Rachel Dimbleby guides us through the dos and don’ts of triptych designs to go with her cards and canvasses that you can see here, here, here, here, here and here!
Whether you’re new to this concept or a seasoned pro, we dare you not to be dazzled by her stunningly stylish creations!
The science bit
A triptych is a work of art divided into three sections which are hinged together. The central panel is the most important part of a triptych, and this is flanked on either side by two lesser but essential parts of the central design. It sounds complicated but it isn’t – in its simplest terms it’s just one design which has been spread across three panels.
So now we know what a triptych is we can set about working its concept into our crafting, and for the projects featured we have focused on using the ever-versatile technique that is stamping, and because stamps can be used on a wide range of surfaces we don’t have to be limited to using card and paper, so think canvas, and think big – or in the case of these projects, think little!
Getting started
Stamping on canvas is a simple technique which produces extremely professional results in a surprisingly short space of time. The stamps themselves create the outline for your designs and all you need to do is add the paint!
Prime time
The first step to painting on a canvas is to prime it with emulsion. If your artwork is specifically for one room in your house, you may want to use emulsions that match your chosen paintwork. Otherwise, use a light base colour, such as white or magnolia, and add hints of darker colours to represent different parts of the image (blue sky, green grass, etc). Tester pots of emulsion can be bought cheaply from any DIY store.
Tips for stamping on canvas
The canvasses will need to be left to dry completely before you can start to use your stamps, so you may like to speed up the drying process with the help of a hairdryer.
You will need to use a permanent inkpad, such as Whispers, Ink It Up or VersaMark, because an image stamped with a water-based pad will run when you apply paint. If you want to create a strong, dark image, then StazOn inkpads work particularly well.
Don’t worry if you make a mistake, or the image doesn’t appear as clear as you would like – simply wipe it away with a clean babywipe. Permanent ink does leave a faint outline, but this can be covered with a layer of emulsion and, when dry, you can start again!
When you stamp your images onto the canvas, you will need to apply some pressure to the back, as well as the front of the canvas. This will give a clearer, stronger stamped image. On large canvasses you could place a book behind them and on the smaller ones your fingers will work just fine.
Let the fun begin
Once your design has been stamped out and you are happy with the composition, it’s fun time! We’ve used acrylic paint in the projects featured, but you could also use gouache paint or simply stick to using emulsion. Mixing and blending primary colours (red, yellow and blue) to create secondary colours (orange, green and purple) is easier than you think, and gives a more professional and sophisticated look than using ready-mixed colours.
Colour code
Keeping to a simple colour palette will ensure a stylish finish, so don’t be tempted to use every colour under the sun, as this will make your work look too busy. A complementary colour scheme is ideal, as can be seen with the boats canvasses here. The greenish-blue hues of the sea and sky contrasts with the reds and oranges of the boats, making the boats stand out from the background.
Caution
Once you’ve tried this technique, beware – you will be addicted! Be inspired to work on different-sized canvasses and create your own compositions and colour schemes, and be proud to show off your artwork on the wall of your living space.
Off the wall
As we have seen, the triptych composition works effortlessly well on canvasses but it can also be used for creating fabulous cards. A gatefold-style card blank is ideal for this because you can show the side images on the front of the card and then open it out to reveal the central feature.
Different strokes
We have used two very different media for the triptych cards featured, which show the stark contrasts that can be achieved using one technique. The painted cards appear soft and delicate, whilst the collage-effect cards show a more vibrant and funky finish. You can choose what mood you would like to create, or what event you are celebrating and use the technique that best fits your project.
Plan out or practise your composition by having a trial run on paper first. This will give you confidence in your design work before stamping on the canvasses
Larger canvasses can be purchased relatively cheaply in discount stores, so shop around before heading straight to a specialist art store
You could use canvas board instead of boxed canvasses for your projects. The upside of using canvas board is that it is easier to stamp on than boxed canvas, but you would need to have your artwork framed once you have finished
When searching for stamps to use, www.onefourzero.co.uk stocks a wide range of themed sets which are ideal for these kinds of projects. Themes to look out for include football, fairies and mermaids
Personalise your canvasses by stamping words or a name. Include a child’s name and/or date of birth for an extra-special, lasting birthday gift
