The subject of “Gilded” instantly made me take into consideration an Austrian painter I’ve used as a supply of inspiration earlier than, Gustav Klimt. It is peculiar that my ideas steer instantly to him as there is a plethora of artists who use gold of their work! It is likely to be the affect he had on me again at school after I was doing a presentation in regards to the artwork nouveau type and stumbled upon his work. I additionally love the juxtaposition of the detailed, extra naturalistic faces of the characters, and the meticulously painted patterned backgrounds or robes.
To realize comparable look, as an alternative of utilizing simply stamps from one designer I paired two to create a Klimt-like piece of my very own. The graphics of Ellen Vargo echoed the geometrical shapes of Klimt’s work, whereas the attractive women of Lynne Perrella appeared the right pairing for the extra element options of his characters.
Just lately, I’ve crafted my tasks for PaperArtsy barely in a different way from my typical course of as I’ve performed sketches and planning for them. On this challenge, nevertheless, I adopted my pure “drift” type and adjusted the challenge as I went alongside. Naturally, I had an thought what I wished to create after I began creating, however I wanted to tweak my design as my unique thought did not appear to work. That is the way in which I like to work, despite the fact that the saying goes that one hour planning can prevent 10 hours of doing. To me the enjoyment of making is within the making, even when meaning extra work that might have been prevented with planning! However extra in regards to the tweaks and course of later.
To include “Nature”, the theme working throughout a number of matters, I selected so as to add some leaf-like stickers to my challenge. Initially, I used to be pondering of framing the image utilizing these, however when it got here to that stage within the course of, the body was hiding the girl an excessive amount of, altering the environment of the entire card. So, as an alternative I used them as decorations.
However let’s get began with the precise creating course of!
One of many few issues I knew for sure, when beginning, was the focal picture girl I used to be going to make use of. On this stage, I used to be nonetheless pondering of doing a one layer card, so I lower A6-sized playing cards from the cardstock and stamped the picture fairly in the course of them utilizing black ink.
Subsequent step was then so as to add the geometrical shapes to the background. The primary draft was no good as I forgot to warmth set the black ink earlier than including the embossing ink patterns. That meant that every part began turning golden!
I then did one other trial by warmth setting the picture first after which including the sample. Now the issue with the square-like design of the girl got here apparent – the background wasn’t flowing effortlessly however there was two segments to the cardboard.
To masks the geometric stamping, I had lower the pinnacle free from the background and that then lead me to the answer I utilized in my playing cards. As a substitute of doing a one layer design, I must make a separate background piece and add the pinnacle on prime.
Now pondering again, there would have been a one layer choice obtainable, too, however I did not come to consider it on the time. As a substitute of masking, I may have used “stenciling” and created a stencil to stamp the pinnacle by means of eliminating the additional designs I did not want this time!
Utilizing the masks as my information, I then made separate background piece utilizing the Ellen Vargo set (EEV03) and golden embossing powder. I mixed the completely different designs and performed with the patterns. I left the realm beneath the character unstamped as it could be coated anyway.
I actually preferred the geometrical construction of the stamped background, but it surely wanted some tweaking so as to resemble Klimt’s work extra. So, I grabbed a glue pen and added some swirls and features to the combo after which embossed these markings utilizing the identical golden embossing powder. I’d have used an embossing pen, if I had one, as the feel of the ink and the glue differs when embossed.
Now I had my sample performed, so it was time so as to add shade! This may occasionally seem to be an illogical approach to do it, however I wished to make use of the resist high quality of the embossing to make the sample a bit completely different wanting than it could be with the layers different method round. So, I painted the entire background piece utilizing Fresco End Blood Orange (FF62) after which used a moist child wipe to disclose the sample.
Within the image under, you may see a number of the paper being rubbed off. This was as a result of the wipe was a bit too moist. I just like the look, as a result of it makes the challenge really feel extra classic, however if you wish to keep away from that from occurring, use extra rubbing and fewer moisture because the paint will raise off the graceful plastic floor of embossing powder. Additionally, be aware in regards to the paper warping and straighten the piece if essential. Raised areas of the paper will naturally get extra abrasion than the grooved or flat ones.
After getting the background piece performed, I turned my consideration again to the character approaching prime. I nonetheless had one of many women I stamped at first and foolishly thought to make use of her. With the opposite two playing cards, I then stamped the character to the highest of the paper, so I may make her longer.
I first masked the face and stamped a sample to make her garment. I then used first a pencil after which a black marker to attract the define of her torso. Subsequent, I coloured the face and hair. I wished a softer search for the face and a powerful, extra summary search for the hair. To realize that, I used coloured pencils for the face and brush-tip markers for the hair. I took my time particularly with the face, constructing delicate layers of shade moderately than instantly going heavy handed with a shade.
Then it was simply reducing the character free and including a couple of golden particulars to mix her higher to the gilded challenge!
To ensure I acquired the gold simply the place I wished it, I first heated the picture once more after which used the glue pen to hint the fragile headband. I am undecided in case you can see from the image, however I additionally coloured the gems within the band utilizing inexperienced, going for a contrasting shade to her flaming crimson hair.
I am comfortable that I discovered a method round the issue the one layer thought prompted me. I am additionally very comfortable how the coloring of the character turned out. Perhaps that is the rationale, after I then run into one other drawback a bit later, I could not discard her and make one other character, however as an alternative labored round that situation. You may be the choose, how I managed that, simply learn on!
I now had my predominant components prepared – the background and the character. Placing one on prime of one other and peeking a glance to some Klimt’s work, I noticed one thing wanted to be added. Extra sample! To echo the black and white costume she’s carrying, I added some black and white traces to the background. I used two skinny paint markers and traced the rectangle and circle shapes I had created utilizing the Ellen Vargo stamps.
Now that the challenge regarded extra cohesive, I may safe the layers collectively. I lower a framing piece out of black cardstock, trimmed the gilded background smaller and adhered every part collectively utilizing double sided tape.
For those who look intently to this picture beneath and evaluate it to the opposite two playing cards I created utilizing (nearly) the identical steps, you notice that there is two issues completely different. To start with, she’s not as excessive up within the card than the opposite two. The explanation for that is that the character was too quick! As I used my preliminary stamped girl, stamped to the center of the paper, I simply could not get sufficient top to her to succeed in the highest. The opposite one is the position of her in respect of the body. Right here I positioned her on the body and others have been adhered contained in the framing piece.
Then it was time so as to add the “nature” layer. I am sorry to say I did not take a photograph of the piece after I had these vines surrounding the focal space. She regarded like she was trapped! The environment of the flowing design modified to a boxed and oppressing, and I did not need that. So, I eliminated all these framing vines and began once more. This time I used the leaves to focus on the pinnacle band and in addition added a pair to the underside of the cardboard. Now it is extra like she’s rising from the vines than being restrained by them.
What I additionally did was to “ink” the sting of the focal space. In earlier step, I lower the background piece smaller so as to add the body round it. By selecting a black piece to border the focal space, the distinction between the lower white paper edge and the black cardstock was simply an excessive amount of. It was distracting from the principle ingredient. As I did not dare to make use of an inking instrument to cover the sting at this stage, and did not wish to danger of ruining the entire thing by ripping it aside, I as an alternative used a paint marker and traced the focal piece with it. This then prompted a tiny drawn element however extra over removed the distracting white edge! With the opposite two playing cards I inked the sting earlier than adhering the layers collectively.
I took my time pondering, if I ought to add a sentiment to the cardboard or not, or if one other little ingredient ought to be added. Because it was onerous to return to any answer, what I then did was to create two extra playing cards and used these concepts to them! …or moderately, I added extra particulars to this unique one, stored one of many new ones plain and added a sentiment to a different.
Here is the trio of the playing cards prepared! The one within the center is the one I made whereas taking pictures the step-by-step pictures, the one on the left is the plain one, after which the one on the precise has the sentiment, some added particulars and a special shade of card base! They’re there to indicate, how the little particulars form the over all look of the cardboard.
The cardboard on the precise and right here under, I made a decision to make right into a Vacation greeting. I added some crimson half pearls to her hair and garment to resemble berries and added a sentiment sticker. The label says, freely translated “an environment of Christmas”. I additionally used crimson cardstock to make the bottom moderately than white.
Right here beneath is the cardboard I made taking pictures the steps. You’ll be able to see that she’s a bit decrease within the background than the opposite two and he or she has a much bigger leafy crown. That crown is to distract the truth that her head is flat! I did use markers to imitate the flowing hair to the hole between the pinnacle and the body, however hoped that the vines would cover the straight edge extra. As there was plenty of bulk coming from the leaves, I added additionally some rhinestone stickers into the combo, making an attempt to make the headpiece extra elaborate that method. That crown now has echoes of one other favourite of mine, Alphonse Mucha!
I am very happy how the trio turned out! It is all the time a magical second to see how a lot a small factor can impact the entire challenge – like how a lot the change of the cardboard base influences the temper of the cardboard. I am additionally comfortable the way in which I coloured the faces of the women. To let you know the reality, I wanted to make use of my daughter’s coloured pencils for these! It was eye-opening to comprehend that despite the fact that I’ve a number of drawers with paint mediums and different colorants, I do not personal an excellent set of coloured pencils! Nicely, I now know what to get myself for Christmas, then!
With this challenge I am wishing comfortable Holidays to you all! Could the season be full of heat, kindness, and coziness. Thanks for stopping by in the present day!
Xoxo Riikka
