Adirondack Color Washes and Moon Shadow Mists

  I had a chance to play and experiment with the Adirondack Color washes and Moon Shadow Mists.  Since there was more play involved I can only tell you how I played, and not the exact scientific methods I used to make the background papers.

Adirondack Color Washes

Moon Shadow Mists

  I usually cut my Watercolor Paper a little bigger than the final size, and trim the edges to size when dry.  I found I really like mixing colors, and trying for a softer more muted look.  I first covered my work area with plastic sheeting.  To get a more muted blended look, I first ran the watercolor paper under the faucet and got the entire surface wet, shaking off any excess.  I chose two or three colors to work with, and a coordinating Moon Shadow Mist.  Holding the paper upright, I sprayed the top third of the sheet, letting it run down the paper.  For a paler shade, spray lightly.  I turned the paper upside down and sprayed the second color letting it run down the page into the first color.  At this point you can spray a third color randomly.  Depending on how much contrast or blending, I may turn the paper several time to let the colors mix.  I laid the paper flat, and let dry just a few minutes, to insure the colors did not mix any more.  At this time I sprayed a light coat of the Shadow Mists.  I was mostly wanting to highlight and add a little iridescent color to the backgrounds.  In the above collage, I used eggplant and denim colorwashes with Long John's Silver shadow mists.  Here is a little closer sample.  It is very hard to photograph the ireidescent quality of the shadow mists.

Click for larger sample

    After my first sample, I became a bit braver, and cut several pieces of watercolor paper, and continued with my experiments.  Here are some more samples of the end results.  Click for a larger view of sample.

Some of the backgrounds I had when I finished "playing".

  While I had all the papers spread out on the table I thought it would be fun to see what Paperwhimsy images, and embellishments I could find for future collages.  Here's a few combinations I came up.

Some of the Paperwhimsy items I found to add to the backgrounds include:

Various German Foil Scrap

Prima China Silk Flowers

Hand-dyed Silk Ribbons

Prima Paper Roses

Velvet Leaf Sprigs

Feather Butterflies

  I'd love to hear about how you use the color washes and shadow mists.  I hope these samples will give you a few ideas, and most of all, I hope you have fun playing!

Comments

[Cat Dodt-Ellis]

I love these backgrounds....instant inspiration!!! The colors are beautiful and so are the art pieces that you made with them!

Cat

[Theresa]

You made some rich and beautiful colors - very inspirational!

[Carol Stocker]

Hi sweet Rande! These backgrounds are great...it's amazing how they led you to the art instead of the other way around. Awesome! Hugs!

[Chris Peden]

These are fantastic! I am going to have to give my color washes another try!
chris p

[Linda Cain]

Beautiful work. The girl in Purple is, of course, one of my new favorites. I just made a collage with her on canvas board. Don't you just love her sweet face???
Linda Cain