Lisa - Pink mixed-media canvas

Good morning! Lisa here with a quick blog post featuring a little something for this month's challenge theme: pink! I've put together a mixed-media canvas, featuring an older range of papers-- Pink Paislee's She Art.

I created the background with a mixture of torn sheets of patterned paper and old dictionary pages glued on randomly, which I then covered with a layer of white gesso. Once that was dry, I added  various areas of accent colour to add dimension, making sure pink was the main colour. I also used yellow, some green, and patches of white. Any colours can be used, really-- and if you decide it's not working out, just cover it with another thin layer of gesso. The object is to create a layered look, so just keep working with your chosen colours until you are happy with the results.

Once the paint was dry, I worked on the rest of the elements of the picture: assembling the girl, the row of bunting, the snippet of text, and the letter. I placed these on the canvas without gluing them down for a start, just to make sure I was happy with the arrangement of the pieces. Once I had it set out how I wanted, I began adhering them to the canvas. The girl's skirt is layered with more paint and paper, as the original pattern was a bit brighter than I wanted. A thin layer of gesso is a good way to tone down brighter colours, while still allowing some of the pattern to show through.

 

Once everything was in place and glued down and dried, I used a couple of shades of pink chalk to accent various areas: around the words, along the edge of the polka dot papers on her dress, as well as in random places on the background.  Chalks are fantastic for adding a soft layer of colour, and they can be blended to suit whatever strength you're wanting. I usually apply mine with a foam-tipped applicator, and then blend with my fingertip. Easy! :)

Lastly, I added a Kaisercraft paper bloom in dusty pink and gave the edges of the canvas a quick whizz over (highly technical term, I know!) with a Tim Holtz distress stain in picket fence, just to finish things off. And that, as they say, is that. :)

Hopefully this inspires you to come up with your own fantabulous creation in glorious pink, too! Make sure to upload your challenge entry by the end of the month to be in to win some great prizes. :) Have a lovely day, and as always, thanks so much for looking!

Cheers,
Lisa