Sunday 10 August 2014

Under the Sea

I found some time to play today and thought I would have a go at the Compendium of Curiosities 3 current challenge – Faded Layers. I won't describe the technique as you need to have Tim's latest book to see it, but I will admit that I really struggled with this one. I had fun trying and am quite pleased with my finished piece, but it is very difficult to see my faded layers.


My first attempt used blue, green and dark pink alcohol inks - whether it's the colours I chose or my technique, but I couldn't get the layers to show up very well. The following photo is the sand dollar from the Sand and Sea set - I didn't use it in my piece, but if you look very closely you can just about see the faded layers!

I used the Seahorse from the die set , coating it with a thin layer of crackle paint, which again, didn't go too well, but I was kind of pleased with the texture I managed to achieve.


Not to be beaten by the Faded Layers technique, I had another go but leaving out the pink colour. I also used another stencil (Leaves by That Special Touch). The effect was better than my first attempt, but still not perfect! I used this layered piece for my watery background - close ups just about show the Faded Layers!






Some more stencilling, a bit of painty spraying, some builders mesh painted with DI and lots of stamping using Paper Artsy's Ellen Vargo stamps (and Fern Green Archival) gave me the background I wanted.
I hand cut some “kelp fronds” from a gelli-plate scrappy leftover and attached the seahorse tail around one of the fronds – I understand this is how they anchor themselves in the wild.

 
I stamped the gorgeous turtle from Crafty Individuals “A Bright Future” on to a leftover piece of marbled distress stain, colouring the shell using watered down Inky Pool paint. Once dry I sprayed it with Perfect Pearls Biscotti, to give it a bit of a shimmer, and cut out the final image.



The words were computer generated, cut out and coloured with distress inks (Peacock Feathers, Squeezed Lemonade and Shabby Shutters) and edged with Walnut Stain.


Once everything was stuck down, I went round the images with a fine white marker to make them stand out against the blue background.  I also added a few hand drawn bubbles with the same white pen. Finally, I added a few rocks on the sea floor, using Walnut Stain DI and the end of a wine bottle cork as a stamp!
 
 

Faded Layers wasn't the best technique for me, but I'm happy with the effect and how the final piece turned out.   I've just started my very first Art Journal and have added this as my first piece!
 
I'd also like to enter this into the August Challenge over at Country View Crafts – the theme this month is Word Play!
 
Thanks very much for hopping over and hope you enjoyed your visit!
 
 
Keep Crafting!!

Jean.x

9 comments:

  1. Hello Jean
    This looks gorgeous and I know you are not pleased with the faded layer look but it still looks great. And the words suit the imagery well. Thanks so much for joining us this month at CVC.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  2. Hi Jean. I just saw that you live in Bath. What a beautiful city! I was fortunate enough to have been there several years ago and loved it. :) I am really loving your entry into our faded layers challenge at CC3C. The underwater scene you've created using the technique for the water background is really good. Sometimes I think the faded layers are hard to achieve as well. Not sure if it is color choice or amount of Blending Solution being used, etc. But, you ended up with a wonderful background. Ellen's stamps really give a nice "punch", don't they? Your seahorse, sand dollar, kelp and turtle are nice additions to this piece. Thanks for joining us at CC3C. <3 Candy

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  3. Great page Jean, love that you used lots of different elements to make your creation... Thanks for playing along with the CC3 Challenge and hope to see you again soon x

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  4. This is a lovely and seaworthy page, Jean! I love your "Under the Sea" creation using the faded layers all the fabulous sea creatures. I also had a little trouble with mine showing up, but all is good that ends well!

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  5. This caught my eye. Very lovely piece. I am a fan of that turtle

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  6. This is a very striking piece, wonderful colours, too. Hugs, Valerie

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  7. what a great underwater-scene! fantastic work of art!

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  8. What a gorgeous page. The colours and the layers are so lovely. And I love that quote! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Country View Challenges.
    Alison x

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  9. Fabulous layers and images on this piece Jean, it looks wonderful.
    hugs Brenda xx

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