Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Old Paper Rejuvenated

Learning from mistakes....that is how this part came to be. I kept thinking of the skulls in yesterday's post and how they had gotten all sloppy from the wash seeping into the back of the paper, and knew that OLD book paper would be much more porous.....so out came the clear gesso.

 

I completely covered the backs of the book pages with the clear gesso and let them dry. The paper does curl, so once completely dried, they got a quick ironing to flatten and then were ready for stamping on the front.
Due to the text, I chose one of my larger stamps....

Same gesso routine....spread it out even....

Stamp firmly....
PRESS....REPEAT TO COVER....

And your finished, stamped page should look something like this. I recommend using a dryer on this, as the foam stamps pick up more gesso and those little thick places will take quiet a while to dry on their own.
No photos of watching gesso dry...I mean, I'm sure that would provide too much excitement....LOL!


When starting to paint these, you will find that the paper absorbs the wash at a very fast rate, BUT, that gesso on the back keeps it from seeping through. So paint a section at a time and blot off as before....


....And you will end up with a very definite pattern showing and all the text and also *texture* of the original paper coming through too. And yes, the back side of the paper will be pretty clear; mine just picked up some splatters from my over aggressive paint slopping....


And this is what the paper will look like when finished.
Finished???
It was, until about 5 minutes ago I had one of those *What if....* thoughts and ran to the table.
Due to the support of the clear gesso on the back, you can add a second wash of color on this, letting it feather out with the addition of water, and blotting as usual. No, no photo....I'm fresh from my little experiment.
So, lesson learned. Preparing the BACK of the paper can be as importan as the stamping on the front.

A thought: I am not sure how well this would work on older, thin paper. Due to the nature of a thinner substrate, there would be natural show through, but I encourage experimentation, because the BACK might be more interesting in that case!

And now, for the last part:


The printed tissues.
I do not have the photos done for this section yet, and I have a full day of running today.....so what I am saying is look for this Friday or Saturday, unless some miracle happens here, and don't hold your collective breath for that one!
I am not responsible for anyone turning blue and passing out. ;-D
Go make art~~have fun!!!


Pax.... 

29 comments:

Numinosity said...

Very cool tute toots! So that's how you do it! Yes, I could see attempting this.
Thanks,
xoxo Kim

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Do try it Kim. I think you might have fun with it, and there are, of course, further possibilities other than what I have done here. It just takes so darned long to get all the photos taken and up...and I'm LAZY, I think! LOL!

XXOO~~
Anne

Karen S said...

This is so cool -- my daughter has recently decided to play with scrapbooking - I can see doing something with that old stack of phone books in the corner... hmmmm...

Anonymous said...

Neat idea.... I really like the results so far!!
By Golly... You are a Genius ! !
Have a Great Day!
Marilyn

Debra She Who Seeks said...

It's a fascinating process!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Karen, I think phone book paper will be too thin for this process. Not sure, but if it does work, let me know. (as I have a lot!!!) Of course, from area to area the paper they use is different...
but have FUN!!!

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marilyn,

LOL!!! Nope, I am 2 points away from genius! (and that might as well be a MILE as far as I'm concerned--hahaha!)
Off to the errands...pffft.

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Debra,

It is FUN and MESSY (which increases the fun-factor for me...hahaha!)

XXOO~~
Anne

GlorV1 said...

Very interesting and good lesson. Gessoing the back of paper. Great idea. I will try that, I promise you.:D Have a great evening.

Unknown said...

Hi Anne!!!! holy smokes that paper technique is the coolest thing ever.....and your note made me giggle so much today....you are amazing in every way and I can't ever see you not focused!!!! I have been focusing on all the wrong stuff lately so I needed something to remind me daily!!! I really loved working on the Vision Board....it is helping me already!!!!

Hugs
Diana

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Gloria!

Just think if *we* could be rejuvenated with a quick slap of clear gesso on the back!!! LOL!!
(I'd be buying 50 gallon drums of it....)

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Diana,

I have had far too many things to focus on and after a while I feel like the proverbial hamster in a wheel..... ;-D
And yes, today was *one of THOSE days*!!!
I am just trying to get my ducks in order so there is less time wasted and more art time....we all wish!

XXOO~~
Anne

Alexandra MacVean said...

Girl, you are far braver than I! lol I guess my problem or "blockage" in my art room here is that I'm afraid to make "mistakes". Such a horrible expectation to hold over myself. I know. One of these days! :)

Hugs

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Sophia, dear, mistakes are the fertilizer in the garden of art!!!
Trust me!
(but yes, I have gone through the..omg-I-can't-USE-that!!! routine myself...preachin' to the choir...)
HAVE FUN!

XXOO~~
Anne

Jan said...

am I the only one actually doing this with you (oh now that sounds a little weird;-) I thought I had plenty of clear gesso but when I pulled my bottle out all there was was a quarter inch in the bottom. I cut the bottom off so i could get to it. There isn't enough to try todays tute but I did the previous ones. Took 3 papers and stamped them with different stamps. Dried them on the trusty wood stove and then began the painting part. I had minimal success with the first one. Better results with the second and a little better with the third. I learned a bit from each one. None are what i'd hoped for but none are failures either. It isn't as though I have to throw them away. I was just in town yesterday too and could have bought more clear gesso. Thanks for the tutorial, Anne. it is a fascinating process and fun too. I'll be back at it after I get more CG. What do you know, I actually used up a supply! and the world didn't end! I can buy more!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!!!
Gosh I hope you're not the only one trying these...I would quit putting the tutorials up!
There is a learning curve on the previous papers due to the difference in finish, etc. There are things I would have done different,but I think there is value in showing that they don't always turn out perfect....not by a long shot.
Maybe you and the group could try doing some of the old paper sometime and split the cost of the clear gesso.
I've actually used up some of my fluid acrylics~~you think we're the reason for the weird weather we had this winter??? :-D
Glad you're playing along Jan!

XXOO~~
Anne

Anonymous said...

This looks fantastic! Great solution. Had a coupon at my local arty store and picked up Surface Treatment Workshop. You would love it, although you probably know them all already. xox Corrine

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I just bought a couple of old paperbacks to do just this sort of PLAY!!! Have a fabulous week and keep playing with a nap thrown in for good measure. Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Sunshineshelle said...

I should have read this before I stuck my collage to my desk & glitter to my arm doing (sorry attempting) mixed media today!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Corrine,

I had seen that book advertised but have not had a chance to look at it~~it sure caught my eye though.
Will have to put it on the want/need list! ;-)

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Mary Helen,

I have gone the exercise route as opposed to the nap~~seems to be helping but takes up a big chunk of TIME.
You should have fun with the books; I love getting *new* old books to play with!

XXOO~~
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Shelle!

Been there done that! It's all part of the process of figuring out how to do things...and not be stuck to them! I had a lot of problems at first because of glue mediums I was using. I ended up trying many before I came to the select few I now use and for specific reasons.
It is all a learning experience, even the mistakes. They're good things....really!
Although sometimes it takes a while to see the value in them!

XXOO~~
Anne

studio lolo said...

Now I get it!!! I have to get some clear gesso. man, the possibilities! I think if we were working side by side the studio would be smokin'!!
Thanks for the how to. Don't run yourself ragged today ;P
xoxo
Lolo

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Bingo Lolo!
And yes, it would be fun to have a studio day or two to share and see what we could come up with---or utterly tear apart! LOL! (I'm the tear apart one!)
My day today is mainly to try and get photos of the in-process of the last paper tutorial, and that's it. Hopefully I can do it without a million photos. (slight exaggeration there....SLIGHT...)

XXOO~~
Anne

kj said...

jeez anne, i followed this. this confirms you gave good instruction and i am uncharacteristically insightful about the process.

i love the blue wash. it makes everything pop!

have a good friday. me too


kj

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

YAY!
I can instruct and not just babble~~frequently I wonder...LOL!!!
Here's to a good Friday too; we seem to have a weather front moving in and I woke with a headache---hoping it goes before I have to go back to bed....

XXOO~~
Anne

Silke Powers said...

Very cool, Anne!! As soon as I get some of that clear Gesso (yes, I've still not been shopping - what it wrong with me?!?), I will be trying this!! Wonderful!! Love, Silke

di from di-did-it said...

ooooo this is cool too! will test my patience, but I need more practice at being patient anyway :)

*Ulrike* said...

Now that is totally cool!

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