Stay Fierce | Colour Blast

Hi everyone!

Happy hump day! It's Sue Plumb here today to share my latest Colour Blast design team project with you. Today I am sharing a mixed media piece I created using Colour Artist Inks and Colour Paste. For today's post I decided to re-visit a project style I have created previously, but this time I mixed it up a bit by changing some of my materials and altering my process steps. 

First, here's a look at my completed piece...

And now to my process...

I started this project with a page torn from a large, glossy wedding magazine that I picked up at an op shop. I have never created one of these girls on gloss paper before, so thought I would give it a go. I deliberately didn't use any gesso on the paper as I wanted to as I wanted to see how the Colour Artist Inks behaved on a different substrate. 

I stuck with a range of warm colours - Citrus, Sunburnt,Cranberry, Slipper and Cider. To apply, I simply dropped the ink randomly onto the page from the dropper, then spread using a brush. I then set it aside to dry. When I returned I noticed that the inks had dried lighter than they would usually, obviously from reacting with the gloss paper; and I loved the effect!

Once the background colour was in place, it was time to add my focal image. I used a fabulous face stencil from StencilGirl that was designed by Andrea Matus deMeng, and I simply used Staz On ink and a sponge to apply it. I then used a Sharpie to fill in the small gaps left from the stencil in the hair and along the edges of the face.

Next, I added a few torn pieces of paper. This paper was from Flutterby Designs and featured a mixed media design. I wanted to use the paper over the top of parts of the stencilled design to push the face back into my design by building over the top of it. (This is different from my usual process, when I usually have the face more in the foreground; but as this face was larger and quite bold I wanted to soften it a bit.)

The next step was to add some stamping using rubber stamps from Viva Las VegaStamps. The purpose of the stamping was to add depth and interest to my layers.

I followed this with some contrasting colour detail using Oasis Colour Artist Ink. I applied it with a small brush directly from the bottle. (When doing this, you need to remember that the colour will blend a bit with the colour underneath, so make sure you use colours that will work together.)

Then it was time to add some texture. I used a stencil from Flutterby Designs, along with Lovely Lilac Colour Paste. Using lilac gave me a good bridge between the warm and cool colours, and also helped to blend the lilac colour that was on the paper pieces I had used.

After the Colour Paste, I then went in with a white Posca pen and added some white highlights to the eyes, lips and bridge of the nose; as well as some other defining detail around the face.

With all the structure in place, it was time to add my focal words. These were fussy cut from a Flutterby Designs card; attached with a liquid adhesive, then stapled to add extra detail. I also used some Flutterby phrase stickers.

For the final details on my piece, I used a Stabilo All pencil to add some scribbles to help highlight the words and add a bit of a border; then used Slipper Colour Artist Ink and a small brush to add some splatters over the top.

When you look closely you can see all the layers at play, and despite its simplicity at first glance, it demonstrates how much depth this piece really has.

Thanks so much for stopping by today so I could share this with you. I hope I have inspired you to try something similar using your Colour Blast supplies. (If you don't have a face stencil, make sure you check out the Michelle Grant designed ones available in the Colour Blast store HERE or you could even try using a magazine image.)

If I have inspired you to create something similar, I would love to see it! Make sure you share it in the Colour Blast Creative Corner on Facebook or tag me on Instagram - @sue.plumb

Until next time, happy creating! X