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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Welcome to the Artistcellar Blog Hop!

It is my privilege to participate in this current Artistcellar Blog Hop and Thank You for joining in on the fun.  I hope you have had a chance to visit all the other blogs on the list of participants (see below if you missed one!) and I hope you left comments along the way to be entered for a chance to WIN this amazing stencil set!  If you leave me a comment before midnight, Oct. 31st, I will enter your name in my drawing as well.  Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you along with your comment.  (If I cannot contact you, I have to disqualify you and I want everyone to have a chance at WINNING!)  Please visit the Artistcellar website to view many more designs and get your creative Mojo on!  The other Participants are:

Oct. 25thLisa Cousineau (Artistscellar) Official Start Date of this wonderful Blog Hop!
Oct. 26thEffy Wild
Oct. 27thLisa Chin
Oct. 28thCheryl Sleboda
Oct. 29thPaula Phillips
Oct. 30th –Cindy Powell (YOU ARE HERE)
Oct. 31stCecilia Swatton

My technique for using Cecilia Swatton’s “Kaleidoscope Series” of stencils involves something unusual.  It involves the art of watercolor.  Much like acrylic painting, watercolor is a fascinating medium in that it is usually transparent and can be removed. 
 

In order to design backgrounds in a free form painting, I like to incorporate a variety of techniques but one of my favorites is removing paint through a stencil so that it leaves an imprint of the stencil behind.  (Similar to a ghost image if done correctly) 
 
Since I am using a 140 lb. watercolor paper I must be careful not to scrub the paint off, but gently remove it with a slightly damp sponge.  If the sponge is too wet, it will seep under the stencil and create an undesired effect.  (Just like too much paint on your brush). 

Another way to remove watercolor from the paper is to use a baby wipe, but these are moist towelettes, so if using them, this process needs to be done carefully.  Moisture from the towelette will seep under the stencil, but if you blot it on a paper towel first-like a sponge, it can be used with wonderful results.
 

I have used Cecilia’s stencil collection for many art projects including of course the Gelli Printing Plate to create background pages for art journals.  I won’t go into details as there is an over abundance of information out on the web about this topic.  But I will give you a tip:  I paint a lot of paintings on some of the most fabulous papers, but, not every painting is a keeper.  I never throw them out; I recycle them into awesome art journals by applying acrylics & stencil patterns over them.  Once bound, they become books full of ideas for future projects and experiments.

Whatever medium you use, stencils can add such interesting depth to your work, so I hope you will give this a try in your art journal or fine art piece.  Experiment and have fun with these unique stencils by Cecilia.  Don't forget to leave me a comment below to be entered to win one of these wonderful sets.  Or browse the Artistscellar website for more designs.

24 comments:

Lilian said...

Brilliant! I had never thought of using stencils with watercolours. Thanks for the chance to win these.

jazzzblog@gmail.com

Ros said...

thanks for the tip I have to say when I don't like something I usually throw it away which is such a waste love your piece of artwork

Cecilia said...

Thank you, Cindy, for this post -- it is indeed unusual, and that makes it all the more special! I've had the pleasure of seeing this rooster painting and it's a knockout! Many thanks for showing off my stencils to such advantage!

Barbara said...

I love these stencils.This technique is beautiful.

Vicki Scott said...

Love these stencils, Love your art

Jackie PN said...

Beautiful use of the stencils! I would love to see your whole watercolor piece- it looks lovely from the sneak peek!! Thanks for hopping!
kampysgirl(@)(gmail)(dot com)

Melody said...

I like how you use the stencils in the background of your art.

melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

bwagnitz97 said...

My computer is not cooperating.
I love your art!

Amy Weaver/The Weaver's Hand-Inspirational Mixed Media Artist said...

this is fabulous! i love the beautifully subtle effect it gives and never would have thought to use them this way! thanks so much! i will have to try this.

Dee Spillane said...

I love these stencils. Hope I can win them. So many great ideas. Love the background you did.

Jo Murray said...

Those stencils have made a gorgeous background for your piece.

Jean said...

I just love these. That background is gorgeous! Such a wonderful hop!

Amy M said...

I never considered trying stencils with watercolors - thanks for sharing this technique

TangledBlueRose said...

I love your watercolors! It is so fun and light with these beautiful stencils!
~kim
blueroseblogger@gmail.com

Sylvia said...

I have loved seeing everything the blog hop participants are doing with these lovely stencils! Thanks for the chance to win!

Gill said...

I love stencils but I've never tried them with watercolour!
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this! I've been wanting to use watercolors with stencils for a while but couldn't figure out a method that didn't completely destroy the paper I was using. I was only using 90lb paper and I think that was my mistake. I'm going to pick up the 140lb this afternoon when I'm done with work. I'm so excited now!
Thanks again!
Nita Waters

OracleGaia said...

Hi. I just want to say what gorgeous stencils these are and I just love what you've made with them. AC really has got a beautiful selection. Thanks for the opportunity to win this Kaleidoscope set. My email is: blue.dragon.gaia@gmail.com (just in case I am lucky enough to actually win).

Julia said...

Love the technique, great use of colors and the stencil set!

Pamela said...

Thanks for the inspiring post! Your work is gorgeous. I loved your tips about using baby wipes, and about recycling papers into new projects. And thanks for introducing these wonderful stencil designs.

Shelly in Ohio said...

I simply love the stencils and what you've done with them! Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Very nice work! I'm just now learning about these stencils through this blog hop. I really like your background!

http://missdaniellerenee.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I can't remember if I left my contact information or not so I wanted to follow up my comment with it.
Nita Waters
nerdyowlcreates@outlook.com
or
anita.waters@allina.com

Thanks!

Carolyn said...

Very interesting technique, Cindy. You are so inventive and creative with your painting.