ColourArte Video Time: Reverse Stenciling, Butterfly Shadow Box

It is time for another project for ColourArte.  I love backgrounds.  If I could just make backgrounds I would be happy.  Backgrounds however, are nothing without the rest of the story.  So lets discuss the background as well as the finished piece.  This project's technique is how to Reverse Stencil with ColourArte Silks.

The Background

As with all techniques, there is a learning curve to get the right combination of products.  I tried stenciling first and then coloring the background.  While it worked, it lacked the depth of this example.  I tried various products as well.  Silks gave me the softest and most distinct image transfer.
Here are a few of the backgrounds that were created during my exploration of this technique:

This is the stencil using Radiant Gels and is done in the traditional stenciling manner.  Note the "gears" are the white space.  If you want the opposite from your stencil, this technique fits the bill.  I tried reversing this stencil, it worked but the finished product had a lot of texture but no distinct image.  Might work better with a different stencil.  This one had a lot of "plastic" to cover.

Another example, this one is using Silks and is reversed Stenciled in the same manner as demonstrated in the video.  Not bad, will use if for another project later.  To "bold for this project.  

Background prior to stenciling.  This was Water Color paper misted with a mixture of water and Primary elements.  I went with less concentration of color to give a soft background with areas of more intensity.

After I finished the background the challenge was to find a way to use it, so let see what I came up with.

The background supports the focal images without being overwhelming.

The flowers were misted and daubed with several Radiant Rain Products and Primary Elements.  

The ribbon was created by spraying and daubing Radiant Rain products as well as the same sprays used on the background to create a harmonious composition on Seam Binding.

Beginning of ribbon coloring.  Once the ink is laid down, water is added and then the ribbon is kneaded to blend and distribute the colorant.  I appears very bright and bold here, but once dried, matched the background very well.

The very back, background was made by spritzing the Primary Element spray through a texture plate by Gina Designs.

The ink was blotted up to give a faded distressed feel.  This wasn't necessary as most of it was covered with the focal background.  But is a good technique to use for another project.  

The most rewarding part of this project were these butterflies.  I had received a sample of Embossing Powders from Sweet Stamp.  I was playing with them when the idea came to me to include them over the background.  I was going to add gears and metal to make a steampunk project, but the idea of adding the butterflies to the gear background seemed right, Organic meets natural.  But I needed them to match my project.  I did not have any powder that matched.  After much thought decided to create my own.

I combined:  embossing powder fine detail, with chunky. Glitter, both fine micro glitter and Distress.  Distress Embossing Powder, Glittered Embossing Powder, plus some of the samples that I had received from Sweet Stamps.

Once embossed, they were further enhanced with the Emperor's Gold Silk and Radiant Rain Sprays.

Final step was to distress the background and apply ink to the edges and enhance the colors within the background.  I find that Distress Ink goes with everything!!

Distressed and ready for ink.  Tumbled Glass and Walnut Stain Distress.

Final product!!  Beautiful.

Link to YouTube: Watch the process

Hope you enjoy!!
Until Next time, Happy Crafting
Josette

Links:
Colour Arte:  http://colourarte.com
YouTube: ColourArte Channel

Supplies:
ColourArte
Radiant Rain:            Egyptian Gold Dauber
                                  Nutmeg Spray
                                  Guatemalan Dauber
                                  Teal Zircon Spray
Primary Elements:    Beach-House Blue
                                  Ancient Coin
                                  Burnt Umber
Silks:                         Emperor's Gold
                                  Olive Vine

Other Products used:
Strathmore 400 Series, Cold Press Water Color Paper, 140#
Distress Ink;            Tumbled Glass
                                Walnut Stain
Dies:                        Sizzix: Movers and Shapers butterflies , and Large Butterfly
Sweet Stamp:          Enchanted Aubergine Embossing Powder
                                Mermaid's Tears Embossing Powder
                                Piccolo Enamel/Embossing Powder adhesive

Products used to create embossing Powder mix:
Sparkle and Sprinkle: Opaque:  Candlelight and Mediterranean Star
Tsukineko:    Verdigris
Distsress embossing powder:       Walnut Stain
Distress Glitter:  Tarnished Brass
                            Peeled Paint
                            Peacock Feathers
Hero Arts:  Clear
Stamendous: Aged Gold, Aged White,