It's day 4 already and it's time to share some ideas for the 3" Art Square size.
For years our business focused on the 3 smaller sizes; the 1" or Inchie Square, 1.5" Inchie + Square and the 2" Twinchie Square. Once our customers figured out all the cool coloring methods for direct art application on the squares, no sooner were they hounding us with requests for larger sizes. So, we introduced the 3", ATC and 4" sizes renaming the entire line...Art Squares...as it was getting kind of confusing referring to all the sizes as 'inchies'.
The introduction of the 3" size was like opening up a creative Pandora's box.
One of the greatest discoveries of these new larger sizes was that you could actually combine multiple techniques and mediums on one Art Square. This card begins with a 3" white Art Square and combines a bit of paper masking, stamping, watercolor painting and Pan Pastel application.
There are a few steps to this one and until we are brave enough to shoot a video we will share this step by step photo tutorial.
Begin by covering the TOP (slightly textured) side of a 3" white Art Square with masking paper. There are a few brands in the marketplace; we most often use one from Inkadinkado called Stamping Mask Paper or Eclipse paper from Judikins. Turn over and trim the paper flush to the very edge of the square.
Using a 2" Art Square as a template, center on the top of the masking paper side and trace around it with light pencil.
Using a sharp craft knife, cut out and remove the central square - but be sure to save it as you will be using it again.
Leaving the 'border' mask in place, stamp the Penny Black Sparkler Slapstick Cling stamp using Versafine onyx black pigment ink. Cover with clear embossing powder, shake off excess and heat set. As with the placecards from a few days ago, sometimes we like to emboss our image prior to watercoloring. (don't get too close with the heat gun...and if the border mask releases a bit, just press it back down.
For this project, we again used the Sakura Koi Water Colors. After decding that the poinsettia was going to be a blend of pinks, we preblended several different puddles of light pinks to darker versions, even adding a bit of purple and used another Art Square to 'test' what the colors would look like when applied.
For this type of watercolor painting we like to let the 'water' part of watercolor do the blending. In order to do that your surface must be partially saturated and so the first couple of passes are quickly done with a very light pink 'water'. Repeat the process so everything is 'damp' before you apply the next, stronger layer of color.
Gradually add in the darker colors applying them with a gentle dabbing motion. Feel free to add dabs of water to insure that the colors bleed and blend as you apply them. You will be surprised by how much water and paint will be absorbed into the Art Square.
Let the paint completely dry (you can heat set if you are gentle) and remove outside mask. Find the smaller square mask that you initially removed and place it over the center area that you have just painted.
With the center square mask in place stamp the leafy twig from the Penny Black Festive Florals Slapstick Cling set using clear VersaMark ink. Take your time as you stamp and try and not overlap too much of the image as you stamp 'the border'.
Using a soft art sponge begin applying various Pan Pastel green colors directly on top of the VersaMark stamping. Like magic, the images will appear in a darker value than the background. We started with Bright Yellow Green Tint and then Bright Yellow Green Shade gently adding and wiping the colors without disturbing the central masked area.
For the final layer we used Chromium Oxide Green Shade. After removing the mask in the middle you can touch up any watercoloring (we added a bit of sepia tone at the edges). For the finishing touches we added a black pen line around the central square and the bling (pearls touched with a gold Krylon pen). After assembling the card we stamped the sentiment from the Penny Black Joy Filled Clear Set. (note: it is advisable when using Pan Pastels to 'fix' your work so it doesn't smear - we advise doing this before you assemble the card, and be sure when you use spray fixative to do so in a well ventilated area!)
Be sure and visit the Penny Black BLOG today and every day through Saturday November 22 as each day there will be new postings on both of our sites that combine the Art Squares you know and love with the incredible designs from Penny Black.
And don't forget to comment for entry into the giveaways!
2 winners will each receive $25 worth of stamps from Penny Black!
2 winners will each receive 4 boxes of Inchie Arts products!
To enter to win a product giveaway leave a comment here on the Inchie Arts blog and then visit the Penny Black BLOG and leave a comment there too. And, there is even a bonus entry by "liking" and commenting on the Facebook pages of both Inchie Arts and Penny Black. One winner will be selected from the collective blog comments and another winner selected from the collective Facebook likes and comments. That means 2 winners will each receive 4 boxes of Art Squares of their choosing and 2 winners will each receive $25 worth of stamps from Penny Black. Giveaway closes at 11/22/14 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on the Inchie Arts BLOG and Facebook pages on Monday November 24.
6 days...6 different sizes of Art Squares!
See you tomorrow!
