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I am really hung up on doing backgrounds. This particular background is being done on a canvas board. I started out by applying a layer of molding paste. After letting this dry overnight, I applied two layers of gesso over the molding paste. After this dried, I then applied a wash of yellow ochre. I added some texture at this point using a sea sponge with Quin Nickel Azo Gold. Once dried, I added a couple of ephemera using gel medium. I then washed the whole canvase using Quin Nickel Azo Gold. I added touches of Cobalt Teal with a baby wipe (my newest favorite tool) and applied some Burnt Umber around the edges of the canvase using a paintbrush. I stamped a word image using a Adirondack stamp pad (Expresso, I think). I applied some texture by using Titan Buff through sequin waste. I am partially done with this canvas so check back again to see where I go from here.

I took a 3 hour class on Friday with Karen O'Brien. It was really messy and so much fun. The time went by and before we knew it the time in class was over. I really must recommend a class with Karen. The workshop focused on backgrounds and a book to hold them in. These backgrounds could be used for anything but were intended as a reference for different techniques. The first thing we did was to create the covers for the book to hold our backgrounds in. The first thing she had us do was squirt some paint and gesso onto a piece of watercolor paper which we then spread around. If there was too much paint, we used another piece of watercolor paper to blot off the excess. We applied approximately 3 colors of acrylic paint before moving to the next step. Using soft gel (matte) medium, we applied images and words to our painted background. I always like an odd number of items since it is more pleasing to the eye. After the gel dried, we stamped on the background using stamp pads, paints, gesso, whatever was handy. The the real fun started and we began adding paints, glazes, reinkers, etc. to the pages. I have posted a before and after picture of the cover pages. What a difference, huh?