Happy #TexturalTuesday, my friends. It's Lisa back with you and I'm super happy to be sharing this piece with you today. I went a teeny bit out of my comfort zone to create it, but it was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to trying it again.
I'll start by showing you the finished piece and then explaining the process of using today's feature product: Ranger Perfect Pearls.
I've been seeing other artists create these fabulous 3-D canvases for some time now. They're almost always all black and layered with ornate piece of fabulousness (metal embellishments, buttons, gears, etc.) So, when I went to CHA (Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show) I wanted to really learn more about the process. And it's SO EASY!
I decided to create mine on a 6" x 6" non cradled wood board. It's what I happened to have on hand and I know that they're virtually indestructible. I also like to use ¼" MDF (medium density fibreboard) from the hardware store and have it cut to various sizes. Love that stuff. It's cheap and easy to use.
The first step is to prime your surface. Since this "canvas" is a porous surface it needs to be primed with Gesso. So a nice healthy coating of Gesso gets us started.
Once the Gesso is dry, then create the heart. I cannot free-hand draw to save my life. (I wish I could, but I leave that stuff to the pros.) I used the largest heart from the Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Folk Hearts by Julie Ebersole die set to lightly pencil the heart.
Then I scooped Gel Medium into the pencilled in heart and made sure there was a thick enough layer and began to place the buttons to form the heart. If the buttons were loose'ish I simply added more Gel Medium to the back of the button. It's SUPER important to make sure that this thick layer of Gel Medium is VERY dry before moving on.
Apply Black Gesso all over the entire piece making sure that there is no color showing. Use a good brush that you don't mind getting a little bit dirty and is easy to clean. The Black Gesso dries fairly quickly so you'll be able to tell where you need more.
(wet)
(dry)
Now, for COLOR!! Choosing your favorite color of Ranger Perfect Pearls is like picking your favorite child...or pet. Right?! ;) I chose to work with Forever Violet, Perfect Gold, and Blue Patina. Using the Perfect Medium I kind of smooshed it into the buttons so it would leave the resin on the buttons. Once I was satisfied with the amount, I began brushing the different colors onto the buttons. Once I was happy, I brushed off the excess, and lightly misted it to set it.
To add a little bit of interest, I used a stencil and smooshed the Perfect Medium through the stencil (stamping isn't quite the right term since I'm pushing the medium through the stencil....). With the pattern left behind I was able to dust more Perfect Pearl colors on.
Since I STILL wasn't happy I stamped a few dots and circles from the Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps, Bokeh Dots by Julie Ebersole using Jet Black Archival Ink and Delicata Golden Glitz Ink which seemed to help.
The final step was to die cut and add foil to the Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Brushstroke Love by Julie Ebersole. Fine'!
Whatcha think? Would you make one of these, too, with all those metal embellishments and buttons you have laying around? I'd love to know what you think!
Wishing you, as always, a terrrrrriffic Tuesday! :)
