The original Art Cards video debuted in July of 2014 and since that time there have been more than 38,000 views. I’m still amazed at how many people took the time to watch it!
Since then I have played with the 4″ x 4″ Strathmore Artist Tiles that the Art Cards are based on, trying various techniques and products to see how they translate to this format. I prefer the 4″ x 4″ size to the smaller format ATCs. There’s just enough room to say something, display something, or experiment with a technique, but not so much that it feels as though it will take forever to complete the darn thing.
Most of my previous work with Art Cards was with Dina Wakley’s Media Paint for the background, applied over a thin coat of Gesso. When the six new colors in the Media Paint line were released in January, I had an itch to get out the Artist Tiles along with those six colors and revisit some of the techniques.
As I often say, there is some merit in being sloppy and not always putting away the products from one project before beginning another. In this case, the Distress Crayons were sitting on my workbench as I was messing with the paint and Artist Tiles and I began to wonder how I could incorporate them into the mix. With a little dab of color here and a finger smudge there, the next thing I knew, I was adding shapes, borders, and texture with the Distress Crayons.
In today’s video I demo the process of adding Gesso, finger painting on the Media Paint, and then how I used the Distress Crayons. Add in some pen work and doodles, and before you know it you’ve got some wonderful Art Cards. Trade them, give them as a gift, or mount them on an art journal page. Speaking of art journal pages…
If you’re participating in the 2016 Art Journal Adventure, you saw the background technique I demo in the video on Monday. It’s exactly what I did to cover the background of the entire page spread. So many techniques translate from one style of project to another, you just need to given it a try.
Supplies For This Video:
Strathmore 4″ x 4″ Bristol Artist Tiles or see all of the sizes and styles by clicking here
Dina’s White Gesso and a Palette Knife
Sharpie Water Based Paint Pens
16 Comments
Thank you for sharing your expertise!
I know … I’ve said it before but I SO want to be your neighbor. I like your work, your voice, your way of teaching things … you make me want to be a better “artist” . Thank you for being my Wednesday morning coffee-companion.
Lucie; from Canada 🙂 … a long way to be neighbors!
Thank you Lucie! That’s a lovely compliment and I appreciate it. :+)
Barb
Thank you for sharing your creativity Barb! You truly make crafting easier and a lot more fun!!
I enjoyed the video. I do have a question about the Distress Crayons. Are they permanent when dry unlike the gelatos?
That’s great, thanks for letting me know.
Distress Crayons have the usual Distress characteristics, meaning that they are not permanent once dry.
Barb thanks so much. I just spent 3 nights with my sister while she was in the hospital. I brought the distress crayons I got from you but forgot the gesso. My sis and I had crafts activity in the family room. We had so much fun. She was discharged last night and will use her art as a bookmark. Although she has a Nook, she’s a professional librarian and still devours bound books. I missed having some colors. So, gotta order other. Here is photo of Rosalind’s work.
Hi Rosetta,
Wow, the work you sister did is really pretty; I like the colors and patterns. :+)
I’m glad you had some fun while keeping her company. Art is great therapy!
I have a Kindle and still prefer a real book, too.
Barb
Your finger painted backgrounds are gorgeous and you are making the Distress Crayons move way up on my wish list. Your doodling adds so much lovely detail. It’s amazing how it transforms a piece. Thanks for the tips and the inspiration, Barb.
Barb, I really enjoy all your videos and really appreciate your art work. Very inspiring.
Thank you Kathy!
Thanks Bonnie!
The only thing missing was sparkle. Not sure how I managed to forget, but I’m thinking it was a major oversight!
FAB bkgrds, Barb! Great color combos and doodling, too. All of the little details add so much to the finished look. Thx for another terrific video, Barb. 🙂
Barb – It looks like these distress crayons are similar to Gelatos. What do you find to be the differences? My Wish List keeps getting longer and longer!
Hi Cherie,
Honestly, it’s been so long since I used Geltaos I’m not sure I remember enough to compare accurately, but at a guess I would say they’re likely quite similar. The big difference is that the Crayons are available in the Distress color palette. That’s important to some people who are fond of a color or colors.
Barb
Barb, I want to be your neighbor too 😉 you are such fun to watch and your vocabulary is so lovely! I get the best ideas from watching your videos and wish there were more. The only problem is the cost of watching them since I have to buy more “stuff” after each video…
Christel