Altered Halloween Brush - Mixed Media

 Remember that phase where mixed media artists were altering paint brushes like crazy?

Well, I finally found a store where I could buy a larger brush for $2. 

I was hugely inspired by Sanna Suomalainen's Sparkling Nights video using various shades of black. I thought her piece was just gorgeous and I couldn't wait to try it for myself.

Other than having a different theme and adding a touch of Metallique Ginger Magic to my piece, I pretty much followed her steps. Her video is just fantastic.

1. I used black gesso on the entire brush except for the tip, which I left entirely alone.

2. I followed this with Jewel Paste Sparkling Onyx using a distressed diamond stencil.

3. Then I glued the lace down.

3. I gessoed all my individual pieces black before glueing. I find this to be easier than trying

to get the brush into small spaces.

4. I saved gluing the trinkets and flowers for later, as well the the pebbles with ginger magic.

5. Once the pieces were adequately dried in place, I began the coloring process. Letting the pieces settle into place after gluing means you can be a little more "rough" with your piece when applying color. This is very helpful for me as I'm a little bit clumsy.

6. I applied colors in this order:

 Charcoal Black wax, Graphite wax, Raven black paint, Old Silver wax, more raven black paint

7. I then glued my flowers down, adding Raven Black paint to dress them up quite a bit. 

8. I then added my pebbles with ginger magic around the piece.

9. Finally, covering up the main focus (cat skeleton is hard to see), 

I then added white gesso splatters.

10. I love videos. I truly appreciate everything women and artists go thru making them. If I were to add one little piece of advice that is not shown in any video that I've watched is this . . . after you start building your layers, let your glue dry. This is a patient process but start to finish it really takes no more than 2 - 3 hours. Go fold some laundry while it's drying. You are much more likely to regret trying to rush that one step.

Supplies:

Reneabouquet products:

1. Reneabouquet Corner Web and Spider
2. Reneabouquet Leaf filler
3. Reneabouquet Lace

Tim Holtz Halloween trinkets

Creative Embellishments Spooky Tree

Straws

Prima leaf and roses moulds and time clock mould

Window from the dollhouse section at Hobby Lobby

Graphic 45 Black Roses

Finnabair Products:

1. Charcoal Black Wax
2. Graphite Wax
3. Old Silver Wax
4. Sparks Raven Black acrylic paint
5. Sparks Ginger Magic acrylic paint
6. Jewel Paste Sparkling Onyx
7. Melange Art Pebbles