Painted Paper Gift Wrap by Briana

Hello Everyone! I have a question for you today. How much joy will you allow yourself? Whether this time of year is joyful or stressful, I believe there are ways to add MORE JOY into your experience. Let that idea simmer for a moment. How might you allow in more joy?

One thing I love to do is paint paper. The experience is hard to describe, so I hope you’ll just try it out for yourself. With the mixed media supplies available these days, and all of the wonderful products here at Artistcellar, painting paper is delightfully surprising, invigorating, and dare I say, blissful!

I’d like to share a few techniques you might want to try.

SUPPLIES USED:

• Arabian Nights Series Stencils
• Dylusions Blendable Acrylic Paints
• Dylusions Ink Spray
• Wax Crayons (for crayon rubbings over stencils)
• Paint Scraper (i.e. old plastic card)
• Paint Palette
• Cosmetic Wedges
• 18 x 24 in. White Sulphite Drawing Paper

THE PROCESS

I decided to do multiple techniques on one large sheet of paper. I enjoyed playing; turning the paper, seeing how different supplies interacted with one another, etc. You may wish to do one technique per paper, if you are a more linear thinker.

First, you’ve got to choose some stencils. I am using the Arabian Nights Series Stencils by Artistcellar.

Next, choose a few paint colors. I am using Postbox Red, Fresh Lime, Bubblegum Pink, and Vibrant Turquoise of the Dylusions Blendable Acrylics.

Now it’s time to get painting that paper!

Technique no. 1:

Using a cosmetic wedge, apply paint through parts of the stencil in one color, and then add a second color.

Technique no. 2:

Spray through a stencil with Dylusions Spray Ink.

CAUTION: These sprays are unpredictable. Be sure to protect your work area with newspaper or work inside a cardboard box.

 Technique no. 3:

Use a plastic card to scrape paint over various areas of your paper. Watch and see what happens as you scrape over spray ink or other paint colors.

I have got to put a plug in for these paints, when it comes to painting paper. I use a lot of different brands of acrylic paint in my work. There is definitely something unique about the layering effects you can get, using the Dylusions Blendable Acrylics. I highly recommend giving them a try.

Technique no. 4:

Use a wax crayon to create subtle texture by making a rubbing of a stencil. You do this by placing the stencil underneath the paper, and use the side of the crayon on the top of the paper. The stencil texture then shows through to the surface of the paper.

Continue playing around until your paper is full, or your heart feels content.

Enjoy playing with colors and art supplies. Make your soul sing!

TIP: When this painted paper is held up to light, or placed in a well-lit window, the paints have a glowing effect. It sort of reminds me of stained glass, but it’s paper!

May you feel, experience, and allow MORE JOY, perhaps through creating painted paper gift wrap, or some other way.

Sending Blessings and Peace to you,

Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com

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