Playing With Watercolors and Paper

I've been having such a good time playing with paper, but feel as if I am neglecting the other love of my creative life - painting. Creating with paper has actually re-inspired me with my painting, and more and more I see how I can combine the two mediums.

On the the Decorative Artists in Canada (DAIC)painting list, they have a wonderful thing called DTCs which is basically a 4x6 trading card for the DAIC members. I have grown to love this exchange, as it allows me to combine paper and painting. The 4x6 cards give me more room than the ATCs and less surface space of the traditional cardstock. My most recent DTC for spring, I decided to use a daffodil line drawing of Richard Bonds and paint using watercolors on canvas.I cut a piece of canvas and glued it onto the 4x6 DTC tempate and applied the line drawing. Then, I took Grumbacher watercolors and applied color.

I let it dry, then applied color to the background and then added some doodles around the boarder, using a black Micron fine point marker....and added a bit details to the flower.

I am very happy with the results, and I have decided that instead of loading up on stamps, I will begin using what I already have over on my paint table ... an abundance of line drawings and patterns from wonderful decorative artists.

I truly believe that the two, paper crafting and decorative art, can co-exist in a truly dynamic creative way.

How To Paint Walls and Borders

The easiest way to do a wall border is to do the complete design in sections. This way you're up on a ladder one time, doing all facets of the design.

To make things move along a little more quickly, you can start to use multiple brushes of the same size. For a rose bud border for instance, you will have a brush with acrylic colors wine/white; green/yellow; periwinkle/white (for filler flowers) or scruffy brush for wisteria.

If you load the green brush, use it, and then put it in the water...the green brush handle is the one with your green paint...for the pink one, dip the end of the brush into berry wine and put it in the water...you will know which one to use for the rose buds and which one to use for leaves without having to take it out of the water and look. When you are ready to use the brushes again, take them out of the water, dab off the excess water on a paper towel, reload a little more paint into it, and go right to your wall...saves you the step of totally reloading. To keep the scruffy brush fresh, lay a damp paper towel on top of it, but don't wash it out in between segments...water is deadly on that scruffy. Sometimes I use multiple scruffies to make sure I have a dry brush each time.

How to measure?

Use the brush handle as your measuring tool. The border on the top of the room should be about a brush handle's length away from where the wall meets the ceiling. Main flowers on the vine should be at least a brush length away from each other.

As far as design...you are hand painting a border, not stenciling it. As such, you would not want each and every flower to be the same size and placed on the vine in the exact same way...you could get a stencil to do that.

Another tip - spread your fingers out and move your hand over the vine...use that same concept to place flowers. Paint the main flowers first, then go back and place the smaller ones/buds, then filler flowers. Always remember, if you think you have enough, you most likely do...always start off with a loose design...you can always add more, but you can't take it away so easily.

PLEASE!!!!

Remember your ladder safety when you're doing walls. Please use a ladder that will hold your body weight safely...there are all kinds of classifications of ladders...make sure you follow the manufacturer's safety instructions...and never lean to the sides...very easy to forget when you are painting borders.

Have fun!

Painting On Soap

Sometimes its all in the deatils. Ever heard that expression? Well, it's true. Painting on soap is one of those inexpensive things that painters and crafters can do for quick sales and quick gifts.

Decorative artists have a saying. If it moves - we'll paint it! You'd be surprised at what you can paint on, if you look at it long enough! Below, are directions on how to prep and paint one of my favorite surfaces found around the house.

INSTRUCTIONS

Buying unscented is best . I buy large bars at the local Dollar Store - 3 for a 1.00.

Unpack the soap, lay it out on a paper towel. Clean the topside with a cotton ball and alcohol, wiping the tops of the smooth side. Be careful not to handle the top or get prints or oil on it.

Air dry one day. Smooth side up.

Brush on 1 coat of Jo Sonja All Purpose Sealer on the smooth side while still in tray.

Let dry 1 day.

Use regular Acrylic paints, paint your pattern.

Let dry in tray 1 day.

Spray top coat of Krylon 1311 matte or gloss finish if you prefer on painted top of soap.

Spray lite coats, letting each coat dry before applying another.

Let dry 1 day.

Soap is now ready to pack in baggies, plastic wrap, or boxes for protection. Ready to be given as gifts or used.

The pattern will remain on the soap, as you use the soap from the bottom on your wash cloth, and pattern remains on top till soap is gone.

Painted soap is great to give in seasonal sets, put in gift baskets or sell at craft fairs for quick sales. However you give them or sell them - have fun painting them.

Happy Painting!