ASHA CANVAS 

 For this project, you will need:

  • A square canvas.

  • Powertex fabric hardener in Bronze and Ivory.

  • Stone Art powder.

  • Plaster face.

  • Brown bister spray.

  • Fine cord, string or braid for neck decoration.

  • Pearl Red and Rich Gold pigments and varnish

  • Clingfilm, plastic bowl, spatula, rolling pin, flat brush, measuring cup, kitchen roll/paper towel

    Step 1 – Making the clay (1:1 ratio)

    • Shake the Bronze Powertex and pour into your measuring cup and then pour into a plastic bowl.
    • Rinse and dry the measuring cup and add the same quantity of Stone Art Powder to the Bronze Powertex in the bowl.
    • Using a spatula gently mix the contents to a stiff dough.
    • Then using your hands continue to work in the Stone Art Powder until your clay has no further flakes of the powder visible and is all the same colour.
    • Wrap the clay in clingfilm and leave to one side whilst you prepare your canvas.  The clay improves after being left a while.

    Step 2 – Canvas Background Texture

    • Place canvas onto a tray that is big enough to contain excess Stone Art Powder.
    • Shake the Ivory Powertex and pour a small amount directly onto the canvas.
    • Working in 3-4 square inches at a time spread the Powertex using a flat brush, or your fingers.
    • Whilst the Powertex is still wet apply Stone Art powder pressing firmly into the wet Powertex. Using a gentle circular motion and the heel of your hand, rub the powder into the Powertex.
    • Continue working in small areas; applying coats of Powertex and Stone Art Powder until you have the desired texture ensuring there is a reasonably smooth flat part on the canvas to which you will apply your plaster face.
    • Using a dry, flat brush dip into the Ivory Powertex and lightly brush over the entire canvas removing any excess loose powder.

    Step 3 – Bister Spray

    • Gently swirl the bottle of brown Bister and test the spray onto some scrap paper or kitchen roll. Do not shake vigourously.
    • Apply Bister using a long, steady sweeping spaying motion to the whole canvas varying the depth of colour in certain areas for contrast

    Step 4 – Face Feature

    • Paint all four edges of your canvas
    • Using a small amount of Bronze Powertex poured into a plastic container cover the back of your plaster face and adhere to your canvas.
    • Lightly paint the whole face with Bronze Powertex.

    Step 5 – Add neck and shoulders

    • Take a small roll of the prepared stone art clay and wrap with fine cord or string covered in Bronze Powertex. Apply under the head to make a neck for the plaster face.
    • Roll a larger piece of stone art clay and shape onto the canvas the shape of shoulders/bust. this will raise up the 3D definition of the character.
    • Place your canvas to one side and leave to dry.

     

    Step 6 – Adding clay decoration

    • Unwrap your clay and work it between your hands.
    • Take about a third of the clay and leave the remainder wrapped in cling film.
    • Roll the clay into a ball shape in your hands and then roll out using a rolling pin to a thickness of 2 mm.
    • Using very small amounts of the metallic pigments, lightly sprinkle onto the edges of your clay and then gently roll with the rolling pin to embed the pigments into the clay.
    • Using your finger and thumb pull a small piece away and stretch along one side to produce cracks and frills.
    • Begin applying these ‘leaves’ of clay to form the ‘dress’ starting at the lowest point.
    • Continue using the pigmented clay to create leaves and apply in layers to reach up to the neck decoration.

    Step 7 – Add a headdress

    • Apply the stone art clay ‘leaves’  to form ‘headdress’ starting at the lowest point.
    • Continue using the pigmented clay to create leaves and apply in layers around the head in a style of your choice.
    • Leave  the canvas to dry for at least an hour, preferably overnight.

    Step 8 – Adding the finishing colours

    • Drip a small amount of water-based varnish onto a mixing palette.
    • Using a flat brush, dip into the varnish then the powdered metallic pigment.
    • Mix this on the palette until creamy.
    • Wipe off excess onto a piece of kitchen roll.
    • Holding the brush flat and fairly horizontal to the canvas, gently sweep the paintbrush over some of the textured areas of the canvas.
    • Using a small amount of the Rich Gold pigment mixed with some varnish take off the excess on a paper towel gently sweep the brush across the face in one movement to add facial highlights.

     The Paint is dry immediately, but leave your canvas for at least 3 days to thoroughly set hard.  You can now show off your creation to everyone.

    Check out our other online workshops coming soon.