Page 33 - TheDecorativePainter_DP4_Winter_2018

STEP 3
for a gentle gradient between the dark shadow under the wings up through the Titanium White of the breast. Thin down the gray mix and brush a soft glaze over the tail.
Seed Pods — Add a second layer of Raw Sienna+Yellow Ochre (1:2) and thin it down, wetting the entire seed pod, save the holes. Then, loading your brush with Genesis Yellow+Yellow Ochre (1:1), give the pod depth by creating a subtle gradient either in the center of the pod or along one edge of the pod, or both, but keep it subtle. Use Genesis Yellow+Yellow Ochre (2:1) to trace along the inner edge of the pod. Use #2 flat brush to fill in the holes in the seed pod with Carbon Black No. 1+Ultramarine Blue+Genesis Red (2:1:1).
Bells — Fill the entire bell in with Titanium White+Ultramarine Blue (5:1) and trace the lines of the bell cut-out with Carbon Black No. 1+Ultramarine Blue (1:1).
Branches — Give the branch a gentle glazing of Ultramarine Blue+Carbon Black No. 1+Raw Sienna (1:1:1), thinning it down to a near transparency and don’t worry too much about blending out any brushstrokes. The branch is not the focal point of this piece; it is a quiet anchor in the background.
After completing this second layer of paint, place the board carefully in the oven to heat-set the paint at about 170 degrees F for 11 minutes. Use caution in removing the board when the oven timer goes off.
THIRD LAYER OF PAINT
Be sure the surface of your project is adequately cool to the touch before continuing to work over the existing layers of paint. Painting while the surface is hot could disrupt the heat-set process.
Flowers — Thin down Ultramarine Blue+Titanium White (1:3) so
it becomes transparent and paint in the gentle shadows that form on the curled outside edges of the flower petals. For the inside petals, thin down Ultramarine Blue+Carbon Black No. 1 (1:1) and use it to give shadows to the insides of the flower. Add a touch more Ultramarine Blue so it becomes Ultramarine Blue+Carbon Black No. 1 (2:1) and stroke in a few veins, beginning at the center of the flower and flaring them up along the petal. Thin down Titanium White+Ultramarine Blue (6:1) to smudge in the center of the flower and blend the pigment to the outside of the center, being careful to leave the most paint at the very center. Use Genesis Yellow+Green (6:1) to paint the small ring around the center. Thin down Titanium White to blend carefully over the dark center ring.
Berries — Thin down Titanium White so it becomes transparent and add a touch of paint to each berry, indicating where the light hits it.
Leaves — Thin down Genesis Yellow and use it to add some brilliance to the ends of the leaves, fading it as it gets closer to the base of the leaves. If the leaf is being overlapped by something, use a thinned down Ultramarine Blue+Genesis Yellow (1:3) to paint out a gradient, indicating a shadow. Use Genesis Red+Yellow Ochre (1:1) to flick in a couple thin lines to indicate veins on the leaves and paint in the stems.
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