3D Projects
The Apothecary: Sign writing and Vignettes

Posted on 15th September 2015 by Neil

I posted a week or so ago the start of an assemblage in a printer’s tray – The Apothecary. Over the last few days I have been making a sign for the top, building it from foamcore board, and coating it with several layers of paint to try and match the colour of the tray. Eventually, I ended up brushing on some tan wax shoe polish and buffing it back, and adding a small amount to the wood exterior of the tray. I think it warmed up the wood and helped make the both seem a whole. The inlay ‘brass’ line is Letraset metallic tape, and the lettering and logo are cut from 160gsm card, layered four deep and then painted with Treasure Gold Liquid Leaf Florentine and then a quick layer of Classic Gold.

I’ve also taken the photos into Photoshop and added vintage effects.

Now I’ve been looking at it from the photos, and getting a little distance on it, I’m wondering if the answer to making the bottles both accessible and not able to fall out is to make a glass door and change it into a cabinet?

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Tangle Patterns
Dicentra: a tangle pattern

Posted on 13th September 2015 by Neil

This was inspired by the art nouveau tiles in the Royal Arcade in Norwich. I had a play about with the pattern, and once I’d turned it upside down, the name came easily. I think the swags make the hearts look as if they’re dipping into a quilt – adding shading to this one would make quite a difference to the pattern. Note the offset in step two when you’re doing the zigzag lines.

Don’t forget to leave a comment on my book review if you want a chance to win a copy of Suzanne McNeill’s new FloraBunda Style book before it gets in the shops! (Draw closes 18th September 2015).

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Art Journal
Art Journal Page: Resist Worry

Posted on 11th September 2015 by Neil

I took the opportunity to play with oil pastel resist in my art journal yesterday. The text and line border were written straight to page with white oil pastel, with the colour (distress stain spray) added over and blotted off. I ironed over the oil pastel, soaking it into newsprint paper to remove most of the pastel. I then doodled the border over the dried colour and tried to darken it after.

What I should have done… is darken the border area and then doodle over. Having said that, I found that using PanPastel over the top and then wiping over with a baby wipe revealed the white ink again. I’ll also iron off the oil pastel last, as that’s most likely to keep the contrast better, particularly on the edging where I did some more messing about with colour.

Anyhoo, now I’ve had a play, and learnt from my ‘ah well’ moments I’ll be setting it as next month’s art journal session technique. Continue reading →

3D Projects
The Apothecary: an assemblage

Posted on 7th September 2015 by Neil

This is very much a work in progress, but since progress seems to be going smoothly and fairly quickly, I’ve something to share mid-way. I was sorting out the sheds on Saturday and came across this printer’s half-tray that had been tucked away. I have a feeling it’s another save from my grandfather’s outhouse.

I brushed it down, glued it back together, and then lined it with Tim Holtz French Industrial papers with Walnut Stain distress ink to blend it all in. I then set about finding all my little bottles that I’ve accumulated – a combination of Tim Holtz and Woodware. They looked a little too clean, so I’ve added Latte and Mushroom alcohol inks to give them an aged/nicotine stained look.

I raided the kitchen for every spice and herb I could get into the bottles and decided to leave one shelf free to hang some bay leaves in, and to make a mini-pestle and mortar to fit. Now all I needed was some labels, so I have spent the afternoon making my own in Illustrator and cutting them out on the Silhouette Cameo before ageing with distress inks and water. Next was working out how to get a liquid appearance in the tall bottles without it actually being liquid. UTEE came to the rescue, and I think it turned out ok – although there was some shrinkage as it cooled, so that might not remain the case. Here’s what it looks like now:

I’ve had a lot of fun with the labels, finding the latin names for everything, including the silver balls, tapioca and hundreds and thousands. The shelf is ready for the leaves and pestle and mortar and I think a couple more adverts as well. I’m not too sure if I should stick the bottles in place, or keep them loose so that they can be pulled out… or fall off when on the wall…

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Tangle Patterns
Lovely Blooms: a tangle pattern

Posted on 6th September 2015 by Neil

This is another pattern that develops as you block it together. And it’s also a pattern that has several ways to draw it – this is how it developed from my inspiration photo of the stonework above another niche tomb in Norwich Cathedral. I removed some of the vertical lines to create the heart, and simplified other bits to the small flower circle. Zentangle and stone masonry? Perhaps not so much zen with the noise?

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3D Projects
Crochet from scratch

Posted on 5th September 2015 by Neil

I’ve been busy over the last couple of days doing some crochet. I’ve been asked to lead a couple of workshops for beginner crocheters by Quorn Country Crafts over in Loughborough (starts Sat 12th September). Not wanting to nick someone else’s pattern, I’ve started from scratch, designing two projects I hope to see the attendees complete over the sessions.

The first is a crochet sampler panel, introducing slip stitch, chain stitch, double crochet, treble crochet, half treble popcorns and double treble crochet, working in front and back loops. And if a second panel were to be completed and joined with the filet crochet panel and then fringed, a handy scarf will be complete. All I have to do is write the pattern down now. [Worked in Hayfield Chunky With Wool on 6.5mm hook].

And for those that whizz ahead and do their homework, I’ll also be teaching crochet in the round, designing this snowflake tree decoration for the lessons. [Worked in Sirdar Ella Summer Luxe Cotton on 4mm hook]

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There are still spaces available on the three courses (five sessions altogether) – book via the Quorn Country Crafts website, or give them a ring!

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3D Projects
Altered Art: Book Folding

Posted on 31st August 2015 by Neil

Regular readers of my blog will know that when I try something new, I tend to go straight for it, often not practicing first, and sometimes not really having any clue as to how the finished project will turn out. Well, I was recently asked by one of my Studio regulars if I had tried book folding… I haven’t, despite it being all the rage at the moment.
I thought it couldn’t be that hard, so decided to fold the Studio logo () into a spare hardback (The Tommmyknockers, if you’re wondering). I watched a quick video on YouTube, and got on with it. Two hours later I discovered that to avoid the art piece apparently advertising a Jackie Collins book title, I’m going to have to stick in a few more pages…

What I have learnt doing this: firstly, it takes time. A lot of time. Secondly, italics and swooshes need more pages. Thirdly, too many letters makes for poor resolution and difficult to read final result. And finally, I think this may be addictive, and I’m going to work on the method more so that I can be even more ambitious with the art form. Time to hit the charity shops methinks…

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Tangle Patterns
Grille: a tangle pattern

Posted on 30th August 2015 by Neil

This pattern is an adaptation of the wrought iron gates that are at the entrance to St Saviour’s Chapel in Norwich Cathedral. I have added the heart, but otherwise it’s pretty much the same design. I’ve drawn several iterations of the design together – it’s another of those patterns that develop something more when blocked as a group.

If you’re into zentangling natural forms, you might like to check out this book review and have the chance to win a copy before it’s in the shops.

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Card Craft
Thank You Cards

Posted on 28th August 2015 by Neil

Using a combination of techniques I learnt in my Background Check class with Online Card Classes, Hero Arts Ombré ink pads and a #neverbeenused Darkroom Door background stamp, I’ve made these five ‘thank you’ cards. Quick, simple and super effective results, even if I do say so myself 🙂

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Art Journal
Art Journal Page: Make Art (and stop hoarding)

Posted on 27th August 2015 by Neil

In fear of being hoist by my own petard, I set to this morning to tackle something that has been building up for quite a while… I’d made a comment yesterday on the Craftwork Cards Fan Page in response to a post about hoarding craft materials: that it was only hoarding if you hadn’t actually used them. And then realised my collection of rubber stamps that hadn’t seen an ink pad was quite extensive #neverbeenused #nbu. So I laid them all out to start planning on using them all at least once… it might take a while:
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