Sunday 17 March 2013

Fun with the metal polish

Distressing magazine images!

Well not that distressing...  I have been experimenting on how best to change magazine images without a whole lot of effort...

This method works best on Junk mail, the sort with glossy pictures. I used Brasso. Not the liquid cleaner, but the one that looks like cotton wool fluff. I found the liquid polish just made the paper soggy.


Junk mail ready for the metal polish!
I found that if you rub gently the image begins to rub off. The surface of the paper is not scratched and the inks are spread around. Depending on what image you use the effect can begin to look like a watercolour painting. The text can be completely erased.

Brasso image
This is exactly the same photo, all I have done after using the Brasso is stick it in my Journal with Modelling paste as I found Pva wrinkles the thin paper too much and put some gesso  around the edge and stencilled text on the side..That easy!!



Making up a collage with distressed images

 

This method uses elements of the magazine page as collage pieces. I liked these colourful wellies so I distressed them with the Brasso.



Then I tore round them collaging them on to some paper I had printed with a Gelli plate

I used offcuts of butterfly stickers to make the printed paper.

Then you end up with a vintage looking image! The roses were from a gardening catalogue, I just rubbed them until they started to fade out a bit. The paper can also be used just to create texture as I did in the background to yesterdays post 'the Hare and the Tortoise'. Lots of uses, lots of fun. :)

I am linking up this page to The Artists Playroom the prompt being 'what do we often overlook'. I know I can spent hours in 'hobbycraft' our local art and craft store in amongst all the gel mediums, image transfer gels and die cut stencils, but  sometimes equally exciting results can be achieved by raiding the kitchen cupboards! I have been instructed by the Doctor to rest my arm after a burn injury. So no cutting, sticking or painting for a couple of weeks :( instead I will have lots of time to look at what everyone else has been creating... another thing which I often overlook through lack of time. No excuse now!!

Linking to APR
and Carolyn Dube Gelli print party


27 comments:

  1. Very creative Morag, I really like this type of distressed looked, your collage is beautiful x

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  2. That's so cool! I love the way the distressing changes the mood so completely.

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  3. This is quite amazing and I love the results you got. Thanks for explaining how to do it. I'll have to see if we have that kind of polish in US.

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  4. This is so effective, the loose style also makes the flower painting look like an impressionist painting. Your collage from the metal polish is, as always, original and beautiful.
    Who would have thought the metal polish would give such a good result - I've got it on my shopping list so I can experiment with it.
    Let's just hope Spring is in the air.

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  5. What an amazing effect this creates!! I love that and at my next visit in the "baumarkt" I will grab one and try this out! the one with the orchid is my favorite!!

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    1. Thanks Conny. I Love your blog, having only found it recently through Artists in Blogland.

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  6. Great technique Morag. I'm sorry to hear about the burn. Hope it heals quickly. Take care!

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  7. Thanks for sharing your process it looks great! I also love your tortise and hare painting, and constantly need to remind myself that it is good to be slow and steady. I hope the burnt arm is healing okay and not causing you too much discomfort.

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    1. Thank you Kim!! So happy you like my Hare and Tortoise, I love your blog, I find your collage paintings very inspirational.

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  8. you get some crazy amazing effects with that method!! now you make me wish I did this kind of art!! so well done, love all the images, they look hand painted.

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    1. Thanks Jenn, they do look hand painted don't they, bit of a cheat, but they can be torn up and used within paintings, that's the idea I like most.

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  9. I'm so sorry about your arm. Sure hope it heals fast so you can get back to experimenting. I really think the results you achieved are awesome...but then when you carried it further...SUPER AWESOME.

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    1. Awwwh thanks Annie, I hope it heals soon too. I'm not the type to sit around dong nothing, drives me MAD!!!I just got my 1st Gelli plate before I hurt my arm, and am desperate to do some more experimenting with it. I was amazed what great results you can get so easily...oh well.. patience..

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  10. I don't tend to create collages but you inspire me to give it a try. I love the distressed vintage look.
    I also smiled when I saw the brasso tin...I haven't seen one of those since visiting my Grandma's house years ago :D
    Have a great week whatever you have planned ~ enjoy!



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    1. Thanks Nessie, please don't tink I spend hours polishing my copper kettles and horse brasses :)( don't actually have any) My mum on the other hand was always using Brasso to polish all her brass bits and bobs, probably a bit like your Gran.Happy to have brought nostalgia to life :) Have a great week.

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  11. Thanks for your kind words on my blog. I'm going to have to look for this product here in Canada...there is also one called "Rub'n'Buff" which is a "wadding" type of polish, but I haven't been able to find it in Canada yet. Love what you've done with this piece and I'd like to try my hand at it one day.

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  12. What an amazing technique, must have a go. Hoipe your burn heals quickly.

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  13. Wow!!! This technique looks great! I love the picture with the roses! And you made me smile telling about your arts and crafts store! I always want to stay in our's for hours too! These stores are wonderful!

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  14. BEautimous, Morag!! I've never used Brasso but your results are spectaculicious!!

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  15. That is an incredible technique! Your pages turned out so beautiful Thanks for sharing this.

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  16. Wow. This is fantastic. I love it. Thank you for sharing your idea. I think it is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing and warm greetings from edinburgh!

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  17. Lovely technique, thanks for sharing! I love the way the flowers look after using the stuff on them! Great job!

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  18. What a great technique! Thanks for sharing. I'm excited to try this out... now to find some brasso....

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  19. Una idea grandiosa! creo que la voy a probar!!

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  20. Stunning! I love how you have combined things- like the gelli, magazines, brasso, and painting! The result is fabulous! So glad you shared this with the Gelli Print Party!

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  21. I've been looking for something like this for a long time. I'm fresh out of brasso, I grew up with it as well.
    I wonder, is there any other product that would work similar? I have plenty of silver polish, stainless steel polish....I really want to try this tonight, guess I could always give it a try and get some brasso tomorrow if I'm out of luck.
    Thanks for sharing this eye-catching technique, I love it!

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