Tuesday 9 February 2016

NEW Andy Skinner Challenge - Prizes to be Won!

A little something different - and hopefully exciting - for you today! I've decided to host the occasional blog challenge so that I can get more interaction with you and see what you're making with my products. So welcome to my very first challenge!

The theme for this challenge is: BOLD & BRIGHT
I've been embracing strong and vibrant colours in my recent work and I challenge you to do the same!

Closing date: Midnight GMT, 9th March 2016



One lucky person will win these awesome prizes!

PLUS A


                                




Once the challenge closes, I will choose a winner who will receive the above prize AND my top three entries who will receive a badge for their blog.

For my piece above, I've tinted DecoArt Modeling Paste with fluid acrylics. If you want to have a go at this technique for your challenge entry, here's a short video showing you how:


I know some of you might be wary of bright colours, but don't be! Have a play and see what happens - the worst case scenario is a wasted piece of paper. Here are a few tips to help you embrace your colourful side:
  • When you are layering bold colours, especially contrasting colours, it's important to dry your layers between coats. If you over mix the paints you risk creating muddy colours and losing that vibrancy.
  • Check whether your paint choice is translucent or opaque - layering with translucent paints will change the tone of the underlying paint.
  • Use what I like to call a 'crash test dummy', a spare piece of scrap substrate that you can test on before moving onto your main artwork.
  • Experiment by applying paint with tools other than a brush. Try using a credit card, palette knife or texture tools. Add paint by splattering it or using a stamp.
  • Most importantly, allow yourself to create freely. Don't be frightened of making mistakes; sometimes a mistake leads to an amazing piece of art!

THE RULES

There are a few simple challenge rules to follow, so please take a quick read before entering:

-Please use at least one Andy Skinner product in your creation. This includes the whole of the DecoArt Media Line plus my designs for DecoArt stencils, Stampendous stamps, and Tando Creative Stencils and Chipboard. Remember to mention in your post which item(s) you have used.

-Please DO NOT use rival brands of either paint or mediums - DecoArt only; there is no problem with using other products of any brand.

-You can use any substrate you wish.

-Please link to the actual blog post which relates to the challenge, not simply to your blog and make sure you include a link back to this challenge in your post.

-Entry is via the Linky below and I regret that due to time constraints I can't accept entries any other way. This means that you do need to have a blog in order to take part.

-The challenge is open internationally and all entrants following the rules will be eligible to win.

-You can combine my challenge with as many others as you like but I want to see clear evidence that the theme has been the inspiration for your piece.

Entries that don't meet the above requirements will not be eligible to win.

Can't wait to see what you create and GOOD LUCK!

Andy

37 comments:

  1. YEAH - sooooo fun. Love both of your new BRIGHT creations Andy. YUMMY YUMMY art work. Can't wait to play!! j.

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  2. Great challenge theme Andy and I love your bold, bright and beautiful makes!

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  3. This is so fun! I love your bright colors and awesome texture. Can't wait to give this a play, thanks so much for inspiring!~kim

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  4. Bright colors scare me so this will be a very good challenge to try! Awesome sauce design and inspiration you have shared! Let's see what happens and where the colors take me. Thanks for the opportunity! ~Niki

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  5. I love all things Media line so I will try to find time to have a go ;D Good luck with the challenge Andy x

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  6. Just to make sure - any Stampendous stamps, or just your range?

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    1. Hi Ellie, You can use any stamps but you have to include at least one of my products in the design - so if you don't use my stamps you'd need to include a DecoArt Media product or one of my stencils, for example. I hope that makes sense?Best of luck!

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    2. Thanks Andy - that makes sense :)

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  8. Hey Andy,
    How cool for you to do this! I am totally psyched that you are doing challenges!
    Jackie

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  9. What a great idea to challenge us - and what a fabulous inspiration piece. I'm only sad that I'm going to be away from my craft desk for so much of the year!
    Alison xx

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  10. Only just saw this...how exciting! Thanks for the challenge xx

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  11. Caio from Italia! I was so excited to see your post and challenge...until I realized that anyone who has no access to your products will not be able to participate...
    We do not have "traditional" craft stores here, nor do we have but just a select few art stores. None of which carry either your or Deco Mixed Media lines. I have been in the industry for many years and this has always been so frustrating for me. Being an independent now, I feel able to express it in order to help those others in the craft and art world who have similar frustrations.
    Excited by your work chap, looking forward to more!

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    1. I'm really sorry you are having difficulty getting the products in Italy but thank you very much for the compliment.

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  12. Now I just "have" to get my craft supplies out of storage!!

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  13. Thanks for the challenge :-)
    corinnedefrance

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  14. To clarify - paint brands. Is it OK to use other brands besides DecoArt or is it only acceptable to use DecoArt? For example, I try to support local businesses and shops vs online and can get stencils and stamps, but their DecoArt paint selections are limited to the Americana line.amy of my paints are a mix of liquitex, decoart, qolden, whatever I caught a good sale on.

    Essentially, am I limited only to the DecoArt products for the challenge, or can I simply not name the other brands when I post the piece?

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    1. Hi Kristina, unfortunately as per the rules (Please DO NOT use rival brands of either paint or mediums - DecoArt only; there is no problem with using other products of any brand) we do want you to stick to the DecoArt range of paints. I work for and am an ambassador for them so the challenge is partly about supporting that brand. Thanks for your understanding.

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    2. So, DecoArt brands like Americana would be ok if I can't get the media line? I just want to make sure. I have a concept in mind but hadn't started on it just yet.

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    3. So, DecoArt brands like Americana would be ok if I can't get the media line? I just want to make sure. I have a concept in mind but hadn't started on it just yet.

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  15. I also love all my Deco'Art and Media Line products and even more your fabulous stencils so I will try to find time to have a go if I can! :D Good luck to everyone, and thank you for the challenge Andy! x

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  16. Can I enter from Flickr or Tumbler? I really want to try the challenge but do not have a reg blog!

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    1. Sorry Jackie - you do need a blog to be able to enter as I'll be considering the details of your projects as well as the overall look.

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  17. Such a fun opportunity! Thanks for this, Andy!

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  18. ce sera pour moi mon premier challenge qui est présenté sur mon blog
    à bientôt nate

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  19. I would love to enter but don't have anything! People who already have, love and are addicted to Andy Skinner products and or the whole of the DecoArt Media Line plus or DecoArt stencils, this is fantastic! But what us new want to be converts?? We want a chance to win!

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  20. finally finished ! great challenge and wonderful inspiration x

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  21. What a fun challenge! Looking at everyone's work is truly inspirational.

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  22. Andy, I had a blast putting together a project for this challenge! I really had to push myself for this one since I'm a grunge girl at heart. Thanks for the fun challenge and all the great products you create - love them all!!!

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  23. It was REALLY fun to participate in Your challenge! :D I did it despite home renovtion and small range of Your fluid acrylics... Well, I can see end of renovation soon and I totally need more of Your medias!

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  24. Fun challenge - which the bright colors really were a challenge. Thanks for getting me motivated to create art!

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  25. Thank you for a really fab challenge Andy and for sharing your beautiful artwork.
    Fliss x

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  26. Andy,
    What a great challenge! Thanks for your generosity, for your inspiration and for your creative ideas!
    Dorly Weitzen, Israel

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Your comments are always read and very much appreciated.