Blog: Spray Paints

Gel Medium Resist Technique

CJSUberMediaOWSLOGO

Those of you who were part of the Creative JumpStart 2013 saw the videos that me and my artist friends posted on my website throughout January. The videos are not available here anymore, since I have to make room for new fun things to come ..still thinking ;) …but I thought it would be nice to repost my 10 technique videos over the next couple weeks- so that you have access to them whenever you want.

And now let’s jump to the third video in my Über*Media Creative JumpStart 2013 Workshop which was a Gel Medium Resist Technique – which I love a lot :)

If you have no external speakers on your pc – turn up the volume a lot (the audio is very low in this video)

This and the other techniques are part of some of myÜber*Media Online Classes. They are there to free your creativity with techniques and how-to’s that go beyond one certain project. I want you to learn something new that you can adapt to your own style and can use for many projects to come.

Über*Media classes are dedicated to different kinds of media that cross a variety of materials.

I do have several Über*Media Workshops available right now for example Über*Media -PanPastel, -Acrylic Paint, -Gesso, -Acrylic Ink and -FoamStamplifier.

For my Creative JumpStart Über*Media Workshop I showed some of my favorite Über*Media Techniques that can be used in your Mixed Media, Scrapbooking, Altered Art and/or ArtJournal Projects.

 

And here are the supplies I used in the video:

nSupplies

I hope you enjoyed this little technique.

Have an amazing day!

nat

 

Comments (9)

  • Carmen Lucero

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    I always get a big smile on my face when I do the reveal – love this technique!

    Thanks, Nat!

    Reply

  • Deleted User

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    Yes!!!!! Thanks Nathalie, this is a great idea ….this way i can refresh what i did in a rush… thanks for repeating your videos!..

    Reply

  • Izzy

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    Thanks for keeping these great videos around, I loved reviewing and refreshing my mind!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

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    Thanks Nat for this fantastic opportunity of see again this amazing videos!

    Reply

  • Gerd Andersson

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    Thank you Nat, for reminding me about this nice technique! Love your page!

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Thanks so much for reposting this, Nat~ I really loved that class and wish that I had downloaded your excellent videos so I could look at them when I had brain failure (which happens a lot lately)!!

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

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    Oh that is so pretty thank you for sharing the idea. You English is very good.

    Reply

  • Lynn McNeill

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    Thanks for the refresher Nat.

    Reply

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My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 6. Spray Paints

I often get emails asking me about my favorite tools or supplies and I actually love those emails because they make me think of why I tend to use some things all the time.

Is it laziness? What is it about these items that make me grab for them whenever I create a Mixed Media Project?

One of the answers that came up for almost all of them is “I use them because of their versatility of usage” . That is an easy guess for an answer- LOL- since I named my favorite Online Workshop series Über*Media playing on the fact that you can use some items so MANY different ways.

But let me take you the next couple weeks on a little journey on my favorite Mixed Media essentials and explain why I could bathe in them and show you where I used them.

If you missed the other posts in this series – you can catch up here 

6. Spray Paints

NathalieKalbach_FaveSprayPaints

I am a big fan of spray paints. If you say spray paint…you get me interested…keep that in mind if you ever want to get my attention during a conversation ;) I have neglected spray paints a bit in my workshops in the last year, simply because I have been teaching sooo much with a certain spray paint, that I had to step away a bit from teaching with it. But in my personal playing I use spray paints in almost EVERY Mixed Media project.

I tried many different spray paints and right now I stick to the ones in my list below…but it might change over time here and there. Some of the spray paints are better for certain uses. But it doesn’t make the spray paint bad if a certain technique can’t be as well archived as with another one. I refer to this as to flour in baking in your kitchen. There are different kind and grades of flours you can buy. You need a different grade flour for pizza dough and bread then for biscuits and cakes- it doesn’t make one flour bad…it just is something to know and keep in mind to get the result you aspire !

Here are my thoughts and uses- a supply list at the bottom

What I love about Spray Paints:

  • there is a huge variety of different spray paints out there and for every technique or liking there is the right one 
  • you can create beautiful background mixing spray paint colors
  • once you know their specifics you can use them with other paint media for some really cool effects and techniques
  • you can create vibrant art using spray paint colors
  • you can evenly spray all kinds of materials with the right spray paint 
  • you can use stencils in an amazing way with them which is different from the outcome of using them with acrylic paints
  • you can afford them- even if some come as a pretty big investment in the beginning, most are pretty long living and highly pigmented – they go a long way
  • you can create layers with spray paints and add dimension in a way that is not always as easy as with other paint media
  • you learn to use the sprays super fast and get the first awesome results quick. If you take a bit time later learning more about your spray paint and it’s specifics you have a power medium in your hand
  • like with stamping, the outcome is not always perfect, which makes it for me more desirable to use as you embrace the outcome not striving always for perfection
  • you can add visual texture with spray paints
  • you can use it to quickly to alter embellishments or alphabets so they fit your projects

Here are some examples:

Revealing fabric texture with Maya Mists

revealing gesso texture

Layering using Ranger Color Wash

using spray paints with stencils on a canvas board

Using Golden Montana Spray for an outdoor plant pot

Grungy background with Liquitex Professional Spray Paints

Using as an accent on simple scrapbooking pages

using spray paints to change the color and mood of a patterned paper for a scrapbooking layout

using spray paints to alter home decor items -like this mirror

layering it on with Golden Montana for my own pattern paper

using spray paints on fabric

using Dylusions Ink Sprays with Derwent Art Bars

using Liquitex Professional Spray Paint to highlight small areas

LockDown01

using spray paint to change embellishments and alphabets color and appearance

Art Journal Background

Another Homedecor Canvas with Liquitex Professional Spray paints

EasterCanvas_NatKalbach02

boy- that was hard to just pick a few…are you still with me?

My favorite Spray Paints at the moment:

As always in this series- the answer to this question is based on my preferences, my style and my experiences.

Dylusions Ink Sprays are my go to sprays when I work inside and can and want to use spray paints that are going to be water reactivated. Meaning once I put something wet on top, the colors will reactivate again. This means if you work with for example gel medium or other wet media on top, it will get activated again and bleed. Some people do not like that…but I say, it is what you need to know about your spray paint and then you can use it for your advantage. I love using Dylusions for ghosting techniques or to blend in other colors and paint media. The vibrancy of those colors is amazing. And you can use them inside, without a mask and you can wash it off if it goes somewhere else when your project ;) I also have to say that clogging wasn’t an issue for me yet with these spray paints probably because they are dyes. If the colors are used on wall art though – say canvases, the colors tend to evaporate quick in sunlight though at least if there are on top of acrylic media, so I stopped using them on canvases that I hang on the wall.

Maya Road Mists – I love that those colors are also very vibrant, some have a nice shimmer, which I used to love a lot but I am now getting away from the too shiny shimmering stuff.  Seems my magpie times are a bit over ;) What I love about Maya Mists, which are pigment based is, that you can heat set them, so they won’t get reactivated anymore, meaning they are permanent then and therefore can be used on fabric that might get wet or washed too. Like the Dylusions you can use them inside and they cover for example chipboard in the best possible way. Actually they are my favorite when working with chipboard. The clogging is bearable – it happens- and it is nothing you can prevent forever with any given pigment spray paint. Yes…sometimes you force it by not spraying the “right way”….but often times it is just the way those spray nozzles are made that you cannot prevent the spray paints from clogging. They are wonderful on Gesso-ed surfaces- so that is their plus in comparison to the Dylusions but some techniques like the ghosting have on the other hand a better outcome with the Dylusions. So…see it is all about what you want to archive.

Aidorondack Color Wash – these are also water based textile dyes to use on porous surfaces. Like the Maya Mists you can use them on fabric and they can get heat set so that you make them permanent. They are translucent dyes but they cover pretty well. They are VERY concentrated and can be diluted with water a lot and still keep the color and vibrancy. They hold FOREVER. My bottles are very old- probably 5 -6 years (big bottles ;))  and the colors are still awesome and good to use. When you dry them the colorshift is not that high- they stay very vibrant– which I like too. For me it is important that a spray paint is not turning dull once I heat it. So that is definitely a plus here.

Liquitex Professional Spray Paints are my absolute favorite at the moment -but that is also based on my acrylic paint high right now. These spray paints are acrylic based and highly pigmented. They take a bit practice to use..but oh wait till you get the hang out of them ;) Once they are dried they are permanent…as said they are acrylic paint based. They are super vibrant. They can be mixed with acrylic paints and the color shift is very low. Meaning you see the color wet as you will have the color dried- you get what you see :) Sometimes I am not sure if they are already dried as they shine so much and didn’t change the look much from wet to dry. They dry quick too – which I love, no heating required. They are low odor – which means you can use them in small quantity inside in a very well ventilated area. I recommend on top wearing a mask (I have several windows around and a skylight over my spraying station – so I do not always use a mask if I only use small doses- but do not recommend not using one, don’t sue me…use a mask !). The down side is that the spray nozzles of the Liquitex Professional Spray Paints clog easily due to the acrylic paint drying in the cap. The tip is that you should clear the tube and nozzle after using it by turning it upside down and spraying until it comes out clear. That doesn’t help always- but since the spray caps are industry standardized ones, I just buy them at a graffiti store in bulk (super cheap). I am not sure if in the States there is anything like a graffiti store- LOL- but Liquitex also offers replacement caps.

I also loved to use Golden Montana Spray Paints before Liquitex came out with their Professional Spray Paints. If you want to use the Golden Montana Spray paints you need to know that you can really ONLY use them outside and definitely have to wear a mask on top. I also dislike now that the odor of them hangs in the projects for a long time – which is not the case with using the Liquitex Professional Spray Paints.

For cleaning your fingers I actually recommend using Ranger’s Scrubbie I have never found a better thing to clean my hands after spray painting and believe me I tried A LOT.

nSupplies

The next part in the series is already in the planning. Which Mixed Media topic of favorite supplies would you like to see covered by me in this series?

huge hugs

Nat

Comments (11)

  • Julie Filatoff

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    Hi, Nat: Our art journaling group is getting together this weekend and trying a variety of dye, ink, and spray paints, including homemade. Your article is very helpful–thanks!

    Reply

  • Enikö

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    Love these examples! Thanks for sharing your “tricks of the trade”!

    Reply

  • Rob Keogh

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    Thanks for such a great post Natalie, very helpful. <3

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Your posts ALWAYS contain the most interesting and informative tips, Nat~ This one will be one of my most faves, as a newbie to mixed media! I have some of these paints, but want to try the Liquitex spray just because YOU recommend it! You rock!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love love Love this post Nat. I started to use spray paint because of you! I am loving the Dylusions sprays right now. And BTW…I still want that mirror.

    Reply

  • Darlene K Campbell

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    Wonderful of you to provide such a detailed summary of spray paints. Always a plus to have an artist share experiences about different products so we don’t waste time and money researching. Love when we help each other. Thanks.

    Reply

  • Gerd Andersson

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    Thank you so much, for this useful description about sprays! I love all your art pieces! As I’m new to embossing that would be something to know more about or maybe it could be a new workshop.

    Reply

  • hedwig

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    You could clean the nozzles from the liquitex spray paint with nailpolish. Put them in a jar, close the lid and leave them overnight in the nailpolish. That is what grafiti artists do, i saw it on YouTube ;)

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      yes– but it doesn’t work always- and I even more dislike the odor of nail polish ;) But it is a good tip -thanks Hedwig.

      Reply

  • Michelle Guest

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    Paints…

    Reply

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Note To Self: Make Time for Art

MakeTime01

Definitely something I want to follow through with this year! It is the WHY of all I do and I need to make time for it :)

MakeTime02

I used some of Mary Beth Shaw’s Stencil Girl Designs– so love them. They are really cool Stencils. I also used Maya Road Maya Mists, Ranger Dylusions, Liquitex Professional Spraypaints, Ranger’s Distress Inks,  Liquitex Acrylic Inks, Letter Stencil, old book paper, Posca Markers, Ranger Glossy Accents

MakeTime03

Can you tell I had a fun time in my student? LOL

MakeTime04

What is your Note to Yourself today?

have a wonderful day

hugs

Nat

Comments (14)

  • Lisa Flaherty

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    Love the bold color and the message here, Nat. Also, the glossy accents on the clock looks cool! Today my Note to Self is: This is MY life!

    Reply

  • lacyquilter

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    This is a fabulous spread.

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  • mjmarmo

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    That is a good motto! Beautiful page!

    Reply

  • Carrie

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    LOVE! I think we all need this reminder sometimes. I know I’ve been working hard on it. I love your fun bold hot pink here. And the Stencil Girl stencils are awesome! They really do have some great ones. I like what you did with them.

    Reply

  • Riikka

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    I love love love that background with all the great layers!

    Reply

  • Jessica

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    Very nice page, and so a true message in it.

    Reply

  • Enikö

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    Note to myself: Keep your eye on the Prize!
    Great page…cool stencils! Love the colors!

    Reply

  • rains

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    My note to myself is to keep to my commitment to only go to the few mandatory blogs I have to see every morning (yours and Julie’s), check my email and get off the computer! I unsubscribed from everything (art stores, art deals, other blogs) on my email that could pull me into wanting more stuff. It will all still be there after I take this loong break. : ) More time to create!

    Reply

  • petyvic

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    My note for today: continue hard; dont stop!

    Reply

  • muriel

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    The colours are great! And I love this clock. My note for today is: breathe.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Beautiful Nat. You’ve been using more reds and oranges lately and showing us less blues and greens (interesting to me). My note to self is to do my back exercises daily.

    Reply

  • Susan

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    Nice page! I like the snippers of bookpaper. My note for today: take easy and get better!

    Reply

  • Melanie

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    Love youre page. And my note to myself today is: enjoy the sunny weather.
    Liefs, Melanie

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      ahhhhh – it is sunny here too right now :) have a gorgeous day ;) nat

      Reply

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Maya Road Guest Designer- Canvas- Tutorial

For my guest designer spot with Maya Road this month I created this 12 x 12 canvas using lots of Chipboard DoorwaysMaya Mists, and Gesso.

I created a video sharing how I made this canvas:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH5MHQMMgmY&feature=youtu.be]

So love those colors :)

And I totally love those doors…yum yum!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial :)

 

hugs

Nat

P.S.: psst

Comments (12)

  • Deleted User

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    I like this piece for the foyer!…like a welcome to my visitors, says a lot! tfs Nat.

    Reply

  • Marjie Kemper

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    This is fabulous, Nat! Love how you used the neg spaces on the green door and all the yummy texture you built up with the CB and gesso.

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  • Rose Curtis

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    love what you created with the doors!

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  • Liz Thayne

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    Love your use of colour and texture on this canvas. Thanks for sharing.

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  • Bev W.

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    Yes!!! So liking the colors and those doors are a must have and on my wish list! Congrats Anne:) Thanks for the vid Nat!
    ♥Bev

    Reply

  • Conny

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    Die Farben sind einfach der Wahnsinn und ich liebe ja die Embellish von Maya Road – absolut Genial!!!!!

    LG Conny

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Yes, you are the texture lady! I enjoyed this video while eating my breakfast. And you can use reds and oranges as well as blues and greens. The quote has me thinking
    this morning. As always, thanks for sharing your crafty knowledge Nat.

    Reply

  • Dottie

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    Love, love the door canvas!!!

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  • Erika N

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    Very clever page. I love your idea and the this page.

    Reply

  • Birgit Kunte

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    Einfach der Oberknaller, die Türen, super gefällt mir total gut, liebe Grüße Birgit

    Reply

  • enscrappersbekendelser

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    Oh, wow it’s SO über cool. Thanks for the inspiration :)

    Reply

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