Saturday 4 April 2015

What if?....

...I suspect that's how a lot of our creations start, for me this one certainly did. Over on the PaperArtsy blog the current challenge theme is all about grunge paste. One of Leandra's suggestions was to try and carve grunge paste, and this set me thinking.... I decided I couldn't carve it but maybe my icing skills could be put to the test. Grunge paste is a little like royal icing and it certainly holds an impression, much more than any other texture paste. Then when Lucy Edmondson used some cake decorating tools on her post here, 'brush embroidery' suddenly came into my head and I thought I'd just have to try it out with grunge paste. If you haven't heard of brush embroidery, google has lots of images.


The background is on greyboard and there are lots of layers, rubbing back and crackle glaze using stone, taupe & french roast fresco paints.



ooh and some stamping.


Brush embroidery can be done with coloured icing or white and then as you 'brush' the icing out you can add powder colour or my preferred way was always just white or cream. As grunge paste is a lovely chalk colour I wanted a neutral stone background and some crackle, too much texture and the 'embroidery' would be lost.


I needed to use an open stamp and opted for a Lin brown one (Ellen Vargo's tulip would also work) and then stamped it in rough. I stamped in chalk fresco paint and no need to mask off as the paste will cover it.

I'm hoping you can see the steps in the photos below. Once you've piped the outside of the petal, use a damp paintbrush an draw the paste into the centre, then work your way down. You need to keep dampening the paintbrush (not wet) and cleaning off the paste as it accumulates, usually every few brush strokes.




You need to work quickly and it does build up quickly...I also found it quite relaxing.


Now I know at this stage there are some of you saying well it's alright she can pipe...well yes I can but not that well and like everything we do it's just practice. This post was about how I was inspired but there are outline stencils, which may work without you needing to pipe and it was really about the fact that if you brush grunge paste out, it will leave an impression.... so why not have a play?


More familiar ground dry brushing with fresco's, first stone has been added to the flower on the right


Taupe next


Then treasure gold in white fire.


Hopefully you can see the shine and the 'veins' in the petals.


Hope you enjoyed this post and as always thanks so much for stopping by. Have a Happy Easter!

37 comments:

  1. OMGoodness Ruth this is wonderful! I can't have a go at this unless I go out and buy some icing gear ....threw all mine out as it hadn't been used in years, lol! I have to say I'm sorely tempted though because I love this so much. The neutral colour palette is gorgeous and all that beautiful texture right down to the crackle in the background. Absolutely stunning!

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  2. This is gorgeous,love what you have done with the flowers.xxx

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  3. This is absolutely stunning, Ruth! I did brush embroidery a few years ago and always loved the effect. Love the soft colour palette you chose, and I like how you added definition to the texture with dry brushing. Fabulous!

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  4. What a striking piece... Must have a go at that, thank you for sharing.

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  5. A stunning project Ruth those flowers look amazing.
    Yvonne xx

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  6. Blown away again Ruth!! Your creativity knows no bounds!! Brilliant idea, amazing technique, gorgeous creation!! Happy Easter! :)

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  7. P wow! What an orginal way to use texture paste. So effective and really beautiful

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  8. I have never heard or seen anything like it, Ruth- What a beautiful piece, and a fantastic technique ,borrowed from cake creating , in such amazing ways. It is gorgeous with the last treasure gold touch !!
    Dorthe, xo

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  9. Oh you are so clever Ruth, isn't it great when previous hobbies can cross over into mixed media. Fantastic project.
    Julie x

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  10. Very inventive with a great result Ruth!
    Greetings, Alie

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  11. I don't think I have seen this technique - ever, it looks amazing Ruth, such a clever idea, beautifully executed. Amazingly inventive work! Anne xx

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  12. Wow, what a fabulous technique!!! This looks so beautiful, I love the earthy neutral tones xx

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  13. Never heard of this technique Ruth but after seeing your wonderful page i will not be attempting it, will be leaving it to the professionals lol. Your leaves are stunning and i am blown away by your ingenuity, this is a definite keepsake and one for the home gallery. Thank you for sharing the technique :-) xxx

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  14. Great idea and beautiful the results!! Fabulous background too. xxx

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  15. WOW!!!! This is Fabulous!!!!!! I love your flowers.. all that dimension and texture.... Wow!!! Your background is perfect for them and that touch of Treasure Gold at the end, perfect!!!

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  16. Totally awesome, Ruth! Love the flowers and the background is gorgeous! X

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  17. Another Wow, when are you going to do a workshop on this project. Love it all...
    Sharon xx

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  18. what a fantastic technique - the finished result is gorgeous xx

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  19. Wow, what a beautiful piece of work - I love the background colours and textures - just perfect for the white flowers. I have tried that technique on cupcakes and really loved it - but only after quite a bit of practice! I love the idea of using Grunge Paste - that is inspired, and the effect is amazing.

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  20. I love how you've sculpted/brushed your petals, Ruth - they look wonderful - and I just love the whole shabby chic, distressed neutrals vibe of the background too. Beautiful!
    Alison xx

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  21. Genius!!! I LOVE how that brushed effect works to draw out the petals. Stunning 'stone' background too. Jenny x

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  22. Saw this on Pinterest today. Very cool technique. Beautiful.

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  23. Just discovered this on Pinterest. What an awesome technique! I've never seen this before. I do love taking ideas from different disciplines and mixing them, as I do with equipment and materials too - thinking outside the box! This is great, and definitely something to try. Thanks for sharing!

    Shoshi

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  24. WOW…..I was stuck in a rut with a canvas that I am creating for a charity auction and THIS is exactly what I needed to see! Thank you SO MUCH for posting!!!

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  25. I'm a gourd artist always looking for something new to do to a gourd. I'm seeing tiny white frogs leaping across a field of wildflowers. Is this really icing? I'll going to spend the rest of the weekend researching all these terms and find a way of utilizing this technique. An suggestions or comments on the appropriateness of the techniques use on the side of a gourd will be appreciated. I am so excited. Your work is wonderful, simple and to the point with exquisite and elegant execution.

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  26. Just seen this on FB Ruth it's gorgeous and what a fascinating technique. Thanks for sharing xx

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  27. Didn't see this first time round.....what a brave idea! Works so well too! Xx

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  28. Wow!!!! This is just amazing and I've never heard of this technique. Your project is just gorgeous and I just added this to my "must try" list. Thanks for sharing your project and this technique.

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  29. Amazing Ruth!! I just saw this on Pinterest quite by chance. Fabulous technique and such a wonderful background. Jennie x

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  30. So beyond genius! Wowzas!!! I'm definitely going to have to give this technique a go because I'm blown away by your results. LOVE!

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  31. This is a beautiful piece of art. The background is lovely, and I would like to know if you have a tutorial on the method that you used? Thank you, Ginny

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    1. Hi Ginny....and everyone else who has left a comment THANK YOU! Sorry no tutorial but it was a trial and error background but I did use French Roast fresco on the background before using Paperartsy crackle glaze, can only suggest you look at the Paperartsy you tube channel to check out how to use this product. The top layer was then rubbed back a little after it had crackled. Hope that's of help x

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  32. Fantastic idea. Congratulation.

    Marjeta

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  33. I learned this technique while painting on fabric using Puff Paints eons ago and only using brushes. Throw on some really fine glitter and you had a striking work of art. Really.

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  34. very elegant...you have inspired me to try this technique

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  35. I stumbled upon this post through Pinterest and I'm speechless for how much gorgeous your work is.... I'm in love with it!!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  36. so the baground is not a canvas? and what is a crackle?

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