Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Little Variation on Metal Embossing--So Easy!

First off,  I  was  inspired  again by Jane  DesRosier (Grittyjane).   Her  portrait paintings  are  exceptional,  but  I also  love  her  series  of  folk  art  trees  that  she's  been  offering  in  her  shop  lately,  and  I  was  inspired  by  her  to  create  my  own  version  with  my own  little spin  on  it--

I  did  it  on  metal!  This  is  a  good  size  piece--it's  on  one  of  the  wood  panels  that  I  purchased  at  Lowes.  The  size  ended  up  being  12 x 22.


I  just  love  the  texture  that  the  embossed  metal  gives.   And  I  cannot  tell  you  how  easy  this  is  to  do  and  how  fun.   And  I'll  mention  again  that  I  have  2  tutorials  on  this  technique  HERE  and  HERE.    On  this  piece  I  tried  something  just  a  little  bit  different  and  more  revised  than  I've  done  before.

I  made  another  piece  the  same  as  this  one,  and  I  took  step-by-step  photos  to  show  anyone  who's  interested.  I'm  really  happy  with  the  way  this  next  one  turned  out  also.   The  first  thing  I  did  was  cut  my  piece  of  metal  (for a 6 x 12 gallery  canvas),  and  then  applied  different  colors  of  alcohol  inks,  and  when  it  was  dry  I  stamped  all  over  it  with  a  text  stamp  using  a  Staz on  ink  pad--



Then  I  flipped  it  over  to  sketch  my  design  with  a  regular  pencil  lightly--


I  sketched  with  the  pencil  first,  because  it  will  erase  if  you  make  a  mistake.  You  can  see  at  the  nose  and  mouth  that  I  erased--this  doesn't  come  through  on  the  front.   So  when  I  was  happy  with  my  sketch  I  outlined  everything  with  a  pitt  pen  (or  marker).  This  was  something  I've  never  done  before,  and  I  don't  know  why.  It  makes  the  embossing  part  so  much  easier.   Another   little  tip---sometimes  the  metal  is  wrinkled  before  you  even  start.   You  can  just  take  an  old  credit  card  or  brayer  and  smooth  it  right  back  down.

So  after  I  put  my  initial  sketch  in--I  embossed  it--



and  here's  the  right  side--


 (I embossed the word imagine on the front--I really can't spell backwards : )
So  another  new  little  thing  that  I  did  was  add  no  more  embossing   Usually,  I  emboss  the  entire  piece  of  metal,  but  I  just  wanted  the  main  image  to  pop  out.    Then  I  got  out  my  regular  acrylic  paints  (I  really  recommend  the  artist  grade  acrylics  for  this  step)  and  started  painting--


....lots   and  lots  of  layers  on  her  face.   I  wanted  to  completely  block  out  the  background  color.   But  then  for  her  dress,  I  just  painted  in  the  daisies  (I  wanted  to  tie  this  in  with  my  tree  piece)  At  first,  if  you  try  this,  it  seems  like  that  the  paint  will never  cover  the  metal,  but  it  does,  and  I  love  the  texture  the  acrylics  bring  with  all  of  the  layers.  


It's  a  little  tricky  trying  to  get  a  good  photo  with  this  metal,  because  it's  so  reflective.  I  always  add  a  gloss  varnish  to  it  after  I  spray  a  workable  fixative  on  it.   The  color  REALLY  pops.   I'm  very  happy  with  these  pieces!

And  now  I'm  off  to  do  some  Christmas  shopping--I  like  to  go  Christmas  shopping  with  all  the  crowds--I  really  mean  that  too!

48 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow Di, they look amazing. I've never seen this done before. What type of metal are you using? Was it hard to emboss? Thanks for sharing. :D

rachel awes said...

i love these deep deep.
i think she + the tree are one.
XOX

Cindy said...

They are beautiful, I have no idea what type of metal you use either. I might want to try this. thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

I really like these two pieces. They are so rich looking and beautiful. I like shopping with the crowds too as long as I don't go all day. I can't take that many people all day.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wow what fabulous pieces, I love the rich colours and lived reading the instructions. Tracy x

Kathy said...

Beautiful, beautiful results! Oh, if only I had the time to try all of the ideas you give me.
Have fun shopping brave girl!

Lisa Graham said...

Wow Diane, these pieces are so beautiful and the colors are so deep and rich. Thanks for sharing your technique. That looks fun! What are you going to do with these pieces?

Thank you for your words of congratulations for my son too! It was an exciting week for all of us!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Emelie said...

These pieces are so rich with texture and color, beautiful, and one does want to rach out and touch them, you watch at your show people will do that.

Janine said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Beautiful!

Heavens2Betsy said...

I love the depth and colour you've achieved here.I wouldn't have thought it possible! Such inspired work. And thank you for showing us how. penny

Dorthe said...

They are both gorgeous, Diane- So love to see the before, and the after- of the woman piece- she is so very beautiful after you painted her ,and I love to see all the special tecknics you are using.
Hope you found some gifts in the crowded shops, here one monthe before christmas :)
Hugs,Dorthe

sharon said...

Wow Diane!! These are incredible, and I never get over your wealth of knowledge of techniques! Your colors and designs are always gorgeous and happy!
Hugs!

Janet Ghio said...

The tree is sensational as is the angel!!

GlorV1 said...

It's so much fun working with soft metal/tin. My Copper Woman that's on my sidebar was done similar to what you did. I love the work you did. Just beautiful. Excellent work! Have fun.

Serena Lewis said...

WOW...I'm gobsmacked! These pieces are SO beautiful, Diane! I've never embossed and painted metal before but seeing your stunning creations makes me want to try.

Have a lovely weekend,
Serena :)

Marlynn said...

Stunning and no other words necessary! Happy Thanksgiving!

Becca said...

Oh my gosh Diane, these are lovely! Will your girl with the bird be for sale in your Etsy shop? I would love to buy this piece for my new art room. :-)

Anonymous said...

Amazing works Diane, I like it!!!
Beautiful inspiration.

Kisses and greetings:)

Anonymous said...

What an awesome piece! I really love your art and the embossing is a great compliment to your style. So wonderful!

Holly Loves Art said...

You never cease to amaze me with your ideas and creativity! AND you are one of the most prolific art bloggers I know! YOU are incredible. Love everything you do! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.
Hugs,
Holly

Tammie Lee said...

Diane this is gorgeous and as always I am so impressed by the different things you try and succeed at!
bowing to you~

Kristin said...

I just want to say you are amazing! I am new to mixed media and I am still getting my feet wet. I think your metal embossing is so awesome and I can't wait to try it sometime (once I figure out what all I need and gather it all!) Your blogs are one of my favorites to read, your works are always such an inspiration.

Cameron said...

You are crazy! To shop with the crowds, I mean!! Haha!
Your metal embossing...fantastic!!

Thanks for the re-introduction to this technique...it really is soooo cool....and beautiful, too!
Just love the way the colors are so bold :)

Lynn Cohen said...

I'm impressed! What a fun new (to me)medium to explore. No Lynn not know you have knitting and fabric pieces to do...okay but a new year is coming!!! YOU INSPIRE!

kae pea said...

Beautiful work as always! And a very cool technique :) love love love it!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

you should be delighted with these pieces. They are wonderful, so rich. I expect you won't have these for long :-)

Janie Husband said...

very beautiful, diane....i would love to try this technique some day.....so many things i want to do...my head is spinning...i keep telling myself to "focus"....lol

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Both pieces are truly stunning! Thanks for taking the pictures in between. :)

Debbie said...

your metal pieces are so beautiful! you really inspired me today!

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

Oh, these are just beautiful. I LOVE the way they look and all that yummy texture. That tree is just divine. Jane is so inspiring...and so are YOU!! :) Have fun shopping.

Lorraine said...

well this is superb and I am dying to have a go soon..thanks very much for sharing the technique

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Your metal pieces always hit the mark in my book. I always love seeing the pieces and how they change so much between the alcohol ink stage and the acrylic paint stage. Lovely completed pieces, too. And I think you really CAN spell backward.

Cathy Bueti said...

Diane you always amaze me with your work!! Love the tree and Love your girl even more!! WOW!! the metal makes everything pop!! Just beautiful!! Great to see the process! I too love Gritty Jane's folk art trees! :)

Jaime Haney said...

Wow! These pieces are gorgeous Diane! You may have outdone yourself for the metal embossing. I am so inspired every time I visit your blog. Thank you for being so generous by sharing your knowledge, experience and techniques. I was able to get your instructions perfectly.

xx Jaime

Art by Darla Kay said...

Diane, you are amazing...did you know this? :) Thanks for much for sharing and giving of yourself and your talents the way you do!

Healing Woman said...

Thanks so much for showing how you created these spectacular pieces. I'm amazed you can get such great results with metal! Bravo.

E Makes Art said...

Oh my goodness woman!!! These are incredible!!! I really LOVE them both!!! Amazing!!

xoE

Terri Kahrs said...

OMG! What a beautiful piece, Diane! And your tutorial is amazing - you've covered every luscious detail to perfection!!! Hope you "scored" with your Christmas shopping and the crowds. I've got a roomful of stuff waiting for elves (and fairies) to wrap. (Hopefully they'll make an appearance soon!) ♥ Hugs, Terri xoxo

Theresa MacNaughton said...

WOW! This is just truly stunning, Diane. The technique looks so difficult to do. Absolutely gorgeous!!!! My mouth literally dropped open when I saw the finished piece!

Shannon said...

That tree is absolutely amazing, I love it!!!

Kristin said...

I know what you mean - I love to get out there in the Christmas hustle and bustle too!
I can't even tell you how much I love this. It is brilliant, unique, absolutely beautiful and so YOU. Bravo!
And thank you for your sweet congratulations - how funny that you knew! I was thrilled, thank you! xoxo

Unknown said...

These are Stunning! thank you for sharing, I will need to follow the links provided and really study before I would dare try this. Your pieces are BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for stopping over and entering my Art Card Contest. ~Alicia♥

Buffy said...

Wow these are just beautiful and rich looking. I wish I could touch them. I especially the tree. I don't know how I missed this post so sorry my comment is alittle late!

Juls said...

wow this is fabulous!!! and thanks for the "how to!" Hugs Juls

ArtfulLee Designed said...

Thanks so much for sharing your step by step process. I am in awe of your creativity. I just love the way the metal looks. I though the paint would not stick but it looks fantastic.
Lee:)

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! I am dazzled by your art. This embossing is wonderful!!! I love, love the tree! The lady is beautiful too!!!
Mary

Shelley Whiting's art said...

I really love the texture of the flowers and how they pop out. Very awesome work.

unknown said...

Awesome artwork. This looks attractive. we offer custom embossing die sets and custom metal stamps. contact Devore Engraving for more details.

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