Wednesday 1 May 2013

Our Creative Corner Goes Live Today With Their First Challenge . . . . . . .

Hello Everyone and welcome to the relaunched Our Creative Corner Challenge Blog! Today, we bring you our first monthly challenge and I'm delighted to say that the theme is (drum roll please):

Anything Goes!

Don't you just love this theme? We ask that you make anything you like, using any materials that you wish and link it up so we can all share your creativity. The design team have made some wonderful inspiration for you and because we've been split into two teams you get a second dose of amazing creations in a fortnight's time. No excuse for not entering in the challenge at Our Creative Corner really is there?!

For my first piece I decided to share a project made at the monthly Andy Skinner club I attend. Andy gives instructions about layers but you can choose your own colours, where to apply them and in what combination. If you're not familiar with Andy's work, then I strongly suggest you pop over and have a look at what he does.

The little chap you are about to meet started out life as a plain bisque figure and ended up looking weathered and old (just how I feel sometimes!). He is called a 'Grotesque' which is very cruel, as I love him!


Image in a shady location in my garden, compared to the following picture. . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . .which was taken in a sunny corner of the garden. I couldn't decide which I liked best so thought I'd show you both. Once sealed, he can live outside and I'm looking forward to finding a perfect little spot for him, on full display of course!

The time worn and weathered finish was achieved using Americana acrylic paint in various colours and layers. This included full strength paint and a number of thin washes to add extra age. Look at the size of those ears!!

Around the eye socket area, he has a rusty look, again to denote the passage of time. You can clearly see the various colours of acrylic that were combined on the surface. I love how his hands are crossed over his legs - so quirky! (a certain AS designed the bisque blank for this gorgeous figure).
I wish I had a 'before' picture to show you but alas, this was forgotten in the excitement!
Some areas have been painted white to make it appear as if time has worn away the top layer. This draws attention to areas such as his knees, toes, ears and so on.

Crackle glaze was applied to key areas to highlight them further. 

You will either love or hate this little figure but I've learnt a great deal during his transformation about using paints / paint washes to age something. A thought about the process working in reverse on my face springs to mind, but that's never going to be successful is it?!!

So, what will you use to make your 'anything goes'? Will it be paint, inks, paper, stamps, clay, fabric. . the list is endless. Go and get those hands painty/inky and link up with us this month. Look forward to seeing you over at Our Creative Corner
(Please remember to have a quick read of the rules and turn off your word verification so we can leave you a comment.)


36 comments:

  1. An absolutely stunning piece of work, Julia - using Andy's amazing techniques to create a work that looks so genuinely old. The colours and textures are so cool - thank you for all those delicious close-ups! Yay... we're off!
    Alison x

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  2. I love this! He is just so grotesquely beautiful! So stunning and the paint effects are truly astounding - I now have to learn how to do this because my husband loves this so much he wants one!!! ;o) Lots of love from Laura xxxxx

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  3. So glad you gave us some 'up close and personal' shots of this little fella as he deserves that amount of examination. What a fantastic piece of art Julia. Thrilled to be on a team with such a talented artist. Hugs, Jennyx

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  4. Lovely piece. I used to love those little figures in the English cathedrals and houses! Valerie

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  5. Ww , he is fab! There is something quite appealing about the little guy! Great technqiques too ...hugsvtrace x

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  6. It does seem unfair to call him grotesque because he is anything but! Your close-ups are amazing Julia and really show the ageing so well, I love all the crackled looking areas in particular. This is a fabulous first DT piece for OCC and I am truly pleased to be working alongside you. Fabulous work! Hugs, Anne x

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  7. Your little gargoyle looks just stunning Julia and the colouring effects are amazing.
    I just love Andy's stuff too and I was lucky enough to meet him last year at The Craft Barn and have him all to myself for a while - we had a long chat and he showed me lots of techniques. You're so lucky to go to a monthly club with him.
    A rather green Fliss xx

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  8. Hi Julia. Your piece is awesome. I've taken a couple of Andy's classes and you are right...he's is amazing. Love his techniques and use of colors and products. Your garden piece is very cool. You did an amazing job with the colors and the crackle. <3 Candy

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  9. He's adorable in all his grumpiness Julia :) such good photos too !
    Good to have you back online :)
    Von♥

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  10. Oh my goodness Julia!!!!! No wonder you love him, he is incredible!!! You have done an amazing job here and how clever is the man who designed him eh? I know I would spend hours watching him in the garden, wondering what he is thinking hahaha xxx

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  11. Wow, what an absolutely amazing piece! Can grotesque and beautiful go together? YES and you have just proven it! What an incredible debut to your new DT stint, I am in awe!!! The layering of colours, the white highlights, the crackle, all add up to a truly stunning piece of art!!

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  12. Well I for one love him Julia! Isn't it amazing that you can start with a blank canvas and end up with something as wonderful as this xx

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  13. Wow, Julia your painting on this is just fabulous, he does look ancient! Xx

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  14. Oh, how I'd love to have him in my garden and wonder what my doggies would make of him - he is just fab! I'm very envious of you being able to attend a workshop and learning such great techniques. Love, Margie x

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  15. Your little man looks gorgeous Julia! xxx

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  16. Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww Julia this is gorgeous ,fabulous and beautiful.
    Love it.

    greetings Janny

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  17. Amazing colours Julia and so detailed...what a great alteration!
    This fellow will be grateful!

    Hugs, Alie :-)

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  18. brilliant and beautiful. good luck with the first challenge, Ill be sure to enter x

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  19. He's wonderful Julia. I love mine too - I can't decide whether to put him outside or leave him indoors.
    xxx Hazel.

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  20. Stunning, amazing and I love it.
    Hugs Brenda xox

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  21. Awe Julia, he is AMAZING, you have done an outstanding job sweetie. I love things like this, he is suitable quirky and adorable, lol I'm not jealous of your lucky garden at all!!!!!!!!
    Huge hugs x

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  22. Such a great piece of art. Really fantastic.

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  23. Love or hate - I'm definitely in the first category. This "ugly-cute" little thing makes me think of the monsters that decorate some beautiful cathedrals in the world - I instantly thought of Notre Dame of Paris and St Vitus in Prague. But I'm sure he looks beautiful in your garden as well:)

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  24. OOps Julia careless clicking might mean you get two of these ! but just wanted to say that that love him or hate him you have done an amazing job of painting him ! I found him drawing my eye because he is totally mesmerising ,and each photograph was a feast for the eyes on technique.I could never ever produce art like this ...I know my limitations!! :-) x

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  25. This is amazing! So unusual. How lovely to have made something you can have in a corner of your garden. And just the weather to enjoy him!

    Lucy x

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  26. Your techniques are wonderful Julia! I too vote him grotesquely beautiful. Nicola x

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  27. Reminds me of Harry's elf...Dobby! Great patina effect!

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  28. He's gorgeous Julia, and a little scary:) but look fab in the garden, protecting it. Have a wonderful weekend..

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  29. Julia, he is wonderful! The finish is amazing and he does appear to have been around for quite some time! He reminds me of a gargoyle,only a little less vicious!

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  30. Julia your Grotesque is totally wonderful - I don't think he would appreciate being called gorgeous :)
    I hope he protects you and makes you smile with delight each time you see his aged but wise self.
    I am inspired as I have a small angel that I love the shape of and hate the finish ( none) so she it going to get the "Julia Finish"
    Thank you for not only the inspiration that you provide but the encouragement and wonderful comments too.
    I hope you are beginning to feel really well again as the season heads towards summer.

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  31. ...Julia I don't know where to begin, a big fat WOW! this piece is simply amazing!! Andy's techniques are amazing and you've certainly done yourself proud here, love the colour spectrum and the textures achieved, it rocks!!...Melxx :)


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  32. He's just fantastic, Julia... love the patina!!!

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  33. Such a cute little Grotesque, I love his colors and lovely layers! Beautifully done! Thank you so much for visiting my blog, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥

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  34. Wow this is outstanding!!!!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax