Page 80 - The Decorative Painter Fall 2015

ACRYLIC
SHADE AND DETAIL
Refer to the Step-by-Step on page 77 when painting the shade and details.
Unless otherwise noted, all shading and highlighting is done using the classic side- load technique (a.k.a. floating) with either flat or angle brushes. Remember, shaded areas are those that recede, are behind or in tight spots. Highlights are areas that ad- vance (i.e. Fairy Godmother’s nose and fingers) or are catching or reflecting light. Re- fer to Step-by-Step for clarification.
Using the comb brush and a very thin Lavender paint, lightly crosshatch diagonally on wings, first in one direction and then the other at a 90-degree angle. Shade wings with Slate Grey around the body and on the lower half of each wing section along its edge. Using Shading Flesh, shade all skin, including inside the ears, behind the nose, under the chin and across the right hand behind the knuckles.
Using a liner and thinned Moon Yellow, pull the Fairy Godmother’s hair from the forehead up to the bow, and paint her eyebrows and badge star. If necessary, retouch the bow edge with Turquoise Blue.
Apply a basecoat to the lips with Peony Pink. Using very thin Peony Pink and the liner brush, paint transparent polka dots on wings in a brick pattern to appear like fabric. Shade the hair across the top of the head, under the bow, the bottom and sides of the hair bun, and on the star with Honey Brown.
Using the fine liner brush and Lamp (Ebony) Black, paint the eyes and eyelashes. Use the fine line marker to add her nose, smile lines and mouth. Shade True Blue on all the Turquoise Blue areas.
Be creative in decorating the dress: checks, stripes or a print pattern. Whatever makes you happy! Use a liner brush to create an all-over scattered pattern, if desired. Imagine the fabric curving around the Fairy Godmother’s body and disappearing with the pattern continuing around and at the edges.
With Cherry Red, shade all Peony Pink areas, including her dress, and dry brush her cheeks. Using a Cherry Red, wash as many layers as pleases you, paint the bird’s cheek and tummy area, and deepen the top of the Fairy Godmother’s mouth. Using a sideload technique, deepen the shading of her cheeks with Cherry Red.
Load brush with Lamp (Ebony) Black to shade the darkest corners and more shadows on the dress. Continue with the same color along the Fairy Godmother’s, behind the banner and on the bird. Consider all value relationships and deepen any necessary shadows.
Using liner brush and thinned Traditional Burnt Umber, line the wood grain on all the sticks. (Tip: If you’re trying to paint over the sealed surface of the banner and your paint is beading up, simply dress your clean brush in sealer then load it with the desired
78 The Decorative Painter
• ISSUE NO. 3, 2015 DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG