Saturday, April 26, 2014

CREATE LIGHTCATCHERS with TRANSPARENCIES

Hang these sun catchers in a window for maximum effect!
Materials:
        1.  A photograph printed on a transparency
          2.  Assorted beads, feathers, charms, etc.
          3. Jewelry findings and tools
          4. Ornate picture frame of your choice
 
Paula Guhin, tutorial, how-to
Note the leaves, star, moons, and color choices!
 
 
How To:
         1. Select an image that's not too dark over-all. The two photos shown here were my own, original pictures. Print the transparency sized with your frame in mind, if you already have one. I bought both metal frames shown here at a thrift shop for pennies.
          2. I add my enhancements (bits of old costume jewelry, etc.) to the frame before I go on to the next step. TIP: I choose bead colors and bits and bobs that fit my theme!
          3. Be sure you have a hanging device, too. Above, the gold tassel works.
          4. Cut the image to fit and glue it into the frame with the shiny side of the transparency to the front.
mixed-media, lightcatcher
Even a heritage image works! See the tiny clock?
art, book
Buy it here!
These projects and many more appear in the Kindle edition of the very reasonably-priced book, Adventures in Photo Artistry! 

        
 


Saturday, April 19, 2014

WINNER ANNOUNCED & TRANSPARENCIES AGAIN!

Last week's contest for the art book giveaway was won by Becky!
My thanks to those whose names were not selected. Becky, please contact me via email or Facebook to give me your mailing address for your prize!

Painting on the Back of Transparencies
Select a black and white photograph with high contrast, since the white areas will be clear on the transparency. (Here I used one of my own photos.) The clear areas are where the paint will show. If you inkjet-print the transparency, let dry and spray lightly with fixative so the ink won't smear. If your transparency was laser-printed, no worries about smearing!
 
I use acrylics on the back, rough side (where the ink is)
for two reasons: I can paint without being overly cautious,
even into the black areas a bit, and my "goofs" won't show
when I flip it over. Too, the other side is smooth and
glossy,which enhances the work.


art blog, P.Guhin
The back side looks messy!
mixed-media, painting
Flip it over when the acrylics are dry.
P.Guhin

Saturday, April 12, 2014

STUCK FOR AN IDEA FOR A COMPOSITION? TRY AN ALPHASKETCH!

art blog, tutorial
I used charcoal directly on canvas.
You wouldn't even need to make the letters appear dimensional, as above, if you chose to simply break up the space with a variety of shapes and sizes. Use some overlapping or, at the least, make some edges touch.
Of course you can erase some lines and add others to improve the composition as you wish. Then paint and/or collage to your heart's desire. (Wish I had the finished work to show you, but alas.)

Now for the giveaway! This freebie will go to one of my followers, selected in a fair and random drawing. Simply leave a comment below this post, with the understanding that I must be able to reach you if you win the art book shown.
When the contest is over, I will announce it here and the winner's name will appear in my next post. Good luck!

P.Guhin, art book
Brand new copy!

Friday, April 4, 2014

MIXED-MEDIA COLLAGE STEP BY STEP!

I began this artwork on a canvas panel. I had chosen a color scheme of reds, yellows, and browns, so I painted the background in acrylics with several of those colors.

P.Guhin, tute
Step 1
Next, I gathered decorative paper, printed napkins, and more.








I auditioned the various elements here and there, and when
the composition was determined, I adhered the first layers
of materials, as shown below. Note the wrinkles for texture!

tutorial, how-to   
Step 2

Then I added more papers, patterns, and paint.

mixed-media, collage, painting
Step 3
When the paint was dry, I checked for good contrast, as well as a range of sizes, shapes, and values. But the piece above was still not finished!
Paula Guhin, painting, tutorial
Photos courtesy Stackpole Books,
Painting with Mixed Media

To complete the work (shown above), I added the butterfly and a little more shading to tie everything together.

TIP: Never wash acrylic paints down the drain! Wipe brushes thoroughly with a rag before you wash them with soap and water.
PS: Watch this blog for a book giveaway coming soon!  
Paula Guhin