Crusade No. 34 ~ Come Over to the Dark Side

 

Everything is better with black.  Well, at least this month....because it's going to be Halloween!  What a great excuse to Come Over to the Dark Side and try doing a journal page on a black background.  If you don't have black pages you can paint yours black.  I've always enjoyed changing up the backgrounds I use.  It helps fend off Creative Block when you start on something non-white.  Things look different on black.  And sometimes you might even get new ideas by starting with a black background.  Problem solving takes a different twist.  Supplies work differently.  Try it!

 

On these two samples I started with a little bit of gesso because it helps make color pop when used on black.  Colors can seep into a black surface and look like nothing, so I monoprinted and brushstroked on a little white gesso before adding color.  {For a reminder, see Crusade No. 25 ~ Properties of Gesso, and Crusade No. 29 ~ Brush Effects}

 

You have probably already discovered this, but metallics (acrylic, spray, or ink) all show up better when used over a dark surface.  Silver spray paint is dynamite on black paper or black painted page.

 

A few more samples that show how the green and purple really show up when there is a little gesso under it.  Of course I'm just winking when I say "come over to the dark side", and journaling on black doesn't have to be goth and sinister....but why not?  It's Halloween month! 

Here are some of my Evidence pages of new supplies this season.

  

Using stencils and masks.....from Crusade No. 19 ~ Cut It Out II

 

That's it.  Super simple.  Make a journal page on a black background, blog about it and come back over here to share your link with the team in the comment section below.  I will add the links as they come in, newest at top.  Be sure to visit the other crsuaders and leave your words of encouragement.  I will be away for a week beginning 10/7 so I won't be posting during that time but I'll get you listed upon my return.  Due November 1st.

Thanks to all who played last month with Back to School.   I hope you found it inspiring to consider what you have already done this year, and motivating to take on more before the year is over. 

THIS IS OUR THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!  It's been interesting to see who comes to play - new friends are finding us, old friends have moved on but check in from time to time.  The highest number of participants at one time was 120!  The thing that is most rewarding to me is observing the friendships that have been made through this community, and to see so many people excited about staying plugged in to making stuff.  *HIGH FIVES and SMOOCHES* 

 
 

Comments

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

I am not a paper crafter...more of a wannabe. But what I love about your challenges is that I can translate it to my chosen medium of jewelry design. Thanks much for your continued inspiration! Enjoy the day! Erin

[Julie Prichard]

Ohhhh...nice one, Michelle- Back in Black for sure.

[julie thornton]

Lovely challenge Michelle, have been missing for the summer...far too much going on...but back now and looking forward to it.

Julie

[kim mailhot]

Hey there, beautiful Lady ! I haven't been around for the last couple of crusades - summer took me to all kinds of different places and the Fall has been the same. I have to say I am happy to be re-surfacing here - where so many of my blogland friendships started and where I learned how great and supportive a community of artists can be ! Plus, this is the perfect challenge for me ! I love Black and my hubby is a Halloween baby ! Plus, we all look slimmer in black, don't we ? Looking forward to taking this one one !
Cheers, Crusaders, I am going to paint it black !

[Regina]

I'm excited about this challenge. I've had a niggling idea in the back of my head that I should work on black (I have black gesso on hand) and I have been wanting to explore gesso effects. Another thing I want to play with are pastels which I think will be yummy on black.

[catharticcreativity.blogspot.com]

Hi Michelle,
I have been reading your website for quite some time now (and am constantly amazed by your generosity and creativity), and have decided to join in on this crusade!
Here is my link: http://catharticcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/10/michelle-wards-crusade.html

Dawn

[lorraine]

Had a great time with stencils and masks this morning..have combined them all into a little book with a goth cover..great challenge Michelle

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

Okay I think I may have the reputation of being the synchronicity sister! I just purchased my first jar of black gesso and was thinking a few hours ago about what I'll try first. Thanks for the added inspiration!

Three years -- yipee! Thank you for continuing the monthly challenges. I've made some wonderful friends from all over the world -- thanks to *YOU*

{soul hugs}
Kathryn

[Bevie]

Oh this is such a great challenge so I'm going to join in...so happy Pam Carriker shared all the info so I could find you...
Blessings,
Bevie

[Julie]

Love the stencil work on these images - thank you for sharing - it's that time of year isn't it? xo - Julie

[Pam Carriker]

I posted, here's my link:-) http://www.thebagladysart.blogspot.com

[Dawn]

This one got me sitting down to work on my journal. I was wanting to try out my new shoe-sole background stamp, and I love journaling on black.

http://on-the-banks-of-bay-creek.blogspot.com/2009/10/journal-on-black.html

[Jane]

Michelle, this was another GREAT crusade! Thank you.

http://paintedheartstudio.blogspot.com

[Darlene]

Michelle - Beautiful Stencil Art! Here's my entry. Thank you for another creative crusade.
http://cinnamonpink.typepad.com/cinnamon_pink/2009/10/crusade-no-34-come-over-to-the-dark-side.htm

[Susan Sager Brown]

Kim Mailhot told me about this crusade. Thanks Kim! Michelle, your Art, Techniques and Music Choices are Astounding! I could get lost here......xoSusan Sager Brown
Here is link to my Dark Side:
http://broknheartart.blogspot.com/2009/10/passwords-to-hell-complete.html

[Julie]

Michelle- THANK YOU for your support and inspiration..happy happy anniversary!

http://www.julieprichard.com/lostluggage/2009/10/14/black-to-light.html

xoxo

[Gilvania jussara]

Hello Michelle and girls, How are you? you know I love their challenges, they are pure source of inspiration.I lost crusade 33, but this I do not want to stay out!
here is my contribution
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fgiljussara.blogspot.com%2F&sl=pt&tl=en&history_state0=

Soul Hugs from Brazil!

[Chris]

Hey, Michelle
my work is up.
Have a great weekend, and...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Chris

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

Here is my link: http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2009/10/joy-diet-4-creativity.html

I plan on playing more with black journal pages. I'll let you know if I have anything more to share.

[Becky New]

I'm baaaaa--aacccckkkk!! :) Glad to be here again. I've missed this! Thank you so much for continuing to do this!!!
Here is my link to my blog where my piece is listed:
http://windows-wide-open.blogspot.com/2009/10/gpp-street-team-october.html

[jennifer lorton]

I really like your Halloween inspired art, just great! I posted a journal page that was painted on a black background, I hope everybody stops by to see it. Thanks for all the inspiration.
http://blog.jenniferlorton.com

[Helen]

Hello Michelle,
I followed your crucades for some time, but because of mu lack of knowledge of the internet I never signed in. I think I now got the hang of it. I really liked to work on black pages. Your site is a real inspiration. Thank you!! http://goudenregen.blogspot.com/

[Jane]

Round two is up! This is really fun. Thank you Michelle!!
http://paintedheartstudio.blogspot.com

[carmen]

here it is my entry and I am all excited to finally be part of this community!
Thank you for everything, your effort, all the crusades! and your generosity with your time. Thank YOU.

http://heartandsoulgardening.blogspot.com/2009/10/black-and-some-green-background.html

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

I just posted a second journal page. I'm lovin' all of the black!

http://collagediva.typepad.com/collagediva/2009/10/wishcasting-wednesday-yes.html

[kim mailhot]

S h e i s b a c k ! And in Black !
Hi Michelle and fellow Crusaders !
I am finally back to the GPP Street Team Challenges and it feels so nice. I have missed all the wonderful fun and friendship around here. I was just looking back and realized that I haven't participated since May in # 31 - Make it Your Own ! Shame on me ! But man doesn't time fly !
Well, I am happy to be back and I loved this challenge, Michelle ! Thanks as always for your super inspiration !
I am off to say hello and check stuff out on the Dark Side !
Cheers !

[Cath]

I got a chance to join in again this month, and it is not even the end of the month yet LOL. Feels good too. Here's my attempt at the dark side http://cathsheard.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/come-over-to-the-dark-side/
Thanks for your constant inspiration and enthusiasm Michelle. You rock.

[carmen]

i am so glad i am not the only playing some more (thank you Kathryn! te-hee!)
okay Michelle another one, here is my link and thank you very much!
it is addicting ;-)

[carmen]

upps! i was a little goofy

http://heartandsoulgardening.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-mind-wandering-on-dark-side-and.html

[wanda miller]

i loved this one on black, michele. its amazing what one little ol' prompt might do for one. thanks, wanda

[wanda miller]

...and by the way..."you who leaves such wonderful, positive, upbeat responses on EVERYONE'S blog"...your art work up there at the top of the page is AWESOMEly halloweeny and way "coolish", "goulish"! thank you, wanda

[aimeslee]

Heyhey. I finally drug my arty-arss over to the Dark Side, lol, so here's the link to my blog entry and photo of my journal page:

http://paper-paisleys.blogspot.com/2009/10/little-darkness-never-hurts.html

Thanks for the fun and different creativity prompt. I enjoyed it. Mine's not near as complicated and sophisticated as some that I've seen and admired but it's something I'd been wanting to try out and I liked the result. I'm offering it as a freebie for a background for all those interested. Come by and say hi. :-))

xoxo,
Aimeslee

[Kate Robertson]

I finally managed to do one of these challenges. I did a couple simple pages and had fun. Here is my link http://thequeenofcreativity.blogspot.com/2009/10/gpp-street-team-crusade-34-come-over-to.html

Kate

[belinda]

Took me forever ... but here's my contribution
http://belindaschneider.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/alice-is-the-new-black/
and happy 3!!! hope to sometimes have time to play

[forcryeye]

I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED! I JOINED THE CRUSADES THIS MONTH!!! Too bad it took the flu to give me the time to do it! http://forcryeye.blogspot.com/2009/10/dark-side.html

[johanna]

kinda last minute...
http://johanna-mixedmediafun.blogspot.com/2009/10/gpp-crusade-dark-side.html

[Gaby Bee]

I love playing with black journal pages. Kinda last minute also...Here is my link:

www.colorfuladventures.blogspot.com

[jessica loughrey]

my page is here: http://jessicaloughrey.blogspot.com/2009/10/crusade-34-and-journal-pages.html

[Regina Rooks]

I didn't know if I could get it done, but I made it. Thanks for the inspiration, Michelle! xo http://rgrdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/10/gpp-crusade-no-34.html

[Becky New]

I love your stenciling onto the black bird. Way cool. And your depth, M.... you always create depth to your pages and I love it!

[iHanna]

Working on the next crusade tonight but thought I'd also post some more black pages that was inspired by this Come over to the dark side - crusade, it's here;

http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/?p=1016

Next: iHanna journals in another color that she never uses...