Friday, August 12, 2011

Inspiration Avenue: Sun kissed

I actually painted a wood block for the IA challenge known as Sun Kissed, provided by Stephanie. But after I finished it, I didn't think it was good enough to meet Stephanie's challenge, so I will show it at a later time. So after painting on wood for two days, I came up with this technique, which was new to me. I hope you will be willing to sit through the steps I used to create this, because I will be adding it to my tutorials page.


I started with a piece of linen, at least that's what it felt like to me. I had seen, or possibly read about, this technique in an art magazine, years ago. In fact, so long ago, I have no idea where I got the idea. However, the fabric was silk, so I wasn't sure it would even work with this heavy fabric torn from an old table cloth.


The rest of the supplies (from top left clockwise):
Mister or sprayer
Rubbing Alcohol (I only have 91%, but I suspect 70% would work with this technique)
Various Sharpies (make sure they are the Sharpie brand because the others don't work)
Fabric, folded in half (size and material of your choice)


1. Create your design using various Sharpies. By folding the fabric in half, your Sharpie will bleed through, so all you have to do is go over a few lines that don't look finished.

I know I can't draw, but I thought I could draw a sun. Forgive the crude imagery. Please note that I had no yellow, so used orange for the sun's center. Then I used a red wet wash marker used to mark transparencies. These didn't bleed through the fabric at all.


2. Add some rubbing alcohol to a mister.

3. Mist


4.Allow the colors to bleed and disperse.


5. Allow to dry. Notice the red rays did not dissipate. This is because they were NOT made with a Sharpie.


When dry, I scanned the sun, which is where I could have stopped. However, the piece didn't look complete, so yesterday morning


before the heat returned,


I drove to WalMart for some new supplies.


I used a piece of large hole punchinella (sent to me by a friend) to draw the various colors on the ends. I had to include the new silver that came with the "80s Glam" pack on the ends.


After adding the rubbing alcohol, I got a bit of a mess, I think. I notice the silver lines on the ends did not disperse.

This scan shows a little over half of the completed piece, as much as I could get on my scanner. Again the Sharpies really dispersed, while the red wet marker's lines were still quite obvious. For this project, I think it is appropriate.


I guess this is the money shot, the one showing the sun after the alcohol further moved the Sharpie ink around a second time. Thanks again Stephanie for this IA Challenge. Although I was not anxious to revisit the heat of summer, I thought this sun showed what was possible with this technique.

29 thoughtful remarks:

Ohhh Snap said...

Gorgeous! I hope the weather stays more moderate for you.

Darla said...

What an interesting technique and I really like the finished art. I wonder if I would get a similar result on watercolor paper. Guess I won't know unless I try.

Darla

Halle said...

I totally love this piece and technique!! How cool!

Anonymous said...

O I love how it is turning out!!! what a difference from the first few photos.
~Dawn

voodoo vixen said...

This is stunning... reminds me of Batik style material... the colours are beautiful and I think the sun is very appropriate for the summer you are having!!

Jingle said...

This is really neat! I may have to give it a try!

peggy gatto said...

You rock!!!!!!!!!!
Love the results!!!

~*~Patty S said...

Brilliant play once again dear E! Your got great results here...I just splurged on some wide Sharpie markers at Staples...I got them for edging collages and such...seems there is lots more I can use them for

Thanks as always for inspiring me...your sunshine is really beautiful!

Stay cool jewel!
oxo

Threads of Inspiration said...

Thanks for sharing your process. It looks like something I'd like to explore!

Dandelion and Daisy said...

That looks like fun, I'm going to try it. Thanks for sharing.

elle said...

Smashing! I'll need to add alcohol, lots of alcohol, to the list of 'he who does the shopping' VBGRIN

Laura Tringali Holmes said...

This is really awesome--like a controlled tie-dye. Interesting that the generic Sharpies didn't work--I have always been a Sharpie fan and now I know why. And 80s glam Sharpies? Wowzers! I'm on it!

Dianne said...

this project turned out fabulous! interesting that the "permanent" Sharpie markers are the ones that bleed nicely...and I really like the colors you added on the ends, too. kinda puts me in mind of a rainbow, along with your sun! this could be a great garden or porch 'flag!'

Zue said...

Your technique certainly produces a magnificent result. I love the way the colours soften and blend togther!
Sue xxx

Terrie said...

What a totally "cool" project! It's a perfect fit for the challenge because it's all about the sun AND because it encouraged you to try something new and experiment with your art. Love that!

Cat Stegall said...

makes me feel like a summer day with low heat!!!it has been in the 90's plus here and want to go out and enjoy the sun!!but toooodang hot!

Unknown said...

I love all the cool things you create. This is a very involved process but very fun. The bleaching by the alchol is very fun and sun-kissed. Thanks for showing your steps, I love to watch your artist process.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

That is just fabulous! It's so nice that you shared your technique. (Sneaking off to get the alcohol & sharpies!

Marlynn said...

You never ever never ever disappoint me. I was glued to reading every word of this post and no darn amazed with the image you made. Applause! Applause! Fantastic.

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth, that is fantastic! Thanks for sharing your work and technique. Looks like fun!

Cindy :)

Gloria said...

It's great to see how you play with techniques and improvise, gorgeous!

Hettienne Grobler said...

What a great blog! Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your lovely words on my IA entry!

Chartan said...

That's really neat, it's like silk painting without the silk or other things needed for silk painting. Great idea!

Carola Bartz said...

This is so beautiful, Elizabeth. Thank you for the tutorial as well, it was interesting to follow the process. Looks like a lot of work, but the result is so worth it.

Maggie said...

This is wonderful! It has that shimmery look that you get with intense heat. I'm so glad you took us through the process. I would love to try it!

Kat W said...

Gorgeous effects & beautiful finished piece. Thank you so much for sharing this technique. I've never heard of it before & it looks good fun.

Kat Xx

Margaret said...

stunning Elizabeth!! what a great technique and well worth the extra trip, the circles are my fav, not that I'm at biased by the colour!! ahem...
Rubbing alcohol? what is that? no idea what that would be here Mx

Poeticthnkr said...

This is awesome Elizabeth!!! I love all of the beautiful colors! What a wonderful tutorial! =D

cookievf said...

So happy to find your blog today.. followed a link from one of your "fans!" What stunning results and thank you for sharing this cool technique!
~ Vicki xo