Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Final Installment of the Tutorial (Oh...relief!!!)


(the following work is a copyright of Anne M. Huskey-Lockard, 2009)
After yesterday, we were basically at the point of laying on ink gently to add to an aged appearance. This is what using one color does, with the majority of the ink being the Tim Holtz Vintage Photo brown, but also a bit of regular brown dye ink used.
Put a bit on, work it in with a rag, wipe it off to smooth the edges and make it seem stained or just aged paper.
One color family sometimes works fine, but I generally go in with black ink also. This photo below has black dye ink and I go back to my rough brush that I used for the gel and gesso application.
Tap it on the ink pad, or stroke very lightly to pick up small amounts of ink. VERY SMALL. Then begin to shadow along edges of paper, skim lightly over wrinkles, smudge a bit here and there after brush application with the rag. More texture begins to show, and the piece gains in interest.

When I have that done, to where I like it (and this is a matter of personal taste) I will go back with the STAZ-ON and do the edges of the canvas so it really is dark. That makes the center of the panel pop and sometimes, I will let just a touch of the ink go over onto the top of the panel.
At this point, you need to let everything dry very well.
You will then spray the begeezies out of it with a workable fixative (I use Krylon exclusively) and make sure the sides are sprayed too.
I can't say this enough:

HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION!!!

In the summer when it is hot and dry out, I'll go outside the studio door to do it. But most of the time I am in the cellar and I spray and run. Sit the piece down, again, let it dry well. When you get back to it you will notice the workable fixative has added depth to the work, the colors seem brighter and it also has left a bit of a slick finish. That's fine.

Next are stamps if you choose to use them, but you will want fluid acrylics or craft paint thinned with a collage medium. Dye ink will not dry on this--Staz-On will, but the color will be quite intense. I like the workability of the fluids and paints. This, again, is personal preference. You can stamp partial images, texture, whatever. Stamps must be cleaned immediately after use or you have just ruined your stamp. The paint does NOT come off with stamp cleaner once it's dried. I have a very soft old toothbrush and artists brush soap I use, but as long as it is something gentle, you're okay.
CLEAN YOUR STAMPS! They are a big investment even on sale!!!

This has a bit of texture stamped on. You can see the dark edges well in this photo and also how the fixative brought out the layers of texture in the rest of the piece.
So why am I stopping here? Because this is all you need to know for a background. Everything else, from here on, is foreground, and that is when you, gentle reader, make your personal statement. What is it you want to say or do? Do you strictly want to do an abstract? Do you want to do a painting? Do you want to collage on images and words?
Whatever you may consider, you're ready. Remember anything printed from an ink jet printer will have to have a good coat of the workable fixative before being applied. Anything that is not water proof becomes so with the workable fixative. Don't skimp.
I hope this has been of benefit to you and I hope to hear from some of you, that you've tried this and a photo would be even better! (hint hint!) Then we could have a blog post about what different ways we all went with the same technique.
Now, don't be afraid to try this, don't be afraid to ask me questions, but most of all, have fun with the art you make.
And if it flops, well, put it away like I did mine, let it *cure* for a while and then take it back out when your mind is clear! After all, that's what this is all about. Recycling. Everything, the art included!
Wishes for the best of luck and the best of fun.....

Pax.

16 comments:

yoborobo said...

This is such great information, Anne! I love seeing how you work. Is begeezies a technical term? LOL! I laughed so hard. OK, one question - what is collage medium (for my shopping list of art supplies I can't afford!). OK, I lied, two questions: when you print images from your computer, do you have a favorite ink? I always worry about things fading, but maybe the fixative helps with that. And when you are all done (THREE questions) do you seal your work with varnish?
Thank you for sharing this with us - my tired little grey cells are absorbing this and thinking of ways to use it. I will definitely share anything I make (even the disasters!). xox Pam

Tristan Robin said...

this looks ancient! wonderful techniques - thanks for sharing them all.

Anonymous said...

Oh...goody, goody!.. the grande finale ...what a transformation the ink made! Thats art in itself. You accomplished a wonderul old patina here..
I'm about ready to try that phase on mine..You have given us a super tutorial, Anne...your images really spell it out for us.
I am grateful to you for sharing your talents!
xoxo, gypsy

Jan said...

I will definitely get back to this tutorial as soon as I am able. Also will share it with some other folks, maybe my group will want to all try it together. I may have more questions for you when I start but it looks like you covered most everything quite well. Thanks so much for giving us your time and sharing your knowledge.

Anonymous said...

I love this technique. I have favorited this for future use. I love anything olde, ancient, worn.. did I mention that yesterday or the day before? Yes maybe I did, sorry to repeat.... but I do love it. Wonderful job. Tammy

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Pam,

To your questions....
1. Yes, in Anne-Land, *begeezies* IS a technical term, and I am sure you can figure out what it means! :)
2. Collage medium, this you CAN afford. I go to JoAnns with the 40% off coupon and get Traci Bautista's Collage Pauge in matte. It will mix with a craft acrylic and give it a lighter color without the water-down of, well, adding water! Also, there is Royal Coat, a bit more expensive and harder to find and a bit thinner. Both are in the $4+ to $7 range.
3. I have a Canon printer and use Canon ink. Individual tanks. Have had good luck with everything I have done, but will admit I don't have things in full sun. But I do have things I decoupaged onto my windowsills here in the studio, and they are still bright. I think the mediums and the fixatives help. Can't guarantee that---just observation.
4. All my work is sealed with at least two layers of Ceramcoat varnish, and sometimes acrylic wood finish. The Ceramcoat is what I use the most of, with highlights of Triple Thick Glaze. But EVERYTHING is sealed, even if it doesn't look it!
And that was FOUR questions....one over quota...LOL!!!!!! ;)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Tristan and Jean,

Patina---yes! That's the word I was looking for!
At my increasing age, maybe I should try some of this on ME...... ;)
SNARF!!!! I might look more interesting! LOL!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Jan--

Glad this is something you can use; maybe your group would have fun with it. I think you'd enjoy it, from some of the other work you've done.
Glad it was helpful!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Tammy,

I love making things look like they have had a history---that it's not sparkling new and glossy. I think that's what draws me to this. And it's a long way from what I used to do.....but what an interesting trip it's been!
glad to share the info---hope you can use some of it!

Anne

Julie Zaccone Stiller said...

This is a great tutorial Anne, I really enjoyed seeing all the details of the techniques that you use. Some of which are new to me, so thanks!

Leslie said...

Again, thanks for the tute, see, see! I told you... Great photos and clear instructions. Gonna try it myself, one of these days.

Anonymous said...

Anne, there were several Krylon possibilities today... i decided on the one that said Matte finish.

it is a permanent protective matte coating...non yellowing..moisture resistant.
Figured if i want some gloss..that could come later...
Hope i made a good choice...
what think?...

the Staz On..was pricey, as you said..i got brown and black...
plus, got the tim holtz distress ink..frayed burlap... might be ready for that process tomorrow!
(monday)...
gypsy

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Julie and Leslie,

Thanks so much for the comments on the tutorial. I am glad to know it was clear and that it made sense. I think I could really get into teaching...I enjoyed this, though it really brought up the issue of needing a simple point and shoot camera as opposed to the bigger Fuji I use!
Do try this even for journaling---I think you both could adapt it to your own applications! :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Jean,

Regular Krylon Matte should work---the one I buy says Workable Fixative but I am sure I have used the other too. Just try it on something *non-important* if you think it might not be the same.
On the other hand, you might have discovered something I need to know about!!! That's how this works!
You'll love the inks--again, try them on something else first to get the *feel*.
I'm excited to see the product!
YOU GO GIRL!!!

Bunny said...

Great tutorial, love all the steps in the process. Looks like fun. I have used those ink pads on some of my fabric, (I sneak some os my daughters' while she is at work :) ) LOL. She has some wonderful supplies and does amazing work in her scrapbooking.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at her work.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!! Bunny, you're a sneaky gal! I like that! I've not tried them on fabric, though I suppose I should sometime. It might be just what I need for an infusion of *new* in my fiber art. I would think it definitely would be the STAZ-ON....
And by the way, I envy your quilts.... :)

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