Stencil spree

Back in February I attended a retreat with Dyan Reaveley and I picked up some of her gorgeous dylusions paints. I'd been telling myself that I didn't need new paints, I had paints. As I used them during the retreat I realized that the colors she offers are my favorites. The typical art store paints are classic colors. These are eye candy colors. So, I purchased some.

What I really appreciated about Dyan is that she told us how to care for the paints. She also told us one of the best things ever, which is we should go home and use them. Don't buy them to put them on the shelf and think "some day" but to use them up asap.  

After I saw them in my paint stash the other night I decided she was right. So I busted them out and had a blast. I used the Tim Holtz applicators with foam tops and designated one for each color. I pulled six of my favorite stencils and grabbed a bunch of manila tags and got to work.  

One tip for collage, choose a variety of stencils.  Some that are open designs (like the Tim Holtz spider's web) and some that have few openings (like the graduated dots - which is becoming my favorite). Doing this will allow for varied amounts of paint to be distributed on the work. Sometimes you feel you need a little something in a small area, this is great for the less open stencils. The first layer of design is great for the more open stencils.

Then I had to choose colors. I picked three colors that are harmonious or analogous, that are next to each other on the color wheel - in this case dirty martini, calypso teal and after midnight. I worked with these as the predominant colors used.  For the pop of color I picked a complementary color, which is a color opposite one of the colors I used for the designs. In this case cherry pie works as a pop for the green and blues I've been using.

Once I started working I just kept grabbing for more paper to color. After I used up the tags I found some envelopes and started to color them as well.  

This is a tag I made for a friend's birthday. I cut out a monogram and colored it with the stencil and the pop of color. I then used my white Uni-ball Signo pen (LOVE IT) and colored the larger dots in the background. Fueling my neglected Zentangle relaxation time.

So then, I colored some basic backgrounds by applying paint and used a large stencil and colored over with the same colors as used in the background. I love the way these tags turned out. They are large tags, so I think I can fold them and turn them into cards.

These are the paints. The jars really show off the color. You turn the jar over, then back before you open. Then remove the lid take the applicator and grab some color from the lid. These paints go a long way.  

So I found these two die cut images in my stash, and had to color them.  

Here are my stencils and the one in the lower left is becoming one of my most used. There are large dots and small dots so you can use whichever you like. I am not a nut about cleaning them every time, however I don't want them to build up too much paint and affect the ability to use them, so I do wipe them down periodically. It's actually good for some to get a little paint-coated, particularly the more delicate stencils.  

Finally, my tip for working with stencils is have some washi tape handy. The great thing is that washi tape can be used on the edges if you don't want paint to go over the edge, it secures the stencil to the paper and generally won't hurt your paper. As you use the washi tape over and over, it's even safer on your work. The tape lasts a long time. Plus, you can isolate an image as I did above with the arrow. This stencil has dozens of arrow images but I wanted to use just a couple. By masking it with the washi tape you can get just the single image you want.

I really channeled my seemingly long-lost inner child working with finger paints. Time was lost and I can't wait to make more.