Essence of Angel – Free Art Tutorial
(Rumi)
Hello my creative comrades! I had a total art block for a while and was uhming and ah-ing over what to do. So one morning I was looking through my own flickr account and came across some of my ‘paint over collage’ paintings and felt inspired to do another painting like it! And I’m so happy that I did because this painting might well be one of my favourite ones of mine ever! I documented the process so you can try it too.
If you want more in depth guidance on how to create art like this; I run a mini workshop called: “Collage, Paint and Soul” which you can sign up to here (clicky clicky) if you want! :)
But for now here are the progress shots with instructions of how I made ‘Essence of Angel’. :) Hope you enjoy and if you create something in response, do link to your blog post in the comments, I’d love to see your work! :)
Step 1. Create a pleasing to you collage. I used a variety of scrapbooking papers/ book pages and magazine papers. Choose a face from a magazine over which you will paint another face later.
Step 2. Use clear/ transparent gesso and go over your collage. Let dry. Once it’s dry, paint over the face and add extra things like hair or crowns or whatever else to make the face your own.
Step 3. Continue building up the layers. Add colour with watersoluble paints/ crayons/ pencils to the background. I also brayered over the background and continued to build layers.
Step 4. Continue building up your layers and add interesting elements to the body element (or other depending on your design). I added a bird, a big hand, a house/ castle and some butterfly wings at the bottom of her body.
Step 5. Once you are happy with the entire piece, add quotes or lyrics that you love to the background. I used Rumi quotes. I also added little doodles like hearts, stars, moons, suns etc. :)
And here is the final painting (again, ha):
Hope you enjoyed seeing the progress shots and remember that if you want to get more in depth guidance on this technique, sign up to my mini course (super affordable) here:
1 Space on Collage, Paint & Soul
(self study group)
£14.99 GBP
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Beautiful Tam!.. just like everything you do! Have a wonderful day..
i love it! really really cool!
Wow! This is beyond awesome.
It’s beautiful. Thank you!!!
I loved viewing the pictures of your loving family. I understand how frustrating life is with children with no family support to help through the rough times. If I could get across the pond I would love to provide the childcare; unfortunately I can’t even help with my own grandlovies in Chicago. Thanks for the healing art lessons; they have gotten me through major ankle repair and working through chronic pain and fatigue of back issues fibro and CFS.
Much love and blessings to you, gone to pieces, karen
Very thank you it’s beautiful !!!!
So pretty, rich, and lovely. Thank you for sharing your process!
woooooww!! fantastic!!
I want to do this. I want to do this right now. Is there anything I can use instead of gesso? I don’t have any (I had to google what it was!)
This is amazing, thank you for sharing!
It’s so beautiful Tam. You are so imaginative and inspiring. Thank-you for showing us the process.
She is really beautiful Tam. Very lovely!
Just beautiful Tam! I LOVE Rumi quotes!!
Amazingly beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your art and how you created it! Hugs, Janice
Fantastic, Tam! I am going to be giving your tutorial a shot this week, then posting it next Tuesday :)
(I’ve mentioned it on my blog & invited other people to try your tutorial too!)
xo
Kristin
The textures & quotes are devine. It’s nice for you to show your process & explain what you did as well.
May I ask, what size is the original?
It’s great how you recycled so many things & made it a cohesive & inspiring piece of art.
Best,
Sparkle
your collage is gorgeous! i’ve always wanted to make art like this. i had no idea how it was made. thank you. i am totally trying this! PS found you via link at Kristin Dudish’s blog.
Oh it’s lovely, thanks for sharing:D
Love your site and art work.