Ronda Palazzari Designs

CREATE DAILY: Gesso

Gesso, pronounced like jes-so, is commonly used on surfaces to "prime" it.  It is usually applied in thin layers to prevent cracking. Gesso provides a "tooth" to promote adhesion of the following medium, especially on slick surfaces.  It can create beautiful texture on your pieces, especially heavy gesso.  it comes in many colors including white, black, and clear.  There are lots of ways to use it and today we are going to look at just a few ways.

On this watercolor paper, i placed gesso on the left side and nothing on the right side.  Then i used various mediums on both halves.  I also added water to some of the mediums to show you how it reacts on both sides.  The gesso makes the gelatos & watercolor crayons very blendable and smooth.  The spray ink on the gesso is easy to move around even after it is dry.  It really grabs the acrylic paints.  i highly recommend you do this with all your mediums to see the effects. 

Gesso + Watercolor Crayons + Spray inks + Acrylic Paints

On this art journal page it created the base for page.  Using my Pie Chart stencil i also created a lot of texture in the center of the page.  I could wipe away some of the color using a damp cloth or paper towel. 

Clear Gesso + Black Gesso + Spray inks + Acrylic Paint.

This vintage atlas was prepped with clear gesso to prime the page and prevent bleeding of the spray ink.  It has a bit more gritty texture than white gesso.  I used black gesso around the silhouettes and then black paint.

Gesso + Watercolor crayon + Spray Ink

I used gesso across the whole background of this page in a light wash so you could still see patterned paper peeking through the layers.  I covered it with watercolor crayons and water. Check out this video for this technique on a different page. 

Heavy Gesso + Stencil +Acrylic Paint

The design on the background of this canvas piece was created using a stencil and heavy gesso.  i love the deep texture it creates.  You can view this whole canvas trio here. 

Gesso + Acrylic Paints + Spray Inks

Gesso is a great cover up too.  Here i had to redo her chin after layers of paint.  By covering up the bits with gesso, i could then rework the area.  It also provides the texture on the background giving the yellow that bright base. 

Have you created something this week?  Anything goes...an art journal page, doodle, scrapbook page, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inLinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

Fancy Feathers & Giraffe Print

It's finally time to start debuting my summer stencil release from The Crafter's Workshop. Over the next couple months i will be sharing with you my new designs every Wednesday here on the blog!  There are 19 in total this release which means i will have lots of creations to inspire you. 

Today i have two to kick off this party!   Feathers are a hot trend! I created 8 crazy cool designs to inspire you.  From plumage's to peacock feathers, these hand drawn FANCY FEATHERS (TCW 389) are sure to wow any of your creations.

This Fancy Feathers stencil comes in both 6×6 and 12×12 sizes as seen here on these #8 tags.  I completely adore both sizes. 

These 6x6 feathers are so cute in their petite sizes.  I love having options and with this 8 piece set you have so many different styles to choose.  

The 12x12 sizes pack a punch.  Use them as individuals, repeat a feather, or use multiple designs to give your creations that pop.

On my “Wings” layout, I used the 12×12 stencil picking three of the eight feathers to adorn my page.  I used a waterproof black pen and watercolors to create these beautiful feathers.

Also included in today’s release preview is my GIRAFFE PRINT (TCW 388).  I love a good background and this animal print is so versatile with both large and small openings, giving you lots of creative room to add layers of color. 

Both sizes create an impact.  Here you can see samples of each.  The first tag on both images is paint through the stencil.  The second tag is stamping with the stencil once it was covered with spray ink.

This layout uses the 6×6 stencil on a transparent sheet using light modeling paste & watercolors, a technique my friend Denise shared here.  I just love the results and how this stencil becomes almost like tiles in the background.

The print looks so good on this Kindle Cover.  Alexi took her plain cover and punched it up, first painting it with gesso & white paint, and then sponging some pinks & orange.  To complete the look she stitched on three buttons to the elastic strap.  Isn't it adorable?

On this colorful art journal page you will find the 12×12 giraffe print in the background.  I applied gesso through the stencil to create the texture and colored it using a variety of mediums.  The focal feather is from the 12×12 Fancy Feather Set, stenciled onto a tag and cut out.

Stay tuned as I will be sharing my new stencils here each Wednesday. Are you ready to see them all?  Grab the above badge and show me how you want to be stenciled in.