LAST NIGHT, I made the background: started with gesso applied to white cardstock using a course bristle brush and making all the strokes run vertically. When that was dry, I applied horizontal rows of purple, turquoise, leaf green, and yellow Brusho crystals and misted heavily with water. The gesso prevented the colors from soaking into the paper. I tipped the cardstock so the colors would run together slightly and they followed the gesso brushstrokes (path of least resistance). (At this point I should mention I was trying to make a garden background).
THIS MORNING: when dry, it looked like the ocean floor to me. New plan.... I stamped coral onto acetate, using Versa Mark and heat embossed with white powder. Then I fussy cut along the outside edges of the coral. I stamped the fish with purple distress ink, colored with alcohol inks, then covered with Diamond Glaze and fussy cut when dried. Die cut the seahorse and added some color. Die cut the sand dollar and added gold stickles. Created a white frame and assembled all the pieces plus the sentiment and pearls. Sorry, got a little carried away and used 6 (or 7) mediums - I was having so much fun with this. Six-pack abs instead of quads?
EDIT: The Gesso base was my idea. - as far as I know it hasn't been done with Brushos/watercolor in this manner. The Heat Embossed acrylic was not my idea - saw it on Pinterest a while back.
Date: Friday, May 22, 2015 GMT Views: 3837
Favorited:28
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50476
Fri, May 22, 2015 @ 3:21 AM
This is STUNNING!!! Six or seven mediums...whos counting..lol. I LOVE the bg and the fussy cut coral..wowza..really cool!! The bg colors are gorgeous..thanks for describing how you did that....and the colors on the fish are so pretty, too.
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Fri, May 22, 2015 @ 4:32 AM
The colors on this absolutely pop! They are gorgeous and your technique with the gesso created a stunning background! I LOVE the coral embossed on the acetate. Fabulous! Six pack abs indeed
------------------------------ JodyLynn - "Love me - love my cats!" DTGD12, DTGD14, HYCCT12, HYCCT13, HYCCT14, HYCCT15, Love Fest 2013, Love Fest 2014 CAS and CC guest designer QFTD 258
Registered: March 11, 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 39766
Fri, May 22, 2015 @ 5:13 AM
WOW! Love your end result here. It is simply fabulous. I have going to have to try those Brusho crystals. Your bg is yummy, love the scene you created. WOW again! :0)
------------------------------ Cathy B aka: Mutnik ....or is it Nutmeg?! I get so confused!
Smile.......people will wonder what you are up to! :0) Proud Fan Club Member 2010 DT forRubbernecker Stamps My Gallery
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: January 7, 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 42764
Fri, May 22, 2015 @ 5:27 AM
Oh my goodness!! This is really amazing. This is one of my current favorite sets and you have given me much fresh inspiration. That coral that you fussy cut- WOW!
------------------------------ Kathy Stamp n Sip with me
What a gorgeous under water scene. Every element is beautifully done. I really love how you created the coral and thanks for giving us a heads up on that. Will certainly be trying that.