Gothic Delights

When SPA announced their challenge as Gothic Valentine, I was a little lost for a while but then ideas began to tumble from somewhere and I couldn't wait to make it.  I don't usually do 'dark' art and don't much like Halloween  but have to say I have enjoyed this so much.

Love Eternal

 Starting out with 300gsm paper I cut a heart freehand and then used it as a template to draw a heart on the 6x4 postcard.  I applied Decoart texture sand using a paintbrush radiating out from the heart drawn on the postcard and left it to dry while I worked on the overlay heart.  I glued some white lace to the heart and pressed it firmly and once it was dry I applied 3 coats of Americana True Red.

Painting the whole of the card with two coats of Traditions Carbon black I began dry brushing from the outer edge to the inner edge working with ever lightening shades of gray until I finished using white at the very centre.  It looked like I had dusted it with baby powder!
Once I had finished with the white I began to cover the whole of the white dry brushing with Traditions Quinacridone Violet.  This was the only way I could think to achieve the subtle shading I wanted to achieve.

I mixed some of the True Red and a little black to apply some dry brush shading to the heart and then sprayed it with High Gloss sealer.  The bow at the top was originally white organza that I swiped with StayzOn black.  (it now has a fantastic metallic sheen, love it).

All in all this has been a lot of fun and I've learned a couple of new techniques.  Thanks so much for taking the time to look.