As you'll recall, I posted a video from Jane Davies about making clear skins for collage. I had to experiment with the technique! It took me a few days because there's a lot of drying time and I didn't have the right supplies. I used fluid acrylics to create my patterns and then tried a variety of mediums to create the clear skin.
First up, I tried Golden Soft Gel (Matte). (Jane used Gloss in her video.)
Unfortunately, it wasn't clear and it got lots of tears in it.
Next up, I tried my trusty favorite: Liquitex Matte Medium.
The Matte Medium also dried translucent rather than clear and when it folded back on itself, it stuck permanently. I could not get it unstuck.
Then I tried Clear Gesso.
Total disaster! It took four days before I could peel it off the page protector. It ripped everywhere, was almost completely opaque, and stuck to itself immediately. It went straight into the trash.
Finally, I tried Tar Gel. Jane had mentioned in her video that it was a good alternative.
It worked perfectly! Hurrah!
So, I cut it up and used a few of the pieces in this mixed media collage:
Definitely a technique I'm going to be trying again — especially now that I know to go straight for the Tar Gel!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love how it turned out!
I love how it turned out!
I love how it turned out!
I love how it turned out!
I love how it turned out!
I watched this video,as you had suggested earlier, its fab. And thanks for sharing the trials of this technique with other mediums. This Collage is awesome, Julie, beautiful vibrant colors.
I watched this video,as you had suggested earlier, its fab. And thanks for sharing the trials of this technique with other mediums. This Collage is awesome, Julie, beautiful vibrant colors.
I watched this video,as you had suggested earlier, its fab. And thanks for sharing the trials of this technique with other mediums. This Collage is awesome, Julie, beautiful vibrant colors.
I watched this video,as you had suggested earlier, its fab. And thanks for sharing the trials of this technique with other mediums. This Collage is awesome, Julie, beautiful vibrant colors.
I watched this video,as you had suggested earlier, its fab. And thanks for sharing the trials of this technique with other mediums. This Collage is awesome, Julie, beautiful vibrant colors.
I have tried a product from USArtquest called Perfect Paper Adhesive in gloss. It works great! I have applied it to texture blocks, let it dry then peeled it off and I have a texture to apply and paint whatever color I want!
I have tried a product from USArtquest called Perfect Paper Adhesive in gloss. It works great! I have applied it to texture blocks, let it dry then peeled it off and I have a texture to apply and paint whatever color I want!
I have tried a product from USArtquest called Perfect Paper Adhesive in gloss. It works great! I have applied it to texture blocks, let it dry then peeled it off and I have a texture to apply and paint whatever color I want!
I have tried a product from USArtquest called Perfect Paper Adhesive in gloss. It works great! I have applied it to texture blocks, let it dry then peeled it off and I have a texture to apply and paint whatever color I want!
I have tried a product from USArtquest called Perfect Paper Adhesive in gloss. It works great! I have applied it to texture blocks, let it dry then peeled it off and I have a texture to apply and paint whatever color I want!
wonderful!
cool you tested so many mediums for us!
Thank you for all the fantastic inspiration Julie!
Merry Christmas!
wonderful!
cool you tested so many mediums for us!
Thank you for all the fantastic inspiration Julie!
Merry Christmas!
wonderful!
cool you tested so many mediums for us!
Thank you for all the fantastic inspiration Julie!
Merry Christmas!
wonderful!
cool you tested so many mediums for us!
Thank you for all the fantastic inspiration Julie!
Merry Christmas!
wonderful!
cool you tested so many mediums for us!
Thank you for all the fantastic inspiration Julie!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for this jane. I tried with Matt gel too and gave up because of the same problem! I’m not sure I can get tar gel in the uk but will have a try! The pieces look great.
I love you’re e mails…………your art and your energy are inspiring
Thank you so much for this jane. I tried with Matt gel too and gave up because of the same problem! I’m not sure I can get tar gel in the uk but will have a try! The pieces look great.
I love you’re e mails…………your art and your energy are inspiring
Thank you so much for this jane. I tried with Matt gel too and gave up because of the same problem! I’m not sure I can get tar gel in the uk but will have a try! The pieces look great.
I love you’re e mails…………your art and your energy are inspiring
Thank you so much for this jane. I tried with Matt gel too and gave up because of the same problem! I’m not sure I can get tar gel in the uk but will have a try! The pieces look great.
I love you’re e mails…………your art and your energy are inspiring
Thank you so much for this jane. I tried with Matt gel too and gave up because of the same problem! I’m not sure I can get tar gel in the uk but will have a try! The pieces look great.
I love you’re e mails…………your art and your energy are inspiring
Wow, your finished collage is breathtaking, love the colors and dimension your tar gel layering added! So nice that you shared ALL the mediums you tried, not just what worked. THank You!
Peace,
Donna
Wow, your finished collage is breathtaking, love the colors and dimension your tar gel layering added! So nice that you shared ALL the mediums you tried, not just what worked. THank You!
Peace,
Donna
Wow, your finished collage is breathtaking, love the colors and dimension your tar gel layering added! So nice that you shared ALL the mediums you tried, not just what worked. THank You!
Peace,
Donna
Wow, your finished collage is breathtaking, love the colors and dimension your tar gel layering added! So nice that you shared ALL the mediums you tried, not just what worked. THank You!
Peace,
Donna
Wow, your finished collage is breathtaking, love the colors and dimension your tar gel layering added! So nice that you shared ALL the mediums you tried, not just what worked. THank You!
Peace,
Donna
oh now I get it..beautiful. how fun!
hugs
susan s
oh now I get it..beautiful. how fun!
hugs
susan s
oh now I get it..beautiful. how fun!
hugs
susan s
oh now I get it..beautiful. how fun!
hugs
susan s
oh now I get it..beautiful. how fun!
hugs
susan s
Thanks for sharing your success and failures with this technique Julie. I love how the piece turned out.
Thanks for sharing your success and failures with this technique Julie. I love how the piece turned out.
Thanks for sharing your success and failures with this technique Julie. I love how the piece turned out.
Thanks for sharing your success and failures with this technique Julie. I love how the piece turned out.
Thanks for sharing your success and failures with this technique Julie. I love how the piece turned out.
Oh thanks for doing all the hard work for us, now we get to have the fun. Great results very pretty.
Oh thanks for doing all the hard work for us, now we get to have the fun. Great results very pretty.
Oh thanks for doing all the hard work for us, now we get to have the fun. Great results very pretty.
Oh thanks for doing all the hard work for us, now we get to have the fun. Great results very pretty.
Oh thanks for doing all the hard work for us, now we get to have the fun. Great results very pretty.
I too tried this after reading your original e-mail – I used a gloss and it worked, but what I had problems with was the blobs from the fabric paint….I just couldn’t control it very well, but that said I did make 2 sheets to be used in future art
Thanks for sharing this technique and for you experiments
I too tried this after reading your original e-mail – I used a gloss and it worked, but what I had problems with was the blobs from the fabric paint….I just couldn’t control it very well, but that said I did make 2 sheets to be used in future art
Thanks for sharing this technique and for you experiments
I too tried this after reading your original e-mail – I used a gloss and it worked, but what I had problems with was the blobs from the fabric paint….I just couldn’t control it very well, but that said I did make 2 sheets to be used in future art
Thanks for sharing this technique and for you experiments
I too tried this after reading your original e-mail – I used a gloss and it worked, but what I had problems with was the blobs from the fabric paint….I just couldn’t control it very well, but that said I did make 2 sheets to be used in future art
Thanks for sharing this technique and for you experiments
I too tried this after reading your original e-mail – I used a gloss and it worked, but what I had problems with was the blobs from the fabric paint….I just couldn’t control it very well, but that said I did make 2 sheets to be used in future art
Thanks for sharing this technique and for you experiments
The matte-ifiers in matte products are killers for this project. I’ve also tried “clear-drying” glues. Tar gel works best, although I’ve had some good results with Golden’s gloss medium.
It’s a huge amount of fun and some great results if you stir metallics into the mix!
The matte-ifiers in matte products are killers for this project. I’ve also tried “clear-drying” glues. Tar gel works best, although I’ve had some good results with Golden’s gloss medium.
It’s a huge amount of fun and some great results if you stir metallics into the mix!
The matte-ifiers in matte products are killers for this project. I’ve also tried “clear-drying” glues. Tar gel works best, although I’ve had some good results with Golden’s gloss medium.
It’s a huge amount of fun and some great results if you stir metallics into the mix!
The matte-ifiers in matte products are killers for this project. I’ve also tried “clear-drying” glues. Tar gel works best, although I’ve had some good results with Golden’s gloss medium.
It’s a huge amount of fun and some great results if you stir metallics into the mix!
The matte-ifiers in matte products are killers for this project. I’ve also tried “clear-drying” glues. Tar gel works best, although I’ve had some good results with Golden’s gloss medium.
It’s a huge amount of fun and some great results if you stir metallics into the mix!
You can also just use liquid acrylic without any medium. I’ve done this before and they come out great! Lots of intense color. Love the clear combo with the color though. Fun!
You can also just use liquid acrylic without any medium. I’ve done this before and they come out great! Lots of intense color. Love the clear combo with the color though. Fun!
You can also just use liquid acrylic without any medium. I’ve done this before and they come out great! Lots of intense color. Love the clear combo with the color though. Fun!
You can also just use liquid acrylic without any medium. I’ve done this before and they come out great! Lots of intense color. Love the clear combo with the color though. Fun!
You can also just use liquid acrylic without any medium. I’ve done this before and they come out great! Lots of intense color. Love the clear combo with the color though. Fun!
Oh, thanks for sharing your experiments! I am very tempted to try this technique and your comments will be very useful. On another side you book got into my mail-box yesterday, that is 3 days before a two-week holiday when I will have plenty of time to play with carving and stamping. I have already browsed the book and find it very inspiring.
Oh, thanks for sharing your experiments! I am very tempted to try this technique and your comments will be very useful. On another side you book got into my mail-box yesterday, that is 3 days before a two-week holiday when I will have plenty of time to play with carving and stamping. I have already browsed the book and find it very inspiring.
Oh, thanks for sharing your experiments! I am very tempted to try this technique and your comments will be very useful. On another side you book got into my mail-box yesterday, that is 3 days before a two-week holiday when I will have plenty of time to play with carving and stamping. I have already browsed the book and find it very inspiring.
Oh, thanks for sharing your experiments! I am very tempted to try this technique and your comments will be very useful. On another side you book got into my mail-box yesterday, that is 3 days before a two-week holiday when I will have plenty of time to play with carving and stamping. I have already browsed the book and find it very inspiring.
Oh, thanks for sharing your experiments! I am very tempted to try this technique and your comments will be very useful. On another side you book got into my mail-box yesterday, that is 3 days before a two-week holiday when I will have plenty of time to play with carving and stamping. I have already browsed the book and find it very inspiring.
I’ve used pouring medium to make gorgeous skins, but can’t remember if it dries clear or white, as its been awhile. But it is what I have seen most professional ‘skin’ artists use.
I’ve used pouring medium to make gorgeous skins, but can’t remember if it dries clear or white, as its been awhile. But it is what I have seen most professional ‘skin’ artists use.
I’ve used pouring medium to make gorgeous skins, but can’t remember if it dries clear or white, as its been awhile. But it is what I have seen most professional ‘skin’ artists use.
I’ve used pouring medium to make gorgeous skins, but can’t remember if it dries clear or white, as its been awhile. But it is what I have seen most professional ‘skin’ artists use.
I’ve used pouring medium to make gorgeous skins, but can’t remember if it dries clear or white, as its been awhile. But it is what I have seen most professional ‘skin’ artists use.
I wonder would plain old PVA glue work is applied fairly thick? I used to use a plastic container to hold my PVA in and once or twice I forgot to cover it up. The next morning it had dried to a clear(ish) layer that could be pulled out of the pot and stayed completely intact. What do you think?
I wonder would plain old PVA glue work is applied fairly thick? I used to use a plastic container to hold my PVA in and once or twice I forgot to cover it up. The next morning it had dried to a clear(ish) layer that could be pulled out of the pot and stayed completely intact. What do you think?
I wonder would plain old PVA glue work is applied fairly thick? I used to use a plastic container to hold my PVA in and once or twice I forgot to cover it up. The next morning it had dried to a clear(ish) layer that could be pulled out of the pot and stayed completely intact. What do you think?
I wonder would plain old PVA glue work is applied fairly thick? I used to use a plastic container to hold my PVA in and once or twice I forgot to cover it up. The next morning it had dried to a clear(ish) layer that could be pulled out of the pot and stayed completely intact. What do you think?
I wonder would plain old PVA glue work is applied fairly thick? I used to use a plastic container to hold my PVA in and once or twice I forgot to cover it up. The next morning it had dried to a clear(ish) layer that could be pulled out of the pot and stayed completely intact. What do you think?
Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Thanks so much for the trail and error information on this project. I am definitely going to try it.
I can’t wait to see what you have to share with us next!
Thanks so much for the trail and error information on this project. I am definitely going to try it.
I can’t wait to see what you have to share with us next!
Thanks so much for the trail and error information on this project. I am definitely going to try it.
I can’t wait to see what you have to share with us next!
Thanks so much for the trail and error information on this project. I am definitely going to try it.
I can’t wait to see what you have to share with us next!
Thanks so much for the trail and error information on this project. I am definitely going to try it.
I can’t wait to see what you have to share with us next!
Thanks for this update… I tried this process after you first posted and had all the problems you had (not clear, sticking together etc.)
Thanks for this update… I tried this process after you first posted and had all the problems you had (not clear, sticking together etc.)
Thanks for this update… I tried this process after you first posted and had all the problems you had (not clear, sticking together etc.)
Thanks for this update… I tried this process after you first posted and had all the problems you had (not clear, sticking together etc.)
Thanks for this update… I tried this process after you first posted and had all the problems you had (not clear, sticking together etc.)
Julie – LOVE it! Your finished artwork looks like something Jane Davies would make!
TFS
Grandma Nancy
Julie – LOVE it! Your finished artwork looks like something Jane Davies would make!
TFS
Grandma Nancy
Julie – LOVE it! Your finished artwork looks like something Jane Davies would make!
TFS
Grandma Nancy
Julie – LOVE it! Your finished artwork looks like something Jane Davies would make!
TFS
Grandma Nancy
Julie – LOVE it! Your finished artwork looks like something Jane Davies would make!
TFS
Grandma Nancy
The gloss regular or the tar gel is the stuff to use! The clear gesso will also work–and has a “tooth” to it that is useful if you want to draw on it.
The gloss regular or the tar gel is the stuff to use! The clear gesso will also work–and has a “tooth” to it that is useful if you want to draw on it.
The gloss regular or the tar gel is the stuff to use! The clear gesso will also work–and has a “tooth” to it that is useful if you want to draw on it.
The gloss regular or the tar gel is the stuff to use! The clear gesso will also work–and has a “tooth” to it that is useful if you want to draw on it.
The gloss regular or the tar gel is the stuff to use! The clear gesso will also work–and has a “tooth” to it that is useful if you want to draw on it.
Oh WOW!!!! Thanks so much for sharing…, so stoked to learn new ideas from you constantly – You keep me inspired … Can’t wait to see what you have in CJS2014!!! You are brilliant love your work!!! XXOO
Oh WOW!!!! Thanks so much for sharing…, so stoked to learn new ideas from you constantly – You keep me inspired … Can’t wait to see what you have in CJS2014!!! You are brilliant love your work!!! XXOO
Oh WOW!!!! Thanks so much for sharing…, so stoked to learn new ideas from you constantly – You keep me inspired … Can’t wait to see what you have in CJS2014!!! You are brilliant love your work!!! XXOO
Oh WOW!!!! Thanks so much for sharing…, so stoked to learn new ideas from you constantly – You keep me inspired … Can’t wait to see what you have in CJS2014!!! You are brilliant love your work!!! XXOO
Oh WOW!!!! Thanks so much for sharing…, so stoked to learn new ideas from you constantly – You keep me inspired … Can’t wait to see what you have in CJS2014!!! You are brilliant love your work!!! XXOO
Ooohh, nice. I have the tar gel and have never really used it (because of course everything i see folks use i want to try but barely do, ugh). Thanks for all the experiments conducted and results sharing Julie!
Ooohh, nice. I have the tar gel and have never really used it (because of course everything i see folks use i want to try but barely do, ugh). Thanks for all the experiments conducted and results sharing Julie!
Ooohh, nice. I have the tar gel and have never really used it (because of course everything i see folks use i want to try but barely do, ugh). Thanks for all the experiments conducted and results sharing Julie!
Ooohh, nice. I have the tar gel and have never really used it (because of course everything i see folks use i want to try but barely do, ugh). Thanks for all the experiments conducted and results sharing Julie!
Ooohh, nice. I have the tar gel and have never really used it (because of course everything i see folks use i want to try but barely do, ugh). Thanks for all the experiments conducted and results sharing Julie!
I never thought that I’d “need” tar gel until now – Love how you make me try new techniques and products!!
I never thought that I’d “need” tar gel until now – Love how you make me try new techniques and products!!
I never thought that I’d “need” tar gel until now – Love how you make me try new techniques and products!!
I never thought that I’d “need” tar gel until now – Love how you make me try new techniques and products!!
I never thought that I’d “need” tar gel until now – Love how you make me try new techniques and products!!
Even though the first skin was not clear and was torn, it was really cool because it looked like ice on a pond that is beginning to crack as it melts. And the one you did that took 4 days to remove and was all balled up was cool because it looked like a modern art piece. Thanks for the inspiration!
Even though the first skin was not clear and was torn, it was really cool because it looked like ice on a pond that is beginning to crack as it melts. And the one you did that took 4 days to remove and was all balled up was cool because it looked like a modern art piece. Thanks for the inspiration!
Even though the first skin was not clear and was torn, it was really cool because it looked like ice on a pond that is beginning to crack as it melts. And the one you did that took 4 days to remove and was all balled up was cool because it looked like a modern art piece. Thanks for the inspiration!
Even though the first skin was not clear and was torn, it was really cool because it looked like ice on a pond that is beginning to crack as it melts. And the one you did that took 4 days to remove and was all balled up was cool because it looked like a modern art piece. Thanks for the inspiration!
Even though the first skin was not clear and was torn, it was really cool because it looked like ice on a pond that is beginning to crack as it melts. And the one you did that took 4 days to remove and was all balled up was cool because it looked like a modern art piece. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow looks awesome…I’ve never used tar gel…I will have to try it out!
Wow looks awesome…I’ve never used tar gel…I will have to try it out!
Wow looks awesome…I’ve never used tar gel…I will have to try it out!
Wow looks awesome…I’ve never used tar gel…I will have to try it out!
Wow looks awesome…I’ve never used tar gel…I will have to try it out!
Awesome article. I loved your information about clear skin for collage.
Awesome article. I loved your information about clear skin for collage.
Awesome article. I loved your information about clear skin for collage.
Awesome article. I loved your information about clear skin for collage.
Awesome article. I loved your information about clear skin for collage.