Sunday 22 December 2013

X is for...Craft Barn Challenge

X.  X!  X? Well we all knew it had to happen.  X.  Who knew there would be so few usable words in my dictionary!!  I very nearly went for Xenon (colourless, odourless gas), but a bit difficult to depict.  Opted finally for xanthochroism - a condition in certain animals (esp goldfish) in which all skin pigments other than yellow and orange disappear.  Recently treated myself to a whole bunch of Pebeo fantasy paints, and thought of a carp, a koi carp.

It may not be normal to immediately think of fish, but I have had a strange life...

Anyway.  I cut my Centura pearl to the standard size, with a slight overhang.  I masked off the edges of the shiny side, and stamped bubbles.  Bravely, I drew freehand the koi, using transparent glitter relief paste.  Gotta have glitter, right!?  This is meant to retain the paint, but note to self, build the retaining walls higher next time.

I stirred the paints (all the magic gunky stuff settles at the bottom), and dripped in orange and yellow.  I also outlined a couple of the bubbles in paste, and dripped in silver paints, and set it aside to dry (and flow slightly over one edge...).

When I removed the masking tape, I drew a freehand deckle edge with a lovely glittery sakura pen.

As the paste dried, I noticed that it drew up some of the Distress Ink into itself, which I guess, being water based, is to be expected. 

I have taken a couple of close ups of the bubbles, to try and show the glorious effect you get with these paints.  Think Cloisonné, but without the wires.  Just amazing!












Hope you like!

Resources

Paint and Ink
Pebeo Fantasy:  Prisme - Ash Blue, Buttercup, Tangerine  Moon - Veil of Smoke, Apricot
Pebeo Cerne Relief: Imitation Lead
Marabu Relief Paste: Transparent silver glitter

Stamps
Darkroom Door: Circles DDBS036
Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers

Bling and Stuff
Sakura Gelly Roll pen: Indigo sparkle

12 comments:

  1. Great X word and lovely page those paints look great.

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  2. Visiting from The Craft Barn - very cleverly done. I'm impressed with your freehand work. Merry Christmas :o)

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  3. Love you koi swimming in the bobbles. Really great take on the word.

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  4. You're showing a lot of imagination both in your choice of word and your interpretation. Plus playing with the Fantasy paints sounds like so much fun!

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  5. Wow, that's wonderful, great take on the letter X.

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  6. Great word to choose and I love your fish. Brilliant end to the challenge!!

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  7. Don't know what the paints are but looks fun and fab!

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  8. This is lovely, new word for me. Thanks for sharing.
    And thank you for all your entries throughout 2013.
    Happy New Year
    Izzy

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  9. Hi Ruth - what a fab word and creative way to depict it. Those paints look like magic. I have a few days to comment before the new challenge starts - lets see if it can fire our imaginations like this one.

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