3d Flex & Powerwax

 

I created a mix of 3d flex and powertex and created a heavy paste, spread it across the mdf shape and let it dry.

Once dry I used pigments and powerwax to colour the paste. Once I was happy I covered the whole piece in a layer of powerwax, let it dry and then gave it a buff with a clean cloth.

I then used my gilding paste to create a pattern.  Once I'd left it to dry for about an hour I then used gold foil to cover the paste and finally I went around the edge in gold pen.

Textured Circle

Cut this shape with my fabulous cutter.

Then pulled out a few bits and bobs for different textures.

Then got all set up.

Created some different lines of textures trying to keep the flow through the two halves.

Added some more powertex over the sand balls just to fully secure them.

Then added some colour and put the two halves together to make one piece using wooden sticks.

Close up of the textures and colours.

And a close up of the other side.

Cherub in the Moonlight

This was the middle out of my wreath.  I used a sharpie to mark where I wanted to cut another shape out.

Cutter used, and I now have a 'C' shape.

I then gave it a coat of white powertex.

Next I made up a mix of 3d flex and powertex and splodged it on one side.

Next I found a cherub and some hearts and started arranging them.

I made some grooves in the three smaller hearts so they fitted on my piece of thickish wire.

Got a piece of cotton scrim for the figure to sit on and it's an easy way to attach it to the polystyrene.

I picked out some hearts and coloured them silver and also used silver treasure gold over the easy 3d flex texture.

Close up of the little cherub and hearts.

Close up of the treasure gold on the 3d flex.

Then I mounted it on a wooden stand.

Huge thanks to Ashley Hay and Natalie Parish for the inspiration over these last 5 days.

The Thinking Man

I made an armature, bulked it out with tinfoil and then covered the foil with masking tape.

I mixed up some 3d flex, white powertex and some power sand.  I obviously didn't put enough sand in though as it cracked and I didn't really want it to, but never mind.

I painted a block of wood in white powertex too.

I stuck the hands together and his right elbow is also stuck to his knee.

Sumo Geisha Figure

 

Martin made me a two pronged wooden base and I started to create my figure with a polystyrene ball for the body, tinfoil, bubble wrap and masking tape.

The head and hands are Powertex plaster pieces.  I then created the legs and roughly decided where I wanted the top and bottom colour to meet.

I mixed yellow powertex with 3d flex to make a clay and then covered the bottom part of the figure.  I didn't make enough to do the legs as well, so I left them for now.

I also stamped into the clay and left it outside in the sun to dry and crack.

I made up some more yellow and covered the legs, then made some red.  This time I made far too much red, so ended up giving her a red hat too.  But I cling filmed the neck to keep it clean.

Close up of the red crackle and the stamping.

Drying and cracking out in the sun again.  Martin came home and told me it looked like Ronald McDonald!!!

So using pigments and powerwax I changed the colours.

I also painted her nails.

And her face, and gave her some hair.

Close up of the back with the blue over the red.

And the bottom is more of a blend as I added orange to the yellow.

3d Flex Texture Workshop

Have you thought about going to a Powertex workshop but haven't yet, because you're not sure what to expect? Well come with me and let me give you an insight.

3d Flex Texture Workshop Samples

A few weeks ago I was invited to a workshop held by Jill Cullum, of Purple Meadow Arts & Crafts. She is the Certified Powertex Tutor for the area where I live. Jill has been on all her training, so this means that she is qualified to teach and use all the Powertex products.

Jill explaining the samples and what she did.

Everyone getting stuck in covering their canvas's. Janet, top left wanted to do the technique but on journal covers, so Jill brought along a journal for her to work on instead. So if you know what you want, contact your tutor before hand as they are very flexible and happy to oblige where possible.

Jill demo'd the next couple of steps and then went round checking everyone was okay and understood what they were doing.

Close up of Janet's journal covers.

Whilst the canvas's were in the drying box Jill demonstrated how to mix up the 3d flex. She showed the consistency of what they were aiming for.

Then showed how to apply the paste onto the canvas.

Then it was their turn, with guidance from Jill.

Whilst the makes were back in the drying box, we all sat down and had a natter with a cuppa and some chockie biscuits. I took this opportunity to ask them what they thought of the workshop so far.

One said that it was so different to what they normally do and it was good to come without any expectations.

Another said that they have learnt so many new techniques already and we haven't finished yet.

Another said that is was nice to do something different.

After the coffee break, all the pieces came out of the drier. Look at those amazing cracks on Anita's canvas.

Now the fun begins, adding the colour. The hardest part seemed to be choosing which colours to use from this huge selection. Everyone was encouraged to move out of their comfort zone.

Jill chose purple and green, these aren't her normal 'go to' colours.

Jill demoing on her canvas, how to use the wax with the pigments and acrylics and how to built up the layers and blend the colours.

Everyone well under way with their colours.

Really coming along now.

Fabulous blending.

Anita was building up layers to replicate the colours she had in a photo on her phone.

Once everyone was happy with their canvas's, the last thing to do was to touch up the sides to make them black again. The black just seems to make the colours pop.

And here are the proud owners with their finished pieces.

This workshop took around two and a half hours from start to finish. Just look what you could do with the right guidance. All these ladies really enjoyed themselves today.

How many of you have a bottle of Powertex sat on your craft desk but haven't opened it yet. A workshop is a great way to get started. 

There are over 100 Certified Tutors dotted all around the UK. To find the one nearest to you, click on this link which will take you to the Powertex Tutors directory. Login and find your nearest tutor who will be happy to help you with a workshop. They cater for everyone, groups, one on one, two on one, a group of friends or join a scheduled workshop and meet like minded people, the possibilities are endless.

I hope this has given you an insight into how a workshop runs. I hope that it's nowhere near as scary as what you thought it might be, just go along. You will be made to feel very welcome and you'll love it so much, you'll want to go back. Most of the tutors have their own FaceBook pages and list their planned workshops under events. So if you see something you fancy, get it touch. Nothing is out of reach with the right guidance.