Friday, February 11, 2011

One Last Splash Of Glitter........

I know this cannot compare with the last post, so let's not even go there. No eye candy, just nominal art.
*SIGH*
Sorry kiddies.
Alas, a boring heart....no Pirates.....
As with most of what I do, occasionally things just take off in another direction and it is NOT what I had in mind. This is the case with the post today; the four heart stencil that seemed like a good idea but was a devil to pull.
I started with a simple scrapbook paper heart, then wanted to use the gold German Glitter for contrast. I do want to add here that the gold glitter is made up of metallic glass and yellow tinted glass, which disperses color when added to the soft gloss gel. (as I found out....)

I did tape this stencil due to wanting straight placement....I could just see it take off....NOT.
Well, first off, I almost could not get the stencil OFF. I mean, those little edges were just not nice at all. I pulled and gently wiggled, and added some spicy words to see if that would help (it did NOT, btw....), stomped my feet and threw a little fit.
After a bit more easing, I finally got the foam off and had to readjust the edges of the gel with the palette knife. Yes, you can do that. It requires a light touch. A very light touch......and yes, the temptation to throw this one in the trash occurred to me several times.


But I decided to let it dry and see what would happen. The problem was simple; I had put so much gel on, it ended up drying without the paper showing through as I had envisioned. So, lesson learned. If you want the glitter AND the background to show, don't pack it so full.

Yeah, yeah, it could be worse....maybe not.
Hmmmph.
While I was waiting and waiting (and waiting.....) for this to dry, I decided to do a very unsophisticated sample chart so everyone could see the other possibilities for additives to gel. I even remembered to write on the back what I had used.....will miracles never cease.....LOL!


1. Fine German Glass Glitter in black

2. Black glass beads (no holes)

3. Fine German Glass Glitter (black) mixed with Budgie Grit

4. Used and dried green tea from tea bags


5. Used and dried coarse loose tea

6. Crushed flakes of leftover mica sheets (they're too expensive to waste!)


7. Gold German Glass Glitter (notice the yellow bleed into the gel)

8. Commercial Golden Black Mica Gel Medium


I wanted to put one of the specialty mediums on the board to see how the other items stood up visually against the real deal. And frankly, I think they do okay. #3 probably comes the closest to the Mica Gel, but it also has a lot of the texture of the pumice gel when you touch it. I probably should have done a wash of paint over half of each sample, but remember, it's ME and I have a short attention span. (and I've been working on several other things at once too....ack!)
I will say the coarse loose tea is wonderful if you are doing a 3-D type area and want to imitate weeds, twigs, etc. Just add the right color paint afterward.
Next post, I will wrap this up with the one completely finished canvas, so that you can have an idea of where these can be taken. I am really hoping my husband does not decide to check the blog, because it is his Valentine gift and I would like to surprise him......*wink*!!!
I've had fun with this tutorial, and hopefully you have been able to learn a bit along the way.
Of course, gel medium is one of the best collage mediums out there, though I recommend matte for that purpose. I probably will do one post on the Diva Gels; the ones you cannot mess with, but are worth the cost.
It won't have cool pictures of Cap'n Jack.
Life is hard.
Sometimes you just have to deal with words. ;-D
Okay....one more piece of eye candy......


"I likes me gel additives too...Savvy???"

Now go make art!



Pax....

29 comments:

Janine said...

Hi Anne,
this is so funny, I read so often about german glass glitter, but I , as a german, don´t know what that is. I suppose we in germany have a divfferent name for it.
Have a great weekend
janine

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Janine,

No doubt you do; it is the glitter they put on Christmas Ornaments----that is the most common use for it.
And maybe it is something that is only exported; sometimes that happens with products too!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Anne Sweetie...
A beautiful share as always. I love these last 2 posts. I so enjoy tutorials and learning about new products, mixtures and possibilities. You give us other gals HOPE sweet one. I DREAM through you.

I love the German Glass and the crushed flakes of mica sheets. Gosh I wish I lived close to you. I would be knocking on your door every weekend for a new lesson.

Thanks for sharing sweetie. Hope you have a beautiful Valentines Day. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Sherry,

I had fun putting them together---could you tell? LOL!!!
I think if you make something fun, you learn it in half the time.
EVERYONE says they want to live close to me, but in truth, y'all might change your minds! hahahahaha!!!!
Hope you have a good VAlentine's Day too!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anonymous said...

You were being so organized with your sample card, bravo, more than I ever manage to do. The loose tea is pretty cool for that twig/nature effect.
Sorry the hearts didn't turn out, but we all go through that, oh crap that's not at all what I wanted to do here, but you still managed to make them look great in the end. When in doubt improvise right? Thanks for sharing the trial and tribs with us. Happy weekend - NO MORE SNOW! xox Corrine

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Corrine, half of my work is, "Oh crap, that wasn't what I had planned!" And most of it usually WORKS, but is totally different. I roll with the punches! LOL!!!
I could have made that sample card HUGE....I have so much junk here. Some of it is strictly good for texture to paint over, some stands on it's own as an interesting color/effect.
And I am afraid to even look at the weather....save me from MORE SNOW! ACK!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

becky said...

Hi Anne, I've enjoyed reading through your last few posts & seeing your process in getting from point A to a finished piece. Perhaps some day, I'll delve into mixed media. That gel looks like fun & love the pic of all the different additives... oh, & Johnny Depp doesn't look to bad either...
:)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Becky,

Glad you've enjoyed the posts!!!
Mixed media is pretty addictive...I never thought I would enjoy it so much. The possibilities are endless!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

Oh Cap'n, me's got plenty O rum at my cantina and the weather is warming up quite nicely...hubby is gone till 6, so row on over and I'll pick the glitter off ya. Oh, HI ANNE!!!! NOoooooo I was not stealing your house guest... **happy Friday** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You get ONE, you get BOTH of us DEB!!!!
I'm really tired of winter and we can share glitter-picking time....LOL!!!

Totally awful, I am.....

XXOO~~♥
Anne

yoborobo said...

I like Number One! I don't have any German glass glitter, just crummy glitter. I don't have budgie grit either. Maybe I can use cat litter - lol!! You always make me want to play with art supplies. Thank you for the amazing tutorial. And thank you for Johnny...he he. xox! Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Go for the cat litter Pam!!! You might invent something great!!!
Go play---you have approval!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Karen S said...

Rofl -- thanks for the pic of Cap'n Jack -- I will have to wait until I have more time to do the gel thing, but I could make time anytime to do Jack. Oh no!! I can't believe my fingers just typed this...arrrrgggghhhhh....!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah-hahahaha!!!!!
I think we ALL feel that way! You so rock!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Georgina said...

Anne, I went out to lunch and never came back!! Where have I been, missing all these wonderful posts of yours....and your work, "mavelous, daling!"

Am going back and check these posts out...would love to learn how to use all those lovely gels and all that other great stuff!!!

Hope you're staying warm...we came out on the national news...oey vey!! Stoopid utilites!! Have a great weekend.

Loves ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina,

I've been out to lunch, and I'm the one who's been WRITING them! LOL!!!
This is just one use....there are so many.
Go back and read at leisure--they're pretty fun!
Did you get a chance to talk on the news??? Did the police have to haul you off??? ;-D
Hope things get better there my friend.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Bella Sinclair said...

You know, if everything went according to plan, there would be no suspense and life with be without thrills. Don't you think? It's something I have to tell myself often. And OOOH, I love the one with the mica flakes! I think your gels stand up dang well to the commercial kind!

Arrrrgh, matey, have a great weekend!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Bella,

I think that is why I enjoy mixed media so much--I am never quite sure if it will do as I want, or if it will take another turn all together. When I drew and painted, I knew I could manipulate the image to something very exact. It was just getting it done.
I guess I would rather make sand pies and wonky glitter hearts! LOL!!!! ;-)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Carol said...

I love your glitter hearts and I'm sure your Valentine (and Valentine's Day) will be fabulous. Thanks for another look at the gorgeous Cap'n.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Carol,

Maybe I should give up art and start a Cap'n Jack blog...it would certainly be fun to LOOK at, and probably be less expensive....until I got sued!
LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

studio lolo said...

I do love me some Johnny, but I never did get into that pirate series. I KNOW!!! Everyone's telling me I'm nuts but I just am not into pirates and skulls and stuff.

But oh, his mouth. Have you ever seen such a perfect kisser?

Ahem...now back to the art of the matter!

I think mica is my favorite of the textures you use. It reminds me of a time in my life (as a kid) when I walked the railroad tracks and collected mica. Having grown up in the bowels of Boston in a horrid time, moving to the country was like going home for me. I immediately felt it in my bones. As hard as life was, little things like mica can bring some glittery memories ;)

Thank you for that♥

xoxo
Lolo

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Well Lolo, we'll have to work on your aversion to POTC, but you DO appreciate the actor.....so that's points for you! heehee!
I used to find pieces of mica at my grandparents farm in Virginia. It would be laying on the red clay---just shining like diamonds. I would collect it and bring it home. I loved it. It was sheer magic for a kid. Who would have thought then that we could use it in art???

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Manon said...

You gotta love mixed media!!!! Loved the post and all your trial and tribulations because it's all worth it in the end!! Don't ya just love glitter? OMG!! Don't we all love Johnny Depp? LOL

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

Looks like you are having fun around there! I love the hearts they are beautiful and such fun. Great work Anne. Iove the colors. Oh there is a pirate up in there I know it. WONDERFUL!! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me such wonderfulness. I so appreciate your friendship and love. Hugs to you beautiful!
V

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I *DO* Manon! I love mixed media and glitter and all the STUFF! I love the possibilities of junk being reborn into something wonderful and even the learning mistakes along the way~~~it is worth every second! ;-D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Vanessa,

I'm hiding pirates in the blog now....anything to lighten the mood! LOL!!! (you know I'm crazy!)
I had a ball with all these I did, and I am so happy for you and your review---WONDERFUL!
YOU GO GIRL!!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

BumbleVee said...

how I love old Jack..... what a great character he created eh?>>>>

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh yes! I think it will go down in film history as a classic! And to think Disney wanted him to change it when they first saw the dailies......what were they expecting??? LOL!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

*Ulrike* said...

Definitely like the "other" eye candy!
Hugs!
Ulrike

Post a Comment

Talk to me Dahling!
I'm waiting, breathless...... ;-D