/* */ Beulah Bee: Murmuration

November 20, 2014

Murmuration


A flock of starlings is called a murmuration and they gather at dusk in great numbers to perform an incredible ballet before resting. I didn't know about this (starlings don't inhabit the Americas) until I saw a You Tube video (gone viral) and my tag made me think of it so I gave it this title.

I was inspired by Emma Williams' post over at Simon Says Stamp where she shared a technique for creating a moonlit sky as part of this week's Monday blog challenge which is To the Moon.

I got a bit hung up during the rendering of clouds so I improvised thanks to the painterly quality of distress inks. I used a stamp called Winter Ledge by Penny Black.

I thought I'd share my own tip for getting a mask to stay put while you are inking around it:  Martha Stewart's ballpoint tip glue pen creates a permanent bond when used wet but if you let it dry it creates a temporary bond (says so right on the pen). So I just dab a little on the back of the mask, let it dry, then stick it to my artwork knowing that it will be easy to peel off and will leave no residue behind.

Also, applying Antique Linen as a first layer helped a great deal with blending-in the Dusty Concord. It's probably because that first layer of ink (still somewhat wet) provides a slick surface for adding the second layer.

And now, if you've never seen a murmuration, prepared to be amazed!