NOW LIVE! New changes are afoot at the Powertex UK blog!

Some exciting changes are afoot with the Powertex UK blog.

We are moving across to Word Press!

Join us over on the new Powertex UK blog by clicking here.

We are just moving all the projects, step by steps and tutorials across for you - there are over 200 so bear with us!

We wanted to make sure we had a platform that was easy for every one to access and interact with!

So please do follow us across. Make sure you stay with us to be access all the free projects brought to you by the Powertex UK Design Team and guests.

Please come with us as this will be a permanent move.

Now LIVE! 

Thanks for joining us on our journey.

From all the Team at Powertex UK.

Northern Lights

Well here we are Autumn is almost over the dark nights are with us.  I love crisp cold dark nights when I can see lots of stars twinkling in the sky after the stunning colours of the setting sun.  Here in the UK there a only a handful of places where, if the conditions are right you might spot the Northern Lights. Going to Norway or Iceland to see the Northern Lights is high on my bucket list but until then, I have created my own abstract Powertex painting to stir or feed that dream!

So grab a coffee and relax while I take you through some very simple steps to create your own version.

First I took a canvas that had been part used on a demonstration and it already had some texture at the bottom.  I had created the texture using a mix of Easy Structure and Powertex sand balls which I put down on a white 30x30 cm canvas.  

I then made up some Easy 3D Flex with some white powertex and using a metal artist pallet knife I spread the 3D Flex mixture vertically on my canvas. As the base texture was already dry, I painted over a good coat of White Powertex.

Next I mixed up some blue bister granules using a teaspoon of granules to 30 mls of warm water from the kettle with 30mls of white vinegar.  This gives a crisper look when sprayed on your canvas as can be seen in the image below.  I also sprayed some standard black bister at the top area of the sky section

To give more depth I sprinkled some blue bister granules onto the area representing water and rocks and sprayed this with water.  

I then left the whole thing to dry and crack over two or three days.

Once it was dry I washed back the black area of bister using a damp sponge. I then used a mix of the Aqua blue and Deep Sea Secret Art Loft acrylic inks to create the dark water and sky. I then used Secret Art Loft acrylic paints in Key Lime, Blueberry Pie and Plumb Pudding on a very dry brush to create the colours synonymous with the Northern Lights.

I then added some metallic highlights using Golden Metallic and Viola Metallic inks as well as Green Ginger, Limoncello Gold and Colortricx Pearl pigments mixed with Powertex Easy Varnish.

I can't tell you exactly how I added the pigments and colours as I use loads and loads of very light layers, just experiement and have fun!

Here is the finished piece

See you in December where I have created a Powertex Christmas Ornament!

Bye for now

Fi

Simple step by step to a cute Powertex Penguin

For this month's Powertex Blog we were given the theme of winter crafting.

As we are getting towards the end of the year, and I have obviously got lots of lovely new Powertex goodies on my Christmas list (and I have been a fairly good girl) I thought it was a good opportunity to also use up some spare bits I had from previously in the year.



Meet Quentin

Quentin (made using bronze powertex)

 Priscilla

Priscilla (made using grey powertex)

 and Paulio

Paulio (made using black powertex)

What I used:
Small amount of Powertex Stone Art 
Small amount of Powertex Fabric Hardener
Powertex Colour Pigments
Small amount of Powertex Easy Varnish
Small scraps of fabric
Small Polystyrene Eggs

How I made my Powertex Penguins:

I had a few small polystyrene Easter eggs left over from Easter crafting workshops and projects, and when I looked at these, the image of a cute little penguin appeared in my mind.

Having just finished a unicorn workshop I had a small amount of stone art clay left over, (which was made using bronze powertex) which was just perfect for covering the egg to create a penguin shape.

I had my stone art clay already mixed left over from my previous workshop (if kept in an airtight container it will last for quite some time once mixed up).  But if you are mixing it fresh it is very easy to do (it always reminds me of making pastry)

Simply pour a small amount of your hardener into a tub, and gradually add stone art, little by little, mixing with a pallet knife until a dough like subtance forms.  Roll it into a ball, and keep kneading and rolling until it comes away cleanly from your hands.

I made up three small balls, as I find it easier to work in this way

mix up small balls of stone art clay using Powertex Fabric Hardener and stone art

 From here I simply rolled small bits out and covered my egg shape with the clay. I like to create textures in the clay so I used a small stamp to do this as I went.  Be sure to make the base of the egg quite flat so that your penguin is able to stand steadily.

I rolled a smaller ball to create a head shape, then added small rolls flattened out to indicate the wings, and molded a beak which I added to the head.  For eyes you can use any small round beads.  I was making it up as I went along, and had some Powertex sand balls handy so used these, painted black which worked just as well.

Starting to look vaguely penguinesque 

 It is when you add the colour that the penguins start to come to life.  I used black, white, tequila sunrise and silver, but basically you can use any colour that takes your fancy.  These are fantasy penquins, so use your imagination.

I was quite pleased with Quentin, but something was missing.  My daughter had the solution.  'He needs a little scarf' she told me, and she was right, he did.  So I simply cut up an old scarf from my stash of material, soaked in transparent powertex and wrapped it round him to keep him nice and snug.  The final touch, and purely optional was some frosty glitter.

I was so pleased with him, and with how easy it was to make, that I made up some more stone art clay using some black powertex that had been lingering in the bottom of a bottle, and also some grey and made him a mum and a dad, so now I have my own cute little Powertex Penguin Family

Quentin, Priscilla and Paulio - keeping as snug as possible against that cold wind

These were genuinely quick and easy to make - and a great way to use up any last bits of stone art clay or powertex that you have lying around.

If you decide to make a Powertex Penguin we would love to see your photos over at the facebook page  Powertex Addicts United

You can see more of my makes on my website www.artandmurals.co.ukwww.artandmurals.co.uk 

Tutor Challenge

Our tutors were given a challenge at this years Tutor retreat at Powertex Hq. Each person bought an item in which they had to reuse and turn into a wonderful work of art. Here are just a few of the projects created. We hope these ideas inspire and show you that all you need a bottle of Powertex and what ever you have to hand. From cardboard tubes to an old mirror.... What will you create?

Kim McKelvie - tutor for Hartlepool and surrounding areas

From cardboard tubes to Steampunk wizardry! We would never have thought of doing something like this with some tubes would you?

Michaela Thouless tutor for Portsmouth and Fareham.

What to do with a blank hat, turn it in to a keepsake to remember...

Abigail Lagden tutor for Darlington and surrounding areas

Take one plain mirror and turn it into a magical, mystical creation. We are loving the dragon vibes.

Shell North tutor for Dorset, Bournmouth and surrounding areas

From an old falling apart garden ornament to the birth of a beautiful dragon! Isn't she a stunner.

Roy Pakeman tutor for Evesham and surrounding areas


From a gift bag to the most amazing box troll we have ever seen!

Anna Emelia Howlett tutor for Maidstone and surrounding areas

From a plain old trunk to a treasure from the depths of the sea.

Don't forget to sign up to the blog by inputting your email, in the box in the top left hand corner. Find Powertex UK, Powertex Addicts United, and The Powertex Studio on Facebook. Want to have a go at Powertex but would love a helping hand. Powertex UK certified tutors are fully trained, with up to date current knowledge and products to guide you on your creative journey. Find them in the tutor directory on the Powertex UK website. 

Penguins - Mini Makes for you and the little ones

Hi Everyone

Well we're at that time of year again where time just flies by and everything you wanted to get done somehow doesn't.  So I thought I'd show you a nice easy make that you can do on your own, with friends and with the little ones.

We are going to make penguins and I have to admit they are a little addictive so you may well end up with your own little waddle  - that's one name for a group of penguins on land, they can also be called a colony or a rookery whereas when they are in water they are called a raft (thanks Google!!).

So lets waddle away and get creating.......

You will need

Powertex Black (approx 75ml)

Powertex Stone Art (approx 20g)

6cm Polystyrene egg

2-3 cm Polystyrene egg

2 x 2-3mm animal eyes

Cocktail Stick

Masking Tape

Plastic container to mix clay in

Brush

Easy Varnish

Pigments (I opted for orange, white and yellow ochre)

Apron

Disposable Gloves

Optional - Pokey tool

Start by covering your work area with a protective layer.  This could be an waterproof tablecloth, oil cloth or even newspaper.

Break the cocktail stick in 2.  Using one piece connect the 2 eggs together to form a body and head

Place the head at an angle for a more realistic look

Using the masking tape cover the whole shape ensuring that the the transition from the head to the body forms a neck. Place the other piece of cocktail stick on the small egg where the beak will be.  Now coat with a layer of Black Powertex and set aside.

Place approximately 75 ml of Black Powertex into a suitable container (you are going to be mixing this so make sure the sides are high enough) and begin adding the Stone Art, using the non bristle end of your paintbrush begin to stir the mixture.  Add the Stone Art slowly and mix well between each addition.  Keep going until the mixture pulls away from the sides.  Now go in with your gloved hands and knead the mixture bringing together into a firmer clay consistency.  Keep adding more stone art until the clay doesn't stick to your gloves and there are no white flecks showing.  Make sure you pull the clay apart to check that there are no white flecks inside.

Make sure that the clay isn't too dry otherwise you will have difficulty covering your penguin. If it is just dip it in a small amount of Powertex and knead it thoroughly.

You can now use the clay or double wrap it in cling film for use later.  So long as you keep it airtight the clay will be useable for several weeks.  This is a bonus as you can make the clay ahead of time and have fun sculpting it later with the children.

Take approximately 2/3rds of the clay and roll it into a ball then flatten it into a disc approximately 1/2 cm thick.

Lay it over the beak and onto the head, then using your fingers push it down onto the body thinning it as you go.  Make sure it meets underneath to form a base.  Stand the penguin on your work surface and give it a little wiggle to make sure it will sit without toppling.  If it doesn't sit properly use a little of the remaining clay to make some feet and/or a tail to support it.

                                      

With the remaining 1/3 clay split it into 2 and form rolls.  Flatten them to around 2mm and shape to form wings.  Attach to the body on the sides.  If your clay has dried, paint on some fresh powertex to stick the wings to. Shape the wings to give your penguin character.

Now make any final adjustments, make sure the beak is a nice shape and push the eyes through the clay into the underlying egg.  You may need to use a pokey tool to make the hole first.

Using the Easy Varnish and pigments dry brush on the colour to complete your penguin.  I opted to colour mine in different ways to make a real mixed waddle.

Don't forget, you can always scale it up by using larger eggs to make bigger penguins just remember to increase the amount of clay you make.

I hope you've enjoyed this project and look forward to seeing your makes.  Don't forget to post photos of them over on the Powertex Studio facebook page

Until next time happy creative adventures

Annette

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November...

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November. Gunpowder, Treason and Plot!

I love this time of year as the autumn moves towards cosy winter nights. Halloween has passed and bonfire night awaits before the count down to Christmas. And a cup of hot soup in front of a big bonfire takes me straight back to my childhood and my childhood bonfire nights wouldn't be complete without a Catherine Wheel - the inspiration for this project.

I started with a 20cm square canvas and painted it with black Powertex. I then used Easy Structure to stencil a swirl design onto the canvas and once dry painted over this with black Powertex. 

Although very little of this pattern would be visible on the final pieces it also provided me with a basic shape to follow when adding the paperdecoration.

First I used small pieces of white paperdecoration which I laid slightly randomly but following the swirl pattern and painted over it with black Powertex. (You could use any colour paperdecoration for this part as it is completely covered with the black)

Once this was dry, I mixed rich gold colortricx pigment with Powerwax and gently applied it over the raised parts with a sponge.

To add some extra depth and texture to the corners of the canvas, I mixed some red Powertex with Easy 3D Flex to make a paste and applied this roughly to the corners and left it overnight to crack. 

I then carefully painted the top surface of the cracked area with black Powertex. Using the red Powertex with the Easy 3D Flex made sure that there would be nice bright red colour in the cracks.

Next, it was time to add the gorgeous coloured paperdecoration - burgundy, light pink, red wine and red.

I tore off long thin pieces of paperdecoration and fanned it out towards the end. I laid these onto the canvas following the swirl pattern and painted over them with a good coating of transparent Powertex. Although this goes on a milky white, it dries clear allowing the original colours of the paper dec to show through.

Once I had added enough paperdecoration I left it to dry overnight.

The final part was to add some gold and copper tones to give it the warmth of fire. I did this by mixing colortricx pigments (copper, bronze gold and rich gold) with Powerwax and applying it over the tops of the texture with a sponge.

I am still undecided if I need to add anything into the centre. I am keeping my eyes open for a nice bit of fiery bling...

Until next time, Abs xx