Layers - with Transparencies and Vellum

I have been experimenting with transparencies and layers, and having a great time with the different results:
1. Vellum over a painted background

2. Two layers of transparencies

3. Three layers of transparencies

Here are step-by-step instruction on how to make #1 (Vellum over a painted background)
Materials: Vellum, pen and ink (or black pen), colored ink (I used copper, and two tones of green), background painted paper (I used mulberry paper painted with H2O's - shimmering watercolors)

STEP 1:
Create your background. I wet the mulberry paper and then brushed it with shimmering watercolors (H2O's)

STEP 2:
Cut the Vellum to the size you want, and draw your picture on it with pen and ink

STEP 3:
Keep adding details to your picture until you're satisfied

STEP 4:
Add color with ink or gel pens. Vellum curls when wet, so be sure to use small quantities of ink. Decide if you want to add color to the front or back side. I added the trunk color (copper) to the back so that I would not lose the details on the tree trunk, and the leaves (2 tones of green) to the front so you can see the shimmer of the ink. I then went over the outlines of the leaves once again with a black pen, so the edges were well defined.

STEP 5:

Go over the edges of the vellum and background with permanent ink (Sharpie or ink pad) to give it a finished look.

STEP 6:

Attach the vellum picture to the background and you're done!!

Art from Photos

Pen and Ink


A few months ago I watched a Quilting Arts TV show and ideas started popping into my head; I had to try them! Here are some of my experiments (and steps below).

Pear Tree Blossoms - Acrylic on Canvas (2 canvas 20x24" each)


Baby faces in Pen and Ink (11x14" each)

Steps:

1. Using a photo software which has "posterize" as one of the options, work on your picture so that you have lots of contrast. Posterize for 4 tones and work the contrast until you have a pleasing posterized picture.


2. Print the result on regular printing paper the desired size


3. Transfer your picture to your surface (paper, canvas, ...). I rub the back of the picture with pencil, then trace the shapes I want to keep so that I end up with a faint pencil mark on my surface


4. Work on one tone at a time(see below), looking at your print out (I place it in a clear sleeve)

Hand Carved Leaves

I hand carved a block which if I print it side by side will continue a sequence of branches and leaves. I so enjoyed carving this block, printing it, and then playing with the different prints!!! Let me know what you think.

Here is the carved block (you will notice that the beginning and ending of the branches are the same distance from the edges so that they can be the continuation of the other if printed in sequence):


Here are some "papers" I printed initially but have not done anything with yet:



And here are some finished works after playing with the prints.



All of these have 3 prints of the hand-carved block in sequence as a base. Some have additional prints on top.

How many ways are there to display ACEOs?

ACEOs are affordable and collectible miniature works of art. The only specification is the size: 3.5"x2.5" or 8.9cm x 6.4cm.

As a seller and also a collector, I've always looked for different ways to display these little pieces of art. I want to list as many different ways of displaying them, so that other collectors and potential buyers can see how fun it can be to collect and display them.

I have asked my art friends to provide their own pictures and links and hope you enjoy both the ACEOs and the different ways to display them. I will keep adding to this post rather than create new ones, so I can use one link in my listings.
My thanks to all the wonderful art friends who have been so willing to share their ideas. Clicking on the pictures will take you to the contributor's Etsy shop.

1. Display ACEOs on a tiny easel - from martaharvey


2. Create a mini ACEO galery - from readingsully2


3. Display ACEOs in a painted and distressed wooden frame - from Vintagesnapsandscrap


4. Use magnets to display your ACEOs on your refrigerator - from readingsully2
(you can buy a magnetic frame or make your own by attaching a magnet to the back of an ACEO sleeve)


5. Use a mat and frame to display multiple ACEOs - from arteest


6. Display on a windowsill - from chimeracreation


7. Frame and display on the wall with other art - from chimeracreation


8. Place the ACEOs in sleeves and pin the sleeves to a wall or corkboard - from chimeracreation


9. Display in a custom made ACEO box - from readingsully2


10. Display your collection in a binder - from laurali
(You can get 9-pocket acid-free binder sheets from comic book shops)


11. Mat and frame the ACEO in a larger frame - from MoranArtwork


12. Hang on a line with clothes pins - from LittleGreenJellyBean


13. Display in an unlined journal using photo corners - from LittleGreenJellyBean
 

14.  Get a mat to fit any frame and display a set of ACEOs - from MartaHarvey

Winter Trees with Watercolor Background

This is my progress through an 8"x10" piece similar to the winter tree ATCs you've seen me do.

Answers to some of the questions I received from you:

• PAPER: this was done on Arches watercolor paper - rough - 140lb
• PEN: I used a Koh-i-noor Rapidograph .30 size pen for the pen & ink work
• TIME: it took me 9 hours to create this piece

My notes: I should have used a smoother paper since the rough watercolor paper was a bit too rough for the pen and ink work. As for the size of the pen, I could have used a larger size for the thicker branches of the trees (or even a brush)... just didn't feel like it - go figure! As for time, this was the first time I actually jotted down how long it took me to create a piece... it was quite an eye opener as I tend to lose track of time when I'm creating; I didn't think it would take this long!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me.

This is the watercolor background that I painted. I wanted a lot of different colors, but wanted them pretty light as I will do a lot of pen and ink work over the watercolors and don't want the overall effect to be too dark. We'll see how it goes :)

I've added the frame of the picture (8"x10") and started drawing in the trees.

I've started going over the trees with pen and ink. The pencil marks are obviously just a guide for me since my trees seem to take a life of their own and most of the pencil branches are soon forgotten.

Most of the second tree is now done.













All three trees are now finished.












I have started cross-hatching with the outside circle and will work towards the inner circle so it is easier to see the pencil lines. This darker circle has four layers: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal - both ways.

This next circle is lighter as it only has 3 layers: vertical, and diagonal - both ways.

The next circle has only two layers - diagonal from left to right, and right to left.

And this is the finished piece!! The last circle only has one layer - diagonal from left to right.

Technique #5: Glaze pen resist

This is quite a fun technique and I love using it. You can use it many different ways with different media... make sure you experiment once you understand how it works.

Materials:

• Sakura white Glaze pen
• watercolors (you can use ink also)
• paper
• stamp (optional)
• pen & ink, colored pencils, gel pens, markers, ... something to embelish and finish your piece

Steps:

1. Add some color to your paper (I used one of my hand-carved stamps printed with watercolors)
   
2. Draw over your colored background with the white Sakura Glaze pen (I go over the edges of the designs on the paper, making sure the lines I'm drawing are going over the colored paper - not the white). The pen is "saving" the colors you are going over, as it will dry transparent.


3. Once the glaze pen ink is dry, go over the entire piece with a glaze of watercolors or ink. This will mute the background and make the lines you drew stand out. You can do as many layers as you want.
4. Once your piece is dry you can embelish it with additional paint, colored pencils, gel pens, pen and ink.... anything you can think of.
5. Have fun!!!
   Here is a finished piece (above) and another at the bottom. Both used this technique with watercolors, colored pencils and pen & ink.

I have a couple of pieces using this technique in my Etsy shop if you want to take a look:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6747595

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6732438

I'm also working on a couple of other pieces, one of them (which I'm really enjoying) using iridescent ink. Please post a comment or email me if you are interested in seeing that piece. I can add it to the post once I'm done.