Friend Or Foe?

Hello my Friends!

Before I present new amazing art from my Creative Team, I need to check if you've seen my latest announcement. :)

Today on the blog we have an absolutely stunning piece by Gayle!

And when you follow her step by step tutorial you will see how doable the techniques are and maybe feel tempted to create your own special collage piece.

Enjoy!

Hello lovely Finnabair friends.

My project this month has been inspired by the large metal watch from Finnabair’s Mechanicals range, and the whole idea of “time”.

It can be our friend, or it can be the enemy. It is an intangible force in our lives and we have no control over it. We could philosophise all day about “time”, its meaning, its significance and how it affects us...

“How did it get so late so soon ?

It’s night before it’s afternoon.

December is here before it’s June.

My goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon.”
Dr. Seuss

1)  I’ve worked on a cradled timber panel that measures only 15cm square. I really like this hard, solid surface, as opposed to canvas which has too much “give” in. The timber panels are hard, solid and smooth and perfect for collaging.

The surface still needs to be sealed or primed first, to a) stop paint or ink from soaking into the timber (like watercolor paper;,  b) prevent resins from the wood, over time , discolouring your work and  c) to aid your collage papers to “stick” and adhere well without air bubbles.

It’s also a strong surface, able to support the weight of metal embellishments.

2) The timber panel was given a coat of Art Basics Soft Matte Gel, then when completely dry, a coat of Heavy Black Gesso.

3) Because the main image was going to be very detailed I’ve kept the background simple.

However, the timber sides were collaged with paper napkin flowers and clocks using Soft Matte Gel as the glue.

4) Used Finnabair’s “Messy” Clear Stamp along the sides.

5)  I then collaged the photo and other paper elements onto the timber panel using Soft Matte Gel for the lighter papers and tissue and the 3D Matte Gel for the photo and heavier papers.

6) All the metal embellishments were given a coat of Art Basics Black Gesso, (except for the white clock faces). I’ve used the beautiful Finnabair large Pocket Watch from her Mechanicals range. Sadly it gets mostly covered up by other embellishments, but it is really the base for this whole project. (I did end up swapping the skull for a tiny whimsical face).

7)  The metal butterfly was painted with Black Gesso, too.

It is the perfect background for highlighting the shimmer and shine of Gold Mica Powder, which is mixed into Soft Matte Gel first.

The tiny black Micro Beads have been attached also using Soft Matte Gel.

8) All the metal embellishments after being coated with Black Gesso were then painted with Gold and Teal Mica Powder mixed with Soft Matte Gel.

The metal clock faces have been painted with acrylic paint to try and match the collaged paper clocks.

For some variety of texture and colour I’ve added some crimson velvet petals. All of these little bits and pieces were all stuck onto the timber panel with 3D Matte Gel.

“My favourite things in life don’t cost any money.

It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.” 

Steve Jobs

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