It’s SO satisfying when I can make a vision come to life. Honestly, when it comes to making mixed media art, it doesn’t happen often. This foil patterned paper collage on canvas had me doing a happy dance all around the craft room. Getting that shabby, aged look I had in my mind might have occurred by accident but I’m certain I learned a new technique that I can repeat in the future.
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This work-in-progress (WIP) has me so excited to continue on the mixed media journey I’ve wanted to explore for ages. Read on to see how I got started on this piece.
Foil Patterned Paper Collage on Canvas
I’ve professed my love for pretty patterned scrap book paper to anyone who would listen to me ramble for years. There is just something so happy about pretty papers.
My vision for this mixed media collage is to combine these colorful pieces of patterned scrap book paper with accents of gold foil. I also knew that I wanted a white-washed shabby chic look for my canvas.
For me, the best way to get started is to pull together the supplies I want to work with.
Limiting materials lessens the overwhelm when starting a new project.
For this Work-In-Progress I’ve used:
- Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint
- Martha Stewart Metallic
- Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint (Bleu Lagoon)
- Pebbles Girls Squad 6×6 paper pad
- Deco Foil Liquid Adhesive
- Heidi Swap Gold Foil
- 5×7 Stretched Canvas
- Wide Plaid Paintbrush
- Glue & Decoupage Finish
- Spray bottle with water
- Paper towels
To begin, I tore the papers into small chunks. I was sure to leave the white shredded part intact. I wanted those lines to show on the canvas.
I simply used a paint brush to lay down a thin layer of the decoupage glue and placed the papers in a way that was pleasing to my eye. When I had the papers situated I applied a thin layer of decoupage glue over the top.
I let the canvas dry over night.
The next morning, I applied a thin layer of the Deco Foil Liquid Adhesive to the areas that looked torn. I also applied the glue to the outer edges where the paper didn’t quite meet the edge. I followed the adhesive directions and let the adhesive cure for an hour and a half.
When the glue had cured, I cut a small piece of foil and rubbed it over the areas that had the Deco Foil adhesive.
Like magic, the foil adhered to the glue. I LOVE how it looks. It reminds me of the Japanese custom of repairing broken pottery with gold; the flaw is seen as unique and beautiful and adds to the history of the piece. The gold foil adds to the beauty of the torn papers. Swoon.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this collage and the brightness of the papers, but the edges were still a bit harsh and not exactly what I was looking for.
With a DRY brush, I applied some of the white satin acrylic paint-a very thin layer. So thin, it dried quickly. I took a paper towel and wiped down the layer to remove some of the paint.
And, then, the magic happened! I sprayed a tiny squirt of water on the canvas-just a half pull of the trigger and used the paper towel to wipe again. The result? This amazing “chipping”. I, literally, stood up and did a happy dance. It was exactly the look I was going for.
It reminds me of worn wallpaper that’s peeling. I’m so in love with this. I continued rubbing away the white paint over the foiled lines and edges.
I also applied some of the gold metallic and bleu lagoon paints over some of the areas and wiped away the excess.
At this point, my inspiration was waning. I laid down a tissue-paper quote I had in my stash and decided to stop for the day.
The biggest takeaway from my friend Jeanetta is that I need to walk away for a while when I’m creating so I’m letting this one sit awhile. I’m sort of at a standstill about how I want to finish.
It’s a work in progress and I’m totally okay with that because I am too.
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