DecoArtMedia Under the Sea Challenge: Mermaid Warrior

Hi everyone!!  Are you ready for another DecoArt Media challenge?  I hope so cuz this is a super fun one!!!  This challenge is an Under the Sea theme, YAY!  That means you can do anything from bright and fun fishies to dark and mysterious sea monsters or even cool submarine stuff. The Mixed Media Design Team has been very busy creating some great inspiration pieces that are being featuring throughout the challenge and we can’t wait to see what you come up with for this challenge.

The challenge is open for entries until August 12, 2016. The winner of this challenge will be chosen by the DecoArt Media Design Team on August 15th and announced on the DecoArt Media Social Media Channels on August 19th. The winner will receive a generous $100 DecoArt Gift Card for use on the DecoArt Media Online Store. Feel free to submit multiple entries!!!! 

I was seriously excited to start my project for this challenge.  I knew right away that I wanted to create a FIERCE mermaid warrior so that's what I set out to do.

I have a lot of scraps of paper in my stash so I decided to lay those down for my first layer.  If it was blue, down it went with American Decoupage Matte.

Next up, a little bit of random texture using the Americana Pixelated Stencil and DecoArt Media Crackle Paint.  I'm using the crackle paint in place of molding paste so I wasn't tying to get a crackle look.  I just wanted the added dimension.  I think the pixels kinda look like tiny bubbles.

I toned down the papers using white gesso before adding color.  I created the background using DecoArt Fluid Acrylics in Prussian Blue Hue, Cobalt Teal Hue mixed with Blue Interference.  The interference adds a beautiful pearlescent tone which helps create depth and the feeling that the rays of the sun are dancing through the water.  

Once the background was done it was time for the fun stuff: sketching!!  Yes, this is my favorite part of my projects.  The moment I've figured out my design and lay down my sketch because this is when my project comes to life.  My mermaid consists of the following DecoArt Fluid Acrylic colors:

Prussian Blue Hue, Cobalt Teal Hue, Phthalo Green-Blue, Paynes Grey, Pyrrole Red, Titian Buff, Titanium White, Hansa Yellow Medium, Cadmium Orange Hue and Burnt Sienna.

I added K&Company Tim Coffey die cut fish to help create my under the sea scene.  The top of her shield is from a turtle die cut.  In order to blend and bring the die cuts to life, I painted in details, highlights and shadows.

In order to give her that dripping with attitude, don't mess with me look, I added war paint to her face and chest.  I also added my favorite bohemian accessories like her arm band, necklace and cuff.  My girls just aren't complete without a little bohemian flair.

Now the only question is: should I add a quote or not.  Hmmm.......we shall see!!

I hope I've inspired you play along with us in the DecoArt Media Under the Sea challenge.  Be sure to stop by the DecoArt Media Blog for more Under the Sea inspiration and to check out all the other entries.  To purchase the products I've used, visit the DecoArt Online Store.

Thank you so much for joining me today!   Have a beautiful day!!

DecoArtMedia Winter Wonderland Challenge: Winter is Magic Snowy Owl Canvas

Welcome to the DecoArt Media Winter Wonderland Challenge!

This challenge is winter themed and filled with blues, purples and maybe even some snow!
The DecoArt Mixed Media Design Team has been busy creating some great inspiration pieces that have been featured daily since December 28th over on the DecoArt Media Blog.  The challenge opened for entries on December 28th and will close on January 29th.

Hello, hello!!!  Are you guys keeping warm?  It's been pretty mild so far here in Texas.  February is usually our coldest month so we'll have to wait and see how we fair this winter.   Okay so for this challenge I created a beautiful snowy owl mixed media canvas.

I'm using a 6x6 burlap canvas that I covered with a thick layer of  DecoArt Media gesso.  I used a palette knife to spread it on then added a wash of blue interference.

Next I added warmth with shades of pink.  I'm using a combination of quinacridone magenta, magenta interference and white shimmer mist.

 After that I mixed up some Prussian blue with crackle paint.  I applied it with a palette knife and stamped snowflakes into it when it was half dry.  This technique leaves a subtle impression in the background.

I tweaked the background a bit then used a chalk pencil to sketch my design.  Once I was happy with the sketch I loaded my brush with Paynes Grey and went over the sketch.

After that it was just a matter of coloring in my owl.  I started with a base layer of good ole Titanium White.

I continued to layer and add shadows using Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Paynes Grey and Carbon Black.  While the paint was still wet, I sprinkled a thin layer of blue fairy dust for a little shimmer.

Next I added embossed snowflakes here and there.

To round out the composition and add some interest, I attached an embellishment cluster.  The cluster includes a glittered snowflake, tiny silk rose, hatpin and paper flower.

The final touch was adding the sentiment: Winter is Magic.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, be sure to enter the DecoArtMedia Winter Wonderland Challenge.  Have a wonderful day!!