Urban Fantasy Mixed Media Tag...

Hi Friends and Fellow Paper Lovers :)

Every month I participate in a tag swap in the G+ Community called Creating and Sharing Mixed Media. I always get fantastically beautiful and creative tags from the artists there. I plan to make a display of them all for my studio in the future to inspire myself when I feel the need of a zap of artistic energy! This month the theme was 'your favorite book'. Well those of you who know me..know I am a voracious reader. I get e-books from the AP on my phone called 'oyster' and I chomp through them like there is no tomorrow. Well..I just couldn't sort through this volume of books to settle on a favorite. I thought and thought...but it was impossible! Therefore I decided to just make my tag about my most often read genre...Urban Fantasy. In this genre..the heroine is almost always female. She is usually conflicted about her ability to save the world from whatever sort of disaster is coming..but she always pulls through in the end. There is almost always a super natural element..magic or evil or vampires or werewolves..something. And there is also usually some really hot guy as the protagonist. I love these quick read books. I can remove myself from my reality and just hop into a world I know isn't real..but seems full of action and adventure. Now don't get me wrong..I do read 'heavier' books about serious issues and ideas...but I really do love a good romp with a frisky werewolf and I am not afraid to admit it! :)



To start out..I wanted to use the definition of Urban Fantasy. I decided to print it out on some deli paper to collage onto the tag. I did this by using a word processing program and my printer. I taped down the deli paper to a piece of cardstock and then ran that through my printer. Then I dried the ink thoroughly and used my brayer to put some liquid matte medium over the print to make sure it doesn't run. If I had a laser printer I wouldn't have to do this...but mine is just an old ink jet type.


Next I got out one of the tags I have made out of old manila folders. I did a sketch of my heroine on the tag using a graphite pencil. I put a full moon behind her and a distant cityscape.


Now I added some color using acrylic paints and a small brush. I did it quickly and rather messy as I knew I would be going over it again with other layers. 


Once I gave my acrylic paint layer a good drying...I added my definition collage piece over it. I used a old gift card to apply the liquid matte medium to both the back of the words and the front of the tag. Then I used the card to press out creases and bubbles and make it as smooth as possible.


I again gave the tag a drying with my heat tool. Then I added gelatos in black, metallic purple and silver. I used a baby wipe to blend as well as my fingers.


Now for my new toys! I used the Pitt Artist Pens from Faber Castell to add details. Because I put a layer of liquid matte medium over the whole tag..these pens are super easy to blend with a small brush or your finger. Then, because they are india ink..they dry permanent. I am in love with these new pens at the moment!!! <3<3<3 I also used my gold and silver water based Sharpie pens to add some metallic highlights.


Now for the skin tones. I used my all time favorite Neocolor II water soluble crayons to do the skin tones. I blended it with watered down white acrylic paint and a small brush. This is really something I LOVE to do!


After skin was dry..I went back in with a grey toned Pitt pen and blended shadows into her hair. Then I did highlights with my good old Posca pen in white. I also used the black pen and some other colors to finish up her eyes and lips.


Finally, I wanted some more shimmer..so I used the silver metallic gelato again over her body and hair. I blended with my finger.


My final step was to add silver splatters using a Zig Painty pen and my blitzer. I used to do this to everything. But its been years..lol. Luckily the pen was still good.


Of course, I layered the tag onto some cardstocks for a finished look..and I added some ribbons and fibers.



I hope you enjoyed reading about my tag making process and my reading habits :) Please leave me a comment if you did!
<3 Shel

Comments

  1. I enjoyed learning about all of the layers and the technical methods.

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    1. Thank you Don. I am a teacher at heart..it runs in my family :)

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  2. That is just way too cool, Shel! We all have our own guilty pleasures, though we don't always admit it, LOL. Mine is probably watching the X-Factor and eating out at McDonalds, though I use my son as an exuse for both of these.

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    1. Thanks Zsuzsa :) Kids do come in handy when you want a cover for buying sugary cereal and snacks at the store also..lol

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  3. Love your layering techniques and the finished product is amazing :)

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    1. Thanks so much Pam :) I wonder if it is ever possible to over layer? Hmm...nope!

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  4. Such an amazing artist you are!!! Oh to have just a smidgen of your talent!!! I think printing on deli paper is brilliant - I love this!!!

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  5. Shel, this is way too cool!! And I totally love your whole process of how you made it!! Incredible really and i do think you should be designing for a company!! Comics or something- not sure what, but your talent is phenomenal! (I spelled that with spellcheck-otherwise it was not pretty! ) teeheee
    huge hugs,
    Jackie xo

    btw..the only reason I have those lanterns and other goodies around my studio is because I am a hoarder! Yes, I buy things because they are pretty and interesting and I "might" use them some day! teehee Is there anything you need? let me know- I might have it! lol

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    1. Thanks Jackie :) I don't think I am good enough to illustrate for a real company...but I do enjoy doing these projects and sharing them with anyone who will pay attention! :) In the case of crafting and art..I think hoarding is good but it requires shopping which I HATE... so as a result I just need people to send me things I can hoard I guess LOL I love getting my tag art packages because all the artists are so generous with their little goodies!

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  6. Terrific post, Shel, and you've introduced me to a genre I wasn't familiar with too. What could be better than that? I love the step-out and your laser-printerless idea to fix the inkjet print!

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  7. The tag is just beautiful Shel. I love it! Glad you could share your process. I just love observing how various people get to their gorgeous end-result. TFS!
    Big Hugs!!
    Reeah.

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  9. I cherish the way you compose and share your specialty! Exceptionally intriguing and unique! Keep it coming!
    near me printers

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