This article is one of a series of ArtsyTradional posts kindly written and provided by AnnaTeamer, Amber Ries.
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Are you an ArtsyTraditional scrapper who sometimes has trouble adding three-dimensional elements to your pages? Maybe you are a Traditional scrapper, venturing over to the ArtsySide, but can’t quite make the two styles merge? Or perhaps you're Artsy with a desire to add a little traditional dimension to your pages?
Read on.
In the very first ArtsyTraditional article, I shared how the addition of drop shadows can create realistic depth and dimension on a digital layout. In this post I want to share my methods for adding dimensional embellishments to my artsy pages.
Each ArtPlay Palette includes an Elements folder containing a variety of dimensional embellishments such as brads, metal anchors, buttons, flowers, leaves etc, however, these elements are visually flat due their digital nature and require the addition of a shadow to give the impression of dimension and bring the element to life.
Create a releastic drop shadow using any of the following methods:
1. Drop shadow files. Many of the elements are accompanied by separate drop shadow files which provide an easy drop shadow option. Place the drop shadow file behind the element, slightly off center, and adjust the opacity and color of the drop shadow as desired. Once you have placed the drop shadow flile use the arrow buttons on your keyboard to nudge the shadow into perfect placement.
2. AnnaStyle Shadows. A new set of drop shadow layer styles are now available in the store. Load the styles, select the element to which you would like to add a drop shadow and select the style of your choice from the Styles palette (Photoshop) or Effects panel (Elements). These layer styles are delivered with step-by-step instructions for installetion and use.
3. Create your own. Use the layer styles tools within Photoshop or Elements to create your own custom drop shadows, recommended for more advanced users.
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Element Arrangement. The next step is to successfully incorporate the shadowed dimensional element(s) into your artsy pages using one or more of the following techniques.
1. The Visual Triangle. The foundation of Busy Little Elf was created using a combination of photos, transfers and brushes.
This layout includes a focal point photo, journaling, a title and the date, but to create an ArtsyTradtional layout, it needs some dimension. Arrange the shadowed elements so that they create a visual triangle.
If I draw a line from the bow to the title/candy cane to the poinsetta element grouping I would end up with the triangle as shown.
Busy Little Elf | Amber
Place your elements randomly on the layout and then move them around and group them until you create an arrangement that is pleasing to you. There are no rules to this practice other than to experiment and play.
In this layout, I started by creating a cluster next to the circular photo frame, then moved to the title for point two of my triangle. I added my son’s name to the title, as well as a candy cane, some Sprinkelz and a MultiMedia elf. I complete the arrangement by adding a bow and button up near his face to create the last point of the triangle.
The visual triangle leads the eye to the focal photos and journaling on the page.
Note. Aside from triangles you could also try linear arrangements from one side to the other, a Z-flow, or a diagonal flow from opposing corners. I exhausted all these options before settling on the triangle which was most fitting for this particular layout.
2. Embellish a LoopDaLoop. Use brads, buttons, flowers or the element of your choice to anchor LoopDaLoop ArtsStrokes. Notice how the elements in the following layouts enhance the curvature of each LoopDaLoop.
Leaving | Adryane
3. Monogram Cluster. Use a letter from a dimensional AlphaSet and arrange it with one or more elements to create a cluster arrangement. A trio of elements is a good rule of thumb, but most odd numbers work well. In the following layout 2 dimensional elements have been grouped with a heart brush motif to complete the trio of elements. Notice also the clever use of brads on the bear transfers.
B | Adryane
S | Amber
Once you’ve added one element to your layout beginning placing and tucking a a couple more next to, behind or on top of this focal element. Essentially you are creating a visual triangle of elements within the visual triangle outlined above.
Note. You can create a triangle cluster of elements using a variety of elements, such as this arrangement brads in differing sizes and a flower which add depth to an otherwise flat page.
Friends | Phylis
A multi-dimensional arrangment of stars leads the eye providing the opportunity to notice the artistry in the layout.
Thanksgiving | Phylis
A title becomes the third point of the visual triangle. The drop shadow cements it's status as a dimentional embellishment and accentuates it's presence on the layout.
Partners | Barb
A skinner triangle also works the theory. Small photos can also act as embellishments.
e | Anna
3. Adhere a frame. Elements such as photo turns, brads, tape and stitching can be used to anchor one or more frames to a page.
Sisters | Kerry Halasz
Linderhof | Amber Ries
Note. It's important to make sure your photo turns are anchoring frames down in a realistic manner. Notice how the shadowing gives the impression that the frame is lifting slightly at the top left corner. I purposely avoided any element placement on that corner because the primary function of a photo turn is to press down and anchor an area of a frame.
4. BradBullets. Use brads and buttons to emphasize and organize your journaling.
A single mini brad draws the eye to two simple lines of journaling.
Santa's Elf | Adryane
Multiple brads organize and accentuate informational bullets.
5. Elemental Typography. Use dimensional elements in place of letters, numbers punctuation in fonts to accentuate you titles.
A brad has been used to dot the i in ‘friends’ and a larger decorative button leads the eye from the title along the page to the focal photo on the opposite side of the following layout. Notice also how the brads also serve to anchor the photos.
Be My Friend | Ezster
Element shadowing and placement takes practice. Start small by adding just a brad or button to your pages. From there you can begin working in threes to create visual triangles of single elements before you progress to arrangements using clusters of elements. Don't try to run before you can walk.
Take the process one step at a time and you'll be comfortably adding multiple elements in no time.
