You may have already tried using tissue paper in your work. One terrific collage element is that thin stuff clothing patterns are printed on. If you haven't used it yet you should try it! (Love the color and all the lines) This month I'd like to introduce you to tissue paper painting. It is a little hard to use at first because it is so thin and can easily tear and make you crabby. But if you practice and have patience I think you will enjoy using it as an added element to your work. Using painted tissue paper in your journal is a good exercise to get comfortable with it before using it on canvas or dimensional work.
The cool thing about tissue paper is it layers onto your work so easily, unlike cardstock or other specialty papers. Plus - it's yours. It's a MakeItYourOwn element, and THAT is always good.
Give it a try. Tissue paper is inexpensive...we love cheap tricks! You can use what you have at home, colored or white, or splurge and get a new pack. You can use plain white tissue as found in the gift wrap section or you can opt for archival safe tissue found in some craft stores. It really doesn't matter for this challenge. The point is to try it out, try it on, and see if it's a good fit for you.
You really need to let the gesso get super dry. Gesso your journal pages and several swatches of tissue paper and let them dry overnight. A good tip is to lay your tissue over wax paper of some kind, paint it (starting lightly, not too wet) and set aside. The next day you can add your colors....spray and wipe, but be gentle. If color is added to both your pages and the tissue at the same time you will have a matching palette to work with.
When the paint is totally dry (this is becoming a three day event!) you can cut or tear the tissue to create collage elements for your page. Make a plan for how to incorporate the layers. Stamped letters is my favorite thing to cut from tissue.
The acrylic varnish I use can be found at any craft store. It is super thin. You could also use a watered down PVA or white glue. Try to stay away from ModPodge because your pages will eventually stick together and that makes us crabby. Brush the varnish on the page and then place your layer down and brush over it. Under and over.
The tissue will probably ripple a little but that is ok. Texture! Don't try too hard to smooth them out because it will rip. I hope you'll love how flat the layers are on the page when dry. The other cool thing is that some portion of your element may look like it drops away depending on the contrast that occurs. There is no right or wrong way to address that and you can leave as is because that can be interesting. For this example I wanted a greater definition so I went back in with stencils and masks of the heart shape to get some of the edges to pop.
Here is a really old piece of art I did for Somerset. I think it was the first time I pulled out tissue as a tool. I knew that the stamps would never work directly on the canvas so I tried stamping onto the tissue, and layered it with varnish.
{Break Down} Day One: gesso pages and tissue, 10 minutes. Day Two: add color to pages and tissue, 20 minutes. Day Three: the fun part...tear or cut tissue, add stamping to tissue (if that is part of your plan), compose, adhere, finish, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
That's it. Grab a Tissue. Grab a package of tissue paper. Paint it. Layer it. Use it your journal or on another piece of work. Blog about it. Comment here with a link to your blog and I'll add you to the link list. We all learn from each other as we take on a new challenge....share your tips, your frustrations, your a-ha moments. It's only paper....and yes, it is also time, but any time you set aside to try one new thing you will no doubt learn much more than that...and you'll make friends too. So join us!
Thanks to all the crusaders who came to play last month. It was SO MUCH FUN to see all your Love Letters!! Bravo for diving in and doing it. And, as always, thanks for visiting each other and leaving your words of encouragement. If you haven't been to all the posted links you can do so at any time. No. 37 is still posted in order of arrival with newest at top. In a few days I will archive to alphabetical order.
Archived link list has been moved from sidebar to here. Some links may no longer be active.
Carmen Nessman
Dawn
Gil Jussara (more)
Gil Jussara (more)
Gilvania Jussara
Hanna Andersson
Hanna Andersson (more)
Helen
Imelda
Jackie Wood & Liz Ness
Jane Royal
Jean
Julie Prichard
Kate Robertson
Katherine McCullen
Kim Hutchinson
Kim Mailhot
Kimberly
Lay Hoon
Lisa WrightStuff
Marcia Cirillo
Marilyn Gallas
Mary
Melanie Philpott
Michelle Brown
Michelle Ward
Michelle Ward (more)
Mona
Nicola Toms
Regina Rooks
Renata Pacheco
Robin Mayberry
Rosemary Griffin
Sheila Jones
Susan Sager Brown
Zura