Leisure Painter May 09

The project I set in the May issue of Leisure Painter magazine is to create six Art Trading Cards that you will be able to ‘trade’ with other artists.
These have become incredibly popular, especially in the USA and involve giving and receiving Art Cards. The cards are originals, hand made and all measure 3 ½ x 2 ½ inches. No money can exchange hands for these cards; they are not for sale but tokens, to be exchanged from one artist to another.

Once you have created your card, you write your name and address on the back and the recipient not only has your details but an original piece of artwork from you. You can put anything you like on ATCs and have as many designs as you like.
Art Groups get together and decide on a theme for that week, each person creates perhaps six cards during that session and exchanges these for six cards with other group members. The idea being that each person goes home with six works of art all by other artists.
It’s big in the USA, and catching on here in the UK.

The theme for these cards is butterflies (which was the subject for the article) and you may use any of the techniques we have covered this month, including the use of Iridescent Medium.

If you have never used this medium before it is wonderful when used for shells or butterflies or if you enjoy painting fairies, resulting in a shimmering effect in the light similar to Mother Of Pearl.

Tips on using Iridescent Medium
· Mix the medium thoroughly before use by shaking the bottle.
· Add about half a teaspoon (or less) of the medium to your mixing surface.
· Use it diluted with clean water directly onto your watercolour paper (where you require the mother of pearl look) and let this dry before painting over it.
· Alternatively, mix a little of the medium with your paints on the mixing surface.
· The effect is far greater when using transparent colours.

I hope you enjoyed this months issue of Leisure Painter and were inspired to have a go.

Leisure Painter May 09 The project I set in the May issue of Leisure Painter magazine is to create six Art Trading Cards that you will be able to ‘trade’ with other artists. These have become incredibly popular, especially in the USA and involve giving and receiving Art Cards. The cards are originals, hand made and all measure 3 ½ x 2 ½ inches. No money can exchange hands for these cards; they are not for sale but tokens, to be exchanged from one artist to another. Once you have created your card, you write your name and address on the back and the recipient not only has your details but an original piece of artwork from you. You can put anything you like on ATCs and have as many designs as you like. Art Groups get together and decide on a theme for that week, each person creates perhaps six cards during that session and exchanges these for six cards with other group members. The idea being that each person goes home with six works of art all by other artists. It’s big in the USA, and catching on here in the UK. The theme for these cards is butterflies (which was the subject for the article) and you may use any of the techniques we have covered this month, including the use of Iridescent Medium. If you have never used this medium before it is wonderful when used for shells or butterflies or if you enjoy painting fairies, resulting in a shimmering effect in the light similar to Mother Of Pearl. Tips on using Iridescent Medium · Mix the medium thoroughly before use by shaking the bottle. · Add about half a teaspoon (or less) of the medium to your mixing surface. · Use it diluted with clean water directly onto your watercolour paper (where you require the mother of pearl look) and let this dry before painting over it. · Alternatively, mix a little of the medium with your paints on the mixing surface. · The effect is far greater when using transparent colours. I hope you enjoyed this months issue of Leisure Painter and were inspired to have a go.

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