Finnabair Workshop - Secret Garden

 

Two huge tables had been set up with name badges.

We we actually sat opposite Sylv and Heidi and I was next to Helen and then Sheliagh, who I first met the the Powertex garden party.

A bit of housekeeping and then Anna being introduced to the group.

Anna explaining the first stage of the process.

Everyone listening intently.

There was also a pop up shop for us to indulge ourselves in.

The first thing to do was to cover half of the canvas board with tissue paper.

Next stage of the project.

Adding stencilling using fibre paste.  I went for the brick.

Building up the composition.

We had a wooden window and a variety of paper flowers, cogs, metal embellishments, resin pieces and I added a couple of light bulbs. I glued everything down with heavy body gel.

Next everything got a coat of white gesso.

Anna showing us the next stage.

Which was to choose our colour palette.

As you can see, the colours are pretty vibrant.

So lots and lots of coats of dry brushing with gesso were needed.

Back to the table with Anna for the next step.

White Pearl metallic paint added over the white gesso, and once dry I added Finnabair Magic Potion effect paste.  It's still wet here but will dry clear showing the sparkly pieces.

Industrial Bird House

 

I picked this bird house up today from Aldi for a fiver.

I prised the door and the starfish off the front.

Next I covered all the sides with an industrial style paper.

I cut up a sheet of rhinestones on a mesh background into various shapes and stuck them on the back and the two sides.

I took the roof off and covered both sides with air dry clay.

I pressed different embellishments, tiles and found objects into the clay and I left some of them in to create different textures and interest.

I added clay to the bottom of each of the sides and the back underneath the panel of rhinestones.

And again pushed found objects and embellishments into the clay.

I gave everything a coat of white gesso and once dry a coat of green paint. I used PaperArtsy Tinned Peas.

I added shades of yellow ochre and raw umber with water to the project and kept drying between adding the different colours.

Then I knocked it back a bit by re-apply the green but with a dry brush effect.

Next I added some waxes, aged brass, gold and silver.

I added some carmine for a rust effect and then started working on the top section of the bird house.

Once stuck down, I gave them a coat of gesso.

Then I painted the sides with the same green and umber and ochre paints.

Added the same colours of waxes.

Feet added and studs to the roof.