Because there was only two hours, I decided I had to fit in as many techniques as I could. So after explaining what Brusho was and showing some of the work I had done, to show them how versatile it is, I decided to do a pen and wash, which would incorporate wax on an elephant, and some silver birch type trees out of a dark background to demonstrate the use of bleach. You can also just use it like watercolour.
I was soooo nervous I started out by telling them that if they had constipation, then volunteering to do a workshop would work wonders!!!
Ok, so this is how we did it. We drew an elephant in thick permanent ink (pens from the £1 shop), used wax candle for highlights on the ephalump, and for the grasses. Sprinkled - sprayed - tilted. Done and dusted Brusho did it for me.
Second was using pure thick bleach. Taking care to cover clothes, using separate container for water and old brushes. We sprinkled (through a hole in the top of the brusho containers) - sprayed - tilted NO DRAWING FIRST - dried and then whoosh, in with brushstrokes of pure bleach, and as if by magic the tree trunks appeared, then some thicker branches and because we had no fine brushes, used cocktail sticks for the thin branches - plus some imagination.
Considering we had to share 2 boxes of brusho with 8 people, it worked really well. There was quiet concentration and laughter. They seemed to be having fun. I have had more recruits, and now have to do another two. Yikes!!!
Please, if you are interested in seeing a quick demo of this wonderful medium, check out Joanne Boon Thomas's Brusho Secrets, ( it shows a short video). There is a DVD and ebook, which are both easy to follow and inpsiring and shows the versatility of this medium. Good pressie to yourself! I had been on a day workshop with her, and used some of the techniques, she generously passes on to all her students and also her enthusiasm for a new and exciting way of painting.
I would like to say a big THANK YOU to her for all the fun I now have using Brusholicious paint.
