Steampunk Artist Palette on Canvas

Pat Ruge
by Pat Ruge
11 Materials
$10
3 Hours
Easy
Perhaps it's hard to imagine just how ugly this canvas was in the beginning, however if you just look at the lower section, you get an idea. In black and white what appears to be oil paint was everywhere. When asked "How much?" at a garage sale, the man said "$1". I LOL and he then said "Make me an offer", to which I said "25 cents" - he accepted! That's how ugly it was.

And so I began by creating a batch of gesso by taking a sample jar of Valspar in a light blue, to which I added "Mom Podge" and crushed marble. https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/mom-podge-the-mother-of-gesso-and-modeling-paste-34374501

I knew for this project I would be using all three products and so I took the time to turn that into another tutorial.
So back to the gesso, The entire canvas is covered with my blue gesso, however as you will see later, I decided to randomly add some dark green acrylic to it while the gesso was still wet. The canvas is 12"x16". And btw, gesso can be in any color. Doesn't have to be clear, white or black.
This palette board measures approximate 16"x9". You may not be able to find this exact size so be sure to adjust the canvas size to best suit the palette.
I prepared the palette board by first applying a coat of black gesso and then using two different stencils applied the modeling paste. As you can tell from my earlier post, both products begin with Mom Podge to get there.
Let the fun begin. As I had envisioned, I began by hot gluing some lace, a flower applique, old paint brushes, buttons, a watch (set to 5 o'clock), buttons, a bejeweled key, etc. and highlighted with a gold metallic craft paint.
After mounting to the canvas, I decided to add a few more highlights in an Aquamarina Metallic paint and to add a porcelain flower pin and ear rings. I removed the "jewels" on the key as I did not like it the way it was sitting. Using E6000 I found it much easier to control the placement without burning my fingers and able to move it place before it got solidly in place. I used E6000 to mount the pallete to the canvas, but later came in with the hot gun on an edge where it seemed a little separated.
Suggested materials:
  • 12"x16" canvas   (Joanns)
  • Artist Wood Painting Palette 9.5" x 12"   (Ebay)
  • Gesso   (Joanns)
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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Ama31537609 Ama31537609 on Jan 24, 2018

    Sorry but I am not familiar with steam punk, what is that? Thanks!

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  • Mary Ann Goldberg Mary Ann Goldberg on Jan 24, 2018

    This is so genius! I love it!

    • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Jan 24, 2018
      Thank you Mary Ann. Not sure about "genius", I'm still trying to get use to the word "artist".
  • Linda Linda on Feb 14, 2018

    It's funny to me that I love steam punk & I LOVE your project... but I felt your art leading me in a different direction. That is what art is all about when you share your projects, isn't it. Your art is appreciated first, then becomes a launchpad for mine! Thank you so much!

    • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Feb 14, 2018
      Thanks so much Linda. Steam punk does that to me. If you've seen my other steam punk projects you'll know what I mean - all so different than the others.
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