Odds & Ends Add "POP"

I love adding a bit dimensional pop to my collage paintings and what better to it with than Creative Paperclay®. Because of the diversity of uses for the clay, I can can get different looks depending on whether I am using a slurry, stamp into the clay or shape it with a silicone mold. 

With so many old paintings laying around, I have access to paintings that I can update with techniques I may not have known when I originally created them.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic paint including gold
Alphabet & floral stamps
Silicone mold
Substrate (old painting used here)

You can make a slurry from all the small dried up pieces of Creative Paperclay®. I prefer to grind it into very fine pieces then add some color and a touch of acrylic medium. It makes a texture with a fine grit.

I added the slurry to an old painting of mine. One edge was taped so I could get a straight line when the tape was pulled off. Lines were added with the edge of my ruler.

The slurry color was changed to have more of a blue tint and stamped. When it dried, an umber wash was applied to the slurry. Because it was a wash the color stayed in the stamped areas more.

The top bar of clay has been stamped into with alphabet stamps, allowed to dry then sealed with polymer medium.

When the medium has dried, paint with a burnt umber paint, let dry and then rub gold paint on it with your finger so it just picks up the high areas.

Clay was applied to a silicone mold then allowed to dry thoroughly before removing it. The same technique above is used to color this and add the gold highlights.

And the painting continues.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

darleneoliviamcelroy.com

Shrine with Mica Flakes & Metal Leaf

I am researching info for an article and class on shrines. That inspired me to create one with Creative Paperclay®. I always roll out my clay between layers of wax paper and also let them dry on it. It won't warp this way. I texturized it with a homemade stamp.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Cast objects
Mica Flakes
Acrylic Paints
Stamps
Salt
Metal Leaf and Adhesive size

 I sprinkled the mica flakes on to the clay and rolled it in. The edges are left rough.

Next I stamped into the clay and added a cast Buddha. When dry, I sealed it with polymer medium.

A metallic gold wash was added. When dry a burnt umber stain was applied and the alphabet letters were added. The white liquid over the Buddha is adhesive size for the metal leaf. It goes on white. When it turns clear it is ready to use.

I applied the metal leaf and decided I wanted more on the top and bottom for balance. On the Buddha I added a burnt umber stain then I added a floater on the back so it can be hung on a wall with a bit of a shadow.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy