Layering can be a tricky process for many people. Mixed Media artists and memory keepers covet the look for the dimension and visual interest it adds to their work. How is is done successfully? What is the right amount of layering?
It took me a long time to answer those questions. One of the key factors is practice. It takes a lot of practice to know what works within your own personal style. It also helps to see how others go through their personal creative process. Let’s take a look at how I created layers of rain for my scrapbook layout.
Supplies
Cardstock
Patterned paper and embellishments
Cloth (optional)
Photo(s)
Mist
Clear gesso or gel medium
Pens or markers
Stencils or masks
Ink
Stamps
Transparency or Clear Packaging
Though I am sharing a scrapbook layout today, I invite Mixed Media artists to play along as well. It’s easy to substitute photos for cut out images from magazine.
Step One Our focal point will be the picture we have chosen. It helps me to determine where I want to place them prior to building my layers background. This allows me to arrange elements in my background to support the focal point. I used a sheet of patterned paper to tentatively attach the photos in the grouping I desire to use.
I can then lay that grouping on the pattern paper. I now know where I want to add the rain like elements on the background. It may help you to lightly mark those areas with a pencil.
Step Two Select a couple of light shades of mist and one dark shade. You want to add your lighter colors first and then layer dark colors upward. I used a turquoise and a light blue as my base. I then used a dark blue with a rain drop stencil in three key areas. These areas will form a subtle visual triangle to highlight my focal point.
I always keep a scrap piece of paper at hand to stamp off any excess mist from the stencil.
Step Three After the mist dries, use a pen and your stencil to add a few random rain drops.
Step Four To create contrast; I mounted my photos onto yellow cardstock. I want them to stand out from the background rather than blending in.
Step Five Using clear gesso or gel medium, add a few more rain drops with your stencil. I used a texture gel with glass beads. Keep in mind that the gel may take on a little color from the mist. The gel may also cause some of the ink to bleed if you are using images printed at home.
Step Six While the Gel is drying, I created additional embellishments for the layout. I stamped on canvas using Staz on Ink, dyed it with mist, and then cut small rain drops. I also hand cut rain drops from clear packaging after stamping on it.
Step Seven Layer your hand made embellishments and other elements around and over your images. If you desire movement, stagger the items as you place them. Also consider their weight. Translucent items are lighter than opaque ones. Translucent items work well on upper layers. Allow items to overlap one another to create interesting visual tension.
My process is just one way to approach layering. The key to your success lies within practice. It might feel hard or forced at first, but the more you do it, the easier layering becomes. Take a look at your personal style. How heavily do you like to embellish your work? Are you comfortable with a few simple items, or are you heavy handed? Knowing your own preference will help guide you in knowing when to stop adding to each piece. Most importantly, there are no right or wrong answers. Over time, you will know what you are most comfortable with.
Summer Rain by Christy Strickler Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper, tape: Glitz Designs; Letters: Basic Grey; Jewels: Prima; Ink: Tsukineko; Texture Gel: Liquitex; Pen: Sharpie; Mist: Ranger, homemade; Other: Stencil, buttons, hand carved stamp, Glossy Accents, plastic packaging, canvas
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