Thursday, June 18, 2015

My First Canvas!



Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing my very first canvas. :)

Of course, I went with my favourite colour combo of yellow, orange and pink. :) Used my watercolour sprays and once they were dry, I stamped my sentiment in black ink and heat embossed in clear.  I wanted to make sure the sentiment was protected and any ink I put on top afterwards would just wipe away. LOVE the words on this sentiment and HAD to have it when I saw it on-line at Joann's.

I stenciled over top with chicken wire and mini tile texture stencils (both from Crafter's Workshop).  I placed a tulip stencil over top, sponged with distress inks, and then coated it with clear heavy matte gel.   I then decided to add a little gold shimmer, so watered down some inka gold wax and painted around the sentiment. It did add a little shine, but not much, and I could have left that off.  I sprayed shimmer mist over everything to set the colours.  That gave it a bit of a splattered look that I wasn't expecting, but I like! :)  I'm happy with my first attempt and plan on hanging this in my studio.

I'm obsessed with this now and have spent the past few days trying out more canvases.  I have to say that I had beginner's luck, because everything just worked with my first canvas.  I have tried working on two others since (both better quality canvases than my cheapo first one), and watercolour doesn't stick to them.  It just sits on top and wipes away.  So if I want to make more, I'm going to have to buy the cheap canvases, or get "watercolour canvases" that are meant to be used with watercolour paints. :)

I have now painted white acrylic paint over the two canvases that didn't work, and will start again ... this time using acrylic paints or maybe I'll try ink.  Anyways, experimenting has been fun and I've learned what NOT to do. :)












29 comments:

Carol said...

You've made a beautiful job of this Loll, the colours are gorgeous. I always give my canvases a coat of gesso before adding any colours. Carol x

Inkyfingers said...

This is gorgeous Loll! So bright and cheery and it will look wonderful on your studio wall.
Hugs
Carol x

Anonymous said...

I, too, just tried my first canvas, a mixed media piece, and I agree that it makes a person want to do more! I really like your color choices and stencilling, and the quote is perfect, I often pop by your blog and admire your work!

Stamps and Paper said...

Loll you should be very pleased with your canvas it's beautiful look forward to seeing more

Anne

Brawny x said...

This is fabulous a Loll. Love it! X

JJ said...

Hi Loll,

This is stunning, love the colours. So sad your other two did not work out, typical isn't it? I am sure they will be a masterpiece like this one once you have it sorted.
This should be framed and take pride of place lol!
Love &Hugs

Jacquie J xxx
http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Kathyk said...

And it's really fabulous ... beginners luck? PAH!, careful planning more like!

Kathyk

Rachel Jolley said...

Well done you, this is lovely!

Julie B said...

Great job Loll, love the colour choice and the texture you got on it. :)

Bonnie said...

Cool!!! Love that sentiment! Have you tried gesso?

nancy littrell said...

Absolutely Stunning Collage Canvas Loll!!!! I have never used clear heavy matte gel. I will have to look into it. I wonder is your could do a piece using Mixed Media 140# paper and then attach it to your Canvas paper....OMG....You did it again my friend!!!!! My head is spinning with ideas because of your Inspired Card :-) With much love, nancy P.S. Love your quote!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Beautiful creation

Far North said...

Fabulous first canvas!

I agree with the others try gesso it is generally used as a primer for canvas to give paint a base to hang onto...and not wasting so much color. No more worries..it can totally block outs areas you don't like. Or use it like embossing paste for texture--clean tools/stencils immediately or at least put them in hot soapy water pronto!

Acrylic trumps other paints with its plastic base...it will take will over take water based products. Gel mediums are acrylic too.

I find Inka Gold is not a bright when watered down...just add a drop of water or 1 light mist if is too dry. I use my finger to apply to achieve the bright glow. It's waxy base can also resist watercolor.

Canvas feels like a whole new world of creating. Enjoy the fun! And remember you can also add things like printed paper and fabric.

Lee-Anne said...

A home run on your first canvas, Loll! Beautifully done! No wonder you had to buy that sentiment stamp...love it!

MaryH said...

So many fabulous techniques on this lovely canvas. Had fun reading all the things you did, and wow, all of them turned out so well. I especially love the tulips and the gold aura around them. Finally got a bottle of Blick gold, and wondering how much to dilute for a nice spray. All your stencils created such wonderful bkgrnd and texture. Definitely this is worthy of hanging in your studio. Good luck with the remaining canvases, and at least you can cover with white and start anew. You're learning so many fun new things & it's just amazing to me! TFS & Big hugs.

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

I recently did some mini cheapo canvases and found that it helps to put on gesso first. I loved making them! Looks like you had fun with yours, too! Came out great!

Brenda said...

Gosh but this is beautiful Loll! I can't believe this is your first canvas. But then again...it is you doing it and everything turns to gold in your hands. I love it too and I love that sentiment. I have always wanted to do a canvas but have no clue where to even start. lol I guess you just need to look at it as a big card maybe?! Anyway I can't wait to see what you come up with using your other canvas's. At least you know what not to do, that is a great start if you ask me! Hugs, Brenda

Darnell said...

How exciting for you and for us that you have ventured out into a new medium, Lolly! I'm so happy your first one worked fabulously so you didn't stop right then. It truly is gorgeous and I can't wait to see more!! Hugs, Dolly

Kylie said...

Wonderful canvas, Loll. I love the colours. Can't wait to see more! xx

Joyce said...

Fabulous piece of art. Love the quote as well.

Unknown said...

Certainly doesn't look like a first attempt Loll. Its absolutely lovely! If you prime your canvases with gesso that will sort them out, and its cheaper than using white acrylic paint.

Hugs.

Karen x

Lisa Lara said...

LOVE how this turned out Loll.

Birgit said...

Oh Loll, I just love this!! You are the queen of sprays and inking!! What an inspiration piece to look at every day. Your first attempt is a real work of art!

Pamellia said...

Congratulations on trying your first canvas, and oh what a beautiful canvas it is!! Amazing colours and I love those flowers! A wonderful work that certainly doesn't look like it was a first try! Love it! hugs :)

shirley-bee said...

This is wonderful, Loll! I love the soft colouring and the sentiment is great. Gesso is the magic ingredient (acrylic paint will repel watercolours and inks). Have fun with your other canvases.

Barb Ghig said...

Oh my goodness, Loll...this is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Your details are just perfect and of course the color palette is stunning! Thanks so much for sharing your trial and errors with us...I may have to try it out for myself :)

Linda said...

WOW!!! This is just beautiful Loll ..... I love the colours and that sentiment is fab. Great job! xx

Anita in France said...

Wow, so eyecatching and gorgeous, Loll ... such a yummy colour combo! Anita :)

Bobby said...

Kudos to you for branching out in the art world, Loll. That stamp called my name, too, but I've only used it once. I also paint on canvas but with acrylic and brushes in a once a week art class. I love it and I'm sure you will, too..