MAGIC LIGHTS THE WAY – A MIXED MEDIA PIECE

Hello folks, Nancy here, and welcome to a tutorial for a fun mixed media piece using some great new stencils from The Crafter’s Workshop.

I’ve often wanted to create a piece where corrugated cardboard, and all its glorious texture, was the star of the show. Despite my intentions, the cardboard took on more of a “supporting role” this time around, but I’m nonetheless happy with the result.

finished piece with TCW stencils paint and mediums LEFKO

The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with some product to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own.

Supplies used:

TCW676 12″ x 12″ Party Lights stencil

TCW686s 6″ x 6″ Julie’s Words stencil

TCW9001 White Gesso

TCW9008 Clear Modeling Paste

TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium

TCW9015 Black Licorice Heavy Body acrylic paint

TCW9017 Lemon Custard Heavy Body acrylic paint

corrugated & regular cardboard

copies of vintage text

adhesive

paintbrushes

palette knife

fluid acrylic paint: vanilla, burnt sienna, turquoise

foam spouncer

baby wipes

acrylic glazing liquid

fluid chalk ink: burnt sienna

black gel pen

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Using a paintbrush apply TCW white gesso to outer portion of corrugated cardboard. Tear outer edges of regular cardboard, apply white gesso and adhere to corrugated cardboard.

apply TCW white gesso to corrugated cardboard LEFKO

TCW white gesso on cardboard and adhered to corrugated cardboard LEFKO

Tear and adhere copies of vintage papers and follow with a dry brush application of white gesso.

Copies of vintage text adhered to background LEFKO

Dry brush white gesso on vintage papers LEFKO

 Position 12″ x 12″ Party Lights stencil onto background; affix with masking tape. Cover any areas not desired with masking tape. Using palette knife, cover stencil with TCW clear modeling paste.

TCW676 stencil positioned over substrate LEFKO

TCW676 palette knife and TCW clear modeling paste LEFKO

TCW clear modeling paste over TCW676 stencil LEFKO

Allow modeling paste to dry completely. (I like to let it dry overnight.)

TCW676 stencil with TCW clear modeling paste LEFKO

To seal the piece, coat with very thin layer of TCW matte gel medium.

coat with very thin layer of TCW matte gel medium LEFKO

In select areas of the background apply vanilla acrylic paint.

vanilla acrylic paint in select areas LEFKO

Mix burnt sienna acrylic paint with acrylic glazing medium. Apply in select areas and blend with baby wipe.

burnt sienna acrylic paint and acrylic glazing liquid LEFKO

burnt sienna acrylic and glazing liquid LEFKO

burnt sienna acrylic and glazing liquid blended on background LEFKO

Add accents of turquoise acrylic paint mixed with glazing liquid. Blend.

turquoise acrylic with glazing liquid blended on background LEFKO

Mix TCW Lemon Custard heavy body acrylic paint with glazing liquid  and apply to areas in party lights. Blend into the background with baby wipe. Follow the same process for the lightbulb tops with TCW Black Licorice heavy body acrylic paint and glazing liquid.

TCW lemon custard heavy body acrylic paint with glazing liquid LEFKO

TCW lemon custard and black licorice heavy body acrylic paints for lights LEFKO

 TCW676 party lights stencil LEFKO

 Position 6″ x 6″ Julie’s Words stencil at the bottom of the piece with the area around “Believe in Magic” covered up by masking tape. Load a foam spouncer with a dab of TCW Black Licorice heavy body acrylic paint. “Pounce off” paint onto a craft sheet until most of the paint is gone and the spouncer nearly dry. Dab over stencil in a circular motion. Fix any imperfections in letters with a black gel pen. Complete the piece with an application of burnt sienna fluid chalk ink to the edges.

TCW686s Julie's Words stencil LEFKO

TCW686s Julie's Words stencil with TCW black licorice acrylic paint LEFKO

 I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial and try some cardboard as a substrate while you’re using stencils, paints and products from The Crafter’s Workshop.

finished piece with TCW stencils paint and mediums LEFKO

Thanks for visiting!

Nancy Lefko

The Crafter’s Workshop Design Team Member

4 thoughts on “MAGIC LIGHTS THE WAY – A MIXED MEDIA PIECE

  1. I like your use of the corrugated cardboard ! I’ve been saving a few pieces, so I will attempt to use it like did. Lol . Thanks Nancy

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