Hello, G45ers!
This Graphic 45 post offers a step by step tutorial on how to create a mixed media canvas. In celebration of our 2019-2020 Brand Ambassador introductions, we have asked our new team to create a project that describes them as an artist, in other words, a #G45Selfie. For this assignment Mixed Media Extraordinaire and Brand Ambassador, Kavitha has created a summer fun Beach Canvas using the backside of the canvas and G45's By the Sea – Deluxe Collector’s Edition. We encourage you to grab your papers and inks and play along with this step by step process.
Kavitha – India
2019-2020 Brand Ambassador
“Hello, Graphic 45 fans,
I am Kavitha from Chennai, India. I am a huge fan and avid collector of Graphic 45 papers. I am super excited and incredibly honored to be a part of the wonderful and creative Graphic 45 family.
I love creating and love the creative process of bringing ideas to life. Crafting has been my main hobby since childhood and I feel blessed to have my hobby as a profession now.
I have dabbled into many art forms for almost a decade and stumbled upon paper crafting a few years back through blogging and shortly after that discovered mixed media and now I love mixing them both. My style is more of shabby chic/layered but I love trying out different styles now and then. I love to create Mini albums, cards, canvas, and altered projects. I am so happy to start my creative journey with Graphic 45 this year and can't wait to share my projects and ideas with you all.
#G45Selfie – Beach Life – Mixed Media Canvas
By Kavitha
When I was asked to create a project that reflects me, I obviously have to go for making a mixed media canvas. I love working on canvas as it gives me the freedom to work with many mediums and paints. Beach theme is one of my favorites, so I decided to create a beach theme canvas using the gorgeous By the Sea – Deluxe Collector’s Edition.
I would like to share a few steps for creating the background along with some tips
Tutorial:
Take a stretched canvas and use the reserve side of it. Paint it with 2-3 coats of heavy white gesso drying them in between the coats.
Cut some pattern paper measuring the inside of the canvas. The second layer must be slightly smaller. Apply water to the edges of the paper with a brush and create a wavy effect.
Apply a coat of clear gesso over the pattern paper and adhere it to the canvas. Apply modeling paste through stencils on all the sides.
Tip: While applying modeling paste through a stencil, apply it randomly over a few places and smooth the edges with the knife to give a natural effect
To add more texture to the canvas, adhere some fishnet and paint it with white gesso. Apply sand texture paste randomly with a knife and let it dry for some time.
Tip: Add natural elements like seashells, starfish, fishnet, moss, etc to add a more natural feel to your project.
For more dimension and layers I added few resin pieces and a star-shaped mini canvas to one side of the canvas.
To go with the colors of the theme, I used blue and coral shades of sprays. Spray some color and water for a good flow and dry it with a heat gun. Once it dried, dry brush white gesso over raised places for highlights.
Heat emboss the wooden embellishments with color embossing powders
Tip: Repeat the heat embossing process 2-3 times to get a smooth and raised effect.
Now layer all the embellishments like chipboard pieces from the collection kit, fussy cut elements, wooden embellishments along with natural sea elements to finish the canvas. The final step is to add some more texture and glam to the canvas, to do this apply soft gel medium over some places and sprinkle art stones of different sizes along with star-shaped sequins and fine glitter
For the center of the canvas, I have used some fussy cut images that suits my theme. You can also use that space for adding your personal photos.
White gesso plays a major part in beach theme projects, for the final touch dry brush white gesso randomly all over and mix it with water and add some splatters too.
Tip: Add some pebbles or clear droplets in a few places to give a more beachy feel.
Graphic 45 Supply List:
Other Supplies:
- Heavy white gesso
- White modelling paste
- Sand texture paste
- Art stones
- Resin embellishments
- Gel medium
Hope you liked my project:))
Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting.”
~Kavi
What a fabulous idea and even more a beautiful execution! Join us in welcoming Kavitha to our team in the comments below. We hope that you give this fun tutorial a try, and when you do be sure to share your project on our Graphic 45 – Official Community page. Thank you for stopping by for your daily dose of inspiration. Have a wonderful day and as always…
Happy Papercrafting!