If you’re UK-based, you’ll be well aware that it’s Bonfire Night on 5th November. For those in other places, you may not know that this is our way of commemorating Guy Fawkes plotting to blow up the Houses of Parliament back in 1605 during the State Opening, intending to kill King James I. Rooted in religious discontent which carried on for centuries, it’s now an excuse to let off ridiculously loud fireworks and compete for the biggest conflagration in the area.
So, it is with this inspiration that I have chosen the theme of ‘crackling campfire’. Blessedly silent, this layout incorporates crackle paint to add the appropriate texture to logs and flames, and aptly named distress oxide inks. A bit of sparkle brings the text to the fore and is a nod to firework displays up and down the country.
Step-by-step guide to create a crackling campfire
For a great contrast between fire and page, I painted my spread with black gesso. A sponge brush helps give an even finish. It was also handy to use the black cover of the sketchbook, but I did put a layer of gesso over that too to seal it and match black tones.
Next, add crackle paint using a palette knife. Use a thick layer, roughed up to form the logs. The crackle will run in the direction of the knife strokes.
Use a paintbrush to add the flames with the same crackle paint. Press at the base and lift the brush as you move up the page to create the flame shape. Leave the paint to crackle. It can be sped up with a heat tool, but wait until the crackle starts appearing. I prefer to leave mine to crackle naturally.
Give the fully crackled paint a quick waft with a heat tool to make sure it is fully dry. Apply various brown and black distress oxide inks using a finger sponge applicator for detail, and make sure the ink is well rubbed into the cracks.
Do the same with the flame colours, remembering to put some reflected oranges and reds onto the logs.
You can wipe off any ink overspill from the black background, or indeed the crackle paint to create highlights, with a damp wipe. I did this around the logs, but liked the glow around the flames the ink pigments created.
IMPORTANT:
When you have finished adding ink, seal the page with a matte spray sealant to keep the oxides in place. They will otherwise rub off.
Finally, for the fire, tap a Posca paint pen in yellow, red, orange and white with a ruler so that it spatters across the page, creating the sparks.
I cut the text from glitter paper backed with double-sided tape sheet using my electronic cutter before using transfer paper to get it onto the page.
Materials & kIT LIST FOR THIS LAYOUT
- Daler Rowney Graduate Sketchbook (A5)
- Pebeo Studio Acrylics Black Gesso
- DecoArt Media Crackle Paint
- Ranger / Tim Holtz Distress Oxides:
- Black Soot / Walnut Stain / Ground Espresso / Scorched Timber
- Wild Honey / Crackling Campfire / Festive Berries / Candied Apple
- DecoArt Americana Decor spray sealer: matte
- Posca paint pens (PC-1M)
Free download: glitter text cut file
If you’d like to download the cut file for the text, click here.
The folk poem from c.1870 quoted on my layout
Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!