Galaxy Envelope Tutorial

[Elizabeth O.]

Hi Friends!! 

I recently (yesterday) decided that I would give making a video tutorial on how to paint a galaxy-themed envelope a try.  I tried for most of the morning to write on top of painted gouache (with BPW and with gouache), but struggled until I used acrylic to paint.  Heavy body acrylic and BPW ended up being the winning combination.  So, here it is!  Hope you enjoy!

Here is the materials list.



The calligraphy isn't the best (neither is the videography or the commentary), buuut not too bad for a day's work!

[handmadeletters]

EO, this is amazing and beautiful! The effect is stunning once you assemble the envelope, and see it come together.

Thanks for posting here, I forgot to look on your IG profile. I hope your students appreciate your teaching skills! And I need that envelope making tool. 

[IowaPharm2014]

This is amazingly cool.

I wonder how the address would look with a gold ink.

[ExtrasbyAlaina]

This rule. You're the coolest. That is all.

[Elizabeth O.]

Janice - I love that envelope tool!!  Mine is by We R Memory Keepers.  I bought the board on Amazon for $11, but it seems to have increased in price since then.  As for my teaching skills...you are extremely nice to me!! 

Lance - I hadn't thought about putting the address in gold.  That's a good idea!!  I had thought about adding pearl-ex to the white that I use to splatter the stars for some added flair!  There are so many variations that you could do that would look really cool.  You could even use a real galaxy reference.  So many options!

Alaina - Awwww shucks! 

Please - if anyone tries this - take a picture and send it to me!  Or tag me on Insta!

Also...I'd be interested to know if student-grade acrylic would work.  I picked Heavy Body for a higher pigment ratio, buuut anything to make the project cheaper is excellent.  And, for the record, Heavy Body Acrylic is 40% off at Michael's right now!  Just saying.... 

[SueL]

That looks fantastic Elizabeth. Thanks for the video.

[Elisabeth_M]

This is gorgeous!  I need to make one for my husband's birthday card (he's an astrophysicist).  For the white, do you just shake the toothbrush or do you kind of flick the bristles with your fingers or...?

I think silver ink would also look awesome for the address. 

[Jennifer J]

This looks so neat! Now I want to try it. You did a great job on the tutorial; you were very clear.

[Elizabeth O.]

Thanks Sue and Jennifer!!! 
I tried to be detailed but not wordy...I think my overuse of the word "um" and my sweet puppy dog were working against me, haha!

Elisabeth - I hold the toothbrush with both hands and run my pointer finger over the bristles while pointing it in the direction of the page.  The first time I tried the stars, it was a mighty mess!  I would do a practice run, unless you are daring.  And, if you are daring, start with the toothbrush at least 1.5 feet away from your project and watch for drips!

I ended up using gouache prepared like I prepare it to use as ink to make the stars.  I'm sure you could also water down the acrylic or use BPW.  Go for whole milk consistency.

Silver would look really cool!!

I'm glad I posted this here - I hoped you all would get some use out of it! 

[Marjorie M.]

This is so cool! I gotta try this. Thanks for sharing!

[Milonguera]

I'm definitely going to try this!  Thanks for sharing your idea with us. 

[Elizabeth O.]

Please do try it Debbie and Marjorie!!! And, please take pics!

[Sandeeee]

This is so nice! <3 Thank you for this!

[Elisabeth_M]

Bought a fan brush and I'm going to try my own galaxy envelope this weekend!

[Elizabeth O.]

Yessss!!!!