Portfolio Oil Pastel Tutorial Step 1

Okay, as promised here is my post on how I do my backgrounds using Portfolio Series Oil Pastels. They are so great to use. Remember this technique works so well because the Portfolio Oil Pastels are water soluble.

I first start with my blank ATCs that I cut from a cereal box. I always love to use recycled products in my art when I can.

The supplies that I used are included in this photo. Blank ATCs, gesso, acrylic matte medium, paint brush, and of course the pastels. One other tool not shown here that is vital to this project is your finger! Now let's get on with it!

Portfolio Oil Pastel Tutorial Step 2

I paint each ATC (I use the blank side of the cereal box.) with a couple coats of the white gesso. Don't worry about painting in one direction. When you apply the gesso in different directions it will give you interesting lines for your background. Don't worry if your ATCs start to bend and curl; they will be fine once they dry and they will be flat again.

Portfolio Oil Pastel Tutorial Step 4

This is where you get to use your fingers. Rub the oil pastels into your ATC. It is not important to have the pastels all the way to the edge of the ATC. You will blend them in the next step.

Portfolio Oil Pastel Tutorial Step 5

This next step is where we are going to seal the oil pastels into the ATC blank. Using the matte medium and that finger of yours again, rub the matte medium all around the blank ATC. You will see how it starts to liquefy the oil pastels and how the colors will start to blend.

On the last three in the bottom row, I used gesso instead of the matte medium. Using the gesso will lighten any heavy colors you used and give it more of a pastel or softer look.

When you use the gesso just apply a little dab on your finger and start rubbing and blending it into the ATC.

Portfolio Oil Pastel Tutorial Step 6

I stamped some images randomly onto my backgrounds using various inks. I used Brilliance White and Ranger's Archival Sepia and Black Ink.

Now we have 9 ATCs just waiting to be used!

Are you wondering where the completed ATCs are??

You will find them in the May issue of Altered Arts e-magazine which you can download for free.

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Results of Designers' ATC Challenge

Well ,below are my pieces for the designers' challenge I had previously posted information about. These ATCs were created using packing tape as a transfer method. I used images that I found in magazines and then colored the back of the transfer with Powder Pearls and attached the transfer to the cards using gel medium. Each ATC has a bit of a different background method. (Instructions on this technique can be found on my next post).

Designer Robin Knutson's piece can be viewed by visiting her blog (click here). Jeni Calkin's ATCs can also be viewed on her blog (link is on the right). This was a fun challenge and we welcome our readers to share their pieces. Please leave a comment linking back to us from your blog, website, or picture trail site to share with the rest of us. Until the next time.... Lori Roberts, Senior Designer of Altered Arts Magazine