Page 63 - The Decorative Painter Summer 2017

WET-ON-WET TECHNIQUE: Used when the basic val- ues are applied. Blend the basecoat colors together. Use very soft motion only where the end of each color touches each other. This technique allows the value tones to be well defined. The entire project is done with this technique. DRY-BRUSHING TECHNIQUE: It is used to strength- en the darker and lighter values when the paint is finished and dry, and also to add accent colors. Use a very small amount of the color needed, wiping any excess off on a paper towel. The brush needs to be dry. Strengthen the values by using a circular motion to blend them together. I like to move from the darkest color to the lightest. The pressure of the brush is also important so on the darkest part I apply more pressure on the brush and then slowly I release the pressure for a softer look.
TERMINOLOGY
BLENDING: Using light pressure on the brush, move it in short strokes mixing the blocked colors only where they meet.
VALUE: It is defined as the relative lightness or darkness of a color. It creates contrast and dimension, allowing the painting to have depth and not appear flat. By blocking the colors with three values – light, medium and dark – and then blending each one only where the colors touch each other, it can create more values between them. Highlights and darkest colors can be applied with the dry-brush tech- nique, finalizing the format, shapes and dimensions of each element.
ACCENT COLOR: The accent color is used to create har- mony on the overall painting. It is the mid-value of one object used randomly on another object to bring balance within the colors. It should be used only in a few areas of the painting with the dry-brush technique.
COOL AND WARM COLORS: Without getting into the theory of colors with color temperature, simply put, warm colors have some yellow within the mixture and cool colors have blue instead of the yellow in the mixture. They give dimension to the painting.
PREPARATION
Sand the wood in the direction of the grain. Dust it with the tack cloth so all dust can be removed to prepare the wood for painting.
Apply one coat of the J.W. Etc. White Stain Sealer let- ting it dry to seal the wood. It assures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and pro- vides additional protection for the wood. Let it dry well.
BACKGROUND PAINTING
Paint the entire box first with Cool Neutral, let dry. Then apply a second coat.
After the paint is completely dry (overnight is suggest- ed), tape the bottom of the box with masking tape leaving 1⁄2" for painting the edge. Apply two coats of Antique Ma- roon to the bottom of the box as well as to the bottom of the lid. Also apply two coats on the inside of the box. Let it dry between each coat. Remove the tape carefully.
TRACING THE DESIGN
Be sure that the design line is in alignment with the background painted edge and then attach the tracing paper with tape. The graphite paper can be loose between the trac- ing paper and the wood so it can be moved, allowing you to see what has been traced already and not miss any lines.
LET’S PAINT
ROSES
BACKGROUND COLOR PLACEMENT: Use a no. 6 sable brush. Place the three colors side by side dividing the round shape of the rose in three, as if it is a pie cut in three slices. These colors do not need to be blended. They will play a major role in the depth of the petals.
LARGE ROSE
TOP PART: Use Titanium White as highlight where the back petals will be placed
LEFT PART: Use Purple Madder+Alizarin Crimson (1:tch). RIGHT PART: Use Purple Madder+Brown Madder (1:tch).
SMALL ROSE
TOP PART: Use Titanium White as highlight where the back petals will be placed.
LEFT PART: Use a mix of Purple Madder+Brown Madder+ Olive Green (1:tch:tch).
RIGHT PART: Use Purple Madder+Brown Madder (1:tch).
PETAL ROLLS DIVISION
These will be the guidelines for the placement of the petals. It will help create the dimension of the rose.
Wipe off the no. 6 brush and, using the chisel of the brush, draw straight lines over the color placement on the background of the roses. Draw a straight vertical line at the center. Then draw two horizontal parallel lines spacing them equally.
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The Decorative Painter • SUMMER 2017 61