Shrine Background Ideas
Welcome to our new and exciting line of shrines! They are available in two different materials and three handy sizes- Yay!
Here are some super easy ways for you to art them up and have lots of fun in the process.
First up are our new Eco Shrines- made from 100% recycled paper- very green and user friendly.
Wow! Look at all of these amazing shrines! Here are a few ideas so you can make them too!
Try using felt pens! Simply grab your good old sharpie marker and journal right onto your eco shrine- what could be easier? This is a great way to get started and get the creative juices flowing.
Rubber stamps- we all have some of those lying around! If you find your penmanship is lacking (mine sure is), use your favorite rubber stamp and have at it! Here I used black Staz on ink and applied it directly to the eco shrine. It has a certain clean, elegant look to it.
How about using ARTchix beautiful background collage sheets? Keeping it simple, if you prefer more color, just trace the shrine onto your choice of background paper or collage sheet. My fave is Totally Turquoise. I traced around the shrine with a pencil, cut it out and glued it on with my Uhu glue stick- voila!
Gesso- works every time! Another favorite technique of mine is good old Gesso and acrylic paint. I primed my adorable shrine with gesso, let it dry and added dollar store acrylic paint. When it was dry I distressed it with sandpaper just to give it that worn look- yummy!
Lastly, I played with acrylic paint and some spray mist- fun! Sometimes I feel I want a bit of bling in the background, so after painting this little shrine with Acrylic paint (no need to prime), I sprayed a bit of Luminart Shimmering mist onto it and then set it aside to dry- came out looking really cool!
If you prefer a watercolor surface to work with, you are going to LOVE this alternative! Made from high quality, very heavy watercolor paper, these shrines are a joy to play with!
Who doesn't like to dabble in some water and paint? Here at ARTchix there is nothing we like better- well except maybe chocolate!
Basic watercolor paint! For the first easy background, Helga just grabbed her paintbrush and some watercolor paint and created this stunning and cheerful wash. Love the way the colors blend and bleed on this fabulous paper!
Sharpie markers again! Helga has beautiful penmanship so it seemed natural to journal around the edges of this lovely shrine BEFORE adding a watercolor wash. Blue and green- love this!
Got salt? Yes- salt! This technique is often forgotten- and has a stunning effect. After you apply your watercolor paint wash, sprinkle on some salt crystals! Have your rock, kosher or table salt handy because you want to do this while the paint is still wet and watch the crystals shine!
Shimmering mist works on watercolor paint! Since we had the shimmering mist out, Helga decided to use some too. Apply your watercolor wash, let it dry for a few minutes and give it a squirt of bling! Use a little, or use a lot- lay it flat, or watch it run!
Remember your rubber stamps! You don't always have to use watercolor paint on watercolor paper. Here Helga used a fluid acrylic paint by Golden, applied with her paintbrush. When it was dry, she stole a page from my book and stamped her shrine with this beautiful stamp using Staz on ink. This shrine is all class!
How much fun was that? Check out our other new class, for lots of inspiring ideas on how to finish off your lovely Gothic Shrine!
Why don't you come play too? Try our new shrines and if you come up with something easy and fun, let us know- we LOVE to hear from you!