Winter Silhouette Canvas

I started by applying two coats of gesso to a 12" x12" canvas, then tore a piece of corrugated cardboard to approximately 10" x 10" and distressed randomly around the edges
This was applied with DecoArt Glue & seal and left to dry

Next I selected Crafters Workshop Mini Harlequin & Imagination Crafts Bay leaf stencils and applied DecoArt modelling paste to the exposed canvas. On hindsight, it might have been better doing this first but it did allow for accurate placement

 

Covered the cardboard with approximately 1mm – 2mm depth of Gesso.

I then stamped into it using Stampotique Daniels Hearts, which left a nice pattern and texture

 

Once dry, I applied torn stripes of a dictionary with glue and seal and allowed to dry

Paint time!

I wanted to create a subtle toned graduated effect like a watery winters sky, so starting at the top I applied DecoArt Titanium White, Orange Twist, Lemonade & Sea Aqua. 

I like to apply quite unusual brights first which show through from the texture and create a hazy glow, it is always easier to tone down lighter and brighter colours

The lighter areas around the centre were a combination of DecoArt Metallic Silver Sage and Shimmering Silver

 

I applied the paint in large horizontal brush strokes blending each colour into the next.

Finally, working towards the bottom with Williamsburgh Blue then adding Prussian blue, Burnt Umber taking it gradually darker to the bottom edge of the canvas.

At this stage the colours were too bright so I toned the whole canvas down with white and the Metallics adding Williamsburg blue and burnt umber to gradually darken and tone down the overall colours

 

Once dry, I used the Crafters Workshop branches stencil, applying the paint from the top down with the lightest colour Williamsburg Blue, adding Blueberry & Prussian Blue to gradually darken as I worked down

This was followed by a combination of Windsor & Newton water mixable oil paints Payne’s Grey and Raw Umber, as a wash over the background and around the edge of the cardboard centre to tone down and give a really distressed vintage effect

Finally I added a touch of DecoArt Metallic Lustre Silver Spark to highlight the texture around the edge and just a little on the edges of the cardboard to keep it subtle

 

I finished with a label with the meaning of Silhouette distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Inks, as I am entering this into The Craftbarn Alpha Challenge

 

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial, any questions please just ask

Jools :)