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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A Mini Tutorial

Okay, I made another collage--

And a couple of you commented on my last post that you wanted to see a tutorial on how I paint my papers.  I wasn't quite sure on how I was going to do this, because when I paint these papers, it's very organic.  I think that's why I enjoy it, because I don't think about it--I just do it, which is very unlike me-- I always tend to overthink everything.  Probably the reason why I don't worry about the outcome is because it is just paper and it is for the most part, just experimenting.  So I decided to  to do a couple of papers , and all of us will see how they turn out together.
I usually just paint the papers on this heavy cardstock that I picked up at Office Max.  It's a buff color, but you can do it on any durable paper.  I like this paper, because it doesn't really absorb the color and I can use alot of water on it without weakening it.  It will curl, but if you're using it for collage, it doesn't matter. Here's one finished paper--

But I'll back up from the beginning--there's basically 5 layers on this one.  First I stamped images on the paper.  I used a Staz On ink  pad, because it's water resistant,  and then I applied an acrylic wash over it--


I just used a craft paint for this layer, but for the next step, I used Golden fluid acrylics---I've just discovered recently that this makes a BIG difference when I wanted vibrant collage papers


I put down three different colors and then used a wide palette knife (or you could use a credit card) to spread the paint around, but try not to blend it together too much. In this case, I used  gold, titan buff, and sap green, but it can be as many colors as you want.  When it was almost dry, I put on a little purple on in spots and dragged my palette knife through it.  And then after that I just splattered some paint on it.















The only thing about this paper, is that it took a little bit of time, but I have another paper also that I did and this took all of about a minute--

Don't you love this one--I just spread the same 4 colors around with a pallette knife.  This is why I like this paper-- because the paint will just sit on top of the paper and you can move it around.

And another thing I wanted to show you--
I'm sure alot of you know about textured, paintable wall paper.  I love it--it always comes in a cream color and you can get it where ever they sell wallpaper.  You can't mess up on it.  You apply your paint (usually watered down), and then wipe it off and the color  will seep down into the texture, and you can keep adding colors to it, until you like the result--

I used it here under the cup to give the appearance of a table--

I hope this little tutuorial helped some of you, and if you have any questions, let me know.  Whenever I find new techniques or fun ones, I'll always post them!

50 comments:

  1. Fabulous page. Thank you for the tutorial. Not sure I'll ever achieve what you manage to create but I do love it so!

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  2. Hi Diane! I just discovered your blog. Love it! These papers are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your process.

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  3. WOW!! I am in love! Your art is wonderful, and I love that you paint your own paper!!! that is a fantastic idea!

    Thank you for all of your comments on my blog, they have been a great encouragement =).
    God Bless!!
    ~Andra

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  4. Yes very original that you do your own papers very original and they always look vintage, it is that working of the paint. The other thing that is amazing is we could all be sitting with you and that would be quite a bunch and everyones would look a little different. Wall paper is wonderful, and it will even stamp, paint applied carefuly and stamped, and I never care if I get a perfect stamp I like the hints of a shape, like on the bottom of your paper you can almsot see a heart. I was thinking as I typed this that it would be fun to buy some finger paints again from the kids art dept and alter the colors a bit by mixing or some liquid paint and doing the finger paint thing. You do daisies that I like so much because of their antique look. I was thinking of how to do a bird with the bottom of your fist and a thumb print so you have me thinking again like you always do. And I also like five layer work. When I taught my class here at home I taught how more can be better, they thought it was funny as you know the rule, less is better. I never liked rules. However my goal is to do a painting that is really less, a face that is very moderate with less, I have tried many times and I don't get there ever.

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  5. Great little tutuorial!! That textured wallpaper is nice. People get on long lists around here just to get a wallpaper book!!!noner

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  6. very cool! Thanks for sharing!!! I'm kinda of stingy with my golden paints...gonna have to give em up more!lol

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  7. WOW - I am impressed with this tutorial and you taught me a number of cool things that I do believe I want to try - and I usually don't say that especially using paint. Love the texture wall paper and must make an effort to find some. Love your use of it as the table. Will also try to find the cover stock. Thank you, Diane, this was very very helpful for me! Hugs,

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  8. Thanks for the great tutorial, your papers are gorgeous.
    debby

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  9. Thanks so much for sharing your process with us Diane. Your end result is so beautiful!!

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  10. Oh yay!!! Thanks so much for the tutorial. This looks like so much fun. I am so going to try this on one of my backgrounds. I never heard of that wallpaper,I wonder if walmart has it,if not i'm sure home depot will. Thanks so much for sharing.You would make a great teacher. I'll sign up for one of your online classes. You know I'm addicted to online classes.LOL

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  11. Thanks for sharing your process! Its so beautiful!

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  12. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I love these painted pages!

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  13. Thank you SO much for sharing this tutorial, Diane! This is such a treat! I'm going to try it tomorrow, and hope I can get some to turn out even half as good as your's. The textured wallpaper is a great idea also. Thanks, again, sweetie!

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  14. Wow! What a great tutorial, Diane! Love the way the buff colored cardstock seems to hold up to the paint and your luscious layers! Thanks so much for this wonderful lesson!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

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  15. You are so creative! Thanks for showing us "how to". That really helps. Can't wait to see your next project.

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  16. Thank you for another really great tutorial. I am definitely going to try this technique. Love the paintable wall paper too.

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  17. This is very helpful and inspiring. Thank you!! My first art journal page which I did the other day, I started with a white sheet and started to add the images, knowing that I should have painted the paper first. Next time I'm going to put the color and background on first.

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  18. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful process and talent Diane! Your papers are great!!

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  19. Thanks for sharing your process! The result is gorgeous! And love the effect with the textured wallpaper too

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  20. Hi, stumbled across you while blog-hopping! That's a great tutorial, thank you so much for sharing your methods, and that's such a fab effect!

    Beautiful artwork.

    Jo

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  21. so sun to find your blog (i meant to write "so fun" but then thought "sun" could be more fitting!). beautiful artwork, new collage, tutorial...every warmest & inspiring sunbeam to you. x

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  22. This collage is amazing. So many things going on and the colors are so vibrant.

    Thanks for the tutorial. Isn't it amazing how you get such different looks even though you are using the same colors? And it all matches so well. Thanks so much for sharing this. And thanks for the tip about craft paint on the first layer, fluid acrylics on the top. That alone was worth the price of the tutorial (grin).

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  23. I forgot to mention. The name of the wallpaper is anaglypta, but I suspect you know that.

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  24. Great tutorial, Diane. Just love the colors you chose - perfect!

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  26. Beautiful work. The colors and the composition just rock.
    Thank you so much for sharing your paper techniques.
    Very nice!

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  27. Hi Diane!

    Great tutorial! Your papers turned out fabulous. Love how you added the textured wallpaper too. Thanks so much for your sweet visit as always! And to answer your question: Working with 3D paints is so much fun and easy to apply. The brands Tulip and Folk Art have such a great selection to use. Have fun creating!

    Hugs,
    Lisa :)

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  28. Thanks for sharing, Diane. That was great!

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  29. What a wonderful tutorial! It was so interesting to learn your process. And the resulting piece was just fabulous! Theresa

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  30. This is really neat. I never really thought about making papers... I am inspired and I know my Jessie girl will LOVE helping!!! You make the process so accessible. Thank you!

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  31. This was a great tutorial Diane! Thanks for taking the time to get it here for us. I love the colors and will be trying this soon.

    xxoo
    Lorrie

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  32. Thanks alot of the tutorial. I always enjoy seeing what you've been creating

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  33. This is just fabulous. The more layers the better. Love it.
    blessings
    T

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  34. Thanks so much. I "get it" so much better now. And I'm inspired to try it myself.

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  35. Just a super amazing page Diane, I loved it. Thanks for sharing the creative process,so clever.
    This was so cool and marvelous.
    Have a great day.
    Hugs,Laura.

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  36. Gorgeous collage! I really like the technique with the pallet knife or credit card. I've used my hands in the past and that works ok but it's messy and you end up blending the colors more than I'd like. I'll have to try this. Thanks for the tip on the wallpaper too. Always looking for ways to add texture. Beautiful piece!

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  37. thank you so much for this tutorial! i love this piece! it's so magical! and it is so wonderful to see how it's done. have a fabulous weekend!

    xoxo, juliette

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  38. Thanks for visiting my blog! I LOVe art and your blog! We collect the same things!!

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  39. Hi Diane! Now I am your newest follower. I am loving the papers. I adore hand painted papers. I went crazy when we were in Italy and bought every one I could get my hands on. I'm going to check out your blog some more :)

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  40. You do gorgeous work!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    I'll be following you, too.
    Love the tip on which paper you use. I've been using card stock to pull prints for the Green Pepper Press Crusade & like the results.

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  41. I use a lot of painted papers too and I sometimes get stuck doing the same thing over again. Thanks for the fab tutorial. I'm sure I will lots of new paper AND wallpaper! to play with!

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  42. Diane, loved your tutorial post, it was really interesting how you develop your art.

    Hope your having a great weekend!

    Hugs!

    Julie

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  43. Hi Diane! Love what you are doing with the papers! It's a great reminder for me...rather than bemoaning the fact that I don't have a certain color or a certain print, I should just make it!

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  44. Hey Diane-
    It's nice of you to share your creative process. Although the end product is great, I like to see how things are created too!
    Smiles-
    Melissa

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  45. You are really good with color! I found your step by step very helpful! The layers is what makes your papers so rich, nice art and thanks!

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  46. Great work!!! Thank you, so much, for sharing, too! I'm trying to learn all that I can about mixed media, and I want to start an Art Journal, soon, too! So much to do and so little time!

    Your work is always so gorgeous! I love all of the color and texture you use!

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  47. FAB!! I love this! I started making my own papers for the first time recently and I find that they have become my "go to" - they really lend themselves to your art because they are created by you. I love your style, Kristin xo

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  48. I love your color palette! Your art is awesome Diane!

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  49. Wonderful tutorial! Love how you worked the paint randomly and how easy you make it all look. :) I also love what you said on another post that there aren't any rules to break in art (or words to that effect!). If I learn the rules, it's so that I can break them. :)

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