Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Rusting together

I spent a lovely afternoon today with friends from the Buderim Calligraphy Group - Helen, Helen and Greg.  We had a play day with rusting and my stained fingernails bear testament to the get down and dirty approach we took.

First of all we set up some tea - stained the paper and added rusty bits and then more tea.

As you can see sometimes, more is definitely more!




There will be some interesting marks left behind with these pieces, and the paper will no doubt get put to good use.

Then we turned to the other rusting of paper that we do - with tea, ferrous sulphate and caustic soda.

It's always good to do some test papers with the different results you get from dipping in different sequences.  Then it's time to just get down and play, with different papers, different patterns, different dips.





All in all a fun fine day!

21 comments:

  1. Sounds like a day full of fun and experimenting! I love play dates! Thanks for sharing yours. Can't wait to see what happens with all those marvelous rusty bits.--Julie

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    1. It was indeed a fun day Julie - always good to see what people try and where it leads. I managed to dip a few pages and bibs and bobs as well so am very chuffed!

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    1. Oh Ersi - I can only imagine what you might have managed to create if you were playing here! Maybe one day...

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  3. Replies
    1. I agree Valerianna - surfaces like these can lead to all sorts of things - let the imagination run riot I say!

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  4. You know, we drink SO much tea here and never get round to all of this fun stuff. I must try it.

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    1. Laugh. Annie You just steep some of your tea bags (don't drink one or two) and then paint it onto paper and drip it over things...play is good.

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  5. That's my favourite kind of day. You've some lovely papers there.

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    1. Thanks Jo - it's amazing where "what if, or why don't I?" can take you isn't it? A launching pad for something else oftentimes. Go well.

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  6. Dipping is such a simple technique, but it can be so effective. Thanks for reminding me about it Fiona! I can't wait to see how the top one turns out - what fun!

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    1. Hi Amanda - yes the simple things can be great for just letting go and seeing what happens...no pressure no rules.

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  7. My personal favourite? The tricolour, second from bottom.

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    1. So true V - a great starting point for more play I think!

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  9. Oh Fiona, what a whole lot of deliciousness! I want to go back to my studio and make stuff now!

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    1. I love a good play day Louise and I have benefited as much as the visitors!

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