Steampunk Mixed Media Canvas

Hey chicas! Today I wanted to share this Steampunk inspired canvas, featuring Infinity Engraving chipboard gears.  I started with a black canvas and printed tissue paper, added texture paste, several colors of ink spray, roses, keys, gears, buttons and a wise old owl.
Supplies:
8" x 10" black canvas
Prima Art Basics Soft Matte Gel
Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Roll
Wild Orchid Crafts Roses
Stampin Up Buttons
Metal Embellishments from my stash
Infinity Engraving Chipboard Gears
Prima Art Basics Opaque Matte texture paste
Stencils
Perfect Pearls: Perfect Copper pigment powder
Lindy's Stamp Gang Sprays

• Cape Cod Coral
• Sweet Violet Purple Teal
• Salt Water Taffy
• Royal Emerald Fire
• Cowabunga Copper
• Hydrangea Blue
• Pretty in Pink Pink
• Sunset Pink

Dylusions Sprays in Bubblegum Pink and London Blue
Hot Glue
E9000 glue

Starting with the canvas, adhere the tissue paper using Prima's soft matte gel.  I like to leave enough overhang to wrap around the edges.  Apply a thin layer of gel over a third of the canvas at a time and smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles with your fingers or a bone folder.  I apply the paper over the surface of the canvas and let it dry, then wrap it around the edges.  I let mine dry overnight, but it will take around an hour or so depending on the room.  Humidity or cold will make it take longer.  If it's cold to the touch, its not dry yet.

After it's dry, apply texture paste using a variety of stencils.  I keep mine to the corners and edges.  You can use texture paste white, adding color to it after it's dry, or you can color it using pigment powders, alcohol inks, gelatos or re-inkers.  Just be careful how much liquid you add to because you don't want to thin it out.  As you can see, I added copper perfect pearls to the paste to give it a gorgeous color and shimmer when it dried.  It will take between 20 to 30 minutes to dry completely.


While the paste is drying, we can color the roses.  I used a variety of colors, because as you can see, I love bright and bold color in my work.  I also used the sprays to add color to the background and gears.  The sprays dry fairly quickly, about 15 minutes; the heavier you apply them, the longer it will take to dry.

I like to create clusters with my elements and lay them out and rearrange until I like what I see.  For all my elements expect the metal bits, I used hot glue to attach them.  I used E9000 glue for the metal bits because it's the only glue I've found that works for metal.  Use it in a well ventilated room, away from heat or flame.  It has a strong smell to it, but it goes away after it dries. 

I really love how the mix of colors, textures and finishes came together in this project.  It's so exuberant, exciting and energetic.  I was careful not to overload it, leaving plenty of room in the middle for pictures, momentos or keepsakes.

Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with me today! Please feel free to ask questions and let me know what you think!

Much love,
Jasmine