“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a stroke of luck” – Dalai Lama
And sometimes you won”t find out about that until much later… ;) For this spread I wanted a layered look to go with this quote. Let me share with you how I worked on this art journal page
I chose three vibrant but close red /pinkish Liquitex Soft Body Paints: Naphthol Crimson, Fluorescent Red and Hibiscus and dry brushed and blended them together on the blank page.
Using the Art Deco Wallpaper Stencil I designed for StencilGirl Designs I spray painted here and there a second layer with Cadmium Red Deep Hue 5 onto the spread.
The result was very subtle as I used the same color scheme as for the background but exactly that gives it so much dimension and depth. So I grabbed my Lilly Wall Decor Stencil and sprayed over it with Cadmium Red Light Hue.
I just love the crisp stenciling effects with those spray paints!
For my next layer I wanted to tone down the brightness a bit and was going for a white. But I also didn’t want a shiny white to not pick up on the brightness of my background and so I chose Gesso instead of Acrylic white paint to use with my Batik Stencil.
I used only parts and bits of the Batik Stencil here and there.
For my next layer I picked up the Lilly Stencil again – Repetition of Patterns is also a good way to layer and I had already used the Lilly Stencil AND I knew I was going to use my Elephant Stencil that has the Lilly in a smaller form as a pattern too :)
I used Iridescent Bright Gold and used a cosmetic sponge to stencil through. BTW the sad looking foamy thing on the right is the cosmetic sponge. It looks like this because I use it several times cutting off the tip for new colors to make the most of it.
And since I was talking about repetition : As the Elephant Parade Stencil also has small parts of my ornament stencil included, I pulled out the Ornament Wallpaper Stencil and stenciled with gold here and there.
I wish the photos could do the gorgeous golden color justice…but you just have to take my word for it…it is amazing in real life! Then it was time to get the big guns…eh Elephants out. My Elephant Parade Stencil.
I mixed some gesso with a drop of Ultramarine Blue and stenciled through the Elephant Silhouette part.
I may repeat myself…but remember …I was talking about repetition? Using the patterned Elephant part of the stencil showing parts of the Ornament and Lilly Stencil I used the leftover paint and stenciled some of the images here and there onto my art journal page.
Then I layered the patterned elephant stencil part over the area where I created the elephant silhouette and sprayed over with three different spray paints – variating the pressure and areas to get color graduation and more dimension. I used: Parchment, Phthalo Blue and Neutral Grey.
To get a bit contrast in I knew I needed some black in the page and since I do love to make a mess…I grabbed my Splatter tool and some black acrylic ink. To make sure that I was not getting any splatters into my elephant, I shielded it off with the elephant mask that is also part of the Elephant Parade Stencil. YES…three in one : Mask, Silhouette and Stencil – pretty pretty cool- if I dare to say so ;)
And then I used my new found Love… I had tested the Derwent Graphik Line Painter already in spring at NAMTA and I couldn’t wait for it to finally be available. LOOOOOVEEEE – I am a nerd for a really good black journaling pen and this one writes beautifully and without any problems on dried (!) acrylic backgrounds and it is permanent once dried. Awesome journaling and sketching pen – the black is one numbered #18.
Here are some details of the finished page
Hope you liked the little layering tutorial – I won’t lie – it takes some time and usually …I would even go for more layering before adding the final focal points on my spread :)
Here is a list of all the supplies and colors I used
Have a gorgeous day:)
Comments (7)
Joi@RR
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I only like to travel – WITH YOU!!! I seldom leave the ranch but I soooo love your posts when you travel Nat. Oh well heck – I love all your posts but I do enjoy seeing all your photos of the sights and the things that you do. AND… you know – I always love your skyline projects. This one is no exception. LOVE LOVE the bright colors and the wonderful backgrounds. Great way to start my week – seeing your SUPER FINE post. Hugs. j.
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nathalie-kalbach
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Joi – I see- I want to see pictures of a real ranch in the States- share some pictures with me :) Have a gorgeous day and hugs to you too, Nat!
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cat2468
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Hey Nat!!
I am a country girl who grew up on a farm. So it never ceases to amaze me how drawn I am to cityscapes……especially yours!! And the large piece you did before you moved here (sorry, my memory sucks these days!!) it was a waterfront/city painting for a contest?) despite my embarrassment I shall forge on to tell you how much that piece blew me away!! Maybe that’s where my memory went!!! Love your work and teaching style!! Hope to catch more on-line classes!l. Having trouble getting this comment to post!!! I’ll try later!!!
Cat
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nathalie-kalbach
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hi Cat, thank you so much for your wonderful words. I did a couple paintings before I moved to the States- maybe you find the particular one here in the gallery: http://nathaliesstudio.com/ngallery/ I hope I see you in class :) Have a wonderful day!!!
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cat2468
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Hey Nat!!
I am a country girl who grew up on a farm. So it never ceases to amaze me how drawn I am to cityscapes……especially yours!! And the large piece you did before you moved here (sorry, my memory sucks these days!!) it was a waterfront/city painting for a contest?) despite my embarrassment I shall forge on to tell you how much that piece blew me away!! Maybe that’s where my memory went!!! Love your work and teaching style!! Hope to catch more on-line classes!
Cat
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Sue Clarke
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I love to travel and wish that I could do more of it.
It’s so fun to meet new folks and see that we are really after the same things in life.
Plus the different designs and colors in different areas are inspiring.
Nice colors in this art journal page Nat.
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nathalie-kalbach
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Thank you Sue! I love that we can find so many things in common with many other people we have yet to meet :)
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