Page 72 - DP1_Spring2019

PAINTING THE DRAGONFLIES
Finish tracing on the largest dragonfly, aligning it with the edge of the cut gourd where the dragonfly wing is above
the circumference line. Now trace some other dragonflies in varying sizes where you like. Each dragonfly has an outer and inner wing section. The inner wing section is numbered 1; check pattern for placement. With a no. 6 oval brush paint each of these sections True Silver. Two coats should do. With a no. 5/0 or 10/0 script liner brush and True Silver, paint the outline of the dragonfly, add the vein lines connecting the inner wing with the outer wing, and add three horizontal lines across the True Silver portion of the dragonfly’s body. For the dragonfly’s tail use your liner brush loaded with True Silver and stroke in a small long comma-stroke starting from the tip of the tail pulling up into the dragonfly’s body. With a liner brush and thinned Carbon Black, add the antennae on the smaller dragonflies.
Paint a 1/4" True Silver rim around the top of the gourd extending down onto the gourd about 1⁄4.
Add a little more glitz by spattering the gourd all over with thinned True Silver paint. I usually use a fan brush loaded with thinned paint and then tap that brush against the handle of a second brush. Try to direct the spatter onto the gourd and away from yourself. Also add a few drips of thinned True Silver until you are happy with the results.
FINISH AND ENJOY
Paint the inside of your gourd True Silver. When dry varnish the inside and outside of the gourd with DecoArt Traditions Satin Varnish.
To add the two black wire antennaes make two holes on the rim in the top of the head of the largest dragonfly with a thumbtack or a very small drill. Curl the end of the two black wire pieces to form the antennae and then glue them into the pre-drilled holes.
Sign your piece and enjoy.
Dotty Pullo cda has always been interested in fiber, decorative painting, and fine arts. She has enjoyed her learning journey from quilting, Nantucket and Shaker basketry to painting. She especially enjoys painting with acrylics and enjoys finding interesting surfaces to paint on. After joining the White Mountain Decorative Painting Guild and the Society of Decorative Painters in 1995 she furthered her skills from teachers at her local guild and painting conventions. For the last eight years she has taught classes at New England Traditions, WMDPG, and her home study. She is all about enjoying the process of creating and teaching what she has learned. Dotty lives in Londonderry, N.H., where you may write
her at 7 Pepper Hill Road, Londonderry, NH 03053 or email her at rosedapullo@gmail.com.
70 TheDecorativePainter • SPRING 2019