Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Stencil Test Drive - Hands!

Hey there everybody!  I'm behind the wheel for another Stencil Test Drive for my friend Jessica Sporn!



This time I've been playing with Jessica's Hands Stencil, which looks like this...
 I chose this stencil to play with because I love to use hands in my art journal pages.  To me they symbolize so much.  A single hand can symbolize self, identity - I am here!  Hands together can symbolize connection, which is what I was thinking about when I created my piece for this hop...

Here's what I came up with...
 This is a little tribute to Michael and I moving to a new home this fall.  I loved using the hands stencil to create a layered background which peeks through the big hands silhouette. Can you see them?


 Here are a few process photos...
 I used lots of different yellow and orange spray inks to create the first layer.  After spraying through the hands, I also flipped the stencil over and pressed the inky side to the paper, to take advantage of the negative images too.

Then I applied some clear gesso over the top to seal the ink.  That way I can add a second layer with out the mists mixing and turning to mud.


 Next I did the same thing with a bunch of blue and teal spray inks.  I also used neocolor II crayons around the edges to create a frame.  Followed by another coat of clear gesso. 

Here's a closeup...


Next step was to find a silhouette on the web of two people holding hands.  I printed it out, enlarged it, cut it out, and traced around it.  Then I filled it in with a fairly thick coat of glossy accents to create a resist...

 Then some gesso, applied with my hands.  I used a baby wipe to easily wipe off any gesso that got onto the silhouette image...

Added some doodles and a title, and here's the finished page again...
I'm so happy with my page!  Every time I look at it, I will remember this exciting time for us.  Thank you so much Jessica, for including me in the Hands stencil test drive!

Please check out Jessica's blog, and the other test-driving artists to see more ways to use this awesome stencil!  - but before you do, be sure to leave a comment here because Jessica is giving away a hands stencil to one lucky winner, and every comment in the test drive will be eligible to win!  The more times you comment, the more chances you have to win!


Thanks so much for visiting today!  I will see you again soon!

45 comments:

Clare Lloyd said...

Wonderful page, live what you have done with that new stencil.

dawn said...

WOW!! This is gorgeous Michelle, love it!! Thanks so much for sharing the process, I was trying to figure out how you did it with the stencil then read on to find out. The colors for the hands are so awesome, so much fun you had I bet!!

I'm excited for your new home!!

Marit said...

I love the hands and what you did with it - the stencil has so many possibilities in it! The two of you are moving? I do hope you have room in the other house for a studio... but I bet you have ;) Good luck with packing and all the things that come with moving...

Unknown said...

Oh I love this and the process you used to get to this beautiful spread. Your art always inspires me to look at my stencils in a completely new way! Thank you!!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

As always Michelle ... you AMAZE me!! This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GORGEOUS!! I love love love the colors, the hands and the title work is perfect for this!!!!

Carolyn Dube said...

Such a beautiful page!

Unknown said...

Great use of the stencil! I also love the tip about using clear gesso to keep spray inks from re-activating and mixing with the second layer. I have nearly stopped using my spray inks, because I was so frustrated with that happening. Now I have to go out and get some clear gesso.
Thanks for sharing your ideas!

scrapwordsmom said...

I never thought about using hands...now I think I need it. Love your page:)

Janet Joehlin said...

Really Wonderful! I love your use of glossy accents on your focus hands! Beautiful sentiment. Congratulations on the new house and studio!

Linda Kittmer said...

Beautiful tribute to this milestone in your life together! I love how you used the stencil.

Gill said...

Fabulous! I love how you've used this stencil!

anne g-i said...

Wow! Love all the layers - Powerful symbolism! And a pretty darn cool stencil!

Katia said...

amazing page! is fantastic!

lcmarschall said...

Love it! I especially love the in-progress photos!!

Marsha. said...

<3!

Unknown said...

Wow Love what you did with this! The colors are fantastic. And what a great stencil! All the variety in sizes is what make it so interesting to use.

Unknown said...

Beautiful. Just beautiful!

juliek said...

love love love this page - and the stencils kinda awesome too!

Trece said...

Love the page! You have reminded me that I can use parts of stencils, and turn them over to get matched sets!! Do tell us about the move! When, where, why???

Janet said...

Love how you enlarged the hands and then used them over the smaller ones! Would love to try this stencil out! Thanks!!!

Raine said...

What a fabulous page! I loved seeing your process along with the finished piece.

Linda Kunsman said...

a really beautiful spread to commemorate an exciting time in your lives-I so love it! Fab creativity with the stencil. Best wishes in your new home!

tallulah1 said...

What a cool page! I am so glad you showed the process, the depth and layering are amazing! I can see so many ways to use the aHands! Thanks for sharing, and a chance to win!
Janelle Rourke

Unknown said...

What a neat page! Thank you for the clear gesso tip.

Maria said...

VERY cool and meaningful use of the stencil :)

Mrs. B said...

very nice work. Colourful and meaningful. Well done

Mrs. B said...

very nice use of the stencil. Very colourful and meaningful too! Thanks

Art By Wanda said...

Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jean said...

Love your page and I would love to win the hands stencil.

Claudine said...

Wow, your backgrounds are amazing, what you did with the stencil is awesome!!

cal8007 said...

Thanks for showing your process! The hand stencil has so many possibilities!

Carmen L

Becky Voth said...

VERY cool! I love that background!

7DreamsLeft said...

I enjoyed meeting your blog artwork. This is lovely. We recently moved as well so this is timely.

Sambre said...

I agree with you, hands are so full of symbolism!

Marjie Kemper said...

How cool is this?!?! Love the way you've used the stencil hands inside your hand-drawn hands and arms. Fabulous!

Monica said...

I love how your hands join. This was clever.

JKW said...

I am happy with how it came out too. I cannot imagine all the steps you took to get to that point. Blessings, Janet PPF

Mary Dean said...

I always love your spreads, and these are no exception. I love the hand stencil and I can see it would have so many uses! Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

Love the 'new adventure for us' page! As a new art journal-er, I find all of your designs very encouraging. Thanks for sharing - Be Blessed

Pat Owen said...

I totally get what you mean about hands. I love them too. Great work!

mikosspot.blogspot.com said...

Great use of the stencil

Sharon Fritchman said...

Beautiful pages, Michelle! I absolutely love what you did with the stencil!!! Your talents always inspire me, my friend! Have a happy Monday!!!

Pilgrim said...

I love how you used the stencils the hands touching are such a sign of love.

Renee said...

Such a symbolic stencil!

Denny1600 said...

Your work here is just amazing! The stencil is so cool. And what you made with it is very special!