Super Heroes to the Rescue!

 

Original artwork by
Calvin  Lin

As Tanya mentioned in the last post, life tends to throw you a nice monkey wrench at you  when you are making plans.  So, as we decided to start a new blog, I started a new, fantastic job.  So now my free “craft” time has been eaten up.  Not to worry!  Superheros to the rescue!  Literally!

My son was itching for something new on his walls.  His wall of costumes above his bed were nice, but they were getting in the way of making his bed, and he wanted something new.  (Read, his mother was annoyed that they would never be put back!)  So, it was time to say good-bye to them and hello to some new art!  But, being the crafty person that I am, I wanted to make him something.  Something memorable, something fun, something.. yes... cheap.  Say hello to Ironman!  The original digital artwork is by Calvin Lin, and available at Society 6.  All the Avengers super heroes are there as well as others.  

But, back to my dilemma. I wanted to put art on his walls, but really couldn’t afford anything.  I had a great stock of blank canvases and a lot of simple acrylic paint.  So, I decided that I would create Ironman on canvas, based on Calvin Lin’s originals.  Now, I’ve never painted anything on canvas, but I’m the type of person that is willing to try anything out!!

After a few days of agonizing over this canvas, I decided to just start.  The canvas has a base of modge-podged old book pages.  I wanted the canvas to have a lot of texture.  After a few layers of book pages and a lot of drying time, it was time to add the base of red.  Then more, then some “dirt” smudges around.  Finally I created a stencil of Ironman’s “parts” and painstakingly put brush to canvas.

Finished background on canvas (left),
modge-podging book pages onto canvas

In the end Ironman turned out wonderfully.  After about 3 weeks of doing this in the evenings, Ironman was done.  But, my plan backfired!  My son loved the art, but he wanted more.  Silly me.. I said ok.  It took a few months, but finally they are done!  All 5 of the Avengers are here.  I had to design Hawkeye myself because my son didn’t recognize the character based on the original comic book.

Paula's version of Ironman

Now he says that he wants more superhero art.  My 2 daughters *tried* to bargain with my son to get Black Widow in their room, but eventually I guess I’ll have to make them one or two.  I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into!

Paula

P.S. Sorry for the pictures being all over the place. I'm still trying to figure out Blogger! ARGH!

Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, Captain America

The Avengers in their new home!