Tag: mixed media art

Walk like an Egyptian

Powertex UK Secret Art Box – December 2019

Designed by Gill Goldsmith

This month’s Egyptian Secret Art Box is a stunner! The theme, inspired by Tracey’s visit to the Tutankhamen exhibition is all things Egyptian and amongst the fabulous goodies, a brand new colour of Powertex, a gorgeous mint green.

Powertex Art by Gill Goldsmith Secret Art Box December 2019
Powertex art by Gill Goldsmith

Materials List

  • Secret Art Box December 2019
  • Nefertiti mould from Powertex UK
  • Plaster or air drying clay such as Stone Art clay
  • Easy Structure and Paperdecoration for texture
  • Powertex Universal Medium in White and Yellow Ochre
  • Pigments in Bronze gold, Blue Curcao and Ultramarine
Powertex UK Secret Art Box December 2019 Egyptian
Powertex UK Secret Art Box December 2019

How to make my Egyptian art

Step 1

Mdf frame and Easy Structure through stencil

The new shape of MDF panel, lent itself so much to the theme and screams pyramid, so I used the fabulous hieroglyphics stencil and added texture to the top of the panel with EasyStructure paste.
I also added a coating of Easy Structure across the pyramid and marked it with a palette knife like blocks.
Once dry, I laid out my composition of the MDF pieces, I’d cast a plaster piece of the new scarab mould and also used the Nefertiti bust as a focal point.

Step 2

Fresh mint Powertex from the Secret Art Box Egyptian

Then using the brand new mint colour Powertex I coated the complete piece, using it to glue all the elements in place.
I added some Paperdecoration to the sides and created more texture using the sand included in the box. I mixed it into the Powertex with a palette knife and spread it across the bottom of the canvas.
Allow this to dry thoroughly.

Step 3

Spray with Palm green acrylic ink

Once dry, I used the palm leaf acrylic ink spray, included in the box, and liberally sprayed across the whole piece.
Don’t panic at this point, it looks a lot of colour, but there’s a long way to go.
Again, allowing this to dry thoroughly before starting my favourite process on any Powertex piece, the dry brushing.

Step 4

Dry brush with Powertex

I initially dry brushed the MDF elements and the plaster pieces with white Powertex and the pyramid in yellow ochre.
I then added depth with darker pigments to make the pyramid stand out and used the bronze gold pigment included as well as blue Curacao and ultramarine blue to bring out the highlights on all the plaster pieces and MDF embellishments.
Mix pigments with the Varnish.

Powertex Secret Art Box by Gill Goldsmith

Finishing touches

My final touch was to dry brush the pyramid with more white Powertex, making sure your brush is really dry so it just highlights the texture and make it stand out…..

Powertex Art by Gill Goldsmith from the Egyptian Secret Art Box
Egyptian art by Gill Goldsmith

I hope this inspires you to have a go at creating something magical with this month’s Egyptian Secret Art Box, and that you will share your finished makes on The Powertex Studio and Secret Art Box Subscribers Facebook pages. You can also read other Secret Art Box tutorials.

Thanks for reading and do please follow my Powertex adventures on my Facebook page The Powertex Port,
Happy Powertexing XXX Gill

Starry, starry night

Designed by Jinny Holt

This month we were asked to create a piece, inspired by one of our favourite artists. Not an easy task for me as I have quite a few to choose from, Georgia O’keeffe, Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, to name but a few. Then there are artists who I admire and inspire me such as Anna Emelia Howlett from Rosehart Studio, Kore Sage from Kore Sage Art and to be honest the rest of the design team, decisions, decisions!

Starry, starry night

In the end I chose Vincent Van Gogh as the piece I chose to recreate I have always loved from a child and I also love the song by Don Mclean.

I wanted to push myself and try and recreate Vincent’s famous painting “Starry night”, now it was not going to be a straight paint job, that would be too easy. So, I set about thinking how I could achieve a similar look and others knowing who I was doing.

How I created my art piece

Materials List

Painting my canvas

I started by applying a wash to a medium sized box canvas using the blue pigment powder. A few key elements to my canvas were marked out first.

I decided to use Easy 3D Flex as a texture paste, to create the look I desired. For this, mix together the Easy 3D Flex and some Ivory Powertex into a thick cream like paste. Using a palette knife, I added this to the canvas and used an embossing tool to drag through the Easy 3D texture paste to create a similar look to the famous painting.

I left the canvas to dry.

Starry night Powertex canvas by Jinny Holt

Applying the paint

Did you know that you can use Powertex pigment powders as a watercolour? especially if a piece is not going outside.

Use the bigger brush to painted the whole canvas with the blue and let it dry. With the detail brush, paint the yellow stars, mixing with a little white for highlights. I painted the bottom piece with the green for the hills and dry brushed white over the texture.

I then added blue and white tiny dash lines in the lower parts of the texture, this took a little while to do but I personally find this therapeutic. Add brown highlights to the centre part of the canvas and dry brush the whole piece with white to finish.

Starry, starry night by Jinny Holt, Powertex art
Starry, starry night by Jinny Holt

Are you inspired?

I do hope you enjoy reading the articles of this Powertex online magazine and I do hope that myself and all the DT members inspire you to create with Powertex yourself. If you are inspired by Van Gogh too take a look at Donna’s art too. You can always come say hello over at at THE POWERTEX STUDIO on Facebook, or you can find hours of inspiration here on PINTEREST . You can get all your goodies you need over at POWERTEX.CO.UK.

If you would like to check the latest things I have made, you can also find me on Facebook at MUMS SHED and on Instagram at JINNY HOLT.

So until next time creative people,

~LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH~CREATE~

Jinny

Who or what influences my artwork?

By Jill Cullum

This month I was asked to write an article about whose art influences me. As an artist this made me think and question, am I an artist or a crafter? I have been a crafter for many years and have recently crossed the line from crafter to artist in some of my art work.

Powertex Mixed Media art by Jill Cullum

Colours and nature definitely influence my mixed media art work. I love to blend colours, create texture and experiment with different mediums and Powertex products are perfect for this. 

MIxed media textured art Powertex by Jill Cullum

I love the work of Maria Fondler-Grossbaum (Abyssimo).  Her work has such great texture and depth to it, blending colours and creating beautiful, bright pieces of art.

Mixed media art and craft with Powertex by Jill Cullum, influences by Marta Lapkowska and Kirsty Allsopp

People who inspire others to ‘give it a go’ inspire me along with those who have such great enthusiasm about art and craft. Kirsty Allsopp and Marta Lapkowska are people who I enjoy watching and learning from.

I would love to hear who influences you. What has led you to create pieces of art, maybe a photograph or even a piece of music?

Remember you can share your art in the Powertex Studio or have a look for more inspiration here in the magazine.

Bye for now, Jill x

Gothic Fantasy Pram

Designed by Patricia and Dave Williams

How it all began

For a very long time I have wanted a vintage style pram. It goes back to when I had my own babies, living in a flat there was no room for such a majestic pram. So, children long grown up, I decided Powertex gave me the perfect opportunity to use a pram as a base for my Gothic Art.

This involved much searching online sites to find one and I finally did at an amazing cost of £45. It was found in a house clearance, looking a little tired and worn as it would at 50/60 yrs old. It was love at first sight, just to push it to the car to take made me bristle with excitement.

Vintage pram to alter into Gothic fantasy pram project with Powertex

On arrival it was tucked up inside my Powertex storage garage where it silently waited while plans were made. The plans changed many times, the only certainty it was going to be black.

It was going to make it’s debut at The Whitby Gothic Weekend on October 25th-27th where we go twice a year to show our creations, let the work begin.

How we created the Gothic Fantasy Pram

Materials used

Stage 1

Sand it all down and give it a coat of gesso, then black Powertex, suddenly it no longer looked sad and tired it began to breath life. I left it for 48hrs to dry out while cutting up of lots of fabric.

Stage 2

Dave, re-upholstered the inside, deep buttoned style in black leather. It was taking on a whole new personality.

reupholster vintage pram

Stage 3

Turned upside down I started to apply the fabric cover to the base in long strips leaving it quite wrinkled to give a texture. At the handle end I attached a ceramic baby curled in a leaf, roses and skulls.

Using Powertex Universal Medium with fabric

Stage 4

Now the sides were a whole different story as I wanted them very ornate and busy. I covered the sides with Powertexed fabric. We started to gather lots of plaster pieces then bedded the pieces into the fabric. In the centre as a focal point I added a plaster face, with wings.

This took a few days to dry out. Then I coated it all with Black Powertex. Flipped it over when it was dry and did the other side to match.

Using Black Powertex with plaster and resin pieces

Stage 5

Time to start working on the hood, I coated it all over with black Powertex inside and out. I cut up lots of twine and laid out a spider web pattern, which I then filled in with skulls of different types and faces, adding scrunched up fabric coated with Powertex around them to make sure they were securely fixed. Once more the whole hood was coated with black Powertex.

Stage 6

So excited to reach this stage; Dry Brushing. Keeping it reasonably simple I started with silver Colourtrix,  lightly brushing all over to bring out all the texture , it instantly came to life and really needed very little more. To finish off I added touches of dry brushing with white Powertex Universal Medium.

Stage 7

The back of the hood and the apron, they changed many times as they progressed, we wanted them to almost tell a story, of derelict buildings and overgrown trees, we used some MDF pieces for this.

Powertex altered gothic fantasy pram makeover
Powertex Gothic fantasy pram by Alex Henry Mixed Media
The Hood

So finally it was time to put her all back together and take her out for a photo shoot.

So here she is our much loved Gothic Fantasy Pram who made her debut at Whitby Goth Weekend. She met some amazing people who ooohed and aahhed over her and photographed her from every angle and she even had the pleasure of a delightful baby boy try her out for size.

  • The Hood
  • The Apron
  • Finished Pram
  • At Whitby

Where do we go from here I asked myself as after finishing such an intense and exciting project there is always that feeling of anti-climax, but we have two fabulous projects on the books, so even more exciting times to come.

See my last project the Dark Dreamcatcher or if you would like to see more of our work head over to our Facebook page Alex Henry. Don’t forget to add your projects onto The Powertex Studio, I would love to see them and you will also find lots of inspiration there.

So until next time,

Patricia (Alex Henry)

A shrine to Buddha

Designed by – Jinny Holt

I love being on the Design team as every so often we get asked to do samples for the Hochanda TV shows. As soon as I saw the goodies I had to play with, I knew what I wanted to do. So this is a step by step of the shrine to Buddha that I created for the latest show.

Buddha Frame Project Pack from Powertex UK
Powertex UK Buddha Frame Project Pack

Materials list

I received the Budda Frame Project Pack and some Paperdecoration. I also used:

Build the frame

Build the frame with Red Powertex
Step 1

I started by building up my kit and giving it a coat of the Red Powertex and leaving it to dry, although you could force dry with a hairdryer if desired.

Adding texture with Easy 3d Flex

Add texture with Easy 3D flex
Step 2

I decided to add some texture, one of my favourite products to use is Easy 3d Flex. I added the Easy 3d Flex and patted it down and then rubbed it gently into the Powertex, then left to dry overnight.

Add more texture

Add more texture
Step 3

I had some black glass stones in my stash and decided I would glue them using the Transparent Powertex. The white in the photo is the Transparent that’s not dry.

Stone Art

Add Stone Art texture to the plaster Buddha
Step 4

I decided to add texture to my Buddha by coating it with Powertex and then pressing in Stone Art powder, to give him an aged feel.

Black and gold Buddha

Use black Powertex and gold pigment to paint the Buddha
Step 5

Once the Stone Art powder was dry, I re-painted my Buddha in black Powertex. When dry, dry-brush on some gold and set him in the centre. I used Transparent Powertex to adhere him.

Paperdecoration

Use paperdecoration from Powertex for texture
Step 6

I used the Paperdecoration, thoroughly soaked in Red Powertex and draped and pulled into pleasing shapes across the boxed canvas.

Paperdecoration with Red Powertex
Step 6

Top Tip

When working with Paperdecoration material, I find it easier to use if I mist water on to it first as it helps to make the edges softer quicker.

Add texture with Easy 3d Flex powder.
Step 7

Once I was happy with how I had laid out the texture, and whilst the Powertex was still wet, I rubbed in some Easy 3d Flex to add even more texture to my piece.

Using Black pigment and Easy Varnish

Black pigment and Easy Varnish
Step 8

Using Easy varnish mixed with black pigment powder, I painted my piece and then wiped away, to add some depth and to highlight all the texture.

Use mdf shapes

use mdf shapes from the Buddha project pack
Step 9

In this step I chose a couple of the MDF pieces that came with the pack and decided only on using 2 of them. To these pieces I mixed in a sand texture with Black Powertex and then dry brushed gold over them when completely dry.

Dry brushing with Gold pigment paint
Close up of texture
Close up of shrine to buddha in Powertex

I love the finished piece. These colours are my own favourite colour combination and I also love the theme.

I hope myself and my fellow design team members have left you feeling inspired. Crack open that bottle of Powertex that you keep thinking about opening. Go on, open it and just do it!

Have you been inspired by this shrine to Buddha? Then come and say hello in the THE POWERTEX STUDIO. Don’t be shy to upload any photos of projects you have created too.

You can get all your Powertex goodies at POWERTEX UK. Find Powertex on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM too. I post all my other creations at MUMS SHED on Facebook and you read about why I love Powertex in this blog.

Until next time,

~LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH~CREATE~

Jinny

Mixed media gothic art

Powertex UK Secret Art Box – October 2019

Designed by Kore Sage

The Powertex UK mixed media subscription box for October was packed with spooky mdf and embellishments. The sturdy mdf frame was perfect for some gothic mixed media art.

Gothic mixed media art with Powertex by Kore Sage
Powertex Mixed Media art by Kore Sage

The Secret Art Box also included:

  • Black Powertex Universal Medium,
  • Easy Varnish,
  • Mdf frame 25cm square
  • 12″ x 12″ stencil,
  • sugar skull paper,
  • plaster skulls,
  • loose weave fabric,
  • assorted embellishments,
  • Medium balls,
  • Powercotton,
  • Ultramarine Powercolor and Interference pigment,
  • and an eyeball lolly!

Materials List

Powertex UK Secret Art Box – October 2019

Powertex Uk secret art box, mixed media art subscription box
Powertex UK Secret Art Box – October

I also used Easy Structure, Red Bister spray and White and Lilac Powercolor but these are totally optional. I added a square of corrugated card packaging, if you have it.

How to make this gothic mixed media art

Prepare your mdf frame

Slot the frame together and glue with Powertex
Slot the frame together, paint and glue with Black Powertex

Use the black Powertex Universal Medium to paint and glue your frame together with the raised square in the centre.

Add texture to the frame

Easy Structure textures and Red Bister

Scrape Easy Structure over the outer frame. Dry with a hairdryer before coating with Black Powertex.

TIP: I also sprayed with Red Bister but these steps are optional. You can use any texture you like and the stencil would also be great for this.

Corrugated card texture

Layer of corrugated card for texture
Add corrugated card to the centre

I tore a square of cardboard packing for the centre. I used Black Powertex to paint this piece completely and to glue it down.

Add fabric texture

Use Powertex to harden and glue the fabric
Use Powertex to harden and glue the fabric

Massage some Black Powertex into some of the loose fabric until it’s completely coated but not too wet. Press it into place with Powertex.

Layer mdf pieces

Layer on mdf pieces coated with black powertex
Layer up the mdf pieces

Paint your mdf pieces and embellishments completely with Powertex as you stick them on. Start with larger pieces and add more until your happy with the placement.

Next layer

Add another layer of embellishments including the plaster skull
Keep adding embellishments until your happy

Use a plaster skull as your focal point. I placed it in the centre of the spider’s web. Don’t worry about finger marks as we’ll fix those later!

TOP TIP: If any of your pieces aren’t sticking well, use pieces of kitchen paper in Powertex as a sticky pad to hold them in place.

Small textures

Small textures added last such as Powercotton and medium balls
Lastly add small textures

Add small textures for detail. Use Powercotton threads and the medium balls in areas that look a bit empty. Coat everything with Black Powertex and leave to dry.

Adding colour

Powertex mixed media gothic art by Kore Sage
Dry brushing layers creates lots of depth

For this piece we mix a dry paint using the Easy Varnish and powder pigments. Use a flat paintbrush to dry brush the textures.

TOP TIPS: Put a tiny amount of varnish on a craft mat and use a flat brush to pull some to the side. Dip your brush into the powder and mix this with the varnish. Mix a little at a time.

Start with dark colours first, dragging your brush over the top of the textures. Build up colour in layers and add highlights with the Interference colour or White at the end.

Powertex Gothic mixed media art Secret Art Box by Kore Sage
Gothic Mixed Media Art by Kore Sage

Everything you need to make brilliant gothic style mixed media art is in the Secret Art Box this October. I hope you’ll have a go and share your creation in The Powertex Studio Facebook group. Use #powertexaddict on Instagram so we can find you!

Gill’s creation uses the same Powertex UK subscription box and you can find out about the Secret Art Box subscription at Powertex UK.

Until next time, make a little time to let your art out!

Kore x

Initial Star Plaque

The Secret Art Box – August 2019
Designer – Gill Goldsmith

The August Secret Art Box arrived and I was excited to unpack it and see what was inside this month. Again I wasn’t disappointed with the amount of contents…gorgeous papers, stamps, a bundle of letters, fabric textures, MDF tags, blue bister granules, aqua acrylic ink, Lead Powertex (which we haven’t had before) and the most gorgeous MDF Initial (everyone got one specially cut for them) so mine was a G. I use mine to create an Initial Star Plaque.

Powertex Secret Art Box August 2019
Powertex UK Secret Art Box August 2019

I wanted to showcase the big letter G, as well as some of the other products and so decided to use a star canvas panel I had as a start.

Initial star plaque with Powertex. Powertex star canvas by Gill Goldsmith
Initial Star art by Gill Goldsmith

Materials

The Secret Art Box – August 2019

Additional Materials

How to create your Initial Star Plaque

Apply texture

Lay out papers and use stencil for texture
Step 1

I used the manuscript paper, which I tore into strips and attached to the canvas using Easycoat Mat, which is a glue and sealant.

Next I added random areas of text with the stencil and Easy Structure applied with a palette knife. Allow this to dry.

Add Stone Art clay

Using manuscript papers from Powertex UK
Step 2

I had some black Powertex left over from another project. Using Stone Art I made up some stone art clay and applied it in just two areas.

To create more texture I used the word stamp included in the box and imprinted this into the clay whilst it was still soft.

Paint with Powertex Lead

Use Powertex in Lead grey to paint some ares of the canvas
Step 3

I painted in all the areas I wanted to be covered in the Lead Powertex and you can see that I left some areas, where the script paper had been applied, free from colour.

Add fabric and mdf

Add mdf shapes and initial
Step 4

Now to start playing with all the lovely textures including in the Box. I added some mesh, hessian and stockinette across the centre of the piece, which was the perfect place to sit my MDF Initial G.

I also added the cherub and the ART letters to the bottom right point of the star. All of the material and MDF is covered in Lead Powertex and then allowed to dry thoroughly.

Bister spray

Spray with Blue BIster. Initial Star plaque with mdf initial
Step 5

Now for the fun bit… spray the canvas with the blue bister. Mix up the granules with water in the empty spray bottle, which gives the perfect consistency.

The more you spray the more detail will be brought out in the dry brushing stage, so don’t be shy. Allow this to dry.

Acrylic ink spray

Use Powertex Secret Art Loft acrylic inks
Step 6

This month to complete the colour scheme we are working with Aqua, a gorgeous blue colour. Again don’t be shy, spray liberally, but again you will see I have left some of the script clear. This is sealed with the Easycoat mat. I didn’t want too much colour on these parts, so if you do cover it my accident you can wipe it back with kitchen roll.

Finishing touches

Here is my final piece. Mix a small amount of your favourite metallic pigment with Easy varnish and then wipe the excess onto kitchen roll. Stroke your brush across the surface of your work to catch the colour on the highlights.

Powertex UK Secret Art Box August Initial Star Plaque. Initial Canvas by Gill Goldsmith
Finished Star Initial Canvas by Gill Goldsmith

This piece is now hanging in my home studio and is a really unique and personal piece of art. I have lots more items left in my Secret Art Box that I haven’t used, so keep an eye on the subscribers Facebook page for another project in the next few weeks. My last Secret Art Box project was a Venetian Mask Canvas which is also here in the Magazine.

I hope this initial star plaque has inspired you to create with your Initial this month. Please don’t be shy and share your makes on the Secret Art Box subscribers Facebook page, we love to see what you create.

You can find me on Facebook at The Powertex Port.
Until next month, Happy Powertexing..

Gill xxx

A kelp forest – under the sea

Kelp Forest by Fiona Potter

It was a beautiful, clear blue sky morning in the glorious heat of Summer 2018 we arrived at Porthgwarra Beach in far west Cornwall just as the tide was receding.  It’s such a beautiful cove and we kept spotting something in the water around the rocks and went to investigate.  It was a whole area of kelp – a Kelp Forest! Wandering through the pools left by the tide there were beautiful shells, stones and shiny pebbles.  This was my inspiration for this Under the Sea piece.

Kelp Forest by Fiona Potter
Under the sea: Kelp Forest

Supplies

How to make a Powertex kelp forest

Step 1: The ingredients
Step 2 - Setting in the wires

Step 1: Use either Stone Art or other air dry clay to push into moulds, leave to dry. Cut 9 or 10 lengths of wire and randomly drill holes into the mdf base.

Tip: I had a tennis ball size piece of Stone Art clay left over from a previous project that I kept. Spray water lightly over a piece of clingfilm which I wrapped tightly around the clay. I sealed it in a reusable plastic bag.

Step 2: Push wires into holes, secure with masking tape then rip lengths of masking tape sticking it the full length of both sides of the wire to create lengths of kelp.

The base

Step 3: Building the composition

Decorate the base

Step 3: Build a thick random layer of Easy Structure on the base, push shells, moulded sea shapes etc into the easy structure. Spray with bisters, set aside to dry.

Tip: If you use a large central shell like I did, it is worth masking off with some cling film or paper before you spray with bister

Step 4: Washing back and adding a top layer

The kelp

Step 4: Wash back the bister from shells and shapes. Use red ochre to colour some of the coral like shapes. Add a generous layer of transparent Powertex fabric harder on the base and drop in mixed art stones.

Step5: Adding the Kelp

Metallic colours

Step 6: Bringing out the colour

Step 5: Rip up lengths of pale green tissue paper and paste onto the kelp using transparent Powertex. Leave to dry. Transparent Powertex helps to keep the transparency.

Tips: Paint the transparent Powertex onto the masking tape and press the tissue onto it with a Powertex soaked brush.

Step 6: Using the blues and greens metallic pigments bring out the highlights of the bottom of the sea.  Brush Mojito Lime and Golden Olive, Limoncello Gold randomly on the kelp. If you leave lighter patches the sun will shine through enhancing the kelp.

Leave it in a place where you get the sun. Watch it at various times of the day to see where the sun lands and where you might want to add further metallics and maybe a pearl or crystal.

I hope this easy but interesting focal piece inspires you to create your own under the sea project. You might also like this lovely fish sculpture project by Annette.

Don’t forget to share your makes in The Powertex Studio and if you can give me a shout out that would be awesome.

That’s me for now, check back in June when I’m upcycling one of my early Angels that has been keeping watch in my garden for the last couple of years.

Bye for now

Fi

Powertex Kelp Forest by Fiona Potter
Powertex Kelp Forest by Fiona Potter

Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs

Designer ~Jinny Holt

Baby dragon encased in a Powertex egg

Why Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs?

Well, Easter is upon us and this year no chocolate eggs for myself. And these eggs have no calories in them. As some of you may know I do love working with Powertex. I especially love making these baby Dragon eggs. For my article I wanted to share with you some of my baby Powertex dragon Easter eggs I’ve created. I love dragons and I love how using Powertex makes these eggs one of a kind pieces of artwork. I hand sculpt my baby dragons from Polymer clay. Depending on how these look and what colour they are depends on how my Powertex egg will evolve.

  • Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs
  • Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs
  • Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs
  • Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs

As you can see each one has their own personalities. Working with Powertex has a way of bringing these creations to life. Pop on over to POWERTEX UK h to get a bottle of Powertex and start making unique pieces of artwork.

My favorite Technique

When I create these baby Dragon eggs, I almost always reach for EASY 3D FLEX as it creates beautiful textures. It adds depth and interest to every piece I create. It also makes the most wonderful cracks, if you desire the cracked effect.

Have I left you inspired?

I hope this Powertex Dragon Easter Eggs article has you inspired and wanting to go open that bottle of Powertex. If you need more inspiration or would like to showcase your finished pieces share them in THE POWERTEX STUDIO .

You can find more of my work at MUMS SHED

Did you catch any articles from last month? Click here to be really inspired by what Powertex can do.

Thank you for taking time to read my article, I really do hope you enjoyed it and if so, please feel free to leave a comment.

Live~love~Laugh~Create

Jinny

Certified Powertex Workshop

What’s in a Powertex Workshop?

Have you thought about going to a Powertex workshop but haven’t yet, because you’re not sure what to expect? Well come with me and let me give you an insight in what’s in a Powertex workshop.

Powertex workshop

3d Flex Texture Powertex Workshop Samples

I was invited to a Powertex workshop earlier this month by Jill Cullum, of Purple Meadow Arts & Crafts. She is the Certified Powertex Tutor for the area where I live. Jill has been on all her training, so this means that she is qualified to teach and use all the Powertex products in her Powertex workshop.

Jill explaining the samples and what she did.

Where to begin in a Powertex Workshop

Everyone getting stuck in covering their canvas’s. Janet, top left wanted to do the technique but on journal covers, so Jill brought along a journal for her to work on instead. So if you know what you would like to do, contact your tutor before hand. They are very flexible and happy to oblige where possible.

Jill demo’d the next couple of steps and then went round checking everyone was okay and understood what they were doing.

Close up of Janet’s journal covers.

Whilst the canvas’s were in the drying box Jill demonstrated how to mix up the 3d flex. She showed what the right consistency with the 3d flex was to aim for. 

Then showed how to apply the paste onto the canvas.

Then it was their turn, with guidance from Jill.

Getting ready for the next stage

Whilst the makes were back in the drying box, we all sat down and had a natter with a cuppa and some chockie biscuits. I took this opportunity to ask them what they thought of the workshop so far.

One said that it was so different to what they normally do and it was good to come without any expectations.

Another said that they have learnt so many new techniques already and we haven’t finished yet.

Another said that is was nice to do something different.

After the coffee break, all the pieces came out of the drier. Look at those amazing cracks on Anita’s canvas.

Now the fun begins, adding the colour. The hardest part seemed to be choosing which colours to use from this huge selection. Everyone was encouraged to move out of their comfort zone.

Jill chose purple and green, these aren’t her normal ‘go to’ colours.

Jill demoing on her canvas, how to use the wax with the pigments and acrylics and how to built up the layers and blend the colours.

Everyone well under way with their colours.

Really coming along now.

Fabulous blending.

Anita was building up layers to replicate the colours she had in a photo on her phone.

Finishing touches

Once everyone was happy with their canvas’s, the last thing to do was to touch up the sides to make them black again. The black just seems to make the colours pop.

And here are the proud owners with their finished pieces.

This Powertex workshop took around two and a half hours from start to finish. Just look what you could do with the right guidance. All these ladies really enjoyed themselves today.

How many of you have a bottle of Powertex sat on your craft desk but haven’t opened it yet. A workshop is a great way to get started. 

Find your local tutor

There are over 100 Certified Tutors dotted all around the UK. To find the one nearest to you, click on this link which will take you to the Powertex Tutors directory. Login and find your nearest tutor who will be happy to help you with a workshop. They cater for everyone, groups, one on one, two on one, a group of friends or join a scheduled workshop and meet like minded people, the possibilities are endless.

I hope this has given you an insight into how a workshop runs. I hope that it’s nowhere near as scary as what you thought it might be, just go along. You will be made to feel very welcome and you’ll love it so much, you’ll want to go back. Most of the tutors have their own FaceBook pages and list their planned workshops under events. So if you see something you fancy, get it touch. Nothing is out of reach with the right guidance.

Would you like to become a Powertex tutor? Be inspired by an article from Jan a Powertex UK certified tutor and find out how here.