Sunday, July 7, 2013

Miracles and Magic - A Tutorial

Magic is the subject of Artists in Blogland's "Color This Quote" challenge this month, so I've been thinking about what magic is, and where it is...

There's something magical about creating art.  When I have a lot of left over gelli prints, I like to cut them into strips and collage them onto whatever substrates I have available...


One will "speak" to me (that in itself is magic!), and I will take my super skinny brush, and some black fluid acrylic paint...


and sketch the outline of buildings, a skyline, or a citiscape.  I am leaving for Israel on Wednesday - one of the most magical destinations on earth - and plan to visit Jordan as well, so "exotic" architecture is on my mind. 

http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=11821936&exhibit=358767&gallery=y
I recently pinned this charming illustration, and it inspired me to create this:


I mix up glazing medium and acrylic paint...


and using a brush and my fingers, I rub this glazing mixture into my buildings until I'm happy.  When the glazing mixture subtly transforms the colors of the gelli prints underneath (but you can still see the texture and patterns from the prints), it feels like magic!

Some embellishing with pearl pens, glitter, and a sentiment, and voila:  my collage has magically become an enchanted place!


I hope this little tutorial inspires you to envision your own magical destination.  For more free tutorials and videos, click here or on the specific projects below.

   


Linking to the challenges at Faber Castell (favorite destination),  Dreamheart (color or colorful), and Art Journal Journeys (architecture).  Linking also to the fabulous blog hops at Make It Monday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Creative Every Day, Inspire Me Monday, Glue It Tuesday, Be Inspired, and Create Daily.  If you want to be inspired, visit these links - you won't be disappointed!

Speaking of magic, check out this post by Carolyn Dube.  She shows the alchemy that results from "mistakes," which she calls "OOPS," or Outstanding Opportunities Presenting Suddenly! 

Thank you for visiting! I hope you will leave me a comment to let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

35 comments:

  1. I love this work of art, saw it on MIM xx

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  2. Absolutely beautiful! so bold, lovely textures, wonderful process. Wonderful!

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  3. Gorgeous artwork and colors Jessica. Visited from MIM..Loz

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  4. Lovely, lots of interesting links too - Thank you.
    Here via Andrea's colour challenge.

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  5. Beautiful work, love the colours. Have fun in Israel, and Jordan. Will you be visiting Petra? Valerie

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  6. Jessica! This looks amazing! I love the vibrant colors and the loose sketches -- gorgeous!
    Thank you for taking part in our July fun over on Art Journal Journey!

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  7. Nice to visit via Andrea's colour hop to see your colourful imaginative buildings. Here's a link to my blog http://suzipoland.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/colour.html

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  8. It really is a magical piece you have created here ツ
    Enjoy your trip away ツ

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  9. YOu make it seem so simple friend. Love your colorful world of magic....xox

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  10. Love your colorful little magical cityscape.
    xx

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  11. Simply gorgeous. I love the bright colors with the drawings on top!

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  12. WOW,This is amazing ,beautiful colors... and your page is so happy.
    love it to much.

    Greetings Jeannette

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  13. your projects are always full of wonderful color and inspiration Jessica. I too love going to my gelli prints for some quick prompting. Have a beautiful time during your magical trip abroad!

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  14. Your art work is beautiful! And I love the sentiment behind this piece. We can all use a bit of magic in our lives.

    Thanks for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  15. This is just so full of yummy goodness and color...and *that's* magic!!

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  16. What a blessed place you are going to. Love the colors and ideas in this picture.

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  17. So gorgeous! Love love love the towers and the color! The spots in the windows are glowing almost...love this!

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  18. Gorgeous painting! I love all the colors! I'm pinning this!!!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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  19. Love, love, love the bright colours and beautiful shapes in this piece.

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  20. Simply stunning! Thank you for joining us over at MIM. Hugs Kerry xx

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  21. This is magical! Love your buildings-and all the embellishing touches! Thanks for the Oops shout out!

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  22. Thanks for sharing your art. I find it very inspiring. I love the bright colors and your design sytle.

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  23. A wonderful piece of art and thanks for the tutorial! Really enjoyed it
    Cheers
    Gabriele 13

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  24. Wonderful bold colors and I love the oriental touch and so wonderful to see your steps to get to the finshed piece ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  25. Definitely magical and love the vibrant colours and strong line work.! Like something out of the Arabian Nights. Thank you for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday:)

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  26. This is magical. I love the colors and textures. Safe journeys. Thank you for the link!

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  27. a magical and beautiful outcome! Have a fun and safe trip to Israel {:-Deb

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  28. I just love your sense of color and style! Your work always makes me smile and then wish I had done that piece...

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  29. gorgeous! love the colors and the materials you used!
    have a great weekend!
    Groetjes karin

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  30. I always love it when you do skylines! Gorgeous as usual. Hope you're having a wonderful trip.

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  31. Jessica--I discovered you by following a link on Creative Every Day. I'm not a visual artist, and am always fascinated to see how artists create their images. Your bold colors and shapes feel like magic to me--But magic with directions! Though I have no idea what "gelli prints" are, you make it seem like anybody can make something beautiful to look at--you've already got me thinking about what quote I would illustrate.

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  32. Oh Jessica, this DOES look like fun!!! So bright and beautiful! Russian architecture, right?! I will definitely give this a try, soon as I can.. Thanks for sharing a tutorial, and have a great day! ~tina

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  33. it's simply beautiful! the colours are gorgeous.
    love those houses - my favourite theme

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