January 31, 2017

My Black Journal - textured background for Donna Downey Artist Gang

Hello everyone!
I'm so excited to share my first project for Donna Downey Artist Gang!!!
Here is my new page in my black journal.

I hope you will like it and you will enjoy the process in my video below :)
Don't forget to leave me a comment, 
as well give me thumbs up and subscribe on my You Tube channel  :)


Supplies from the Donna Downey store:
https://www.donnadowney.com/collections/daniel-smith-watercolors/products/daniel-smith-extra-fine-watercolor-15ml-tube-quinacridone-pink
https://www.donnadowney.com/collections/daniel-smith-watercolors/products/daniel-smith-transparent-pyrrol-orange
https://www.donnadowney.com/collections/daniel-smith-watercolors/products/daniel-smith-extra-fine-watercolor-15ml-tube-amazonite-genuine
https://www.donnadowney.com/collections/daniel-smith-watercolors/products/daniel-smith-extra-fine-watercolor-15ml-tube-buff-titanium
https://www.donnadowney.com/collections/stamps/products/you-are-important-stamp-set






Thank you for visiting!
Have a lovely crafty day!

xxx
Athanasia


January 9, 2017

My black journal |cover

Hello dear friends and Happy New Year!!!

My first post for this year is for Finnabair CT...

The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self realization. It is that kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
So, what do I expect from 2017? Lots of changes and lots of dragonflies in my life.
I wish all of you dear friends to have this year lots and lots amazing artful moments to fulfill your life and why not: lots of dragonflies :)


My first project for this year is making the cover of my black journal and what would be more perfect to impress a dragonfly, so to remind me this year's expectations every time I hold it in my hands.

and psssst! I also have a little secret to share... after I was done with the cover I decided to get my first tattoo: a dragonfly on the side of the wrist of my right hand! 

So....let's get started with the project!

As my journal was already black, I started with a nice coat of  Heavy Black Gesso to prime the cover.
After it was dry, I glued the Mechanicals parts I used for the body of the dragonfly with Heavy Body Gel and covered them with Black Gesso.


Then I placed a sketch I made on a piece of paper on the cover to shape the dragonfly, but here is the trick: I used a pin to scratch the canvas cover, than a pencil to draw the lines. This way I created an interesting texture, a 'destroyed' base all mixed media artists would love to work on ;)

Next step was to choose my paints. Well, with no second thought I grabbed my Art Alchemy Opal Magic Paints, the perfect acrylics for any black surface. They dry permanent and I loooove the amazing two-tone iridescent effect they give on dark and light backgrounds. Ιn order to reinforce this effect, I painted some spots of the wings white with the  Heavy White Gesso. You will see the whole process in my video below.

After the Opal Magic Paints where dry, I used again the White Gesso to make lots of splashes.
To give even more interest on the background of the wings, I used the Clear Crackle Paste as my final touch. I let it dry overnight to get the best results.

For the tittle I wanted something simple and small, not to distract the attention from the dragonfly, so I wrote by hand the word ART with Heavy White Gesso and a black permanent pen.

Now it is time for my video. I hope you will enjoy it and get inspired. :)


*Scroll down on this post to find a full products list


Thank you for visiting
have a lovely crafty YEAR!
xxx
Athanasia