Thursday 24 February 2011

Altered Box Part 1

Hello all,
I was given a Diesel perfume box a few weeks back shaped like a book and decided I wanted to make an altered box with it, I was asked lots at Stitches about the stamped Gesso technique but rather than use gesso for this I have decided to use a product from Decoart called Modeling Paste because its flexible when dry and more like fabric and would be perfect for this box.as it is flexible at the hinge.
Below is a picture of it applied to cardstock and it bends without cracking!

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This tutorial is part one of two, and the technique is exactly the same if you were to use Gesso. In part two I am going to transform it into a shadow box. Here is a picture at the end of stage one..
Andy skinner stamed decoart
Ok I understand if you are going to try this method you will be using a different type of box, if its wooden I recommend that you prime it first.
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The box has a glossy paper finish so I first sanded it to give it some tooth for the modeling paste to adhere to and cut out the plastic window.

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Apply the modeling paste approximately 2mm thick using a pallet knife, you don't have to worry about it being perfect as it is going to be stamped into.

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Once the box is covered start to dry with a heat tool, this will dry the surface of the modeling paste but you still want it to be spongy. I recommend trying this on a practice piece before attempting it as it takes a little practice. Once the paste is ready spritz your stamp with a little water to prevent it from sticking.

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Start stamping into the modeling paste using a variety of stamps, make sure you have a bowl of water to hand as there will be the odd stamp that sticks and you can clean the stamp immediately.

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Continue to stamp into the modeling paste until completely covered. Allow to air dry or if impatient like me use a heat tool but be carful not to blister the paste.

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The colour options for the base coat are up to you, I have used Red, Yellow and Blue with a different brush for each colour, blend them slightly but avoid muddying them.

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Once dry I like to add a few metallic colours randomly onto the basecoat.

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Next I have picked 4 shades of blue along with buttermilk, starting with your deepest shade load a flat brush but not to heavily and start brushing over the surface allowing some of the basecoat to show through. Allow to dry.

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Repeat this process using less paint on the brush with each shade until you get to your lightest two colours. Now load the brush and wipe of onto a kitchen towel and dry brush the the stamped surface, finishing with your lightest colour.

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Here are some close-up's after the final dry brushing, you can click any of the pictures to enlarge.

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I then applied gold to the sides, once dry I applied one coat of Decoart Weathered wood and dried with a heat tool followed by a coat of buttermilk, almost immediately the cracks start to appear.

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Finally I finish of with two coats of Americana Matte Sealer.

8 comments:

  1. Love the look of this Andy, I am really keen to try the dimensional stamping now. Will be looking at part 2 with interest! Hope you are fully recovered from the show and it was great working with you. Lindsay x

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  2. Just stumpled upon your blog looking for modeling paste covered boxes :-) Wow, this is nice, and totally understandable. Thanks for all the close-ups.

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  3. This looks great, what a cool technique! I have a box that would be perfect.....

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  4. one of my favourite techniques .. (no the painty bit as i have never tried it) but stamping in to texture... your paint effects look magnificent...

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  5. Interesting technique. Beautiful finish!

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  6. Such amazing techniques, will share on Facebook page. Thank you so much for sharing your talents.

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  7. How lovely, can't wait for the follow up!

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  8. I admire your work you are so brilliant

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