Tam and TCW go together

 Hi lovelies!

Tam back to share another creation in celebration of TCW month!!

I thought I'd share one of the gorgeous Art Journal pages that I've been creating, playing with an image by the amazing Michelle Grant.

I'm still learning to create faces, and am really not confident with them, and I find capturing emotions and expressions so difficult, and sometimes I get bogged down in that part of the creating and my play time kinda loses it's shine.

So.... using these images frees me up to really focus on the freedom of creating.

It means I get to have fun with the background, focusing on TCW stencils!

Let's dive straight in and see how this came together.

Begin by adding a layer of gesso to your page.

Then cut out the image you wish to use.

I used one from the 'Silent' Pack.

Adhere with TCW Gel Medium, adding a layer to the top of the image too. 

This protects the paper when adding paints etc.

I tend to place the face on one side of the background, giving more space to play.

Now it's time to add some colour.

I grabbed a few PaperArtsy Paints that appealed to me.

I went with:

Cherry Red

Peach Nectar

Slimed

Twilight

Cerulean 

Jade

I began with the darker colour, Twilight.

I added that around the image, and a touch on the right hand side to balance the page.

I then placed down NEW stencil TCW Floral Spectacle in 12x12 size and working quickly while still wet, I removed some of the paint with a wet baby wipe.

I then added a touch of 'Jade' and repeated the above step.

I then added some of the 'Slimed' over the space inbetween the two colours.

This time I used TCW Deco Leaves Stencil in 12x12.

Once the background is done, I began to focus on the image.

Firstly I added some flowers using TCW Floral Spectacle in 6x6.

This time I used a sponge and paint through the stencil.

I used 'Cherry Red' and 'Peach Nectar'

It's important to have some variegation with this part for it to be more natural.

I also added some to the right hand edge, again some lighter, and some deeper in colour.

I then added some vine work using TCW Jungle Vines Stencil 6x6.

I used a variety of paint colours for this part,mainly in blues, greens and white.

Now I needed to ensure the image looked part of the page, and not just plonked on top.

I added shadows and depth around some of the edges and then added colour to her face and hair.

I find this step really important.

I actually enjoy it, as it's the moment the magic happens...

her face comes forward and it all ties together.

I also grabbed the Tracy Scott stamp ETS43- and stamped a few feathers onto PaperArtsy Smooth Cardstock using black archival ink.

I then added colour and cut them out.

I adhered these with TCW Gel Medium to look like they were hanging down from the flowers in her hair.

I also chose this Paper Artsy Stamp EEG23 to add the title and a quote.

Add a few scribbles and flicks of paint.....

That's it from me today....

I love seeing what you're creating with your TCW goodies.

Don't forget when sharing them on Instagram, add the hashtag #tcwstencillove and then TCW can see them too.

Much love and creative play...

Tam

xx