Page 28 - The Decorative Painter Summer 2017

PAINTING TIPS
Read through the instructions before beginning. There are lots of tips in the instructions as well.
This technique is a little messy so you will need plenty of paper towels and will probably want to wear an apron. I use several paper towels folded in half to place under the bottom edge of my surface to catch dripping paint as the surface is lifted vertically.
I will ask you to drizzle paint onto your palette. This means not just a single spot. This facilitates picking up paint with your sponge, distributing paint across the sponge and not only one spot.
When loading your sponge, tap it into the paint and tap a couple more times to distribute the paint. Too much tapping will remove too much paint.
Values help us to create depth within a painting. The butterfly and flow- ers are painted in values of white. Snow (Titanium) White+Glazing Medium are used to create value changes in the flowers. The more glaze, resulting in more transparency, fades the stroke closer to the background in value. With less glaze in the brush and more paint, the stroke stands out from the background.
Experiment with the Media Mister on a test surface. Try shallow pumps and deep pumps to determine the type of spray it delivers.
PREPARATION
Basecoat surface with Soft Black using the 4" roller. Dry and repeat.
LET’S PAINT BACKGROUND
Wet the sea sponge and squeeze out most of the water.
On your waxed palette, drizzle out some of the Ocean Blue. In a separate space drizzle Peacock Teal, and a separate drizzle of Bahama Blue.
Pre-dampen the entire surface with water using the 1" wash brush.
With the surface flat on the table, pick up some of the Ocean Blue on the sea sponge and pounce lightly on the surface leaving open space between taps. Immediately, while the paint is wet, tilt the surface almost vertical allowing the bottom edge of the surface to sit on the layers of paper towels which will catch drips as you spritz with water. The water will cause your paint to drip down the surface leaving dots or spots of paint. Lay your surface flat and let dry.
Repeat with Peacock Teal, dry, and then repeat with Bahama Blue. Dry. It is important that your surface is allowed to dry completely between colors. You may repeat any of the colors as you desire. Have fun!
You can rotate the sponge between colors for less color mingling on the sponge, or pick up each color on the same area of the sponge for more mingling.
Leave some areas of Soft Black to show through your sponging and drips.
Making sure that your surface is completely dry, hold your surface almost vertical and spritz with Primary Magenta Media Mister in a few areas. Then repeat with the Primary Cyan Media Mister. Do not spray with water. Dry.
BUTTERFLY AND FLOWERS
When the surface is completely dry apply the pattern for the butterfly and flowers, placing them to complement your background. You can move the but- terfly around as needed.
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