Scrap Matrix and TCW....what a combo

Hi there creatives

Today I've popped in to share another c reation for Scrap Matrix for our TCW month!

I thought I'd share one of the gorgeous Art Journal pages that I've been creating, playing with an image by the amazing Michelle Grant.

I'm still learning to create faces, and am really not confident with them, and I find capturing emotions and expressions so difficult, and sometimes I get bogged down in that part of the creating and my play time kinda loses it's shine.

So.... using these images frees me up to really focus on the freedom of creating.

It means I get to have fun with the background, focusing on TCW stencils!

Let's dive straight in and see how this came together.

Begin by adding a layer of gesso to your page.

Then cut out the image you wish to use.

I used one from the 'Silent' Pack.

Adhere with TCW Gel Medium, adding a layer to the top of the image too. 

This protects the paper when adding paints etc.

I tend to place the face on one side of the background, giving more space to play.

Now it's time to add some colour.

I grabbed a few PaperArtsy Paints that appealed to me.

I went with:

Cherry Red

Peach Nectar

Slimed

Twilight

Cerulean 

Jade

I began with the darker colour, Twilight.

I added that around the image, and a touch on the right hand side to balance the page.

I then placed down NEW stencil TCW Floral Spectacle in 12x12 size and working quickly while still wet, I removed some of the paint with a wet baby wipe.

I then added a touch of 'Jade' and repeated the above step.

I then added some of the 'Slimed' over the space inbetween the two colours.

This time I used TCW Deco Leaves Stencil in 12x12.

Once the background is done, I began to focus on the image.

Firstly I added some flowers using TCW Floral Spectacle in 6x6.

This time I used a sponge and paint through the stencil.

I used 'Cherry Red' and 'Peach Nectar'

It's important to have some variegation with this part for it to be more natural.

I also added some to the right hand edge, again some lighter, and some deeper in colour.

I then added some vine work using TCW Jungle Vines Stencil 6x6.

I used a variety of paint colours for this part,mainly in blues, greens and white.

Now I needed to ensure the image looked part of the page, and not just plonked on top.

I added shadows and depth around some of the edges and then added colour to her face and hair.

I find this step really important.

I actually enjoy it, as it's the moment the magic happens...

her face comes forward and it all ties together.

I also grabbed the Tracy Scott stamp ETS43- and stamped a few feathers onto PaperArtsy Smooth Cardstock using black archival ink.

I then added colour and cut them out.

I adhered these with TCW Gel Medium to look like they were hanging down from the flowers in her hair.

I also chose this Paper Artsy Stamp EEG23 to add the title and a quote.

Add a few scribbles and flicks of paint.....

That's it from me today....

I love seeing what you're creating with your TCW goodies.

Don't forget when sharing them on Instagram, add the hashtag #tcwstencillove and then TCW can see them too.

Much love and creative play...

Tam

xx

Colourful creatures for Scrap Matrix....

Hey there creatives!

I've popped in to share my first take on the 'Colourful Characters Challenge' for Scrap Matrix.

Cute, quirky little birdies....

So let's take a look at how this page came together....

I began by adding gesso to a page in my large Dylusions Art Journal.

I knew I wanted to create some birdies so I painted some blues onto the background.

I used Dina Wakley's 'Sky' and 'Turquoise'.

I then used a new TCW stencil called 'Lush Petals' and rubbed off some of the paint through the stencil.

It kinda made clouds....

Of course I just had to use some stencils by The Crafters Workshop!!!

Now that I've made the Design Team (ummm they featured on all my work before hand anyway!)

I stamped some of my new Tracy Scott stamps ETS45 onto PaperArtsy smooth cardstock using archival waterproof ink.

I've been busting to play with these, and as soon as I looked at them I saw feathers and birdy wings and bodies.

I love doing that with stamps, finding alternate uses.

I then cut them out and added colour.

Whilst drying I sketched a branch and some bird shapes.

I began by painting in the bodies.

I used Dylusions 'Lemon Zest' and 'Funky Fuschia' and Dina Wakley's 'Tangerine'.

I then added the branch using Dina Wakley's 'Penny' and 'Umber'.

I then added in leaves using TCW Stencil called 'Herbarium'.

I simply rubbed paint through the stencil with a dry wipe using a combo of Dylusions 'Cut Grass' 'Fresh Lime' and 'After Midnight'.

I then added pen marks to these leaves...

Next I added the bodies and leaves onto the birdies using the stamped images and some TCW Gel Medium.....

Next I went to town adding in some dots and details to the birdies....

Finally I added a quote....

Love that little upside down birdy.....

I hope he never grows up!!

Or actually learns how to act in public!! 

Just be you little birdy.

There you have it!!

So much fun to create.

What colourful creatures can you create for this challenge??

Be inspired by the amazing art and artists found on Pinterest...

Add your entry to the 'Colourful Characters Album' over in our Facebook Scrap Matrix Shares group and let us know in the comments what Scrap Matrix products you used.

yep it's that simple, and you could win a shopping voucher to the store!!

Can't wait to meet your colourful characters....

Wishing you colour and joy.

xx

Art Journal fun!

Hi all!

I'm back again with another Art Journal Share inspired by the current 'Stay home' Challenge over at Scrap Matrix.

I just love all the housey inspired creations you are coming up with.

For this one I decided NOT to use houses!

Just keeping you on your toes!

I still went with the theme and was inspired by.......yup colour!

Here we go...

You see I'd not long purchased those Kate Crane face it stamps by Carabelle and was busting to used them, so thought about when this is over....when we are no longer in isolation, and the quote
"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise"
popped into my head, and then I thought of rainbows, and hills and joy (hmmmm insert song "The Hills are alive" in here). Lol

These are the products I used:
(well most of them)

I began by adding white gesso to my Dina Wakley Art Journal.

Whilst waiting for this to dry, I grabbed my new Kate Crane Stamps - Face It
some of the Smooth Bazzill Cardstock and black ink.

I stamped them out, and then coloured them in using Art by Marlene Watercolours.

Once cut out, I felt they needed bodies so I grabbed my new PaperArtsy Mini stamps and hand drew some shapes, stamping in them to give them some texture and interest.

Instead of drawing arms, I decided to give them wings, as they are now free from isolation.

I used my Paper Artsy stamps ETS09 - by Tracy Scott

I used the heart stamp as wings.

As you know I love using stamps for something different than intended.

How cute are they?

I love their dresses and the way the mini stamps turned out.

I then decided to create a sunrise background for that quote, and a rainbow.

I grabbed PaperArtsy Paints in the rainbow colours -

'Red Lipstick', 'Tango', 'Banana', 'Slimed', 'China', 'Electric Violet'.

I then remembered that the TCW Stencil called 'Sun Valley' had a sunrise element.

I wiped the 'Tango' and 'Banana' paint through the stencil with a dry baby wipe to create the sunrise.

I then painted a rainbow above this.

Whilst the paint was still wet, I rubbed through it using the 'TCW Stencil Sweet Posy' and a wet baby wipe.

I then painted in some hills using 'Polished Jade' by Dylusions and 'Slimed' by PaperArtsy.

I mixed them together for the hill on the right.

I then used TCW 'Brick Poetry' Stencil to add texture.

I then added 'Sky' by Dina Wakley for the sky.

I then adhered my girls onto the page using Gel Medium and added in some details with pen.

I also added in some flower using tiny dots of paint.

I also added in some of my own thoughts and feelings about the current situation. 

It felt right to add it to the rainbow.

It reads:

"And when it was safe for the people to come outside again; 

everything had changed.

They had changed.

Their disconnect had reconnected them.

To each other.

To the Earth.

To themselves.

To the magic of living.

They were able to see with new eyes

The beauty that surrounded them. 

The beauty in each other.

Not only did they see differently.

They moved differently.

They moved with gentleness.

They moved with kindness.

They moved with togetherness."

Finally I went around the edges of the girls using Graphite Sticks.

This brings them forward into the foreground.

There you have it!

Keep those entries coming!

Keep up with the creating.

Stay safe and stay colourful.

Much love 

Tam

xx