Thursday 26 September 2013

A Tutorial For You

Well I've been busy creating lately and thought I would share a tutorial with you. This one shows you how to use newspaper on your layouts in a unique way.

I used a sheet of canvas paper for my background. Just like sketchpads, canvas papers are available in pads at art supply places. I find they buckle less when I apply wet mediums to them, although they still curl just as much as standard cardstock. Feel free to use chipboard, cardstock or anything you like. Just be prepared for it to buckle!

Although it looks like there are quite a few steps here, the process is actually pretty simple. And the best news is that there is no right or wrong. If you like it then it's right!

Ok - enough of the preamble. Let's get started!

Step 1
Give your base a light coat of gesso. Don't make it perfect - just a rough slap over will do.

Step 2
While the gesso is still wet, tear up pieces of newspaper and lay them on the gesso. You can cover the whole base or just put in patches, it's up to you. Dry it completely with a heat gun (or wait for it to dry) then start to pull the newspaper off. When you have only the well-stuck sections left, dampen a cloth or a baby wipe and gently wipe the newspaper. You will see that you can remove as much or as little of the newspaper as you like. If you don't remove much then the side of the newsprint facing you will be seen and the text will read the correct way. If you remove the top layer of newspaper then the opposite side of the newspaper will be seen which will be printed in reverse. This creates a very cool look though!


Step 3
Once you get down to selecting which parts to keep try rubbing the newspaper with your finger. This gives you fine control of what you're removing.

Step 4
Once you have finished your background should look something like this. Remember it's up to you how much newspaper you want. Note how the variety of font sizes adds a bit of interest.

Step 5
You can now create whatever you like with your newsprint background. On my layout, I used Distress Inks through a Crafters Workshop stencil to add a coloured layer.

Here's what my background looked like at this stage.

Step 6
I next added some gorgeous papers from Bo-Bunny's new Mama-Razzi 2 range. You can get the range from ScrapEverything here.

I then finished the layout off with lots of Mama-Razzi 2 rub-ons, some Kaisercraft transparencies and journaling. Here's the finished layout:


And some close-ups:





I hope you found this helpful. If you decide to give this a go please drop me a line and let me know. I'd love to see what you make!

Happy scrappin!

Heather






19 comments:

  1. Wow wow wow!!! This is gorgeous!! I loveeeeeeeeee that background you created, the hearts and the film strips!! Absolutely FABULOUS!!! And yep ... I have a 16 year old son :) He isn't much of the camera boy that he used to be... lol ... unless I make him!! HA!!!!! He is the one in the blue shirt on my blog header!! :) That's my Adam :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love what you have done! I have been playing with this too but on a smaller scale with a tag! Great minds think alike lol!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This technique looks amazing, love how the different size fonts create a bit of texture and the paper range is really lovely. I must say it's a gorgeous photo.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an awesome tutorial! Can't wait to give this one a go!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow!! Love the layout Heather it's so gorgeous and your newspaper technique is amazing!! Will definitely have to try that one. Fantastic tutorial, thank you so much for sharing the process. oxox

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks wonderful Heather, I love how you have created your back ground.. love the embellies you have added too.. and thanks for sharing your step by step, I always enjoy seeing things like that!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This rocks!!! Thanks for sharing - love your layout!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fab tutorial...really kind of you to share....I HOPE to give it a go......love your final look, too...that yellow is popalicious:):):)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love what you've done here! Looks fabulous! Wonderful tutorial as well!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Heather this is WAYYYYY COOL I an going to have a try at it this afternoon :))) - If I can get the kids to leave me alone for a few minutes lol

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your tutorial Heather and the result looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ooh what a cool tutorial Heather thanks so much for sharing I will definately have to give this one a try. x

    ReplyDelete
  13. ooh i love the look of that. i am so going to try it, thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  14. Again, fantastic! I am definately going to have to give this a go sometime :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW I love this Heather! Thanks so much for sharing!! Can't wait to give it a go!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great technique for the background, so great base for your page!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just Love it…thank you so much! Marty

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for your informative tutorial! 👍🏾

    ReplyDelete