This is a continuation of the previous post, Benefits of Creating Art Cards.
Creating art cards is a way to build up your confidence. Maybe you’ve created some “art failures” and feel like giving up. Creating small, simple pieces of art that you feel good about, can give you the confidence to move on to bigger projects.
To get started making your art cards, decide what you’ll use as a base. Some people like to use cardstock that’s been cut into the size they want. The cardstock may seem rather flimsy at first but after you add the glue, paint and collage elements, it’ll be sturdier.
You can also use index cards (they can be glued together) or playing cards or children’s flash cards or even cereal boxes that have been cut to size. If you’re planning to paint your backgrounds, you might want to put a coat of gesso on the cards. It makes them sturdier and “paintable” and adds texture. It also helps cover up the the images. If your surface is glossy, you can use sandpaper and gently scuff it up.
One of the first things to do is decide what your focal point is. This can be an image or photo, a silk flower, a painted leaf or other objects. Next you can paint your background in coordinating colors and designs or cover it with paper or other materials. You can add texture to your background by stamping, using dimensional paste, stenciling etc.
Then you add the embellishments- things that complement your theme. Here is a list of ideas: Bits of string, wire, old postmarked stamps, buttons, words and phrases, bits of textured fabric such as burlap, denim, muslin or aida cloth, bits of mesh from produce bags, small pieces of textured paper or corrugated cardboard, flat metal washers etc. As you can see, almost anything goes.
You will want to make sure your name is somewhere on the card, but you might also want to add your website URL and other contact information such as your address, phone number and e-mail address so people can contact you if they are interested in knowing more about your art.
You can write it by hand, print it out from your computer or buy premade labels or stickers. One artist, I know of, paints the back of her cards black and writes her name in white. You can carry these cards with you and hand them out to people. Let them choose which card they want.