Friday, February 21, 2020

Experimenting with Black Mixed Media Paper

Hi everyone.  I bought some black mixed media paper (along with a gray/blue version).  Had some fun experimenting the other day with different mediums.  Only opaque mediums will show up on the black.  Made a card for this month's CAS Watercolour - Red and Black challenge.


The above card is done with Pearl-Ex powders.  They are a mica powder and come in gorgeous colours.  There is no binder in these powders, so you need to mix them with another product to make them set.  I mixed them with gum arabic (1 part gum arabic to 4 parts pearl-ex powder) and then used a wet brush to apply.  When I was finished I took a metallic silver pen and went over the silver embossing that was shaded from the powders being on top.  The pen was a little thicker than I would have liked, especially for the stamens, but it turned out pretty well.

Thanks for coming by for a visit!






Stamps:  Delicate Beauty (Penny Black)
Paper:  Black Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Silver embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool, Pearl-Ex Powders (interference red, red russet); gum arabic, water brush, silver metallic pen (Pilot)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Red and Black

28 comments:

I Card Everyone said...

Wow, Loll... love the drama - mama! Truly a gorgeous shimmer on this black, my friend!
=]

Susan said...

Beautiful! Love the shimmer from the Pearl Ex! I need to try mixing mine with gum arabic.

Mac Mable said...

A fabulous and beautiful effect with the powders Loll and so very pretty. Thank you for the tip about the gum arabic. Gloriously CAS x.

Linda said...

WOW! What an amazing effect from the mica powders, this is stunning xx

Pat said...

How beautiful Loll and the colours of the Pearl-ex look so pretty on the black card, and love the way you have gone over the silver embossing to make it more visible. A great result! x

Ina G said...

Wow! what a stunning CAS card. Just oozes awesomeness Loll.

Marcia Hill said...

Yep, this is definitely a WOW card! I love how dramatic and elegant the black is, and then that pop of red and all the shimmer...lovely, lovely card Loll!! :0)

Nstiz said...

This is gorgeous Loll! I never knew there we black mixed media paper. How cool is that! I love the look of the silver and your beautiful water coloring on this. Sounds like it's time to shop again! Your results are just beautiful.

kiwimeskreations said...

Long time no hear of pearl-ex powders Loll - I still have some in my stash! I love what you have done with them on this dramatic card
Blessings
Maxine

nancy littrell said...

Stunning Pearl Ex flower on your new black mixed media paper, Loll. I LOVE the elegant simplicity. TFS Hugs..Nancy

Christine Alexander said...

Beuatiful Loll,I've tried just mixing without specific amounts so I need to look if the colour fixes. can't wait to compare :)

Robyn Oliver said...

Gorgeous card Loll, the pinks look very pretty on the black - your experiment worked beautifully, hugs Robyn

papierelle said...

Experiment successful!! A wonderful card!! I like the shimmer.

Brenda said...

Wow Loll, this is stunning and so dramatic looking! The pearl powders worked great, never heard of gum arabic though. lol I know very little about art supplies. The silver metallic pen worked great to bring back that silver outline. So love this! I only got the white that you told me to get as I figured I have enough to learn on the white! lol Hugs, Brenda

HilaryJane said...

Love that shiny pearly look. It seems that black mixed media or water colour paper is becoming a 'thing'. I shall have to look out for some, haven't seen it in the shops yet xx

Happy Dance said...

This is stunning, Loll. My first reaction was, "wow," followed by, "gorgeous." This is definitely a 'statement' card, and I really hope to see more like this from you. Incredible! You are so talented and I am so jealous (but in an admiring/good way, lol). Fabulous card. Sending hugs. Bev

Bobby said...

I think black backgrounds are elegant and dramatic, Loll, and this card proves it. I recently bought black watercolor paper and have tried a few different things with it. It's so much fun to experiment.

Christine Alexander said...

Loll,so beautiful, I'm looking forward to trying all the mixed media papers :)

Bonnie said...

The shimmery flower is stunning against the black, Loll! I was looking at my dark paper the other day and wishing I had time to play with it.

Papercraft Boutique said...

This is such a pretty one-layer card, Loll! I love it!!
The delicate shimmery flower looks amazing against black. The silver metallic pen details adds definition to the flower. I didn't know there was color MM paper in the market. I'll check it out. :-)
Hideko xx

TK said...

Bold and beautiful in black -- this does not disappoint, Loll!

Barb Ghig said...

Oh my, this is absolutely GORGEOUS, Loll! I love the shimmer from the Pearl-Ex powders and how beautifully your flower stands out with the black background! You have really out-done yourself with this stunning card ~ Barb xx

Darnell said...

You're always on trend, Lolly! I've never even heard of black yupo paper and now it's on my wish list! I can't wait to try it and I love the stunning look you achieved with your Pearl-Ex powders!! Hugs, Dolly

Anita in France said...

Oooh, fabulous, Loll ... the glow and shimmer of the mica against the black is so dramatic ... and gorgeous! Hugs, Anita :)

Julia Aston said...

So stunning on the black base Loll - the Pearl ex powders look beautiful on this! xx

Leslie Miller said...

I've seen some fabulous things done on black paper lately and this is one of them! I've been wanting to try black watercolor paper and wondering how Twinkling H2Os would work. Your Pearl ex Shimmer looks fantastic!

Ros Crawford said...

Wow! Your experiment turned out to be a stunner Loll... Love it!

BożenA said...

A very elegant card, Loll. It's amazing that you managed to perform color gradation in this difficult technique. The silver pen has done an excellent job of sharpening the contours.
hugs,
BożenA