Pretty Bird ATCs
by Helga Strauss
Want to make some fun, easy, delightful bird Artist Trading Cards?
First, pull out your supplies. For this class, I used Eco ATCs, Vintage Labels, Vintage French Science Pages, Pretty Birds Patchwork collage sheet, rubber stamp, Staz On ink, gesso, UHU glue stick, watercolor crayons, Little Wood Houses, Hearts, and Eggs.
For quick and easy backgrounds, simply rip and tear vintage labels and ephemera into strips and pieces and add them to ATCs. Glue them into place with your favorite glue when you like the look of them. I used a UHU glue stick.
Paint on white gesso sparingly...leave some parts without any gesso. Use the gesso as a way to blend the papers together. Let dry.
I love to rubber stamp onto my ATCs at this point. Staz On ink is great.
To add a bit of color, I like to scribble on watercolor crayons.
Blend them with a damp paintbrush.
And use a paper towel to blend them.
Rub black watercolor crayon around the edges to give it a finished look.
How about stamping our Little Wood Houses, Hearts, and Eggs while you're at it?
Now it's time to pull out some images! Inca seemed to like the Pretty Birds Patchwork too!
Once you've got your backgrounds done and your images and embellishments ready, you can tie them all together. I'm just loving the wood house on the owl's head!
How about a rubber stamped wood owl on a wood branch?
For these ATCs, I gave myself a fun challenge: I pulled out a random page from a dictionary and I had to find all of the words for my ATCs from this one dictionary page.
Here are 3 of my ATCs with dictionary words and definitions. Limiting my choice of words helped bring about more creativity. Making a swing for this owl to match the word "suspension"....too fun!
I had soooo much fun making these ATCs! When I was done, I realized that I totally wanted to share the excitement with you. So, I put together this very special limited edition kit: Pretty Bird ATCs Swap Kit. It comes with everything you need to make awesome bird ATCs...including a random dictionary page! Get it and come play in our Bird ATCs Art Swap!
Come play in our wonderful Art Swaps! They're such a great way to stretch your creativity and make new art friends!
Did you make something inspired by this class? Please email or or post pics to the wall of our Facebook Fan Page