Here at Anything But Cute we love to see all the seasoned and expert mixed media artists, but we also want to encourage those who are just getting their feet wet. Our design team will always be on the lookout for these exceptional artists, and you just never know when we might be giving out something special to a talented mixed media newcomer.
Make sure to put 'newbie' after your name in the linky so we know who you are.
(new refers to 'new to mixed media' NOT 'new to our challenge')
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Monday, October 26, 2015

Spotlight Artist - Branka - Dylusions Paints

Hello! It's Branka here and I am pleased to be presenting the spotlight post this month, which is about playing with Dylusions paints. You may already know how devoted I am to these awesome paints. After reading this post you'll find out why. Dylusions came out with a line of twelve paints designed to match their ink sprays.


Here is the list of colors: Black Marble, White Linen, Bubblegum Pink, Postbox Red, Squeezed Orange, Lemon Zest, Fresh Lime, Cut Grass, Vibrant Turquoise, London Blue, Crushed Grape and Melted Chocolate. They come in jars and they are very liquid so be careful when you open the jar. The paint cleans up easily with warm water and soap. I love to apply them using my fingers and my brush.


These vibrant paints are easily blendable and they are translucent which I love. Not too thin and not too tick, this paint is just perfect for art journaling and mixed media creations. If you want to achieve a less translucent look, you can apply more layers of the desired color. Since they are designed mostly for art journaling these are fast drying paints and they are permanent when dry so you have to bear that in mind when blending them. 

I used 'finger' technique to create the background on this card:


If you want to achieve more smooth look you can use your baby wipe to apply these paints and to blend them. I like to use Dylusions paints directly on my art journal pages or manila tags without gesso. These paints can be diluted with water as any other acrylic paint. It's a great way to create beautifully blended backgrounds using as many colors as you want and creating as many layers as you desire. 


Here's the example of an art journal page with baby wipe blended background:


The other way you can apply these paints is using the Tim Holtz mini blending tool. You can apply the paint randomly or you can use Dyan Reaveley's block technique like here:


Tip: in creating these blocks use the paint from the lid of your jar because in that way you can more control how much paint you take. I always take a very small amount of paint and testing it on my craft sheet to be sure that it's not too much. 

After creating your blocks you can play with your stencils. Small amount of paint, mini blending tool and your stencils - that's all you need to create a vibrant and wonderful background.



I like to add borders using my stencils and mini blending tool to achieve more finished look. 



You can doodle since this paint accepts all types of writing inks. One more fantastic thing - the pages won't stick together after you use Dylusions paints. Here's the example:


If you rather like to achieve a kind of effect for your background as on the picture below.


Then you can use your brayer and a palette knife. Pick a small amount of paint with your palette knife and place it on your craft sheet. Use your brayer on the paint and randomly roll on your paper or art journal page. Play with different color combinations and because of these fast drying paints you will be able to quickly add many layers. How fun is that?




This is how this technique works on a black surface:


Tip: You don't want to waste your paint so you can use your palette knife and draw or doodle on the rest of your paint after brayering and press a tag or an art journal page onto it. Cool, isn't it? To achieve the same result you can also use Dylusions paints with your gelli plate. The trick is to always use a very small amount of paint. You can always add more paint if you want to.



You want to create a Bokeh effect background like I did here?


Just clean your mini blending tools in your art journal. I always try to leave my blending tools as clean as possible after using them with Dylusions paints. To do that I am just creating dots in my art journal. To achieve a Bokeh effect you can use your mini blending tool with White Linen Dylusions paint and create white dots randomly over the dotted page.



I hope this post has inspired you to play with these awesome paints, to experiment with them in creating something new, fun and beautiful! 

There is still time to join the fun for Sara's 31 Days Of Halloween at Anything But Cute! 

You have until the 4th of November to play - and you'll find all the challenge details as well as lots of inspiration from the brilliant Anything But Cute design team by clicking on the challenge link.

Happy crafting!
Branka x

15 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your tips and techniques Branka, great post.
    Julie x

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  2. This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing this technique

    Love Chrissie xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Chrissie! I am glad you like it! Branka x

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  3. Firstly-awesome sauce designs resulting from using these paints! Secondly-I never would have guessed these paints were so smooth and amazingly diverse. Your tutorial is very helpful and insightful B. I can see the wonderous bled ing you have achieved and you make it look so wowzers! TFS and for inspiring!

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  4. I have wanted these paints for a very long time, this post is so inspiring and my will power for more paints is crumbling!! I love your journal pages, they are so bright and reflect you beautifully. Love seeing all your techniques here too xx

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  5. Wow, wow, wow, it looks like I 'need' some of these now.... you have shown us just how wonderfully versatile these paints are and of course, trust Dyan to have THE most delicious colours in her range. Thank you for sharing so many inspiring ways to use the paints. I love your baby wipe blended page and the lovely curvy edge. Hugs, Anne xx

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  6. Branka, what an inspirational and well done post! I love those colors, and you have sold me on their versatility. Each one of your examples is just amazing and truly reflects your playful, vibrant style and personality! I love all your examples, but your birthday card just steals my heart! I love that about your artwork! You are an amazing artist! Big hugs and lots of love!

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  7. Thank you so much to you all, sweet ladies! I am really excited and I am glad you like my post! How happy I am! Hugs to you! Love, Branka xxx

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  8. Great display of all the different ways to use these paints! Fantastic tutorial Branka! Thank you :)
    Samra

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  9. Gosh, my jaw was dropping with each technique you showed us and these marvellous paints. Thanks a lot! All your paintings are tremendous, especially the crazy skellie with the heels and your lovely bird who has a song.

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  10. Beautiful post, Branka! You've a real talent with color, and I love all the bright and happy makes! xx Lynn

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  11. Your way with colour is amazing, Branka - you and these paints are a match made in heaven!
    Alison x

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