten about them!