Today I want to share a technique using Citra Solv concentrated cleaner, National Geographic pages, and stencils to make beautiful artwork. In previous posts, I have described using Citra Solv and stencils on already altered pages. Now, I am going to tell you about a new twist on that technique.
The first step is to cover a canvas with torn strips and pieces of unaltered National Geographic magazine pages. Yes, they do have to be from a National Geographic because of the process they use to print their beautiful images. I like to follow a color scheme a bit, like colorful, or browns, or blues and greens…. Be very careful to not get the adhesive on the front side of the paper, as it will make it difficult for the Citra Solv to do its magic.
Next, spray the entire surface liberally with Citra Solv, then cover with plastic wrap.
After it has sat for awhile (I suggest 5 to 30 minutes), give it all a vigorous rub and peel off the plastic wrap. Lay a stencil on the “softened” surface and use a paper towel moistened with Citra Solv to rub away the ink through the stencil.
Pull away the stencil and check out the beautiful results! I love to use these as a starting point for my artwork.
For more Citra Art, check out the Citra Solv Artist’s website.
I used Crafter’s Workshop Stencils, but any with a fairly large pattern will do.
createarteveryday
This is wonderful and your artwork is amazing! I’m definitely going to try this! Thanks for sharing it with us!
victoryrd
Hope you have as much fun as I did!
Kathy Hunter
I wish that I could clone your artist’s mind! So creative, you are! And, a marvelous sharer. Thank you, Kayann.
victoryrd
I had to hustle out before I got to tell you how much I enjoyed your spice boys. Love them, and so glad you shared them with the group! Inspires me to pull out some of my assemblage projects!
Carrie Lynn
thank you for sharing your process. your art is fabulous. how i wish i could come and see you in action!
Victoria Pierce
Thank you for sharing…. !!!
Butterfly Lady | Conversations with the Muse
[…] got this idea for Citrasolv collage technique from another artist’s blog victoryroad.com. She spells out the process clearly on her blog so I won’t repeat it here. Previously […]
Mr. Rooster | from victory road
[…] I have had roosters on my mind for awhile now, paying special attention to images of them I see. As with all of my pieces, they stir around and formulate themselves until they finally cannot be contained any longer and must express themselves! The thing holding me back on this rooster was the background. I just couldn’t decide what it should be. Then I hit on the idea of making my own chicken wire stencil…. with nice big openings suitable to one of my favorite Citra Solv techniques. Check out a how to on that here. […]
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[…] and finally… Citra Solv Special Effects […]
Bev
How long before the CitraSolv smell goes away? I don’t want to put papers in my journal with this smell….
Kayann Ausherman
The smell can last quite awhile. I spray mine with a workable fixative and that does seem to help.
Bev
Thank you for the reply. I have just continued to let my sit out in the open air and the smell is not so offensive now.
Estelle
Beautiful! What kind of adhesive did you use to glue down the strips and what did you seal the finished collage with?
Thank you
Kayann Ausherman
Thank you Estelle! I used Liquitex matte gel medium both to glue the strips and seal the finished piece.
Carolyn
Love, love, love! Where did you get that stencil?
Carolyn
Beautiful and so informative. Thanks. I am curious where you got the stencil. It’s lovely.
Kayann Ausherman
This stencil is by Crafter Workshop, but I believe is discontinued. I also offer my own stencil designs in my etsy shop if you are interested.
Barbara Woolner
Fascinated with your techniques. Want to learn more
Dalebroux
Hello ! I live in Belgium and we don’t find CitraSolv here… Are there some similar stuff to use to have same effects ?
Kayann Ausherman
I have not found any good substitutes, but if you have a concentrated citrus based cleaner, you could try that. Good luck! Please let me know if you find something that works!
Becca
Kayann, this article is from 2015 and I’ve only just read it. I have to say this is a beautiful technique. It is so uncomplicated and yields such lovely results. Thank you for sharing your technique. I’m looking forward to using it in my mixed media projects.
Lynn Parise
Beautiful works of art. Thank you so much for posting! One question….do the NG magazines need to be older than a specific year, or newer. I seem to recall hearing that certain years were printed a special way, that worked best with CitraSolv. I used to know the answer, but I can never remember which. Thanks so much!
Kayann Ausherman
Lynn, I prefer the year 2000 and NEWER. Happy creating!