4x4 canvas swap...

ok, stay with me here. this is another one of those "why did i join this swap?" posts. sometimes i just get caught up and can't lay of the "join now" button on the swap page. this was one of them. luckily, i found some inspiration and created this. it was so outside the box for me. it is a 4x4 canvas swap. kirsty sent the 4 other people in the swap the 4x4 canvases and instructions on what we were doing. we decided on the theme of "the ocean." (instructions are italicized)

THE OCEAN.
First layer: COLOUR
Squirt, smoosh, spritz – get that colour on however you like!
Think only of the colour – no planning of future layers allowed at this point.
Each of your canvases may look different at this stage – that is fine.
If you want to add texture i.e. gesso, tissue, glue to the colour – add away!

i've never painted anything (other than a single color) so i was a little worried about the background. i started with a nice light blue. then i added some layers with more shades of blue and a little green. i actually had a great time mixing colors and shades to get what i wanted. i also experimented a little with some tissue paper for texture.


Second layer: PATTERN
Stamped, printed, found: still not thinking too much about the outcome. Just follow your instincts!

i used a couple of different stamps for this part. i thought about using regular ink, but then i didn't know how bright the images would be. i ended up using the acrylic paint and i love how it worked. this and the next step kind of merged together.


Third layer: STAMPED IMAGES
These can be digital or rubber. Colour them and collage them on.
Fourth layer: TEXT – pop some in there somewhere.
Fifth layer: DOODLING
pens, markers, Paint markers – any media that makes doodling on your work possible.

i kind of doodled the pink coral before this step, but i did do a little doodling!

TAA DAA: You have created a MASTERPIECE! (5 actually!)
here is the finished project. i used some shimmer spritz on the canvas to give them a little sparkle. i covered them with a little glossy accents to give them a water-like look. i hope everyone else likes them!

go with the flow
stamps: kim hughes, ippity
ink: white craft ink
embellishments: tissue paper, white gel pen, glossy accents
other: acrylic paint, 4x4 canvas