November Open Studio Wrap Up

We had an energetic Open Studio last Saturday. Loads of creativity, art supplies, fun people and information. I'm sharing some of what came up so that you may pick up a trick or two.

Susan was working in her journal. She had a background painted and then began working around the page with white paint creating floral forms using a negative painting technique. 

Mary worked in her journal with collage.

I suggested separating the mid-value collage pieces from the mid-value background with paint pens. She added more media at home and sent me this photo. BOING!!!

Barbara used techniques from this blogpost to begin creating an accordion book. She has a quiet aesthetic and I love this color scheme. It's autumnal and a departure for her. My suggestion was to work in black in white over top. Maybe stamping in black ink on tissue paper and collaging that on. Tissue paper disappears when you collage it with a wet glue such as matte medium.

Susie worked on an art piece for a friend using a quote she'd found. She used painted paper from my Abington Art Center class as a background. We talked about how to separate middle values. If you have an element that is middle value on a mid-value background, you want to separate the two elements with either a much darker (or lighter) paper as in Susie's case or a very bright pop of color against  low saturated background as in Mary's case. 

After ... 

Tony was not having any luck with his Gelli Plate printing at home. He was using a large plate so the acrylic paints were drying before he could pull the print.  He tried out my Golden Open paints and a smaller plate at my suggestion. Those paints have a long open (or working) time. It was a treat hearing he's infectious happiness. He tried my other standard trick to slow dry time: add Glazing Medium to the paint. It didn't work as well but he probably could have used more of the Medium. 


After speaking with Lou Anne of Gelli Arts, I ordered a kit that has 3 of their new paint colors in it. I'll review it as soon as it comes in. It would make a perfect holiday gift. (PS: Gelli Arts has free shipping now through 12/15. Use my code DianaT for 10% off.)

Now how did I miss Judith? She was doing some beautiful painterly stenciling, quiet and just so lovely. Dang it all, Diana!  Next time I'll try to be a better photographer. Judith, if you send me photos, I'll post them up here. Ali was here late but managed to cover an Accordion book with stamping and have some fun. 

I linked to Uni-Posca paint pens. That's the kind I have. I've tested the Montana and they seem very nice. I've also used the Golden Fluid Acrylic inks in the empty pen barrels and they work very well too. DickBlick should have all of those supplies.  

NOTE! DickBlick now has free shipping on all orders over $35. Permanently! 
              GelliArts has free shipping through Dec. 15. Use coupon code DianaT at checkout for 10% off. Yeah! 

Affiliate supply links. I get a commission on sales. 

I linked to Uni-Posca paint pens. That's the kind I have. I've tested the Montana and they seem very nice. I've also used the Golden High Flow Acrylics in the empty pen barrels and they work very well too. DickBlick should have all of those supplies.  

Comments

[Sharon Field]

Wow, Diana.........you had some pretty talented and creative people there. Great inspiration. Wish I lived near so I could attend and pick up more of your tidbits of knowledge. Thanks for sharing these creations.

[Diana Trout]

Thanks Sharon, We do have a good time :)