Playing with Rub-ons, Watercolors & Gesso

Sometimes it's fun to play around and get messy.  I was inspired by the amazing Garden Girl Wilna one afternoon and created this fun page using rub-ons, watercolors and gesso.  I love the effect of the watercolors around the rub-ons and the gesso helps to tone everything down and creates a pretty background for my photo.

I used the rub-ons from the Studio Calico Lemonlush collection and added in a few of the wood veneer elements and gold foil leaves for more interest around my page.  I also watercolored a few white butterflies I cut with my silhouette for movement and dimension on the page.

The rub-ons kind of act like a resist and pop out around the watercolors.  The gesso provides a little softening and coverage over the rub-ons.  I love the effect!

Are you a fan of rub-ons?  Give this technique a try!  It's super fun!