Finnabair inspired Steampunk canvas with Snip Art chipboards

Its been a while since I was at my desk creating...  I was inspired by a recent acquisition of Snip Art Chipboards and some Finnabair molded items as well as some clock hands that I purchased at a vintage market. 

The photo above is my finished canvas, the photo below is how it started out!  

I first took out all my chipboards that I thought I might use, as well as the laser cut clock faces I was gifted.

I set about laying everything out how I wanted it... then the painful part of gluing it all down... I used the 3D matte gel...this is not my favourite part of any project, but taking a photo of it before I start helps as sometimes you have to lift off so many things to glue the bottom item, that you forget what you had where...

The photo below is of the glue drying... once again I have to leave the studio or I want to start painting it... this just causes frustration on my part if I do start painting, as the parts move around until the 3D gel has dried...

Finally the glue was dry and I could gesso the whole thing

followed by adding some black paint and spraying it with water so that it settles in the hollows...

I added some vintage photo distress paint as I was heading towards a rusty look...

but changed my mind when my eyes fell on my Sparks paints...  so I used Ginger Magic and Raven black together with Brushed Iron Metallique Wax for highlights.

Here is a close up of the finished canvas