Golden Gesso Compared to Golden Absorbent Ground

Many people use gesso in their art journals and on canvas to prepare the substrates for paint and ink. However, many people are not aware of the effect of absorbent ground. This product does the opposite of gesso-whatever you put on top absorbs into your substrate. You may not want this effect with your paint but you may want it with your ink sprays which tend to lose their vibrancy over gesso. Here is my tutorial comparing the two products.

Gelli Print Leftover Paint

The Gelli printing plate is so addicting that you spend a lot of time making prints (Now I have to think of cool projects in which to use the prints!). If you are like me, you do NOT want to waste any paint or ink during the process so always have on hand journal books, tags, or some kind of paper, cardboard, etc. to mop up the access paint and ink which in turn will give you even more backgrounds! Here is a photo of some prints I made using the plate then spraying or inking the background. The following photo contains many tags I created using just the leftover paint or ink that is on my Gelli plate or on my non-stick craft mat.

So remember to use every glob and drip! It will only lead to more great backgrounds!
also, check out my latest YouTube process video featuring the Gelli plate.

Enjoy!

Michaels Vintage Christmas Cards Class

Michaels is hosting for a limited time the Vintage Christmas Cards class for $10!
Here is a sample of what you are going to create. Experiment with stamping and inking techniques ala Tim Holtz-what more could you ask for? Look for me at store #9454 in Farmington Hills, MI.

Art Gift Tags

Are you giving an extra special gift to that certain someone? A new car? House keys? (I think big!) Then why not present it in an art tag that is also a keepsake within itself? These are handmade gift tags with envelopes attached to the backing to hold money, keys, or anything small your heart desires. Most products used are by Ranger and Tim Holtz.