Stencilling and mixed Media

I'm not really sure if work days get any better than last Friday!

Once again, I had the good fortune to attend a workshop

 by Chris Stuart (Fine Artz Studio) focussing on Mixed Media.

Chris showed us many tricks of the trade with transfer techniques. 

All of which were wonderfully adaptable in the classroom and my own work!

But the highlight of the day was the insight I gained into the potential of stencil work.


Can't claim fame to this one unfortunately- this is by the lovely Lucy...

..and this is just part of the work.


We began the whole process by playing around with different stencils
 from a variety of places and we even cut some of our own from a product called ezi-cut.


As you can see we are reminded about the positive and negative,
 and the mirror image of a stencil to provide variation with repetition.

Chris gave us a sheet of watercolour paper which she had prepared with inks.
I really like this starting point because to me,
 there is nothing more distracting than a white surface.


 Lucy strikes again-look at the pattern in the black bird!

We applied our stencils with gesso: layering, using sponges, using rollers .
Then, we applied inks for colours.


We repeated this process over and over..
 blocking out areas... 
creating new areas...
adding & subtracting...
layer upon layer upon layer.

Can't claim fame this one either, unfortunately-this is by Marvelous Marcus!

Now... I'm no Banksy...

..but this process is totally addictive....

 and cathartic...

I really get it!

And if that isn't enough, when you are finished doing all of that stencilling,
you can work over it with pastels, or pens, or crayons...
pick your creative weapon of choice.

This one is mine. 


Tomorrow it is Friday once more...
 and so it's time for a wine whine...


Awww, I wish I was going to another Fine Artz workshop!


Thanks Chris.

Linking up this Elle and Lou post with:

Homestories A to Z

Hope Studios-Tutorial Tuesday

Homework
Sweet Little Girls-turquoise lovin' Monday
Debbiedoos Blogging and Babbling

Thursday

http://www.whipperberry.com/

Friday

http://answerischocolate.blogspot.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

http://www.chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
http://www.releasemecreations.com

Saturday

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Text & Transfer Tutorial

I've been thinking about the the food chain
(actually I've mainly just been thinking about food) 

My artworks have been created through a wax transfer method, (which I'll talk about below) and reuses original pages from a great 1980's book "1500 Fascinating Facts about the Universe the World and its People".


I have displayed the two works together in the bathroom as I like the quirky intestinal connection between the images and the privy. Too much information?

The Other Information...how I did it:


First, iron some wax shavings onto some paper- I upcycled a page from a book and I do declare that text works well in this exercise.
Hints:

• Be sure to use a low heat as wax can ignite (yep, there is a danger factor and all good artists don't need to suffer for their work.
• Don't use your normal iron, preferably choose one without steam holes that is used specifically for this purpose.
• Also protect your ironing board!

Then, choose an image that you want to transfer on top. I chose scientific images as it suits my current obsession. On the back of the image cover with charcoal. 


Next, flip the image (charcoal down) onto the wax encrusted paper. Trace over it with a pen, checking the pressure is transferring well.


Finally, use your iron on a low heat to melt the wax slightly. It will then dry, sealing in the wax transferred image.

Another wax transfer example- click to link

Feel free to ask any questions if you are unsure about anything.
Thanks to Chris Stewart from Fine Artzs Studio for introducing me to the technique.




Linking Elle and Lou with:
Release Me Create

Artz Workshops for creative souls, artists & art teachers (Part 1)

Lets face it Fridays are usually pretty good days. But Last Friday I knew I was in for a great one from the start because I was booked in for a practical workshop with Chris Stuart at Fine Arts Studio.


This workshop focused on mixed media processes like altered books and gave some innovative ideas to apply to my personal work but also to bring to my classes. Chris has a warmth and sense of fun which is contagious and her knowledge of new materials, advancements in media and processes is staggering. 

Tissue paper, muslin, paper doily and paper layered with wax 

We worked with wax, layering and also transfer methods. Transferring images onto tape is an easy process and has many possibilities when layered over text or other images as you can see by my quick examples below.

Obviously this is just a taste of our busy day and this is just one of the many courses Chris offers. Well worth checking out if you are in Brisbane!

Oh and the food ...........yummmmmm!