Monday 10 June 2013

Inevitable Dusk

Hello all.  Alison (butterfly) here, with something that - for me - is a little different.  In fact, when I saw the new texture stamps, I wasn't sure that they were for me - very geometric - but I thought I should stretch myself.

I'm not entirely sure about the end result but, I have to say, I had huge fun layering them up to create the background textures in these pages.  You'll find all the ingredients at the foot of the post.  (Don't forget you can click the pictures for a larger view.)


There are some things I'm really pleased with about this, and some that I might do differently another time...  I really like the texture on the main brother and sister image.  


I mixed some drops of Chipped Sapphire and Salty Ocean re-inkers into texture paste on my craft mat, and then smeared it through Andy Skinner's brilliant Children mask.  I'm also really pleased with the highlighting, done with white acrylic paint, and some pencilling.  And I made sure to give them some solid "ground" to stand on.


I started out by gessoing some pages in my Concise Encyclopaedia (same book as my previous layout) and used Dylusions sprays to lay down the first layer of colour.


I started to layer in the texture stamps using Archival inks, Distress Inks, Distress Paints and Picket Fence Distress Stain.


It was at this point that I forgot to take any more process photos - sorry! - but I'm really pleased with the effects of layering the products.  


You get some resist effects from the paints, so there are areas of translucence and great textures.  


Obviously there's some inking for definition of the resist and shading at the edges of the pages, as well as to create the twilight path for the siblings.  The quote is by Susan Scarf Merrell.  


It's stamped onto watercolour paper and inked with Chipped Sapphire.  


Certain words got a touch of Salty Ocean too to highlight them. 


As with some of the background chevrons, I used a white pencil to add some texture and help embed the words into the page.  


I'm also really happy with the twilit path leading to the smaller sibling pair, travelling off to who-knows-where... 


... though I'm not sure I didn't go a layer too far with the pair themselves.  I liked them better one step earlier - but I haven't got a photo of that, so you'll just never know!


So there you have it... To me it feels as though it has a different flavour from normal, but I don't know.  Is it typically "butterfly" after all?  I'm curious to know what you think!


Don't forget that the June challenge - Makes for Men - is up and running... why not come and play along?  Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by, and I'll see you soon.

Ingredients used:
Artistic Stamper stamps: 
Andy Skinner's Children mask set
Dylusions Sprays - Dirty Martini, Cut Grass, Fresh Lime, Pure Sunshine
Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire, Broken China, Peeled Paint
Distress Re-inkers - Chipped Sapphire, Salty Ocean
Distress Paints - Picket Fence, Peeled Paint, Broken China
Distress Stains - Picket Fence
Archival Ink - Olive, Cobalt
White pencil and alphabet stamps from my stash

44 comments:

Ali said...

I don't know whether it's "typically butterfly" but it's definitely stunning! I love it! So atmospheric.

And I *need* that children mask! :)

Ali

Kate Yetter said...

Such lovely texture, Alison. I love your layers of stamps in the background. Those children are beautiful.

Debi said...

can still see all your gifts in here Alison :-) brilliant pages, Debi x

Laura said...

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful art journal layout, Alison! I love what you have created! The colors and texture are so beautiful! The children masks are fabulous! You did a great job working with them and the grunge paste! I like the various texture stamps and the colors you chose for them.
hugs, Laura

Sandy said...

I love all the texture you have created and the path with the 2 sets of images looks great..
Sandy :)

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is amazing, Alison. Tremendously atmospheric. I love what you have done with the figures. Will go over and comment on your blog too,

LUcy x

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful pages with fabulous textures.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Helen said...

I love it!! the colours are beautiful, the stencilling wonderful and those children look fabulous... so a success then!

Chris said...

Fantastic pages Alison, the texturing with the new background stamps looks wonderful and I can only imagine how lovely the paint texture looks in real life. Chris x

Claudia N. said...

Oh, that's awesome, Alison!

It is definitely "you" I see, but also something new. I love "Hansel and Gretel" too - they really turned out just brilliant with that self mixed texture paste!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Deborah said...

A very poignant piece, Alison - and you have incorporated geometric into your style beautifully.

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, a little different for you but stunning nonetheless! Hugs, Anne x

Astrid Maclean said...

Alison, I am blown away by this piece, to me it is one of your all time best! Yes it is you, but there is definitely new and amazing qualities to this. The subtly textured layers, the effects and composition of the light (like the glow around those children)and that twilight path, I could go on and on... I really, really love this, - total inspiration. I had never even really looked at these Andy Skinner masks, but you have just opened my eyes to them in a new way. LOVE THIS!!!

craftytrog said...

It's gorgeous Alison...love the techniques you used with the paste! xxx

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

This is such a stunning page ! theme, colors, use of these new stamps...
I love everything in it !!!

Artyjen said...

That is lovely. What a great quote too....fits your imagery fabulously ;)
xoxo Sioux

Rebecca said...

I love and think it really works :) you have to step away from your norm sometimes well done
Happy craftin
Rebecca

Netty said...

terrific layout and colourings. It reminds me of the film where all the children went on a walk about....but darned if I can remember what its called. Hugs Annette x

ElizabethR said...

Great pages very etherial, Hugs Elizabeth xxx

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Brilliant journalling and the texture is so lush! xxx

Renee said...

wonderful textures! the quote is genius.

Sandy said...

Hey Alison - I went to your blog first and only saw a wee bit and now I see the whole thing. I knew it had another worldly feel -- but now that I see the whole thing - wow. It is a bit sad even if you don't have brothers and sisters. I remember the people I have loved and those who loved me. Beautiful artwork Alison!
Sandy

Baroque duJour said...

i think this is absolutely lovely, adore the colours and those mask figures are magical and wistful. fab I love it.

ria gall said...

Hi Alison
this is so beautiful and such a soft and gentle piece. You have made it so we feel we are taking that journey and it is very touching.
Stunningly beautiful and yes I feel it is you.
Ria

Paper Profusion said...

Its definitely still you Alison - lovely dreamy ethereal quality to this thought provoking piece. Nicola x

Dorthe said...

Alison, I think it is typically you, exept for the use of the special Andy Skinner children , whom are more abstract imagies ,than you normally uses - more -not romantic- and more geometric, yes!-but your ink layers and amaxing background -is just you ,dear!!
A wonderful piece!!
Dorthe,x

2amscrapper said...

thanks for the details on your art process--so much texture and layering--just beautiful!

May said...

Stunning art work Alison... I love it..the colours & texture...What you have done with the figures Alison is quite amazing... so atmospheric...Your best yet... Love it... Hugs May x x x

Terry said...

So much texture and so much depth! Love these pages and the shadow of the boy and girl is so interesting! I knew it would be wonderful!

Dianne said...

Loving this Miss Alison, the words make it all yours..

Unknown said...

Most definitely a butterfly project! You have always stretched creative boundaries and this is one of my all time favorite projects Alison. I love the layers, textures, stamped images and the words you expressed throughout your page and post. Absolutely wonderful!!!

Monique said...

Love these pages. They have a certain mysterious quality. I love that, gorgious!
xx

cathylynn said...

This is a delicious project you have created. Glorious textures and design. Great layers and I love the images. All so yummy!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Margaret said...

I think it still has that hint of 'butterfly', but it's also so unique! The background is fantastic and you have managed to soften the geometric to fit the quote and the wonderful children! Once again you have captured the emotion of the quote... beautiful with just a touch of sorrow.

pearshapedcrafting said...

It is different but it's still you - such beautiful layers and that fantastic quote! I bought that mask at Andy's workshop but still haven't used it - the way you have used it is so apt for the quote! Chrisx

Sue said...

These are lovely pages Alison, very atmospheric, if a little sad xx

Nan G said...

These pages definitely have the butterfly touch! Love the new background texture stamps. You're mixing of the paints with ink has really created quite a beautiful piece! Splendid work Alison!

Andrea Small said...

Gosh - "inevitable dusk" is a splendid phrase.

Is this "butterfly"? I think so, because of the sense of deep narrative. There is a world of history beneath those figures' feet and stories at their backs.

It's one of yours where I want to look and look and look and I can feel myself being pulled in. I can't analyse it in terms of technique, but it's something to do with depth.

A xx

Jenny Marples said...

So much to take in and I love the stencilled children. Hugs, Jenny x

Tracy said...

Oh my Alison, this is simply beautiful and atmospheric....I feel that although different still totally you through and through!!
Hugs
Tracy
Xxx

Elly said...

I think it turns out very cool(:o)Journals are not (yet?) my cup of tea but when i look at it, like a picture, it's really atmospheric and a bit mystic (:o)

froebelsternchen said...

fantastic! and YES..for me it´s butterfly- ALISON ART!!

fabulous!

Lin said...

this is beautiful..just beautiful..I have that mask and I love it!!

Marjie Kemper said...

I just love all that layering and the second set of children, so different from the first, was a wonderful surprise when my eyes caught them. Loved peeking around this whole spread.