Monday, March 31, 2014

Another StencilGirl Blog Hop Featuring Newly Released Designs by Andrea Matus deMeng...

I'm excited to be participating in this blog hop in which we're featuring these newly released stencils from the talented Andrea Matus deMeng. I first saw these stunning designs a couple of weeks ago, and it's been really hard to keep them a secret until today's unveiling!

I'm lucky enough to be able to use this beautiful design, called Precocious Peony today. 

I'm experimenting with a technique, based on a piece of art I saw a couple of years ago.  Sadly, I can't remember where I saw it and I don't really know how it was made, but I know the final piece had Silks Acrylic Glaze painted onto black gesso.  Based on what I remembered, and some things I found in my husbands workshop, I decided to experiment and see what I could come up with.  Happily the end result turned out alright so I'm able to share it with you!

If you want to try this, you'll need:

-drywall compound
-a piece of wood (or other sturdy material) cut to the finished size you desire. 
-a putty knife
-sandpaper
-something pointy with which to 'draw' (I'm using a seam ripper, but a ballpoint pen, an awl or a stiff piece of wire will work.)
-black gesso
-Silks Acrylic Glaze
-paint brushes (a sponge brush for the gesso and smaller paintbrushes for the Silks)
-a water jar for cleaning brushes
-Golden Self Levelling Clear Gel
-patience...because this has to be done over a couple of days!

Step 1:

Sand the surface of your wood to roughen it up a bit so the drywall compound with stick well.

Step 2:

Read this whole step before starting...Mix up a small amount of drywall compound to a nice spreadable consistency, but not too runny. (I only mix enough for each thin layer each time). Using the putty knife, spread a thin layer of the drywall compound onto the piece of wood, keeping it as smooth and even as you can so that the entire surface is covered. Let dry completely-my drywall compound says it is dry in 45 minutes but some take longer so read the package (this is where the patience comes in...not my strong suit!). 

While that's drying, scrape any excess compound into the garbage and wash the container and putty knife with water. 

Repeat this step several times until you have about a 1/4" - 3/8" layer of compound. It is better to add thin layers many times to avoid cracking. (See what I mean about needing patience!). 




Step 3: 

Using sandpaper, sand* the final dry surface of the drywall compound until it is completely flat and smooth. Sand the sides of the block too, to get any little bits of drywall compound that may have got on them. (You can see from the image on the left that my 'before' was not terribly smooth but it still sanded up beautifully).

*Drywall dust is messy, so do this outside if possible.




Step 4:

Position your stencil onto the surface, and using your pointy 'drawing' tool etch the design into the surface of the drywall compound. Consider flipping your stencil over to give you another variation of the design. You can add any additional drawing/doodling you wish by etching into the surface.  




Step 5:

Paint the entire surface and the sides with black gesso, ensuring you get into the grooves you created while 'drawing' but without filling those grooves up with excess gesso.  A sponge brush works great for this because you can dip the pointy edge into the groove to soak up the excess gesso. Let dry completely (there's that need for patience again...)




Step 6:

Using the small paintbrushes and the Silks, paint your design however you like. Notice I took the design over the edge with the paint.




Step 7:

Wait...more patience...According to the jar, Silks required 48hrs to fully cure so go find something else to do for the next couple of days!

Step 8:

Add a layer of the Golden Self Levelling Gel to the top and sides of the painting.  I set mine up on another jar of Golden product to elevate it up off the table while I added the layer of gel and let it dry.



Step 9:

Sit back and admire your handiwork!  


Great news...StencilGirl has a giveaway! 

Two winners: one will receive a set of the new 6"x 6" stencils 
and one will receive a set of the new 9" x 12"

All comments left on the hop are eligible for the giveaway so 
the more blogs you comment on, the more chances you will have to win. 
Have fun and GOOD LUCK!

The giveaway will close on Sunday, April 6th at 11:59PM Central Time. 

Please Note: Although this is considered a one day hop, 
you have the ENTIRE week to comment to win the prize.

Note about replies during blog hops: Blogger seems to cut me off at a certain number of replies (no sure how many) and then stops letting me post comments from you. Since I want anyone to have a chance to win the giveaway prizes,  I have decided to only reply if someone asks a direct question.  
Please know that all of your comments are much appreciated.  I do read them all, and I thank you for all of your kind and thoughtful words!

Blog Hop Order

Linda Kittmer- You are here
Carolyn Dube-Your next stop...

85 comments:

  1. Wow I love this idea, I need to try it as well, it's so beautiful!

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  2. Lucious!
    This is truly lush.
    Thank you for the tutorial.

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  3. Absolutely gorgeous piece of artwork! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. This is wonderful lissag123@verizon.net

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  5. This is stunning! I am going to have to try this technique. Thanks for sharing Linda.

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  6. Wow! This has taken my breath away! Thank you for the step by step of your drop dead gorgeous art piece! Lovely!

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  7. Very stunning. Interesting technique. You always go in different directions and love that

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  8. So beautiful - thank you for technique and this tremendous idea.

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  9. Linda, I really enjoyed learning your technique here, it is almost like you made 'claybord'. And the result, with the black and silks - well, that is gorgeous. Fabulous!

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  10. This is beautiful Linda! Very rich and deep!

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  11. Wow! What a great piece, your patience paid off!

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  12. Wow! Thank you for sharing this technique, Linda!
    Love that you repeated the stencil design!

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  13. I have drywall compound, will give this a try

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  14. This looks so cool, can't wait to try!

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  15. Such a cool way to use a stencil! I never would have guessed!

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  16. Wonderful technique! Great stencils I am so thrilled to have a change to win ALL SIX of Andrea's new 9" x 12" stencils!

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  17. You must have the patience of a Saint but the finished project was surely worth all the effort! It's fabulous!
    xx

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  18. This is a great technique that I've used but never with stencils. Duh me. I love the finished project.

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  19. I would have never thought to etch in drywall compound! Beautiful!

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  20. GORGEOUS colors. Love your knack & technique.
    TFS
    Grandma Nancy

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  21. You have a unique method of using this stencil. The effect is very nice. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

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  22. Cut. It. Out. That was fantastic, Linda!!! Geeze Louise. That black and the colors? Wow.

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  23. Cool technique and your finished piece looks great!

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  24. I am inspired by this technique - need to give it a try.

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  25. Wonderful technique! Thanks for sharing. Your colors a just luscious. Now if I can only buy some patience somewhere...

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  26. That's so clever...and I love the colours. I also love this blog hop...what a variety of techniques!

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  27. Awesome technique, I have used molding paste lots in my art work ,but never thought to emboss with it the way you did. I am going to try that soon.. thank you for sharing..

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  28. That's gorgeous! Totally labor-intensive. Whoda thunk to use a seam ripper to etch into joint compound?!?!? Well...YOU!

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  29. WOW! As I was going step by step, I was not expecting what I saw at the end. You have done a wonderful job, the colors are stunning. I LoVe it! Thanks for sharing your talent with us on this Hop. Thanks foe the chance to win... ;0)

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  30. Linda, your use of color is amazing!

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  31. Wow...Those colors are brillant. Thanks for the sharing your technique.....Rita

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  32. Your techniques truly added another dimension to stencil art making! THX!!

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  33. A great tutorial! What gorgeous colours!

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  34. Great technique using this fabulous stencil, love the colors too!!

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  35. What a great technique! I need to break out my Silks!

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  36. Unique medium. Your project is wonderful. TFS

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  37. love using molding paste. your canvas is very cool

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  38. Very cool technique - thanks for sharing!

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  39. Linda, i jusst love this......thanks so much for sharing, cant wait to try it! :)

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  40. Thanks for introducing me to Silks Acrylic Glazes. Your piece is beautiful. I have used joint compound as a substrate before but never with these glazes--love, love, love the effect you achieved.

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  41. Patience was well rewarded in this instance. What a lovely piece you created with the stencil.

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  42. you made me want to reach out and touch these flowers!
    happy spring!

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  43. This is fantabulous!! Thanks for sharing the how-to... never thought of "etching" into joint compound.

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  44. What a beautiful, colorful, artistic art piece from Andrea's stencils. Everyone on the hop has really made some creative pieces from the different stencils. Would love to play with a couple of them myself.

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  45. WOW! I enjoyed your step by step teaching and pics. That was helpful.
    Thank you

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  46. This piece has that WOW factor, patience pays here!

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  47. What a great idea for using Andrea's cabbage stencil! Beautiful colors~

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  48. Great way to use this stencil! Have a good day! Hopping along...

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  49. What a great new take on using stencils. These new stencils are nice!

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  50. Love what you did here. Thank you for sharing!

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  51. Very nice! I have never used the silks paints…are they a Jacquard product? I really love this peony stencil and cant wait to get one. Your technique here looks very cool, and since I very much enjoy working with plaster and such, I'll be trying this soon. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sue. Silks are made by LuminArte.
      http://www.dreamingcolor.com/buyers-guide/

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  52. what a great idea! Who'da thought of using patching compound!

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  53. Linda! This is fabulous!! what a cool idea and a gorgeous canvas! Love how you flipped and moved the stencil!!

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  54. I so hope I haven't replied before. I remember looking last night but don't remember if I replied. I love the outcome. But I must admit that I don't have the patience yet to do all these steps. Maybe in the summer.

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  55. What a totally creative way to use the stencils! These are sure sparking a lot of inspired ideas around the 'hop' - my fingers are crossed! :)

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  56. What great ideas ..... would love these stencils .... wish me luck!
    SusieW

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  57. thanks, thanks,thanks! i love this technique and i have this product because i cannot afford so much gesso, i love your beautiful artwork, tx for sharing and inspiring! aloha, angi in hana

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  58. Great!!! Love the drywall compound. Watch out hubby, I'm heading to your shop. Silks give great color.

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  59. I love your site. Love the rich colors and textures. so very cool.

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  60. i get so excited to try these techniques.

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  61. Beautiful Linda! I'm thinking I need to try this technique SOON!!! Great results!!

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  62. what you did is amazing, love that molding paste. and that stencil is great too , love the new small designs of her. hoping to get lucky
    bibiana

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  63. This is stunning- such an amazing look you've created by etching the stencil it!

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  64. I would have never thought to do a project like this ~ what a fabulous idea & great results!

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  65. Holy cow girl you have patience!!! I love this art, but I don't see it in my future...:( Love the stencil though!

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  66. Beautiful!! thanks for theinspiration

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  67. Wow! this is fabulous Linda!

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  68. Such a creative use of the lotus flower Linda!

    Amy*

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  69. Wow, such a different way to use the stencil, great result.

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  70. What a fabulous way to create rich texture with a stencil...very innovative!

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  71. I have used Dry Wall on paper boxes and have been collecting pieces of wood, I'm going to try this. I do hope I can make mine as beautiful and colorful as yours.

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  72. Amazingly vibrant! Stencil girl stencils are have so many uses. I plans to try this with the lotus stencil.

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  73. First off, I am so sorry to see that you recently lost your dog, Casey. I feel for you. I will be thinking of you. The pictures were beautiful that you posted on your blog. I also love what you have done with Andrea's stencil. What a creative idea. Thank you for sharing something so different.

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  74. That is completely lovely! The technique is very interesting as well. Thanks for sharing it.

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Linda

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