Hares and Alcohol Ink on Parchment

Hares and Alcohol Ink on Parchment

Hi there.
Thanks for popping in.
Decided to spend the morning alone in my artroom,
clearing the head, focussing on positive things,
and doing something constructive.
Here’s the result. 
Plus a clear head. 
First thing:
find my favourite Groovi Plates: 
 Composition. Group the hares. 

Add the background.
One panel of the treescape will do. 
Shall I cut it all out? Lot of time. 
But then again, it will help the head.
Besides, I want to practice my picot cutting.
Pergamano fine 2-needle tool and the soft side of the blue mat.
You can get the tool individually, or you can get it in the new Perforating Bundle

Going round the ouside, it’s easier to perforate through the straight grid on the Lightwave. 
Certainly keeps you on the straight and narrow!
We have got large A4 grids now. They are very cool.

I like the exclusive scissors best.

Look at the state of my fingers!
I have been playing with alcohol ink on parchment.
Rosie said it worked, so I had to have a play.

snip snip snip.
Good for the head.

Alcohol ink background here we go!
larger piece of parchement.

Bring the background piece to the foreground and 
begin to create a landscape, using bottled alcohol inks and the felts.
We stock some fantastic alcohol ink colours.

The dark inks are pretty severe, 

but if you dab over them with clear blending solution
they are superb.

On parchment!
Well, I’ll be blowed!
And a little blending solution wiped the counter clean easily. 
Can you see the picture in my head yet?

Trouble is, the hares are green and yellow.
But never fear!
She has an idea!
Flip the background and tape it to the front parchment.
See? The sun is on the other side now. 

Using the little No. 2 paintbrush and blending solution 
I can remove the alcohol ink at the back, behind where the hares sit.
Mind you, the lightwave is a must for this one; the parchment is very dark with the ink!

It’s very easy. You just have to blot quickly after each area, 
so that the blending solution doesn’t spread. 

Actually, I really like this as it is!
Spooky…

Time for assembly.
But before that,
a little colour to the hares at the back – 
Antique Linen Distress marker and a little dark pencil on the undercarriage. 

I have also added a frame on the inside with the nested square plate, so I can colour it in.
Should have done all the colouring before the cutting.
Head’s a muddle today.
But never mind. It works fine along a ruler. 

Now I can use a glue runner behind the frame.
It isn’t great for the picot edge; 
looked better before I ran glue along it!
But do you know what? I am happy with it. 
And in the big scheme of things, how important is it?

I am really impressed with how the alcohol ink worked on the parchment though.
I feel another couple of Background Paper books coming on…
Do you think I should include a few landscape pages, like this?
I think yes.
Don’t forget, we have a special offer on  until midnight tonight.
If you spend £50 or over in a single transaction online or on the phone, we will put a £10 discount code voucher in your parcel, to bee redeemed against your next order.
Your club discount still counts too, so happy days!
Love & Hugs,
Barb
xxx

57 thoughts on “Hares and Alcohol Ink on Parchment

  1. I just think that is so lovely.I love those inks and the way they work.my favourite.
    It would be amazing if you made several scenes like night time spring,summer woodland,They would be a sell out.love the idea.

  2. Oh yes!!! More play needed here. This is beautiful piece Barbara. Been doing positive things myself. I feel like we are helping the bad guys win when we don't x

  3. This is brilliant Barbara. Thanks for sharing. Good to hear it helped you sort out your head too. I've never invested in alcohol inks before, but this, I think I could do, not as good as yours though. Maybe it would work on thicker vellum too, save a few pennies, to help fund the alcohol inks. And yes, I think scenes like this in background papers would be a big seller. Just had a thought, have you considered shrinking your backing papers to a smaller size, for those of us who like to make smaller cards/art work? Especially for your northern lights paper pad, and if you are going to do scenes, as they kind of need to be used whole for the best effect. Just a wee thought.

    I'm still practising the picot cutting. Not very Mindfulness though!!! But, I do think I've now worked out what I'm doing differently/wrong with the new scissor hold, which would explain why I was getting much better picots the old way despite the scissors being too big for my fingers. My brain needs to dissect things into their separate bits, and that's not possible from watching the telly. I need the in-between pieces of the puzzle that normal brains don't need. That's the same with absolutely everything, if we don't have every single piece of the puzzle we really struggle big time. And often our support can't, or struggle to, give us all the pieces, because they don't exist, aren't needed, for normal people. So I have a wee go at the picot cutting, then do something like a bit of colouring in or sewing to try to take away the bad feelings from not having the info I need!!!! But first, I'm waiting on my messages coming, and they better hurry up, as I need to be cooking something to eat before I get too jittery to do it!!!!

    Thank you for your very generous offer Barbara. I have quite a big order of mostly boring things, tools, I was putting off doing. Then with what happened yesterday, I don't feel like it, something so frivilous as craft when people have lost their life and others are suffering so much. But I guess, that just lets the evil creatures win. So I guess I should go ahead and make the order, we'll see, just doesn't feel right.

    Hope your day, and in your head, continues to improve
    Love Brenda xx

    1. Guess my psychic phone line was working today! Now, if only I could find the picot cutting bit in your head… Actually I'd settle for any arty part…!!!! Oh if only my mind was an equal to yours Barbara… xxxxx

      Hi Dot, have you snaffled my sun that was supposed to be here today?!!! Cuddle back xxxx

    2. Yes Brenda – I would like some papers for smaller cards too! Maybe you should go ahead and do your order Brenda, as these evil people are winning if you don't. Wasn't it great to see so many people walking over Westminster Bridge today – to show that they won't give in. Would you be able to view putting in your order as previously planned, as your version of walking with those people. I think that's what I'm going to do, as it's not possible for me to get down to London to join them. So shall we walk together to the Clarity Checkout? Hugs to you and Daisy xx

    3. Gilly that's a good thought that I'm sure Brenda will cope with, go on Brenda see it as your walk for those people. Love the idea of smaller pads too. Sending you a hug xxx

    4. Gilly great idea, I think I might just join in with that one! Smaller pads are a great idea too, Brenda keep practising and soon you'll be doing that cutting brilliantly. Love and hugs Alison xxx

  4. Greetings from the Laser Room here at Clarity Towers….. what a fantastic piece of artwork Barb… Not only lovely to look at , but very clever as well … This should definitely go in the stairwell gallery ! xx

  5. That is just stunning Barbara just what we needed to cheer us up and glad it helped you to. Who wouldn't love a background book of classic Barbara Grey landscapes now there is a sell out coming …xx
    Take care ..Love Dot.x

  6. Wow what a great idea using the alcohol inks on parchment, I definitely have to try this, amazing artwork. I think most people would benefit from getting their head space in order, crafting and definitely Groovi should be available on the NHS x

  7. A beautiful piece of art ! I've been good this year but you've definitely tempted me with your offer and am about to place an order, problem is what to choose …..there's been so much this year to be tempted with. First off it will be the background papers though and the rest will follow. Thanks so much for the continued inspiration. Xx

  8. That's definitely a beautiful piece of artwork. Agree with Dave it needs to go on the wall of your gallery. Thank you for the generous offer today Barbara. I was only making a small order until Jeannine mentioned the offer which was very kind of her. Went away to update my order. Couldn't resist and bought the perga colours and the Oooh La la plates. Must have a go with the alcohol inks on parchment though. Think the small pads and alcohol ink pads would go down a storm too. Glad that doing your art helped get your head in a better place.xx

    1. Hi Pam – I hope that your back isn't too painful at the moment! What was it we were saying about using what we've got! He he! I am going to put in an order too, love and hugs Gilly xxx

    2. Hello Pam, I hope you had those cushions down, we don't want you hurting your back! Sounds like that was an offer you couldn't resist, good for you. Sending hugs xxx

  9. Hi Barbara – this is a beautiful piece of artwork, and should definitely go on your gallery wall – your contribution to doing some good in these difficult times! I too would love some smaller background papers, as I make more smaller cards too. So pleased that today's art has sorted out your head – I have been doing some Groovi today and so far – fingers crossed – really pleased with the card that I am making for a friend's birthday. Love and hugs to you and yours, Gilly xxx

    1. Hi bloggy friends – I hope that you are all staying safe and warm! So, are any of you going to pass on this latest great offer? No, I didn't think so! I should really, as I put an order in on Tuesday, which was only just short of £50 and it arrived today – fantastic service as always! I have tried to be good and yesterday I was fine about it – but then I looked at the wishlist and guess what I thought – mmm your're right! Just about to do my 2nd order this week! Love and hugs to you all, Gilly xxx

  10. Hi Barbara
    Wow oh wow this is amazing, I thought it was a stamped image at first, the hares look like they are really jumping off the page. The alcohol ink background is wonderful, yes please for some backing papers like that. I'm glad the solitude and crafting cleared your head and yes this piece of artwork deserves to go on the wall – get the hammer out Dave!! Thank you for the generous offer, I'm trying to be good and save some money this month although Maureen made me buy something last week – she can be very persuasive! The Easter plates arrived yesterday, aren't they beautiful. I'm going to enjoy using them. Hope you have a relaxing evening.
    Love Diane xxx

  11. Absolutely amazing. It reminded me of Watership Down. I really must try to get to grips with alcohol inks. Also delighted with my new order of groovi plates and the lovely people I spoke to at Clarity Towers. Getting excited about Ali Pali.
    David if you are out there – are you psychic? How on earth are you going to send me a card? Along the astral planet.
    Must say glad to be back blogging, does the heart and soul good. Big thank you to the lovely Barbara (not forgetting Dave, Paul et al.
    Lots of love
    Anne (Reading)

  12. This is beautiful. Great to know alcohol inks work on parchment. Yes please to backgrounds with landscapes, very useful. I am getting better at picot cutting in a straight line, inside shapes still needs some work. This is definitely one fro your gallery. XX

  13. Such beautiful artwork. I love it when an experiment doesn't work and you find a way to rescue it. Off to pack my bags for Clarity Glasgow – very excited! x

  14. Hi Barb,
    This is fabulous and I agree with Dave – it should definitely go into your little gallery. I would love some landscape background papers please and also like the idea of smaller pads maybe 6×6. Must also say thank you for the fabulous offer too. Glad this has cleared your head as well. Love and hugs Alison xxx

    1. Hi bloggy friends,
      Hope everyone is safe and warm. It's been rather chilly here today. Well , good news is apart from the quartz worktops and the flooring ( yet to be ordered), kitchen is finished- yeah! Really pleased with it too. Don't know why but the kitchen looks so much bigger even though units are virtually the same size! Well must go now to sort out an order, love and hugs Alison xxx

  15. This is a fabulous piece of artwork and parchment craft Barbara, and I really love those hares leaping in the foreground. Glad it sorted your head out too. x

  16. Hello Barb, what a fantastic piece of art, love the background, and the parchment work. Your cutting looks perfect. Creativity does help clear the head. Take care. Bx

  17. It's beautiful Barbara! Absolutely stunning, you are making me think I may need a Groovi but I am trying real hard to resist lol! I do love the hares in particular, another animal I am mad about and trying to learn to draw and that's why I'm resisting the Groovi as I need art stuff so it's one or the other for me. Have a lovely weekend, trying to rest when you can xx

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