Page 36 - DP1_Spring2019

COLOR PLACEMENT
PAINTING TIPS
Do not clean the brushes until you are all finished with the painting. This method is done with dry brushes. The paint
is applied so sparingly that it is rare to get it on your hands should you touch it.
PAINT APPLICATION TECHNIQUE
The painting guide shows the paint placement for each petal and each leaf. I loaded the bottom 1⁄4 of the brush by inserting the bristles into the lower edge of the paint and “squishing” the brush against the palette on both sides. This will work the paint into the bristles minimizing globs of paint on your surface. Next touch the bristles to the darkest inked areas as indicated on the guide and “squish” the bristles again, this time depositing paint in the area shown.
Next you will wipe excess paint from your brush and then pull the paint out from the dark areas into the medium areas. When you approach a light area, wipe the brush again so that only a trace of paint remains in your bristles and gently brush into these areas. You want the surface to show through for your lightest value.
LET’S PAINT ROSE
Using the no. 6 brush apply Sap Green to the base of three of the petals as shown on the painting guide. Wipe your brush and stretch out a little as described above. Lay this brush aside for later use on the stems and calyx. I used the no. 14 brush to apply the Alizarin Crimson to the larger areas indicated on the painting guide. If this scares you,
switch down to a smaller brush but no less than the no. 10, because if you go too small it will be hard to stretch the paint out soft and smooth. Use the no. 4 brush to apply paint to the smallest petals and the bud. Paint the petals and the bud as described under “Paint Application Technique.”
LEAVES, STEMS AND CALYX
Apply Olive with the no. 8 brush to the dark green areas indicated on the painting guide. Pick up the previously used no. 6 brush and apply Sap Green to the areas shown in lighter green on the painting guide. Wipe the no. 8 brush and use it to blend the two greens together where they touch and then stretch as described in the last paragraph under “Paint Application Technique.” Lastly, pick up the no. 4 brush and add tints of Alizarin Crimson as indicated on the painting guide. This needs to be a very soft application of color.
CRITIQUING
Study your painting. If any areas are lacking, you can carefully apply more paint. Load your brush as described under “Paint Application Technique” but when applying to the areas only touch it enough for a little paint to come off, wipe your brush and stretch the paint gently out. Do not lose the medium and light value areas.
FINISHING
After your painting is thoroughly dry apply several light coats of DecoArt DuraClear Satin Varnish.
34 TheDecorativePainter • SPRING 2019