Turtle Themed Artwork Design Problem


Turtle Themed Artwork Design Problem

The theme for this month’s design problem from Artwork Parts was turtles. As with each month-to-month problem, we have been free to selected the medium and interpret the theme in as some ways as we needed. Or, extra virtually, in as some ways as now we have time. A month might appear to be a very long time but it surely usually goes by faster than you’d suppose. Listed here are my turtle themed artwork designs for the problem.

The primary piece of turtle themed artwork I’m sharing for this design problem was really made months earlier than the theme was introduced. Earlier this yr, I used to be feeling the presence of a turtle spirit information, reminding me to persevere and it impressed me to sculpt some sea turtle hatchlings in paperclay. Whereas I shared pictures of the sculpture on my social media, I didn’t weblog about it. So I’m together with it right here although it technically wasn’t created for the month-to-month theme. It’s my weblog, my guidelines.

Worktable with paperclay sculpture in progess.
Working in layers is one of the best ways I’ve discovered to attenuate cracks within the paperclay because it dries. On this case, the background layer of clay across the glass jar was allowed to dry utterly earlier than I utilized the turtle particulars in a second layer.

After I made this jar, I’d been working with paperclay for about two months. I’m nonetheless very a lot on the uphill aspect of the training curve, however I get higher about being affected person with this medium. And myself. I miss working with polymer clay, and sit up for cooler climate after I can take that up once more. However I’m additionally having fun with studying to work with paperclay.

Upcycled glass jar with paperclay sculpture of green sea turtle hatchling on blue background.
This aspect of the upcycled jar has somewhat inexperienced sea turtle hatchling. I used acrylic paints to paint the wavy blue background and the hatchling. I’m studying methods to paint with acrylics along with methods to sculpt with polymer clay. As a rule, colours don’t go in accordance with plan. However on this case, I did handle to get the impact I used to be aiming for.
Upcycled glass jar with leatherback turtle hatchling sculpted from paperclay.
That is the opposite aspect of the turtle jar, with a leatherback hatchling. I discover it practically unattainable to go away the again aspect of a design clean. Not that I take into account this the again. It’s simply the opposite aspect. And might I point out how time consuming it was to make all that texture? There’s no straightforward button for that form of element. I’ve seemed.

The primary piece I designed after the problem theme was introduced was a micro mosaic utilizing epoxy clay. I’m nonetheless avoiding buy of latest artwork or craft provides. As a result of I’ve a lot already. And but, it’s by no means precisely the best factor when it comes time to create. On this case, I used to be wishing for various colours of beads. Additionally, the epoxy clay I’ve was lower than ultimate as a result of I first opened it greater than a yr in the past. Contemporary clay would have been higher as a result of the older it will get, the harder it’s to combine and the faster it cures. I used to be positively racing the clock to get all of the elements into the clay earlier than it hardened.

Rectangular metal box with micro mosaic design of sea turtles crawling from the beach into the ocean.
The bottom for this micro mosaic is a small tin with a hinged lid, barely bigger than an ordinary enterprise card. The sample for the ocean waves was created by embedding rows of measurement 10 and 11 seed beads into the clay. The turtle hatchlings are brass charms. I didn’t have any sand coloured beads for the seaside so I embedded embossing powder for somewhat texture.

The ultimate mission for this month’s problem was an experiment with paperclay. I do know folks use it to make ornaments and determined to make a number of take a look at turtles. All of them dried with out cracks, which was superior. They every additionally warped somewhat as they dried, which was much less superior. It doesn’t detract from their look or operate. However I’m pondering methods to get future ornaments to dry flat.

Two turtle shaped paperclay ornaments painted with bright flower designs.
The flower designs on these two turtle ornaments have been stamped into moist paperclay. I used each the optimistic and detrimental sides of an embossing folder: one decoration has a stamped texture and the opposite has a raised sample. The decoration on the left was coloured with Inktense ink pencils and the one of many proper with Posca acrylic paint pens.

The opposite a part of the experiment with these take a look at turtle ornaments was utilizing Inktense ink pencils and Posca acrylic paint pens so as to add colour. I’ve used each on polymer clay and was fairly certain they’d work on paperclay. Within the case of the paint pens, I bought a really opaque colour protection, which was anticipated. With the ink pencils, it appears as if the ink doesn’t dry. It’s not speculated to be re-wettable as soon as dry. And but, after I went to brush on a layer of gloss medium, the colour lifted and moved. I’ll word that earlier than portray, I handled the cured paperclay with layers of gesso and gloss medium. Perhaps the undercoat of gloss medium retains the ink from drying?

Paperclay turtle shaped ornament with blue-green paisley pattern.
The paisley design on this turtle decoration was created by rolling a silicone texture sheet over moist paperclay. I used Inktense pencils for colour once more. This time, as a substitute of plain water on the comb, I used gloss medium diluted with water to moist the ink. I used to be nonetheless capable of elevate somewhat colour after I believed the ink was dry. But it surely didn’t transfer round after I sealed the decoration with a later of gloss medium.

There was speculated to be an embroidery mission this month too. I’ve been neglecting my stitching and thought I might strive a painted turtle for this design problem. Alas, I bought distracted by shiny objects – or possibly books – and by no means even began a hoop. There’s at all times subsequent month. Thanks a lot for stopping by my weblog at present. I hope you loved the turtle themed artwork and the time you spent right here. Please go away a remark if the spirit strikes you.



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