During the last week, I participated in a fun challenge with Ohn Mar Win.
The prompts were identified to challenge creators to see how extraordinary the ordinary can be. She encouraged us to find items from our homes to inspire our daily artwork - jars of food, worn-down shoes, or that tube of toothpaste that’s almost run out, as well as share stories about them.
She encouraged us to think about how we may feel like we just live ordinary lives, but actually, we all live very extraordinary lives if we practice a little gratitude.
The prompts and my artwork are below. To see all the lovely artwork and interesting stories, you can check out #ohnmar7 on Instagram.
BOTTLES & JARS
COOKIES & BISCUITS
KETTLES & JUGS
CLOTHES
TUBES
SHOES
LAMPS
Shout Out: to Ohn Mar for being a lovely host and creating a fun and engaging challenge!
To celebrate, I'm giving away stencils with my new designs!
For a chance to win:
Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you would use the stencils in your artwork.
Leave the comment before June 21st noon USA Eastern time.
I'll pick 3 comments at random (2 USA, 1 outside USA) to receive one large and one small stencil.
Please be sure to include your email address.
I'll post the winners on my blog on June 22nd and also send email.
Enjoy reading through the comments to see all the creativity from around the world!
Now to tell you about the stencils and my artwork today!
I was inspired to create a brush alphabet and fun/positive words stencils because of how versatile letters are. Brush letters add flavor and style to any piece of art work. Letters can be used soft and subtle in the background, they can be used as elements in a focal point - they can be THE focal point! You can use the same letter over and over, or a group of letters that do not even spell a word, yet add interest to your art work. Plus, letters are just plain fun and part of our every day life!
Below is a two-page spread I created - can you feel her confidence!?
Before I get into the step-out tutorial, a video is available for you to see ideas and projects using the stencils.
Now for the step-out tutorial! In my Strathmore 400 Series mixed media journal I started with scribble writing using a Sakura clear gel pen. After it dried, I colored the two page layout with Distress Oxide Inks - direct to paper and also using a round blending tool. Since it was my first layer, I was not too concerned about how smooth or blended it was - just getting down some color.
Next I spritzed water to get that very cool effect that the Oxide inks make. I also used a baby wipe over my Brush Alphabet stencil (L645) to remove color and allow the letters to show through - this technique works best on darker colors.
For the next layer, I used Kristie's Diamond Dot stencil (L539) and a stencil brush to start adding depth and interest with the same three Oxide ink colors.
Added splatters with watered down Silks shimmer acrylic paint - staying with the same color choice.
At this point, I wanted to add some contrast. Using a darker shade in same color family that I already have on the background, I laid down some color. I chose Golden Turquois... so pretty! Before I added color, I added texture. I spritzed Distress Resist Spray in a couple areas through the Diamond Dot stencil (L539). I knew where I wanted my focal point, so I sprayed away from that area. NOTE: Be sure to spray inside a box or contained area and wash your stencil and any tools the spray touches with soap and water right away. The spray is a glue and will stick to everything it touches.
After the spray dried, I lightly stippled and swirled Turquois with a stencil brush over the resist spray. I also added color in other areas through the stencil. I brought in Golden Titan Buff and add a little more color with Oxide inks. I'm still following along in my color scheme.
Now to rough in my focal point - a face, Karen's Cool Attitude Large L613. I think she is fabulous - so confident! I used Golden Burnt Sienna - a darker color so I could easily see the image over my light backgroud. Since I had a lot of area to cover, I broke out my Smudgee to to apply the paint. I drew in a little face detail with a color pencil to envisioning her features and thinking about how I wanted to paint them in.
I started with her hair. To give it some texture, I combined Dylusions (thicker paint) black marble and Tourquois and used a paintbrush, picking up lots of paint and applied over the stenciled area. I filled in the gaps with Turquois. I added highlighted curls of black, Tourquois and Titan Buff with a little wooden stick.
Next I blocked in color in her face - not adding much detail yet, just getting mid tones and shadows in. I used Golden Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna for her skin tone.
I know what you're thinking...I covered up all the beautiful features of her face! No worries - one of the wonderful benefits of stencils is that you can lay the stencil back down in place and add back in her features. Please stay with me through the ugly stage! I'm trusting the process of building layers and imaging what could be...
After that layer dried, I smoothed out the color in her face with a mixture of the Yellow Orchre and Burnt Sienna , and also added some highlights and shadows. At this point, I thought she should have a scarf and I also decided to color her whole head of hair with texture. I'm just going with the flow of my mojo.
I also added words to melt into the background. Placement is so easy with stencils because you can see thorough the stencil to align!
For the impact words, I added a phrase from my These Jeans stencil (L647), coloring in with a Sharpie. I believe this is how we all should feel!
TIPS/Suggestions on using Alphabet/word stencils:
when applying paint, use a dry brush or dry sponge and dab off most of the paint to get crisp lines. If you want a different, more painterly look, use a slightly damp brush or sponge - totally up to you, go for the look you want.
press the stencil firmly to the surface and follow along the letters just as you would if you were writing the words with your handwriting - as with all stencils, be mindful of the tiny bridges that make the connections for the stencil.
use a thin paint brush or same color marker to connect the letters to each other to make them look seamless
if needed, smooth the letters with a thin paint brush or the same color marker
for words/phrases "in the center of an area," count the letters and start in the middle. I actually write them down so I don't get lost along the way. hehehe
for words ending at a specific place, start at the end of the word
I encourage you to take your time, just like with hand brush lettering
have fun!
Here's a photo of the supplies I used during my detail stage, in addition to the supplies I listed above:
Shout Outs: Sending a big THANK YOU and hug to Carol at StencilGirl® Products who is awesome! The background techniques were inspired by one of Vickki's wonderful videos.
I like to take notes just so I can draw around them. I must have 4 brands of different color pens on my desk at work. Before I go to a meeting, I have to pick just the right color - sometimes I take two colors and a highlighter. :) I had fun drawing this stylish woman with lots of colors and positive words around her.
Shout Out: 'doodle' style inspired by Joanne Sharpe's Radiant Faces lesson. Her outfit was inspired by stylish pictures on Pinterest.
I think I am experiencing a bit spring fever. Sharing some cards I designed featuring images from Stamp-It Australia EZMount Stamp Set Spring - Dreamy Daisies. The backgrounds are from my stash of painting and coloring - using my Gelli Plate, ink sprays, stencils, markers, paints and even a piece of an art brochure (Tim Yanke). :) Hey - inspiration is everywhere!
The forth class is taught by Julie Gibbons. I loved this lesson! She had us draw several sketches from pieces we were attracted to. I found that I am attracted to large eyes and full, luscious lips. My drawing is very close to Julie's art piece - I think she likes those features too. :) I used Tombow Dual Brush markers as my choice of coloring. Even though my woman's eyes and nose turned out crooked, I still embraced her and love her!
This month's theme for the StampscapesII yahoo group challenge is May Flowers. For my inspiration, I used a photo from my Dentist's office. Hey, you can find inspiration everywhere! :) If someone were to look at my mobile phone gallery right now, they would find lots of photos of paintings and photographs from offices, stores and even some homes. A really great place for on-line inspiration is the overstock.com art gallery.
I picked out my Stampscapes images first - 239D, 251C, 296C. Next, I went to work on my background. I taped off the edges of an A2 size piece of cardstock with a low tack tape - this worked for the boarder and for it keeping in place when I sponged. I built color with a stylus, sponging my lightest color on first then adding depth with darker colors. NOTE: I did not fill in the color completely, leaving highlights. Also I was a bit heavy handed with the stylus in some spots - that will be covered up later.
I stamped the trees in the distance in a green, using a mask of torn paper so it would not look like they were sitting on top of the ground.
I colored with water-based markers and then stamped over the trees again after stamping off one time. This step was to add some of the detail back in. I sponged a little color at the bottom of each tree for a shadow.
Next, I removed the mask on the right side and bottom to allow the flowers to spill outside the boarder. For the flowers, I used a stencil from Donna Downey and gesso. I added two coats of gesso. The first I coat, I dabbed through the stencil. when I saw it was not covering enough, I added a second coat. A idea just popped into my mind to create texture by squeezing the gesso directly from the bottle in a random squiggle. Now, I admit - I'm not sure if this was an orignal idea or if I saw it someplace in the hundreds of you tude videos I've seen and classes I've taken. LOL!
I used a brush to paint the flowers with acrylic paint. TIP:before painting the flowers, I colored them in with a red water-baster marker as a base. This step allowed me to get right to the edge of the gesso over the texture. I really dig how they turned out!! I will use this technique again! It's funny how you accidently stumble upon something really cool :o) I added the black center with a tooth pick, first spreading the black and then adding white dots and gently mixing.
Shout Outs: For more information and great instruction videos on building color, visit Kevin's Stampscapes Youtube channel. I got the idea for gesso in a dabber bottle from Jane Davenport. Her Whismsical Faces instructional lesson is fabulous! You can get it on DVD or download it. I'll be posting some faces soon! I need to practice a little more first! :)
Recently I was invited to design some greeting cards featuring Rubbernecker images for their show booth. I feel so honored that they like my artwork!! Below are snippets of the cards I designed. When you click on them, they take you to the rubber stamp image. Over the next week, I'll be sharing the full view of the greeting cards on the The Brannon Factory Facebook page.
Several of the designs have two really cool background music themed images:
I really dig how this surprise technique turned out for me, so I'm making some more designs! I'm keeping with the music theme and dug out a bunch of music images. To see the first one I made click here.
To create the background layers I started with a design I created using my Gelli Plate. You can see how I did it here. Below are the full sheets of the background:
I cut them up in A2 sizes and trimmed them to the design. Next, I used a black VersaFine ink pad to stamp various musical images. I stamped off first for a more subtle look. After the ink dried, I stamped the main images with Memento Luxe, a rich thick ink for the bolder image and VersaFine for the smaller images.
After the ink dried, I painted the solid parts with gesso - this will add texture and the colors really pop on top of it. I allowed the first coat to dry and painted a second coat.
Now, time for coloring!! I used Tombow Dual Brush pens to fill in color - both direct coloring and also palette colors. I used a water-brush to spread the color. After coloring, I used the markers a black artist pen to fill in any gaps. I used gold metallic paint for the horns, stickles for the bubbles, some glossy accents for the watch.
Had to use this fabulous image and gelli print again! :o)
I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out so I didn't take break out photos. I really dig how it turned out so I'm sharing this simple technique in case you'd like to try!
To create the background layer I started with a design I created using my Gelli Plate. You can see how I did it here. Below is the full sheet of the background:
I cut the sheet into A2 size pieces then jumped into this idea in my head on what to do with some images I had. Here are the steps I followed:
[NOTE: allow everything to dry completely in between steps]
I used a black Versamark ink pad to stamp Man at Piano from Stamps Happen, Inc (sorry I could not find the image on line from where I purchased mine - it may be retired).
I used Tombow Dual Brush pens directly on top of the gesso and a water-brush to spread color. I added more color after the first coat dried. The sax is painted with Gold Smooch.
I really dig how it turned out over the Gelli printed background! When I create a surprise like this, it makes me look at my stamps in a different way. Now I'm going to dig through my stamps! :o)
It's been a while since I got to hang out with my ATC Sisters and I love the theme this month! For December, our theme is Row Houses. We were given some guidelines to get us started. As Artists do, we added some of our own style to create a unique and colorful neighborhood. :o)
To make my row houses, I started with a stamped image. It took me three minutes to stamp 26 houses, and hours to color them all. :o) For the base I used a variety of techniques - coloring direct with markers, indirect with markers and color sprays, as well as a few twinkling H20 colors. I didn't worry too much about going outside the lines, as I knew I was going to cut them out.
To add some detail, I used markers and metallic pens around the windows and doors.
Sharing a photo of all our neighborhood:
I mounted them on a board (from my ATC sister Sandy) covered in design paper (from my ATC Sister Cindy) and hung in my creative space.
All the Images and Text on this site are owned by the original creator, Trena Brannon. Please do not copy or use anything without asking permission. These projects and stories are shared for inspirational use only. Designs may not be copied for the purpose of publication or contest submissions. Thank you for your support!
