Page 47 - The Decorative Painter Summer 2014

Acrylic
be applied in a later step. Repeat this process three or four times. Maintain the transparency of the paint, and refer to the Step-by-Step photos for placement of lights and darks. Allow the piece to dry completely.
Apply Warm White+Baby Pink floats to highlight the petals. Paint these floats smaller, allowing the previous layers to glow through in different areas. The highlights should be applied one to three times keeping the layers transparent.
STEP 3: Ensuring that the paint is transparent becomes especially important when darker colors are used to create shades. Dip the brush in water, blot the excess out onto a paper towel, and tip one side of the brush with a small amount of the Baby Pink. Using the surface of the palette, blend this into the brush and create a gradual value change on the brush, moving from intense color to the absence of color. Tip the brush with Burgundy Wine, keeping the paint transparent and shading it to create the separations in the petals. Create a few creases in the petals that have back-to-back floats of Payne’s Grey; keep these layers very
transparent as well. It is much easier to paint a second float than to correct an area that is too dark. Allow the piece to dry completely before moving on.
STEP 4: The final highlight consists of one to three floats of Warm White. Remember to allow each float to dry be- fore applying the next. Some of these areas are back-to- back floats. Some are located halfway down the petal, while others are on the edges. Maintain the edges’ softness by blending out. Edges that need to be blended can be tapped with a clean brush, using very light pressure. Reinforce the back-to-back floats by the bending form of the petal. Each petal should maintain an intense float of Burgundy Wine on the area closest to the center of the rose.
FINISHING
Allow the piece to sit for three or four days. Apply three coats of DecoArt DuraClear Satin Varnish, lightly rub it with steel wool, and then apply a fourth coat. Allow the piece to dry completely.
artist’s sketch
Maureen J. Baker began creating art as a child in Chelmsford, Mass. In her youth she dabbled in painting, pottery, quilting, and silver and gold jewelry making. Her love for color and texture lured her into painting. She began painting on canvas, but her surfaces grew to include walls, furniture, metal, clothing, and much more. In 1999 Maureen joined SDP, introducing her to a world of varieties in style and technique. Eventually Maureen decided to dedicate her career to doing what she loves. She has won numerous awards locally and regionally, including Chelmsford Art Society professional division in drawing and graphics, mixed media, oils, and acryl- ics; Westford Regional Art Society in art under glass; and New England Traditions in the professional division in numerous categories. Maureen’s work can be seen in many private collections throughout New England.
She teaches regionally and nationally, and designs full time. Maureen works mostly in acrylics and oils, although occasion- ally a subject matter will inspire her to work in ink or watercolor. She continues to teach weekly classes in her studio on the pond in Chelmsford. Email Maureen at maureenjbaker@msn.com, call at (978) 256-5949, or fax (978) 256-1283. Visit her website at www.maureen-baker.com.
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