Diana Trout's blog

Watercolors, Stencils & Yupo

Ooopa! This a technique that I've been playing with for a couple of months now. Here are a bunch of photos from my play time over the past week (or so). The video and supplies are linked below. 

The indigo paint and Yupo paper in my July Artsnacks box inspired me to try the technique on Yupo. 

Fun results are very easy to obtain! Spread the paint out and lay the stencil down right into the wet paint. Set it aside, leaving the stencil in place until it's try (or there are no puddles left). Try to avoid peeking. Good luck with that.

Any kind of stencil will work. Just keep the stencil in scale to the paper size. In other words, I was working on those mini pieces of Yupo so used small scale stencils. 

I played with blowing, splashing, dropping and water and sucking color up with a damp brush. Great stuff! It's easy to get fingerprints onto the Yupo paper and it will resist paint a little. I solved the problem by using an embossing bag which has a powder in it that neutralizes any oils. 

I hope you'll give this technique a try. Any kind of watercolor and paper will work. Use darker colors for more dramatic results. I imagine any watersoluble crayons will work well too. Just make sure the paper is very wet when you lay the stencil down.

I used Phthalo Green and Indigo on the paper above and, honestly!, that is just so cool looking! I love the way the colors separate in some places and mix in others. Very cool. Oh! I used mineral paper on that one. But that's a story for another day.

 

That should keep you all busy for a while! 

Affiliate Links*

 

QoR Indigo Watercolor	Daniel Smith Indigo	Princeton Snap! Brushes	Escoda Versatil Brushes (#22)	Princeton Elite Synthetic Sable #6
Yupo Synthetic Paper	Yupo Paper	QoR Modern Watercolors from Golden	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil BLOCKS THS059	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil TRACKS THS044
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil BLOCKS THS059	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil PLUS THS053	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil BURLAP THS007	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil BUBBLE THS002	Inkadinkado EMBOSSING MAGIC Powder Bag 05847

InLinkz.com

*These are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale with no extra cost to you. By using my links you help me support my channel and blog.

 

Circle Journal Online, Open Registration

Circle Journal is a reformated class from last year's work-along class. An independent study class that you can work at your own pace. The material will be permanently accessible.

This is a LOT of information: a painting primer, a mixed media primer, art journaling primer: much more than I could cover in 2-3 full day workshops. And you always have me on the other end of your computer! 

Here's an overview: 

Sign up and begin anytime you'd like. A total of 22 videos and a bunch of pdfs: one for each of the four lessons, plus symbol drawing, words to transfer and a tiny maze book zine. 

Lesson 1:  Painting & Markmaking. Using thinned acrylic paints, let the spilling begin. Brushstrokes, color mixing, markmaking with stamps, stencils, alternative items.  (5 videos, 2 pdf's) 

Lesson 2: Folding & Stitching your Maze Book. The possibilities are endless with this type of book. Make a mistake? No problem: stitch, cut, tape your way to a new bookform. Handstitching, machine stitching techniques and ideas are included (2 videos, 2 pdf's). 

Lesson 3: Line, Collage, Gesso & Paint. (8 videos, 1 pdf). Loads of spilling in this lesson in lines and images. Get the low down on using paint, gesso and portfolios. Creating your own stamps is simple if you've done the brainstormng on symbols. Includes creating foam stamps and symbol drawing. 

Lesson 4: Embellishments. (7 videos, and a bunch of pdf's). Includes tabs, blender pen transfers, simple lettering,  and other embellishments).

 
$60/Join Anytime, Permanent Access
After you have paid for the class, you will receive the blog URL and password from me 

Suggested supplies are linked below (Affiliate Links)2-3 Parent sized sheets smooth, heavy printmaking or watercolor paper
bottle of ink(s) or reinkers
small spray bottle(s)
straw, Eyedropper
craft foam (available in the children’s area at the craft store)
Stamp pad(s)
craft knife, scissors
glue stick
pens, pencils
masking tape
collage papers
Chartpak Blender Pen for photocopy transfers. 
Portfolios or Caran d’Ache watersoluble crayons

 

Stretch Your Supplies: Alcohol Inks & Vellum

Happy Monday, gang. I have a great work week project for you today. 

My two favorite surfaces for alcohol inks are vellum, glossy photo paper and Yupo.  Try using your alcohol markers (eg., Copic or Spectrum Noir "SN") and the Ranger Alcohol inks. 

The inks slip and slide around when you blend them and produce very painterly effects. You can use a blender pen, Ranger's blending liquid, Ranger Alcohol inks. Ethyl alcohol (not isopropyl) from the drugstore can be substituted for the blending liquid.

I love the way the SN blender pen removes the marker and moves it around. I covered scraps of vellum with color and then pulled out my paper punches and made shapes. 

I look forward to layering up these shapes with other items from my embellishments such as words stickers, stamped images, stitch, etc. Simply making things puts me in a good mood and chases worries away. Art therapy.

Enjoy. See this YouTube video and this blogpost for additional info. 

I found my Spectrum Noir markers at AC Moore for under $8 for a 6 pack. They may not be the best markers around but they work fine for me!

 

How to Use Texture Paste with Stamps and Ink

I'm so happy to announce my brand new course over at Curious.com. Loaded with some of my favorite mixed media techniques applied to greeting cards. 

In 12 lessons, learn to inlay die cuts in new ways, Gelli Arts plates with pigment inks, creative ways to stretch your stamps and stencils and create your own holiday card kit. 

Curious.com is a great resource! You can learn most anything from Zen to the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance *Did anyone get that reference*? That link will take you to the full lesson. 

This was one of my favorite lessons, using texture paste, distress ink and that lovely Botanical stamp from Tim Holtz. Enjoy! 

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.

Use this link to find out more about Curious.com.

 

This Week Today

I started writing this on Monday, 3/15 and have been at it all week.

A bit of sunshine for your Friday morning ... 

Monday mornings begin on Sunday night for me as I sprawl on the sofa with my planner. 

On Monday, I pretty much ignored what I'd written in my planner and did a Live Stream on stamping in a little book instead.

In my studio, I have a big basket and box project folders for YouTube videos and I keep doing things off the cuff instead. Here is a look at the flip book I was working on.

Tuesday: My planner says "Watercolor." Also: "Work on Mixed Media Watercolor class."

Here's some of the painting I started. (at the top of this post: I love the idea of the flowers glowing yellow around the bulb part and the sunlight dancing along the tops. Sorry about the uneven lighting.)

The red coming down from the flower needs more definition. 

I will go back into the right hand flower and lift paint out for the stamen "legs." I love that brown from mixing green and red. 

Tuesday Night: Aunt Betz called from the hospital: Pneumonia. Wednesday was devoted to helping her get settled, talking to her doc and the nurses and distributing chocolate bunnies to all involved.

The rest of the week is up for grabs. I'm heading to the studio to work on some watercolors again and maybe get started on another flip book. Mixed Media Watercolor class is underway. This happend

After being inspired by the Gelli Arts folks here, I folded a bunch of mark-making tools for the Gelli Prints video coming soon.  Today is the son's birthday so this is underway

Who knew there was a thing called Hipster Animals? Honestly! Google it. They are hilarious. I caved and purchased the set from Hero Arts after watching Kristina Werner make a card with it here. I think they need bodies but they could also be trophy heads. 

Have a great weekend, everyone. I'm looking forward to my stamp carving class tomorrow. Off now to visit my auntie. Here are some of the materials and tools I used this week (affiliate links used).

 

 

What Is Craft? A Definition

Stitching of any kind calms me. It's repetitive and the warmth of the textural fibers relax me. Do you knit, crochet, weave or stitch? I learned to crochet a few years ago and have absolutely no grandiose plans for it. A relief. I crochet up the odd bits that fit no category except "coaster." 

 
What the heck? We have dozens of coasters. I can't for the life of me crochet a square. Too much counting. I crochet in circles which is most likely a metaphor. There are many little bowls floating around the house. I've gathered them up for you. Sometimes they get tossed in with the wash and felt up. Nice.

I love craft. Just as much as I love art. And what is the difference and why do we care so passionately? Craft is drawing, knitting, painting, printmaking, quilting: name a craft. And note that I included painting and drawing. Craft is the framework, the discipline that you use to make art. Art is making meaning from craft. If you care to make meaning that is a beautiful thing. I'm going around in circles for the next couple of days. 

I hope you all have a delightful weekend. Happy National Craft Month

Embellish It. Glitter It. Sequin It.

Happy National Craft Month. This is the second video in the DIY Card Kit series aka "Free to Embellish"

As you may have noticed, the card making bug has gone viral around these parts. A defining moment came when, whilst crafting with my daughter, I wondered, idly and out loud, if perhaps we needed Embellishments. There was an outpouring of glee. (There's a video down there, if you'd like to skip the folderol.)

I put on my big girl pants and went to Michael's. I've seen this stuff before, and even bought some of it. I've not really understood what the fuss was all about. It's cluttery and for those of us with a bit of ADD, it's confusing. (Look! A bird just flew by!)

So I had a think and came up with some storage. I am easily frustrated and confused (see: Look! A Bird) when surrounded by clutter so it's really important for me to be tidy with this *ahem* stuff (I'm trying not to cuss this year.

I keep things in small bowls when crafting with said ... stuff. But my daughter! OMG - She's ruthless. It's like crafting with The Terminator. I swear that girl tried to pluck a glued-down sequin right off my project one night. Like a seagull after a clam. 

Back to a more civilized world, I do like these silicone muffin cups and use them often.  

I'm liking this whole paper crafting thing enormously. I am allowed to like this kind of stuff even though I went to Art School. And I like glitter too. And look! I put sequins on a card! It's for my dear Auntie who will love it.

Oh man, it was a load of fun to make the inlaid die cut. It took me at least three nights and problem solving. Kept me busy. I like engineering challenges. If you are still reading this post, thank you. If you skipped down to the video from way up there ^ that's ok. I'm on a ramble today. Over there in the sidebar you'll see links for Scrapbook.com and SimonSaysStamp.com. Embellishments galore can be found there as well as your basement, yard, thrift shop, mail, etc.  (Affiliate links. Thanks for your support.) 

And the video

Learn to Print: Four Books to Create Personal Imagery

March is National Craft Month and I have some fun crafts to explore with you. Printmaking and Stamp Carving are both arts and craft. I've chosen four of my favorite books to share with you. (I wanted to also share Traci Bunkers book, Print and Stamp Lab, but it is MIA. I'll review it separately. *Scroll down for video*

Carve, Stamp Play by Julie Fei Fan Balzer is my go to stamp carving book. It's loaded with inspiration that has a broad appeal and Julie's instruction is clear and concise. That, paired with excellent photography makes this an excellent resource.  I have another video coming soon with more information on Julie's book

Geninne D. Zlatkis' Making an Impression is a visual feast for the stamp carving enthusiast. The information is clear and the photography is very inspiring. It has less technical information than Julie's and more applications and project ideas. 

On to printmaking. 

Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt is a fresh take on standard printmaking techniques such as relief printing, stenciling, veggie printing and water slide decals. All of these (and more) techniques are applied to projects perfect for DIY'ers. 

Printmaking Unleashed by Traci Bautista is a wild ride with some very original ways to print: clay stamps, subtractive printmaking, acrylic skins. So much fun and so many things from around the house. 

Here is my video review. Next week, I'll go into more detail with Julie's books and general supplies for stamp carving. Have a great weekend! 

One Sweet Heart

Amidst the snow, a pop of red. The single strand of thread binding the edges. Intentionally sloppy and delicate. That's real love. *this is a repost from 2/14

A bit of felt (or any fabric, really, but it should be made of strong stuff). A sweetheart template (you remember how to make a heart). Scissors, stuffing fluff, a needle and thread. A handful of buttons.

 The template is pink for tenderness. Trim your fabric. 

Begin the stitch, keep it close but messy, like real life. Stop a few inches before the end and examine it closely, just like a brand new baby. Fill it with soft fuzzy stuff.

Now stitch it safely closed and tie a love knot. Button it up to keep it cozy.

 Put it in a little nest to keep it safe.

*Health note: I'm having my ovaries removed (preventive surgery) on Wednesday. My mom had ovarian cancer and after the November surgery and CA, we decided I'd be better off without them. Life continues. I'll be sure to pop in with an update. It's a simple surgery. I'm feeling lucky if not particularly happy. 

January Journal Jump #3: Stamp Carving

Stamp carving goes with art journaling like paint with brushes. It isn't a difficult job: a spot of practice, the right tips and tools and you have a personal stamp with a distinctive look. I've used the leaf image from the cover of the Flow journal and copied it.*

It's fun to come up with your own little drawings for stamp carving. Look through motifs from rugs or wallpapers. I like to look at ancient and African symbols too. If you want to carve letters or words, make sure that they are reversed when carving! 

*I've used imagery from one of Flow's designers so it's not my imagery. I cannot sell it or use it on any piece of my artwork that is for sale. This is very important: please respect your source.  

Use what you have. The following are affiliate links. I get a percentage of the sale at no cost to you. Thanks for helping support my channel/blog this way.