Trying out a New Technique

So, recently, I’ve discovered a few YouTube artists whose focus is on abstract painting. Their joy of putting paint and many other mediums on paper with varied techniques, such as scribbling, drawing, mark making, use of stencils, has been so inspiring and freeing of perfection expectations, I decided to try it! (My perfectionist traits can paralyze me sometimes… i.e., not “good enough” work.) I loved what they produced and could see using their techniques as fun backgrounds for cards!

My close friend sent me a quote recently about crafting and or being an artist is more about the joy of the process than the outcome. And I must admit, I can lose hours and be totally happy and at peace with life just in the doing part. So, this new form of art is so appealing for that reason alone… play, experiment and enjoy the outcome, whatever the result. Here’s the first video, by Denise Love that really snagged me in… https://youtu.be/SIywgiXCyTA. 

Now, I already had some of the supplies from subscribing to the Sketchbox monthly art subscription a few years ago … graphite pencils, crayons, inks and gold mediums. Using just acrylic paints, I created these first… as backgrounds for ATC’s. Used Unity’s stamp kit, Open Sky, Deep Ocean, from 5/18, for this one.

Since I wanted finer lines and more blurring of colors, I tried some watercolor inks I also had in my stash. This was my second attempt. I found the watercolor inks too loose and didn’t leave enough white space. The colors were pleasing though.

I ended up using a Dina Wakely cutout chipboard, I picked up from who knows where and a sentiment strip from a booklet. I used a paper pack I picked up from Tuesday AM a long time ago and stamped all over it. I also used a stencil to add a blue glaze and on top of it white embossing paste.

I ended up with this funky card! I added the gold butterfly from an ephemera pack.

And yes… it’s over the top… but I’m playing.

Here’s my latest attempt after picking up a couple Daler Rowney acrylic inks. I made this first…

I then added some stenciling with embossing paste and circles using a stencil. Note I pulled out an old mettalic gelato! Worked great and gave it shine. I ended up using another Unity Kit to create this card.

So, while none of these turned out “great”, they all fulfilled a few goals of mine… use up supplies on hand that I’ve never used before, have a ton of fun in the creation process, try something new, get out of the current slump I’ve been in, build new skills… 

A happy surprise outcome… I love those Dina Wakely cutouts and the use of paper on top. I need to do more of that. Next step…simplify backgrounds… make them less busy, more white space. 

Well… hope this inspires you to take a look at some new techniques. Feedback and suggestions are always welcome. Take care, and until next time, happy crafting!