Page 58 - The Decorative Painter Winter 2017

56 The Decorative Painter
• WINTER 2017
DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG
JUDY’S TECHNIQUE SHEET
I use this technique most often when painting with oils, acrylics or chalk paint. I hope you find it helpful.
NOTE: Painting with chalk paint is a little different from painting with acrylics. There are a few things to keep in mind. First, chalk paint dries 4-5 times darker in value and also the surface is extremely porous. With this in mind you may find you will have to apply your paint more than once to get it to stay or not to sink. The extra application will be well worth your time. TECHNIQUE: While painting with water-based paints the surest way to achieve the transparency of color making each object soft and more lifelike is
to layer your colors. This method is called glaz- ing. To more easily achieve this effect, first pal- ette-blend on your palette with your chosen col- or before placing it onto the object. Also, always use a brush that is about one size larger than you normally would use for the area you are work- ing with. This will give you a great jump-start in soft blending. Other than when basecoating an object I use the glazing method above with each and every color or layer applied, drying between each and every layer with a hair dryer.
Below I have explained the steps I used to complete a color setup for painting all objects in this design.
BASECOAT: Generally this means to fill in the object using a mid-value color. Basecoat the first layer, allow it to dry and then apply a second layer. Two thin layers are much better than one thick layer. After this has dried (you can use a hair dryer if desired – about 12" from design) you will then apply a very thin layer of DecoArt Traditions Extender & Blending Medium. You don’t want any puddles!
1ST DARK AREA: Using the glazing tech- nique apply the first dark color, most often into all triangle areas. Soften the outer edges of this color using a filbert brush. Do not over-blend as this dark value will give shape and direction to your object as well as help separate two objects from one another if they are overlapping. Dry completely.
LIGHT AREA: Apply a thin layer of DecoArt Traditions Extender & Blending Medium. Now you are beginning to build the light area. Apply suggested color, using a palette-blended brush to the light area of object. Refine or soften outer edges. Dry completely.