A Rusty Crusty Creation

I was honoured by 

A VINTAGE JOURNEY

recently as being "pinworthy",

and invited to join as a GDT for this month's challenge

"RUSTY and CRUSTY"

A walk on a grey day brought me inspiration,

looking at the trees with the light behind them.

 I raided my stash of board hangers...

 and coated one with gesso...

thick enough to scratch marks into.

 When it was nearly dry I pressed a piece of 

kitchen paper on to add more subtle texture...

 before adding a thin black paint layer.

Next I took a tree stencil and taped it in position

to use as a mask.

 I used a piece of natural sponge to add

red, yellow and green acrylic paint.

 After I had built up the layers of paint I washed the mask

while the paint dried.

I replaced the mask and added a layer of heavy gel medium.

 This is how it looked when I removed the mask

to wash again.

 After the gel dried I didn't feel there was enough contrast,

so I replaced the mask again and added a little white.

 Still hadn't achieved the "rusty" I wanted,

so I mixed rust coloured paint with some bead gel...

which gave me this yummy texture.

The tree trunks seemed a little flat now, so I 

used crackle glaze to give the effect of old bark...

 rubbing a white wash into the cracks.

 Very happy with the finished textures and colours.

Both Rusty and Crusty :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to enter this in the following challenges;

Try It On Tuesday # Recycle Something (board hanger)

Addicted to Stamps and More # 287 Make Your Mark

Crafty Creations Challenge # 364 Anything Goes

Country View Challenge # April, Pimp It Up

Through The Craft Room Door # wk April 10th, Anything Goes