It's drip, drip, drool...

...in the studio this week as I do some more playing with the plastic wrap technique.

I was stunned, sheepish and downright disturbed (yup, more than usual!) to see that I'd not yet done a video on the technique, so that was part of my week as well.  And the editing elves returned from vacation,to ensure it was both edited and uploaded to YouTube.  Check out the process tutorial - it's very short, and give my channel some love while you're there please!  And who doesn't love playing with ArtFoamies on a background?!!!

This technique is one of the most versatile ones for a background, and can be subtle or sassy - it's your choice.  

You can do it layer by layer or do several colours at once.  I did a triple layer one this week (wrapped/dried in between the layers of quinacridone yellow, quinacridone red-orange and quinacridone burnt orange):

First and second layer

Third layer

Same method, three layers with drying time for each

Some softer examples that utilize the granular properties of some paints:

What's your favourite background technique? Let me know in the comments below and perhaps we can trade secrets!

Studio eye candy...

...abounds, so even when I'm tight for play time in the studio, I can always find colour and pattern that gives me joy.

Alcohol ink-painted wallpaper

Signature in process

Tag background

Background for journal page

Painting in progress - textured edge

Dried leaf mandala from my stash

Another background for a journal page

Fun foam stamp being created for a YouTube tutorial

 I've often been accused of channeling a bumblebee, because  I get up close and personal with my photos.  What do you find in your studio when you cast your eyes around?  Are you a big picture type, or a close-up fanatic?

A recent post...

...garnered questions and comments about using alcohol inks as backgrounds for tags.

I've done a quick video tutorial and hope that it will demonstrate how easily this is accomplished.  The key to this technique is using glossy card stock (or you can coat any card stock with gloss medium to give the same effect - merely coat thoroughly and wait until it's perfectly dry before using).

The video is here:

With any luck, you'll become as addicted to the technique as I am, and keep me company in my obsession.  Happy inking! 

Another binge session...

...this week has me making backgrounds for tags.  I've got them stamped and Inktensed, along with alcohol inks galore.

 They're stencilled,

 and canvassed,

 and in every possible shade from hot

 to cool.

 Some are relatively muted (well, for me, anyway),

and some fairly scream with colour.

I can hardly wait to see what the muse will do with them.

What's floating your colour boat this week?

Fun and...

games are always part of my studio life.  I saw / heard / invented (doubtful) another kind of play that has had me intrigued for some time, but just purchased the necessities last week - for under $20.  I bought a package of 10 foam rollers and the roller thingamabob that goes with them, and then cut out some shapes in the rollers with an Xacto knife.  I won't tell you how many blades I had to use - apparently foam is tough on sharp blades!

The results were really entertaining, and I can think of a ton of ways to use the them, from background right on up.  It's interesting to see how the look changes depending the amount and thickness of paint used, on whether they are placed on a solid white background,

Hand-cut foam roller ' stars stamp'

versus a coloured background, 

Hand-cut foam roller 'leaves stamp'

a multi-coloured background,

Hand-cut foam roller 'hearts stamp'

a patterned background,

Hand-cut foam roller 'leaves stamp'

  a text-filled background,

Hand-cut foam roller 'circles stamp'

or even photos.

Hand-cut foam roller 'zig-zag stamp'

I always have so much fun with experimenting that it can be a challenge to actually create a painting - maybe that's why I love instructing so much.  

I still have five more foam rollers to design and cut, so goodness knows what might come out of that! Do YOU have any ideas?  Comments, suggestions and outrageous ideas always gratefully accepted.