Thursday 7 November 2013

a post about a poster and some imposters !



I have been working on one thing for the bathroom for ages. In my mind it would have taken a couple of weeks and then I would have posted about it, but a month seems to have passed by and I am still not sure it is finished.

I've also had problems uploading photos, the gremlins in my computer don't want me to down load photos from my phone, I guess they think they are imposters !

The other imposters are the constant fireworks that have been let off every evening since Halloween to celebrate Bonfire Night. My poor wee dog thinks they're trying to break in, and that it's his job to fend them off, even though he's terrified.

I keep him between me and the arm of the sofa, wrapped in an old towel, to try and keep him calm.
By this time, he was totally exhausted.

The poster ! Well that's part of the thing I've been working on, and the main reason for the delay. I don't have a printer, so I thought I would draw it out myself. Hmmmmm..........................

 
It's from the Graphics Fairy.
 
It took slightly longer than I thought.
 
 
I used two differently sized permanent markers, and then rubbed out all the pencil lines.
Then I wetted the back of the paper and stretched it on a board, so that I could work on it properly


Ignore the masking tape, you need to use gum strip (the brown paper one), which you also wet and stick down. When they both dry out, the paper will be nice and flat.

To try and make my poster look old, I used tea bags,

 
and ground espresso coffee,

 
and then some more tea,
and then some bleach, because the tea was too dark,
then some more bleach because the permanent pen really was permanent and looked too neat,
then I sanded it because the bleach wasn't working (yes I really sanded the paper - gently).
Then the paper was papery thin, so I coated it in thin layers of acrylic varnish.
Then finally I was happy with it, and I cut it out and roughed up the edges a little.
 

 
And I've stuck it somewhere, and it stuck really well, no air bubbles, and I'll show you where I stuck it, next time !
 
And you have probably noticed that I have misspelt something on my poster (that took ages), and I've only just noticed it, whilst checking this post. DUH, silly old me !!

13 comments:

  1. I couldn't find the mistake, but then I am exhausted from painting all day.

    I can't believe - I guess I really can because I know you are a great artist - that you did that freehand.

    Wonderful

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  2. Fiona,

    You are such a talented artist who is also blessed with a immense patience! My goodness, all the steps involved in getting it to look just SO. I enjoyed reading this and seeing the result after each stage. Looking forward to where you have stuck it!

    Poppy

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  3. Good Morning Fiona, Your work is beautiful and it was fascinating seeing each step and how you changed the colour of the paper with tea and coffee, then finally bleach. I have used tea to soak calico to give the material a richer colour, but I have never used it on paper. As Poppy mentioned, you are a talented artist, and I have enjoyed my visit so much, that I have become a new follower.
    I do hope your lovely little dog managed to get through Bonfire Night alright. It is not a good time for dogs as my sister's dog, gets very upset with all the whizz, bangs and pops!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  4. Wow so much work but so worth it in the end. Who cares if you misspelled a word? It kind of gives it more charm :)

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  5. You did a wonderful job on creating that poster by hand! Nobody is ever going to notice the spelling error if you don't point it out to them. I can't wait to see where you glued it in the loo!

    Your little dog is adorable! I hope he gets some much needed quiet time soon.

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  6. Fiona I am just sitting here stunned! You MADE that??!!! It's gorgeous! I love that you explained each step and I can't believe you sanded it! Weren't you afraid you would tear it during that process? It's so lovely and i can't wait to see it all in it's proper setting. You are amazing girl!

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  7. Well I can't find the mistake, it looks great. You also get the most patient person in the world award for hand lettering that.

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  8. The poster is just amazing! I hope your dog can rest now. My cats are terrified when a fox yelps during the night.

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  9. yep, this IS amazing, fiona! no one will notice a spelling bloop, they'll be too impressed that you did this free hand! happy sunday!

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  10. WOW! Fiona that is F.A.B - I love it - I have seen this graphic before and it's one I really adore, you have done a brilliant job - I am useless at spelling so haven't a clue where it is! Definitely worth all your hours of hard work. CJ

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  11. Gorgeous! So much better than something printed out. Really lovely. Now, where are you going to place it! hmmm...

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  12. WOW Fiona! You did an amazing job on this! I am so impressed! I can't wait to see what you did with it!

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  13. Hand drawn beats printed every time! This turned out fabulous and I already know where you put it so it's perfect for the spot. Fireworks are an abomination that no dog should have to put up with. It used to be illegal to sell them in Canada except for Canada Day and the 24th of May, so we didn't have to put up with them going off for weeks at a time. Poor doggy!

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