Category: Backgrounds

Art journal page using Gelli print as starting point.
Art Journal, Backgrounds, Company, LuLu Art, Monoprinting

Birds Flying High – creating an art journal page from a random, messy, GelliArts printed background

Robyn Wood

Hello!

We are back from the most wonderful of holidays to France and I’m planning on sharing a bunch of posts about our adventures. In the meantime I’d like to share a journal page I created for LuLu Art earlier this year.

Creating an art journal page using Gelli print as starting point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spread starts with a random, messy GelliArts printed background and features two of my favourite things – the music of Michael Bublé and Gelli prints! You can find the full supply list of materials used on the LuLu Art blog or within the comments on my YouTube video.

Using a Gelli printed background as a base for an art journal page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My page started with this nice, textured page – I kinda cheated a little as it was one I had ‘prepared earlier’ but the background seemed to suit the colours I wanted to use.

Whenever I use my GelliArts plate, I like to keep an art journal and heaps of dictionary paper around so that I can pick up any leftover paint between prints. I’ve learnt to keep these pages to a similar colour scheme – either warm or cool so that the colours don’t muddy. Sometimes a pop of a complementary or neutral colour works as well.

Messy, Gelli printed backgrounds are the perfect starting point for a page in your art journal!

Art Journal, Backgrounds, Gelatos, Mixed media, Tutorials

Take a Moment

Robyn Wood

 

Smell the flowers - Robyn Wood 1

Today I’d like to share an art journal page that I created for LuLu Art using some self-carved stamps. Late last year, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer did a challenge to carve a stamp every day and I found it very inspiring and my fingers have itched to give it a go. You can find her posts here or do a search on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #carveDecember to find lots of inspiring images from other people.
As you can probably gather from my blog, I love my commercial rubber stamps! I won’t be letting them go any time soon but this project was a great inspiration starter and I know I’ll be doing more.
Stamp carving is a perfect skill for when you have that ‘I just need….’ dilemma during a project. Check out the little collection I made during my carving stint –

 

IMG_2795

A word of warning – stamp carving tools are sharp! Keep the blade pointed away from you, work in a well-lit area and go slowly until you get a feel for the rubber. I actually learnt to carve timber as a teenager so found it all came back very quickly but the process is really simple – and lots of fun!

 

Smell the flowers - Robyn Wood 2

Pop over to the LuLu Art blog to find out a full list of supplies, which as usual are available from this magical, online store!

Thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget that there is a LuLu Art Facebook page to share your creations or just stop in for a chat. As always you can follow me on Facebook here.

Art Journal, Backgrounds, LuLu Art, Mixed media, Quotes, Tutorials

My own little world

Robyn Wood

 

My own little world - art journal page by Robyn Wood, www.purpleToday I’d like to share an art journal page that I created recently for LuLu Art using the new Dylusions paints.  You can see full details on the project here.
I’ve been fascinated with drawing houses lately and drawing this collection on top of a couple of brightly painted and decorated dictionary pages was so much fun!

 

My own little world - art journal page by Robyn Wood, www.purpleDictionary paper and book paper is great to work with – plentiful, cheap and it comes in a wide variety of neutral colours and even the paper texture can differ from book to book. The layout of the text adds instant texture and is a great jumping off point for page elements.

My own little world - art journal page by Robyn Wood, www.purple

I had decided to hold off on getting the Dylusions paints – because ‘did I really need another set of paints?’ Just even a few new jars of my fav colours? The answer was a definite no! But the beautiful Dylusions colour palette drew me in. Can’t say I’m terribly impressed with the packaging though – shallow wide-mouth jars are dangerously liable to be knocked over on a busy art table! I think I’ll have to be really careful using them.

The paints go on like butter, beautifully smooth and quick drying. They apply easily with a brush, palette knife, gift card scraper or even your finger. The dry matt surface is fantastic to draw or doodle on top of, pencil rubs off cleanly and the Posca pens went on very smoothly. although quite opaque, a thin layer will be translucent so you can see parts of the background underneath, perfect for art journaling.  Unlike the Dylusions sprays, the paints are permanent once dry which makes them great for layering.

Come and see how I created this project and visit my own little world….

Art Journal, Backgrounds, LuLu Art, Mixed media, Quotes, Tutorials

Find Joy in the Ordinary

Robyn Wood

 

RW - Find Joy (3)

I’m sharing a new project on the LuLu Art store blog this week pop over here to check it out and learn more about the how and why I created the page.  I’ve linked to my YouTube video below.  As always you can find the products to make this project at LuLu Art!

Robyn Wood - Find Joy

My page is one I’ve created as part of the Documented Life Project being run by the Art to the 5th Academy.  I’m really enjoying participating in these challenges each week – they are broad enough that you can interpret any way you like.

LuLu Art is having a huge sale at the moment – check it out while you are there as the bargains are fabulous! There is also a bunch of new products on the virtual shelves to tempt you.

Backgrounds, Christmas, Mixed media, Tutorials

29 Days of Christmas Inspiration #25

Robyn Wood

RW Dec 13 Card 7 (1)

At first glance this card looks very similar to yesterdays but techniques used are quite different.

– Start the same way as yesterday by stencilling stars using modelling paste.  But make them more uniform in coverage.  Allow to dry.

RW Dec 13 Card 7 (2)

– Paint with Silks acrylic glaze in Sky Blue, Majestic Blue & Mediterranean Blue. Make the colour a little patchy looking.

– Apply metallic Pan Pastels all over the stars using one or two of the metallic colours.  I used a little silver and gold.

– Spritz the Pan Pastels with Spectra Fix Degas Pastel Fixative and allow to dry.

– Drizzle along the top edge with turquoise acrylic ink and spritz with water, the ink will run & mix with the Pan Pastel colour and Dylusions layer to create a lovely shimmery effect. Allow to dry.

– Add a greeting and it is done.

Backgrounds, Christmas, Mixed media, Tutorials

29 Days of Christmas Inspiration #24

Robyn Wood

RW Dec 13 Card 6 (1)

As you might guess from the cards I have been sharing this month – I do love turquoise and blue tones for Christmas cards!  This one is no exception and has a beautiful, textured feel to it.  Your recipient is sure to put this one is pride of place on the mantel.

RW Dec 13 Card 6 (2)

Create the card by –

– stencil a scattering of stars over cardstock using a Tim Holtz star stencil and moulding paste.  Allow to dry well.

– spritz with Dylusions Vibrant Turquoise & Calypso Teal.  Remove the excess colour with paper towel and allow to dry.

– replace the stars template and spritz lightly with water.

– the water will remove some of the colour and give a variegated effect.

– add a little pizazz with a gold embossed greeting.