I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Monday 26 January 2015

The hand of a master...

Hello all... I've been journalling a lot recently (a subconscious resolution which seems to have taken hold - I was at it again at The Artistic Stamper over the weekend!), and today I'm sharing another exploration.

It started as a first attempt for the Vintage Journey recent Use A Portrait challenge, but I couldn't quite get it to go anywhere satisfying at the time.  But I let it sit and simmer for a little longer and now I think it's found its way to where it wants to be (for now, at any rate).

I'd like to share it over at Art Journal Journey where the January prompt is Inspired by the Masters.


I think it's pretty clear which particular master is involved in my page ... Leonardo da Vinci's Head of a Woman, also known as La Scapigliata, takes centre stage (as well as hovering in the background), and the words are his too.





I wouldn't begin to claim to be working in his style - so I hope it still counts for the AJJ prompt - but I have always been inspired by his drawings.  In fact, I've used La Scapigliata before, very early in my crafting days.









Seeing his cartoon of The Virgin and Child with St Anne and John the Baptist on a school trip was the first time I experienced the profound effect a piece of art can have on you.  I stood in front of it for half the visit, and missed lots of the things we were supposed to be looking at as a result!

Although I'm not trying to "do a Leonardo", the colours remind me of the cartoons...










... and I've also tried to capture something of a Renaissance fresco look...













... with plenty of distressed crackle...













... and weathered texture.










I started with adding some structural texture in the pages of an altered book created on the France Papillon workshop I was lucky enough to attend late last year.

I hope to get around to showing you what we got up to on the workshop some time soon - at least before we get to 2016.  I think these pages are influenced by her art too.







Once the tissue tape, lace, papers, stamping and some Archival stencilling were in place, I added crackle texture through a stencil as well as just smearing it on in some areas freehand.

After that was crackled, it was out with the Distress Sprays... Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain and Stormy Sky to start with.









Then a round of slightly more vivid colours, adding in Rusty Hinge and Faded Jeans.

There may be some others too.







I love how the colours have interacted with the textures to create whole new shades!


Now on to the focal points... Leonardo da Vinci's words and pictures.





I printed La Scapigliata onto some regular paper, and then also printed the image in various sizes onto tissue paper so that I could play games with it amidst all that texture.












The small version hovers almost on the periphery of your awareness, softly contemplative, and with a touch of sorrow too - partly because of those tear-stained spatters.











And I love how the large version hovers protectively over the main portrait.














The words are attributed to Leonardo...













I think they are very beautiful...















And probably true...









I hope you like my Leonardo-inspired pages.  There'll be some more art journalling along soon!!  Happy crafting, all.


I'd like to enter this in Inspired by the Masters at Art Journal Journey
And at the Inspiration Journal I'd like to join in celebrating A Fresh Start with all this journalling energy

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.
Leonardo da Vinci
How's that for Words and Pictures?!

48 comments:

Fliss said...

This is so beautiful Alison. Love the colours and you've achieved amazing depth and texture too.
Fliss xx

Hettie said...

This is wonderful Alison. So soft and delicate yet striking and bold at the same time. I love all the textures and the words behind the journal.
Hugs
xx

sam21ski said...

WOW Alison, loving all those textures going on in the background, it looks fabulous and great crackle xx

Mrs.B said...

Beautiful pages Alison, loving all the textures and layers of colour.
Avril xx

Julie Lee said...

I really love your art journalling, Alison. Where do I begin with this one? I so love the exploration of it; the textures; the sense of mystery that just draws us in with Leonardo. I first saw a photo of the Leonardo cartoon in some educational magazine for children and I gazed and gazed. Then years later a tutor introduced us to Walter Pater's The Renaissance. 'Over the top' it might have been, but it really evoked that magic again for me. Now this journal page has reminded me again of why I find his art absolutely enthralling. This is one of the most inspiring pieces I've seen in a long time. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. x

experiments in paper said...

Lovely, Alison.... so evocative through the repeated images, the soft and blending colors and that beautiful crackle. I think you nailed it - it feels very Florentine to me. Thank you for the detailed step out, especially the start of the page. Also, thank you so much for taking the time to look at and comment on my work as well - much appreciated coming from you!
xx Lynn

liberal sprinkles said...

This is gorgeous, Alison. The colors and textures are just wonderful.
Grace

Debi said...

just beautiful!!! dreamy, arty and lovely, Debi x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Alison, I really love your pages, great colour use, great images, great design, end I love all the texture!!!Thanks for showing us!!!

Greetings
Maria

Helen said...

As always, a jaw-droppingly beautiful journal spread - so that's Da Vinci like at least!! I love the crackles and colours of your piece, and the quote is perfect.

froebelsternchen said...

THis is so so so beautiful Alison... wonderful!
Thank you so much for being with us at Art Journal Journey!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful journal pages, love the texture. Thanks for joining us at Art Journal Journey.Valerie

chrissie said...

Stunning Alison. It shows a real love of the artist with all the beauty and thought that went into these pages. 'Your' special colours go so well with the beauty of the famous face.

Love Chrissie

sally said...

Amazing textures & layers, I wish I could see her IRL. I love leonardo's work, we had some of the queens collection of his work up here a number of years ago.

Sally

Neet said...

Am dumbstruck! I love this so much, it is so evocative. I adore the muted shades you have achieved, the textures,a the gentleness of the main image and the shadowy ones. I just cannot put into words what this awakes in me but it is purely stunning!
Hugs, Neet xx

Shirley said...

An amazing and absolutely stunning page Alison. I have had a poke around at what I have been missing and pure genius comes to mind.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Cestina said...

Just fabulous.....and both the quotes too. xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow,this is sooooooobeautiful Alison,the textures are amazing,I could look at this for ages and never get bored! Beautifully made
Big hugs
Donna xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

How impressive can pages be? Hmzz THIS impressive Alison....great looks, great details, great in total...TFS!!!
Have a great day, Alie

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! I'll start by saying that I love both the quotes you used! Whichever way you look at these fabulous pages the spirit is definitely here! I do believe that this is my new favourite of your pages - the colours, the texture and that glorious image that certainly lends itself to repeating! Oh! and the crackle - how could I forget the crackle!!!! Brilliant! Chrisx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Alison, I love how you have used this evocative and beautiful image,

Lucy x

Mary W said...

This is beautiful and meaningful - the words true. Just beautiful!

Pamellia said...

Every time I visit your blog, I spend oodles of time just oohing and ahhing, I am never disappointed! You are the absolute queen of backgrounds! The amazing textures, colours and interest that you create on every project...well, it blows my mind! You are such a great source of inspiration! hugs :)

Lynne Moncrieff said...

The colours are so gorgeous with all that beautiful texture. Sublime.
Wishes
Lynne

Dorthe said...

It is amazingly beautiful, dear Alison, what amazing effects with La Scapigliata in tissue, placed on the gorgeous background ,to beseen through this beautiful woman !! The crackla effect is stunning too, and yes ,-I love the colours very much,too.
Thank you for this wonderful look. Hugs Dorthe

cathylynn said...

What else can I possibly say that hasn't already been said. Totally amazing and beautiful. I love all of your special details that you always create. Fabulous idea to use the tissue paper to give the special effects. Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Redanne said...

Your art journalling is superb Alison. The colour combinations are beautifully rich and the crackling creates so much wonderful texture. I love the ghostly La Scapigliata image on the left and the words are beautiful! Stunning work... Hugs, Anne xx

Ellie Knol said...

gorgeous background!

Gio said...

Bellissimo!! Love the texture, the crackle and the La scapigliata ( it means with bed hair but not only :-))
My favourite master ever is Michelangelo....

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous spread! LOVE the crackle on the harlequin! Just excellent!

Ana K. said...

Yes, another stunning journal page...keep going dear Alison!

Kirsten said...

I think the great Leonardo would be impressed by your journal page, it is wonderful.

Ruth said...

I wish I could think of something else to say other than stunning...but it just is! So, so beautiful, adore the crackle, love everything about these pages, long may you continue to journal...PLEASE!! Ruth xx

Corrie Herriman said...

Wow, I love all the gorgeously yummy texture and rich colours. It is beautiful !
Corrie x

Meggymay said...

Stunning pages and a s always wonderful textures and details. look forward to seeing more of your journal pages.
Yvonne xx

Astrid Maclean said...

A wonderful spread Alison, my favourite "master" I think with one of my favourite paintings of his, a favourite saying and my favourite colours and textures, - wow, what more can I say, glorious in every respect, love it!

craftimamma said...

Well, I'm very late to the party so I think it's all been said but I'll add my two pennyworth too! This is absolutely awesome Alison and it looks like a beautifully painted crumbling plaster wall. I love everything about it!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Kay Wallace said...

I so love the artful repetition of your image, Alison! Colors are perfect. My cup of tea, my friend!

Jackie PN said...

Your signature colors and the quote are absolutely stunning and make this journal spread a masterpiece-Alison!xo

Unknown said...

Speechless, Alison! These are stunning pages, filled with a sense of wisdom, age and deep beauty--Just Gorgeous! The layered background you created looks like an ancient stucco wall--aged by weather, water and time, yet the delicate face of La Scapigliata remains, calm and serene--Soooo pretty, Alison!! Love the techniques you used to create this modern-renaissance piece in your art journal!! Just Love You!! I need to go have a visit with France's blog!! (I've got a couple of her stamps from Stampotique!) XOXO-Shari

Terry said...

You are a master, Alison! The journal pages are gorgeous. The layers and texture with that crackle is so dreamy and stunning effects. Love every detail!. Hugs!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, that's a breathtaking spread. So many fabulous details.

Lisa H said...

This is so cool! I love all the texture in it. Thanks for joining us at Inspiration Journal this month. =)

Sue said...

Wow those close up pictures show what a real stunner this it xx

Evelyn Walter said...

This is sooooo gorgeous!!! All these stunning details and the picture and the fabulous use of the techniques - wow. Love it! <3

Scraps of Elegance said...

I'm in awe over the details. Thank you for sharing.

Cocofolies said...

Wow, fabulous art journal pages, the texture and crackling are amazing!!!! Coco xx

Kezzy said...

Wow such a wonderful gorgeous journal page, the texture is truly awesome and the crackles where the ink gathers looks amazing. I love the way one of the faces is in the background as if it was meant to have always been there, brilliant. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx