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...

Wednesday 3 February 2021

Rustiness in Progress

Hello all, I'm back with some more tag backgrounds.  Inky smooshing and splotching is pretty much all I'm getting up to at the moment, but I am really enjoying it when I do!

I've particularly been enjoying playing with creating rusty effects using Crackling Campfire along with various browns in Oxide and Inks.

These were over a background wash of Pumice Stone and Frayed Burlap, with some Stormy Sky thrown in for contrast.

There's definitely Vintage Photo and Gathered Twigs in there, and I think there may have been just a touch of Walnut Stain.

I just enjoy the dipping and dabbing and seeing what happens as you layer up the inks, Oxides and water.

I've got no idea what, if anything, will ever go over the top of these backgrounds - that step just doesn't seem to be happening at the moment.

I'm hoping to find a bit more mojo somewhere once I start unpacking (still waiting on floors for those who are curious), though then of course there will be less time!

Ah well... it's all a process working towards getting the work/life/admin/creativity balances right.

There will be more rusty splotches and patina games on their way to you soon.  In the meantime stay safe, stay well, stay creative, and I'll see you soon.

Inking is meditation in liquid form.
J.H. Everett

26 comments:

Craftyfield said...

Love your rust! Also a good idea to just"splosh", this might kick my mojo back into action... I have some alcohol inks to splosh! x

Helen said...

those tags look just gorgeous! i know someone (Elizabeth) who will adore them! I don't think it matters if you're not adding layers to tags for now, when you create such great surfaces - they'll keep, after all!

My name is Erika. said...

These are fantastic Alison. I get that sometimes it's fun with to play with ink or paint and not finish whole projects. Hope all is well and you are staying safe. Hugs-Erika

Christine Alexander said...

Alison, you seem to get just the right size of splots and splats using the inks. Beautiful backgrounds, I'm looking forward to seeing the end results :)

Nancy Wethington said...

Brilliant! Love how these tags turned out.

Cocofolies said...

Thank you for sharing with us these lovely backgrounds full of rust, blues, and joy Alison.
Stay well and take time for unpacking, and real (new) life admin and other things to do, you will have plenty of time later to create and free your mojo again!
Enjoy the day, love xx

sally said...

Great backgrounds & a fabulously appropriate quote!

Sally xx

Nan G said...

Fabulous examples of ink smooshing Butterfly! As someone above said ‘these will keep’. And one day .. “ahh, I have just the perfect background for that!” Warm hugs from across the pond.

ginag said...

And again she finds the perfect quote to illuminate our minds with layers of rusty goodness! Good luck with those floors and all of the unpacking.

Mrs.B said...

Lovely inky backgrounds and all that matters is that you enjoy yourself and I love the Wintry Woods tags in the previous post, it's like looking out of your window on a snowy day.
Avril xx

Lys said...

Fabulous rusty backgrounds to play with later. Just this step is a pleasure for the eyes.

Let's Art Journal said...

Such beautiful rusty magic! The splashes of colour look gorgeous - love it 😁. Thanks for the inspiration and wishing you a happy February! Hugs, Jo x

Kasia said...

Wow, so beautiful backgrounds! Love it :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE these colors!!!!!

Mac Mable said...

I am so glad that you are enjoying playing with the backgrounds in this and the last post Alison. Love these amazing rusty looking tags x.

Sue said...

Oh these are wonderful, I love your tiny splodges! These inks work beautifully together to give perfect rusty grunginess. Take care and have a very happy week, Sue xx

Marci said...

Great backgrounds, I admire the splotches you get, I have trouble with them.

Franklin and Delilah said...

I love these But I just can’t get the splotches to blot like yours. Have you any tips you would be willing to share? do you use sprays or ink pads? Do you layer oxide then ink or ink then oxide? Thank you so much 😊

Words and Pictures said...

Hi Franklin and Delilah (one or both of you!!),

Thank you for your visit and comment. It's dipping on the craft mat, and almost always with ink pads. I only occasionally use sprays.

I smoosh the ink pad or pads onto the craft mat, spritz on some water to create droplets and then press/dab the tags down onto the mixture repeatedly, drying in between layers every time. I do a sweep with the whole tag to start with, with my starter inks, and then press or tap down just the areas I want to catch droplets with. Then I add some more colours to the mat and go again until I'm happy.

Bear in mind that the kind of paper you're using will make a big difference. I use plain manila tags mostly - not the expensive Ranger ones, but they're basically the same, and they have a very smooth surface, so the ink moves in a certain way.

I've just moved to another country, and I am still waiting to unpack. Once I have my new craft space set up, I'm aiming to do some little videos, and the process for these splotches will definitely be included early on, as people are always asking... so watch this space!
Alison x

Franklin and Delilah said...

Thanks Alison, that’s so kind of you to share. Think I need to keep practicing and maybe use different papers. I currently use mixed media paper but that isn’t smooth so I’ll have a play and see what happens. Would defo love a video 😍
Sherie xx

Rita said...

Wow Alison. How fabulous are these. You must be over the moon with how they turned out. Must start using my inky stuff again. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them. Hope you are Well and Staying Safe. Hugs Rita xx

Paper Profusion said...

Stunning inky wonders Alison!! Love these colours.

I hope that you are keeping well and getting settled in ok. It's a triumph for you to be creating with all thats been happening in the world generally, not to mention your own move. Hoping those floors are done soon so that you can get stuck in as you wish.

Nicola x

Neet said...

They will not run away but will be here3 waiting for you to decide what you want to do with them some other time. In the meantime just sit back and enjoy inky smooshing and splotching to your heart's content. Remember you have moved countries to live.
Hugs, Neet xx

Diana Taylor said...

Oh my goodness I LOVE these - the colours are beautiful and I'm immediately thinking Autumn leaves! I'm sure you'll come across the perfect use for them one day - but for now just enjoy the whole experience of smooshing and splotching!
Diana xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow Alison, it's ONLY the 21st and I'm finally getting around to visiting you. Yes, I'm that far behind!! You had me at rust. I absolutely LOVE how your rusty tags turned out. They are simply gorgeous. You make it look so easy, but I know it isn't. These are beautiful, indeed.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Sometimes it's good to just play with no other plan in mind. I often find when I'm stuck for an idea this works for me. Loving the colours, gorgeous xxx