Odds & Ends Add "POP"

I love adding a bit dimensional pop to my collage paintings and what better to it with than Creative Paperclay®. Because of the diversity of uses for the clay, I can can get different looks depending on whether I am using a slurry, stamp into the clay or shape it with a silicone mold. 

With so many old paintings laying around, I have access to paintings that I can update with techniques I may not have known when I originally created them.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic paint including gold
Alphabet & floral stamps
Silicone mold
Substrate (old painting used here)

You can make a slurry from all the small dried up pieces of Creative Paperclay®. I prefer to grind it into very fine pieces then add some color and a touch of acrylic medium. It makes a texture with a fine grit.

I added the slurry to an old painting of mine. One edge was taped so I could get a straight line when the tape was pulled off. Lines were added with the edge of my ruler.

The slurry color was changed to have more of a blue tint and stamped. When it dried, an umber wash was applied to the slurry. Because it was a wash the color stayed in the stamped areas more.

The top bar of clay has been stamped into with alphabet stamps, allowed to dry then sealed with polymer medium.

When the medium has dried, paint with a burnt umber paint, let dry and then rub gold paint on it with your finger so it just picks up the high areas.

Clay was applied to a silicone mold then allowed to dry thoroughly before removing it. The same technique above is used to color this and add the gold highlights.

And the painting continues.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

darleneoliviamcelroy.com

Clay Talk - Using Molds with Creative Paperclay®

Hello and welcome! Did you know you can use your molds with Creative Paperclay® and Delight Clay™? It is really simple! I did a show on Facebook Live show on this last year and have included it below. I spoke about both clays and using common household items to prevent the clay from sticking in the mold.

Both clays can be used but Delight Clay™ is my favorite when using molds. It is lightweight and has some flexibility when it is dry. I often use it when decorating bottles as they easily mold to the shape of the bottle. I have included some pictures below of artwork I have done using these clays and molds.

If you missed the show or want to watch it again here it is:

These embellishments were made with Delight Clay™.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  If you have any requests for Clay Talk please leave a comment below. Don't forget to join us on the first Thursday of every month at 8PM EST on Facebook.

You can share your creations and all your other creations with us on our Facebook page. We would love to see them! For more inspiration have a look around the blog. There are tutorials for many levels using Creative Paperclay®. You can also visit my blog www.papermachepatch.com.

You can find Creative Paperclay® online at Creative Paperclay Co and also at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Dickblick, and Amazon. 

Thank you for stopping by!

Suzette

Blog: https://papermachepatch.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papermachepatch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papermachepatch/

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PaperMachePatch

Skillshare: https://skl.sh/2QyIn93

Quick & Easy Facelift for a Frame

Found this funky frame and painting at a junk/antique store and could see the potential in it. You can find these frames everywhere and don't worry if they are not perfect because we can fix that with cast objects. There are basically three easy steps to change the look of the frame.

As a mixed media artist, the hunt for these treasures it part of the joy when I do a piece of art. The magic of art is the other part.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Black spray paint (Krylon)
Fondant molds
E6000 glue

I have a large collection of fondant molds as well as silicone molds that I have created. Depending on the piece of art or the time I have, I may leave the paper clay in the mold until it has dried. If a piece has delicate edges this is a great way for it to dry. It also prevents warping. I keep a square of linoleum in my studio that I put my "wet" cast objects to dry. They tend not warp when I put them on the linoleum.

Next, I glued the cast pieces on to the frame with E6000. I like how fast it sets up. When working on a painting there is so much waiting time for paint or clay to dry. To spray the frame, I used a Krylon matte black.

 Close up of section of the painted frame with cast objects.

Finished painting collaged with part of the original painting an placed in the updated frame. Not only fun but looks so much better than the original. Now, wasn't that easy?

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Cast & Scupted Creative Paperclay Floral

Being a mixed media artist allows me to expand my techniques and art aresenal. I would have a lot less art stuff if I stuck to one media but I love it all. One thing I love to do is to finish off my art with texture and I achieve this with both cast and suclpted Creative Paperclay®.

SUPPLIES

Acrylic paint
Silicone molds
Creative Paperclay®
Sculpting tools
Soft gel

Before casting my objects, I mix a dark blue acrylic paint in a bag with my Creative Paperclay®. It keeps my hands clean and allows me to mix the two completely. Then I apply the colored clay to my silicone mold and let it dry thoroughly. At that point I can glue them to my surface with a soft gel. The bees on the right hand side of the papers were also done this way. I finished them off by rubbing a lighter color of paint on them.

I lightly dampened the surface of the painting then applied the clay in the shape of an orchid. Using several different tools, I started blocking in the shape and smoothed the edges with water on my fingers. When finished, I let dry then painted it with my acrylics.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Holographic Foil & Creative Paperclay®

I wanted to make party decorations for a friend for either her gift ornaments or for the place settings.  I started by casting baby heads and shells from my collection of silicone molds. I only wanted partial baby faces so after casting I tore the top of the heads off. Am I cruel or what? Next, I let them dry overnight.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Gold Paint
Adhesive size
Holographic foil
E6000 glue

When the cast shapes were dry, I glued them together with E6000. I could have glued them together with a piece of clay but, as usual, I was in a hurry and E6000 sets quickly.

After painting them a matte gold acrylic by Holbein and letting the paint dry, I applied the adhesive size. This is a special glue made for metal leaf and foils. It goes on white and when it becomes clear, it is tacky and ready for the foil application. I prefer Wunda Size as it is water soluble.

As I am looking at these, I realize they look a little Mayan. All they need is big earrings. Always love it when I am surprised by something I had missed.

The holographic foil is then rubbed on to the tacky adhesive size. This is then lifted off. Because it has a very thin layer of plastic over it, the foil not used will remain attached to the plastic.

My apologies that this is so hard to photograph In person it looks great.

FYI. I get my holographic foils at Royal Design Studio. They have a great range of holographic and regular foils plus you can order it by the foot, yard or roll.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Playing with Scraps

When I get to the end of my bag of Creative Paperclay® and just have scraps, I bring out my silicone molds and just starting making objects. It's perfect when you don't have enough time to create a whole piece plus you will always have a drawer full of objects to use in a future project. Periodically I will trade molds or gift these objects to art friends. Nothing like having coffee with my friends and being able to give them a goodies bag. It has become tradition that we have something to share whenever we get together.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay® scraps
Silicone or press molds

I have drawers full of molds. I thought I had a lot until I saw what my good friend, Pat Chapman, has. Jealousy!

Have fun playing and dream in color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Garden Troll Baby

Watching a 70's flashback TV show inspired me to make a Garden Troll Baby. Bernie, my newfie, gladly let me cut some of his hair off and away I went. I painted in soft colors as I wanted the viewer to have to look closely to see what it is.

SUPPLIES

Creative Papeclay®
fondant mold
baby face mold
paint
Sandits

I started by casting the baby face, getting my aluminum foil shaped for the body and cutting the hair from my dog. Don't worry, it didn't make a different. He still looks great.

Next, I covered the aluminum foil with clay, cast leaves and flowers in the fondant mold and put them all together.

When I was finished adding all the elements, I made a hole in the head and added the hair.

When it had dried, I sanded edges with Sandits and smooth over some cracks with a clay slurry.

Have fun with art & dream in color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Creative Paperclay® Tips with Fondant Molds

I have a collection of well used fondant molds (find in the cake decorating department of a craft store) that I use in my art. I find that if I let the Creative Paperclay® completely dry while still in the mold I have no warping to deal with. This is great for adding dimensional elements to your art.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Fondant Mold 

 I pack the Creative Paperclay® in the mold, removing the excess and brayering flat. I try and clean up the edges in order to save me work later.
I leave the clay in the mold until completely dry.

When dry, you can just pop them out and start painting or gold leafing. There is a wide selection of these molds available.

Have a fun dressing up your art.

—Darlene Olivia McElroy