I was inspired to create this by Calavera Catrina, a famous work of art by Jose Guadalupe Posada who was originally created by him as social satire. She became an icon of Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, a holiday that originated in Mexico but is now celebrated in many parts of the world. Dia De Los Muertos is a time to rejoice in memories of loved ones who have passed.
I started with a base of tissue paper “newsprint” and fluid medium.
Next, I mixed up some “Chalk It Up” chalk dust into my chosen colors of paint and gave my page a light wash. I love this stuff, it makes your paint into chalk paint and can be used on many different surfaces. I used it here to create added texture to my page.
I printed a skull that I liked off the internet onto 110 lb cardstock and gave it a coating of sealer so the ink wouldn’t smear. When it was dry I painted the sugar skull face using my Posca Paint Markers and cut out some roses from scrapbook paper, giving them some dimension by crumbling up the top later of roses in my hand. For the lettering I turned to my trusty Silhouette Portrait.
For the final touches I used gelatos, my favorite crackle stamp by Dark Room Door and dabbed some ink on through a piece of punchinela.
papict
October 28, 2014 at 3:23 pm (6 years ago)I love the Dia de los Meurtos aesthetic so your piece completely appeals to me. I love the ice cream pastel colours too. I have never heard of that chalk stuff. I might need to keep an eye out for that.