No, no, not really. Lol. It’s another canvas creation.
The title comes from the finished result, but I’ll be honest, this was not how it started out or where it was supposed to end up!
This canvas started out with some simple painting techniques.
I began with a light acrylic paint and spread this over the entire canvas. Then I added layers of darker tones, working out towards the outer edge, and finished by stippling some black over the corners,
So, you probably guessed that I was going for a distressed look again so I decided to pop open the Inkseentials Crackle Accents bottle that’s been sitting around my craft room for ages.
I did a Brut Job on the canvas (splash it all over) – or was that old spice. Either way, that puppy was well and truly covered.
Because I had given it such a thick layer the 4 hour drying time was not enough. Indeed I had to wait for around 12 hours (i.e. overnight) to see the result.
Shazam and CRACK! That certainly worked well!
As you can make out in the photos above there were lots of deep cracks so I thought that it would be a good idea to get some dark ink down there to accentuate the cracks.
I reached for the doCrafts sparkly Spritzing inks and chose the darkest one and then spritzed my finger raw.
Ok, yup, that’s plenty of ink. That should fill those gaps.
I actually thought that it was too much and that I wanted to see some of the colour underneath so I got the tissues and dabbed away of lot of the surface liquid.
After it had dried, I changed my mind and decided that it would be great if I added more of the spritzing ink so that the canvas ended up looking like dragon skin – so I went for it and added some blue and gold.
Looking great at the moment!
After this point, it all descends into what crafters often refer to as “fiddling”. I added more spritz, let it dry, coated that in gloss varnish. Then went back and did it all again.
Basically I have got to the point where I am going to like the finished result as I am running out of spritzing ink – lol!
Anyway, I edged the canvas in black acrylic paint and here be the “final” piece.
To be honest, I may revisit this some day and add some dragon related things to it, but for now it is an enjoyable piece of abstract texture art for my living room.
What do you think? A waste of supplies or a work of art? Do let me know what you think in the comments section below (be nice please).
Thanks for the catch up and I look forward to seeing you again next time.
J :)
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
Love all the different effects plus enjoyed your journey.
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Not a ‘waste’ at all – it’s wonderful. I think you’re wise to leave it alone for now, enjoy it as it is and then alter it when you’re fed-up of looking at it :)
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love the outcome, thought there would be more of the gold on the finished article, well done it’s gorgeous x
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Hi, have never commented on your posts before, but read them all. But LOVE this. Will have to go have a play now. Sam
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It’s beautiful.
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Fantastic John, I love it just the way it is – my imagination will add the sleeping dragon !!!
thanks for sharing :)
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I think it looks beautiful John – but then blue is my favourite colour. Would be very pleased with the results if it was mine.
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Hi John
I love it as it’s blue, shiny and crackled. It stands alone as a piece well but if it was mine I’d then paint a fantasy creature in the centre, either in detail or a strong, recognisable silhouette- a dragon would be great on both fronts. I bet if you asked 100 people what they do next you’d get 100 different answers!
Thanks for sharing
Crafty hugs,
T x
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A beautiful result. The important thing is to know when to stop, which is quite hard to do.Thank you for the inspiration.
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This is just amazing!!! The best things always come out when one is just playing around without having much of a plan. With the crackle stuff one can really do incredible things.
Thanks for showing us.
Greetings from Germany
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Amazing John – love the colours you’ve used. Thanks for a great tutorial; think you’ve given me the impetus to get some of the crackle accents and give it a go. Also think it would look fantastic over some mythical creature.
Karen x
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Wow John! This technique – worked over an image of a dragon, gorgon or other mythical beast would be amazing; and even on a reptile. Well done for stirring up all of our artistic juices yet again! Love your posts. Really looking forward to see just which way your amazingly creative mind will go next!
Pat GH
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Absolutely stunning
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You can’t beat a good bit of crackling!!! Love the colour xxx
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You achieved some lovely effects during the process. (And, yes, it was Brut: ‘Enry Cooper splashin’ it all over!)
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Very inspiring John,keep cracking up
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One thing I always find happens in the craft room is that if you don’t like what you have done, keep working back in to it and you will eventually cover over what you didn’t like and end up with something completely different. I find that very little actually ends up in the bin and what you have done here is far from bin~worthy! I love it. My favourite one is photo No 9 but I also love the way you have continued to work with it and invest more into it. Will be interested to see the final outcome if the dragon puts in an appearance! Meanwhile, enjoy it as a piece of abstract art.
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hi john don’t no if i love or hate it. cant be sure. it certainly ended up as a masterpiece.as long as you love it ,that’s all that matters. well done. thanks gill
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Absolutely fantastic John. You would pay a fortune for something like this in a shop. It will look brilliant on your lounge wall, I’m sure.
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Just goes to show, when you start a project with nothing in mind you create a thing of beauty, love this piece John.
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Fantastic John I love it, I have a canvas around I bought a while ago, need to stop dithering lol. Sheena
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Wow love the thought of replicating Dragon skin! I love dragons and have quite a collection. Thank you this has given me an idea for a piece of art to go with my collection
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Fabulous
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Its amazing john what path you take when starting a project and get carried away with it, knowing when to hold back is the key , but saying that some times ,just some times going that bit further to the point when you think blast i ve ruined it now works on another level. Its the crafters mojo.And you have the crafters mojo.
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Great tutorial, John and really interesting. Thank you for sharing :-) B x
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