Altenew Academy - Level 2 - Beyond Basic Background

 Hello there,

"The purpose of art is to stop the time!"

Oh well, today's quote! Yes and yes, when I enter in my art space, it becomes a black hole for me and it's hard to get back to reality or maybe that is the only reality!!

Hello and welcome again my Altenew Academy buddies and crafty fellows :) Been so long, but trust me, I was not doing nothing in the background, but just trying to juggle up the muggle world and fit in everything together for the upcoming blog posts. As you already know, it was fun ride untill here into Level 1 Altenew Academy and if I am allowed to say, I am digging deep onto this thirst of creativity. Very much enjoyed Level 1 and with this post, entering officially into the Level 2 and learnings for the future :)

We are diving today into 'Beyond basics background' and oh boy, what a fun class it is! It really spread my mind into multiple areas (which I overlook most of the time). More so, because Lydia Evans is a magician with smart and clean creations.

Let's begin the journey of this class's learnings and 2 creations inspired by everything I saw and learn in this class - DIY Stencil, Perfect Spacing, Foiling Stamped Images Without A Laminator, Matte Watercolour Resist, Water Bleaching, In-Laid Die cutting. 

My creation details:

Card 1- 

This Square card features more of a set back stamping style and then using coordinating die cut to create a top panel and adhere it with foam tape for dimension. Also, this can be converted to a shaker card very easily if you use transparency sheets, but I didn't go that way. I used the same layered stamped image (multiple times in different orientations) on the panel to create this look. The final outline layer is done using the Gold pigment ink to make it shine amidst the dark shades of purple hues. Gold spaltters, gold sequins used as filler elements to combine evrything together. Very easy to layer, create and die cut and give a very different and unique look.

Some more images:

Stamp and die: Layering Shrub Rose stamp and cordinating die set, sentiment from peony spray

Ink Colors: Ultraviolet, Andromeda, Hydrangea

Others: Gold pigment ink, Gold sequins, Gold watercolor paint, lilac Cardstock, Altenew foam tape, gold pigment ink

Card 2 - 

This creation involves a mix of the learnings from the class and also mixed media style, but all came out as an unplanned happy accident. 

I took a watercolor panel and always used to put some shades of blue on that, whenever I used to do ink blending using blue shades. This had build up a lot of fun layers on this watercolor cardstock. Hence I decided to use it as the base cardstock.

The stamp image you see as the main image, the same image is in the background (like a ghost stamping), but with contrasting shade of blue (I used kind of random orange brown tones). Left this panel to dry and sit as I was not sure what I was going for!

Next day, randomly stamped the main focal image on top with black pigment ink. From there, I decided to build it up as foreground by using different shades of blue and pinks. Shading and color play gave me the depth I wanted to see and then white highlughts made it shine.

Some splatters, black outline again, little doodles, sequins and this was done!!

One of my favorite creations and has come far better than I could imagine while ideating and creating. Exceeded my expectations on all fronts :)

Stamp: Altenew sketchy floral, Fancy greetings sentiment

Brush marker pens: Turquoise, Desert night, Purple wine (Tropical Fiesta Set)

Others: Gold sequins, obsidian black pigment ink, white and black gouache (for splatters), white gel pen, watercolor cardstock.

Some more images:

This brings me to the end of the post and also end of the first assignment in Level 2. This journey is making me so happy, excited and also loving all the fun things I could do with learnings in the academy. Super happy to have took this opportunity and it is going so well.

I hope you like my work and would come back again for the many more upcoming posts :) Wish you a lovely day.

Regards

Disha