Let's Get Sketchy & Meg's Garden

So I was a bit late for this post. The procrastination bug just got to me and succumbed to it. :(

Anyway, this layout was for LGS's May Sketch Challenge as well as my application for Meg's Garden DT.

When I first saw this sketch, I felt slightly panicky as the whole layout seems rather complicated. I had some problems starting this, but once I plunged in, everything just comes naturally.

I first pulled out a piece of patterned paper from Blue Fern Studios Love Story Collection named the Grand Ball. I cut up strips of leftover patterned paper in random sizes. I didn't really care for the colours as I know I will be apply a coat of gesso over it, and the white gesso will mute down the clashing colours. 

The layering of papers gives some textures to the layout. The inks/paints that I applied afterwards will also moved around the edges of these papers. 

To create this look, I used a variety of mediums such as acrylic paints and mica powders. 

I diluted Kaisercraft's acrylic paint in Spearmint with lots of water such that I can spray from a spray bottle. Make sure you clean the spray nozzle after usage, cos the paint can dry up and clog the spray bottle. 

I also used Lindy's Stamp Gang's Starburst spray in French Lilac Violet as well as Tattered Angel's Patina Blue. When using dark colours, it's not recommended to spray directly onto your project unless that's the look you want to achieved. Gently wet the areas you want to apply the colours with a coat of water, uncapped the coloured spray bottle, and gently flick the colours on your project. You can also go back in with a wet brush to manoeuvre the colours around. I preferred to do it this way as I can control the intensity of the colours. 

I mixed Prima Finnabair's Gold mica powder with water to create a shimmery gold watercolour. If I applied my gold water colour directly on wet purple water colour, I would probably get yucky murky colours, which was not what I want. Hence to prevent that from happening, dry your paint before applying another. 

To create more details, I decided to do some stamping with Prima's Epiphany and Cigar Box Collection, as well as Kaisercraft's Tiny Dots stamp with my Stazon Black ink pad.

I also go back in with 13 arts' Cobalt Pastel spray as I felt that the colours are not intense enough previously.

I also decided to colour the stamped images with Marion Smith's Mica powders in Dusty Rose. Dusty rose mica powder gives off a gold shimmer and it's really shimmery!

I also added a thin coat of Ranger's Clear Crackle paint to add some cracked details on the images. 

Here's the final look of this layout! 

Flowers I used are from Prima. I also die cut and rolled up some paper flowers from Die-namics. 

Here are some close-up shots. :)

I altered some flowers with Silks glaze in African Jade and Pink Grapefruit.

The intricate paper is from Heidi Swapp and the sticker strips are from Tim Holtz.

That's all for this post. 

Have a great weekend everyone!