Page 77 - The Decorative Painter Spring 2014

oil
FLOWER CENTERS
Blend in the colors that connect at the center from the pet- als and veins. Use a small amount of Cadmium Yellow Pale at the center and blend the edges. Add the green center part with a very small amount of Oxide of Chromium+Olive Green. For the pollen use Titanium White+Houston Art Inc. Odorless Paint Thin- ner blended to an inky consistency.
FLOWER BUDS
Outline the closed petals with Permanent Magenta. Next to that, place Cadmium Yellow Pale. Blend gently.
The dark value is applied at the bottom of the buds with Permanent Magenta+Ultramarine Violet+Ivory Black. Pull that into the cactus bod- ies to connect. Blend. Highlight with Titanium White on the center of the buds’ petals.
CACTI
Basecoat the cacti with Oxide of Chromium+Olive Green. Apply Oxide of Chromium+Olive Green+Permanent Magenta (1:1:tch) to the outside part of the cacti. Blend softly. Apply the darkest value of Oxide of Chromium+Olive Green+Permanent Magenta+Ultramarine Violet (1:1:tch:tch) under the flowers, to connect the buds and the lower part of each cactus where they meet. For the highlight, apply Titanium White at the center of each cactus.
For the spines (or thorns) apply Titanium White+Naples Yellow+paint thinner blended to an inky consistency.
FINISHING
Allow the paint to dry completely. Apply two coats of Plaid FolkArt Acrylic Artist’s Varnish (Satin), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Let dry between each coat. Use the Krylon 18K Gold Leafing Pen on the contour of the charger and the charger
handle for an elegant finish. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can choose to paint flowers around the edge with pure Permanent Magenta. You can also use the corner of the pen tip to apply a little golden pollen in the center of the flowers.
When the gold leafing ink is dry, apply a coat of Plaid FolkArt Acrylic Artist’s Varnish (Gloss) for extra protection and a beautiful finish.
dEcOratIvEpaINtErS.Org The Decorative Painter • ISSUE NO. 1, 2014 75
artist’s sketch
Helena Rizzaro Andrejev has been involved in art for more than twenty-five years, and a member of SDP for
more than fifteen years. Throughout her art career, she has experimented with paint on a variety of surfaces and
styles; however, oils continue to be her favorite medium. From reverse glass painting in Art Nouveau style to faux
finish walls to portrait painting, Helena is captivated by the intriguing possibilities of a brush filled with paint and
passion. With a degree in psychology and many years working in that field, she sees art as a reflection of the
soul. Helena has earned awards in contests and painting competitions, including the Artist of the Year for the
National Museum Of Decorative Paining at the Phoenix Conference. She also has an original oil painting at the
Library of Congress, and has published several instructional magazine articles. She has taught oil painting and design in the United States and Brazil. Helena also has a passion for animals and is involved in pet advocacy. You may email her at helenarha@gmail.com.