Saturday 24 February 2018

Tando Creative Rust

This week the theme over at Tando Creative Blog is one of my most favourites 'RUST' so I just had to find time to share a project.


Having been at the Stitches Trade Show last weekend I thought I'd use a demo tag I had done on the stand. I had been demoing layered backgrounds and finished off with some crackle paste and one of Andy's new stamps.


I used a little of the stampendous chunky metallic EP on the arch window and experimented with some sand texture paste between the crackle.


Next came the fun bit with rusting it. I sealed the arch and brickwork with matte medium so I could wipe off any paints I didn't want on this area and then set about dabbing over raw umber, paynes grey and yellow oxide media acrylics. It looks a bit messy .....


.... but with rust in a bottle aka quinacridone gold I started adding washes and spritzes of water and was quite happy when I got to this point.


But there's always a but isn't there? There wasn't enough contrast for me, so I just spent a little time dabbling small amounts of the colours and spritzing with water again. I introduced a little prussian blue hue and I darkened the edges more. I also ran a little of the colours over the window and through the embossing. Then and only then was I feeling even happier. As I say to my students 'beauty is in the detail'.

To finish I raided a drawer where I keep lots of left over 'rusted' elements and chose some simple pieces to pull it all together.



And there it is looking nothing like it did at the beginning.



If you pop over to the Tando Blog you will see a whole range of rusty projects that have been posted this week from my gorgeous teamies and they are all brilliant. You'll also see a photo of this tag showing the beginning and end of the process.

I hope your weekend is going well and you are managing some creative time for yourself.

Take care.

hugs Brenda xxx

15 comments:

Annie said...

Amazing rusty background Brenda and thanks for sharing the process....totally love it

Sending huge hugs
Annie xx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Brenda, adore the rust. Tracy ❤️

Annie said...

WOW, this is quite an amazing transformation! As was your process. I loved seeing it all come about and finding out what supplies and techniques you used. I love the rusted look.

Redanne said...

You certainly did transform that original tag Brenda, the rusty background looks fabulous and I love those touches of colours that you added. The rusted elements are just perfect finishing touches! Hugs, Anne xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Fabulous rusty effects on this gorgeous tag Brenda and the rusted other elements finish it off to great effect!

Cheryl said...

Wow! This tag with all the beautiful layers is absolutely marvelous. Any stamp would do well here, by using all these layers of fun supplies. Note to self..do something like this. Thank you for always filling my head with inspiration and uses for all my supplies.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow Brenda! What a transformation! Love the textures and the way you used the paint to get that fabulous depth of colour! Chrisx

Alizabethy said...

What a fab tag - just love it!!

Kate Yetter said...

This tag is gorgeous! I absolutely love the colors.

hazel said...

A fabulous tag - amazing rust.
xxx Hazel

Julia Aston said...

What a gorgeously rusted tag Brenda! Love it!

sarascloset said...

WOOOOOWWWW! Brenda, by now you must know how much I LOVE rust, and this is truly the best faux rust I've ever seen! I am so happy you shared your technique with us! I must give this a try! A BEAUTIFUL project! So happy to have a minute to get by to see it and send big hugs your way!

Gina said...

*mind blown* your "rust" technique gets more realistic every piece you make!!! Love it XXX

A Pink said...

Fabulous crusty rusty texture and colour. Thanks for sharing the creative stages - what a transformation from the initial pale subtle colours.
hugs x

Unknown said...

I just revisited this beautiful post to reread the process steps. Every time I look at it I see a Princess or Queen looking out a castle window and the "Hopeful" makes so much sense to me. I'm amazed how some drippy running color creates this image in my head! I'm sure "the art gods" are so taken by all your pieces, as I am.