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!!

Whimsical Redheaded Girl - Mixed Media Canvas

Happy Friday everyone!  I just finished up this canvas redo.  Here's the before pic: 

This is a canvas that I created back in 2012.  The "beautiful" fell off awhile back so it just sat there for a long time.  This week I decided it was time to give it a makeover.  I pulled the rest of the embellishments off and then started adding paint.  Here's what happened next:

I ended up adding a flower because I wasn't happy with the way the nest looked.  I think she turned out pretty cute but she still needs a name.  What do think I should call her?  

If you'd like to this beauty a home, she's available for purchase here: Little Honey Bee Studio.

Thank you so much for stopping by, until next time!!

Justice: Mixed Media Canvas

Hey, hey, I'm back with a new mixed media canvas!  This is an 11x14 thin canvas titled Justice and I absolutely LOVE her.

I started out in my usual manner, just having fun playing with paint and texture.  The green and purple are new Golden Fluid Acrylic additions and I wanted to try them out.  The texture was actually a happy molding paste fail.  I opened up the molding paste jar and it was pretty dried up.  But you know that stuff is expensive so I wasn't about to let it go to waste.  I added other mediums like multi-purpose acrylic polymer to loosen it up.  Once it was a little looser, I applied it to the canvas with a palette knife.  Then I stamped into it with soap molds.  I  sprayed a mixture of black paint and water to bring out the textures.

In between this pic and the one above it, I actually added an image transfer but it didn't really show up against the dark background.  I added the turquoise circles with the top of an old toothbrush holder.  Then I just added complementary colors like yellow, orange and some bronze for good measure.  Honestly, I just play with the paint and go with whatever happens.  I don't stress over it at all, it's just paint.

Once the backgrounds are done, I start thinking about a focal image.  I'd been wanting to do a piece that included a women holding the scales of justice so that's what I did.  I have a whole story about why but I'd rather leave an interpretation of this piece to you.  That's another beautiful thing about art, everyone sees something different.  Anyway, lately I've "sketching" my images onto the canvas with burnt umber and a small paint brush.  It seems to be working well for me so that's what I did here.

I always start with the face and I like leaving the background in some of the parts.  For this piece, I let the background show through in her clothes.

I chose blue for her cloak to compliment the background colors and pink for her hair to contrast the cloak.

  

To me the scale is the heart of the composition and holds the most meaning.  I wanted them to be reflective of my style so they're a mixture of copper and gold with delicate curves.  I pulled in the rest of colors to create balance throughout the composition.  You can see how I used the pink to shade in various places.  Repeating colors in your shading and highlights helps bring it all together.

 

Here's a closer look at the finished texure.

The original canvas is available for purchase in my Etsy shop: LittleHoneyBeeStudio.  Prints coming soon!  Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Have a beautiful day!!

Truth: DecoArt Media Canvas

Hello, hello!  I'm back with another DecoArt Media project.  This is actually the first project I created using the DecoArt Media fluid acrylics and let me tell you; I LOVE them.  Now you know I'm all about deep rich BOLD colors right?!  Well these fluid acrylics really deliver.  They are highly pigmented so the colors are absolutely beautiful and the gesso is one of the creamiest I've ever used. 

Since this was my first go round with these fluid acrylics I decided to go for my favorite color palette.  I'm using Cobalt Teal Hue on the top and Cobalt Turquoise Hue on the top.  All I did was add droplets and then blended all the colors together with my brush.  I will usually go dark on the bottom and light on the top.  I guess because I feel like the sunlight is always shining down on my girls.

Next I added texture with the help of the Americana Pixelated stencil.  I think this is a really cool stencil.  It adds a touch of the digital age to my fierce warrior chic, don'tha think?  I like high contrast so opted for Cadmium Orange Hue mixed with a little bit of the Magenta Interference.  I also added white highlights to the dots for some dimension.  To add the dots I dipped the end of my paint brush into Titanium White and literally dotted the orange pixels.

Moving on to my focal image.  I love painting strong women so in keeping with that tradition I added this beautiful lady.  I used Burnt Sienna to "sketch" my girl.  Then I mixed Burnt Sienna and Titan Buff for my base skin color.  I began with adding the shadows in Burnt Sienna and highlights with Titan Buff then blended the two using my skin toned mixture.  I continued blending the shadows and highlights until I was happy with the look.

I also added some native american motifs using the Americana Aztec stencil and Hansa Yellow Medium.  I outlined the motifs with Titanium White.

The hair is a combination of Carbon Black, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna and the other colors used in the background.  I like to combine all the colors I'm using into the shadows.  I think it really helps unify the composition.

I continued to use the same combination of colors for her staff, feathers and jewelry.  To outline the feathers and add details, I dipped a calligraphy pen into watered down Titanium White paint.

I used the 6x8 American Aztec Pattern for this undercover tat.  I wanted it to look like it was under her skin so I went back over it with the skin color blend.

These DecoArt Media fluid acrylics are amazing, I'm so happy with them!  They are professional grade acrylics just like the big names you might be use to using but cost less.  Which means that you can buy even more colors for your collection.

You can find them online at JoAnn.com or in your local JoAnn Fabrics.  For more information on each product, visit DecoArt.com/mixedmedia.  To find more inspiration and tips on how to use each product, visit the online education program or sign up for the newsletter.  You can also visit the blog for the latest design team creations and don't forget to visit us on Facebook. :D

Thank you so much for visiting me today!  Have a beautiful blessed day, Follow Your Arrow: Truth!!

Elegant Halloween Pillow: DecoArt Media

Welcome to the DecoArt Mixed Media Haunts Challenge: Goblins, Zombies, Witches... OH MY!

Join the DecoArt Mixed Media Design Team in a spooky Halloween challenge from October 1st through the 28th! Have a peek at our talented designer's projects below and be on the look out for their full tutorials on the DecoArt Media Facebook throughout the Mixed Media Haunts Challenge! 

Feeling inspired? Create your very own spooktacular piece and submit it below through the Inlinkz link at the bottom of our Design Team project photos. Entries will be accepted until October 28th at 11:55pm.

On October 29th, Andy Skinner will choose his two favorite pieces. The runner-up will receive $50 worth of DecoArt Media product and the grand prize winner will receive $100 worth of DecoArt Media goodies!

Hi everyone!!!  It's time to pull out all of your delightfully wicked Halloween decor.  I have to be honest, this is my absolute favorite time of year.  I'm a total Halloween nerd and each year I add a few more pieces to my collection. This year I created this elegant little throw pillow using DecoArt Media fluid acrylic paints and mediums.  I also used Paper Wings Productions Halloween stamps and flowers from my stash.

I started by measuring out and cutting an 11x11" square of canvas.

 Next I prepped the canvas by applying a generous layer of gesso.  I completely covered the entire piece of canvas.

I wanted my pillow to be purple but I didn't have any so I mixed Prussian Blue Hue, Paynes Grey, Quinacridone Magenta and Pyrrole Red.  The result is a beautiful shade of violet.

Once my base coat of paint was dry I stenciled the Indian Ikat design with a mixture of Titanium White and Magenta Interference.  The Interference ads a very subtle tint of magenta to the white paint.

To add a little more interest I stamped "are you a good witch or a bad witch" all over.

Now to add some spooky fun!  I used the DecoArt Media Matte Medium to transfer a trio of vintage spooks.  To transfer the image, I applied the matte medium to both the canvas and the front of the image.  Then I placed the image face down and burnished it using a bone folder.  I let my transfer dry over night then spritzed with water and gently rubbed the paper off with my finger.

After removing all of the paper, I sealed my image with the matte medium.  I added more stamping to frame the image.  This one says: The time has come for the witch's dance!  The spooks from far and near will gather and make merry for Halloween is here.

With all the main pieces done it was time to dress it up with embellishments, sew the back on, stuff and close it up.

I sewed black rose trim to the front before sewing and stuffing the pillow.  I added the bling, roses and leaves at the very end with hot glue.

I used a simple black and white fabric for my backing.  To attach simply place both pieces of fabric right sides facing each other and sew the edges.  Make sure to leave at least a few inches open to turning the pillow inside out.  Then stuff and sew the remaining opening closed.

You can't tell from the pic but I also fringed around the image transfer.  Well there you have it, super simple project with elegant results!  Thank you so much for stopping by today, have a wonderful day!!