It is thyme to tell you that HOME is where you drop your anchor!

I have painted 

Cynthia Erekson's 

designs 

for several years now.

I just love her style of painting!

Our Chapter recently invited Cynthia to teach her

 project

Drop Your Anchor

Perfect for Cape Cod!!

If you have ever taken a class with Cynthia 

you know that she cuts stencils 

for the initial base coating

of the project.

It is a huge time saver 

and 

most students can go home with a finished project!

Thus eliminating that closet full of UFO's some of you may have from classes!

Everyone enjoyed working on their projects!

Sandi and Cynthia working the room!

Cynthia's projects always include learning some very interesting faux techniques!

Our finished project was mounted on a board that an old map had been decoupaged on!

We added some twine and an anchor to complete the project!

Such a fun day!

Thank you Cynthia and Sandi!

My completed project!

Happy Painting!

Lynn

It's thyme to paint a portrait of Aunt Sophie

I really enjoy painting

Primitive Portraits

I have painted several of them

Today

 I want to show you my latest one

called

Aunt Sophie

Step inside my 

STUDIO

My Palette

DecoArt Americana Acrylics

Gingerbread, Raw Umber, Mocha, Shading Flesh, Neutral Gray, Emperor's Gold, Brandy Wine, Soft Black, Milk Chocolate, Light Buttermilk, Driftwood, Olde Gold, Lamp Black , Dark Chocolate, Dove Gray, Buttermilk

LET'S PAINT!

I began by applying 2 good coats of GESSO to masonite panel.
Be sure to let each coat dry well.

Once the GESSO had dried completely

 I base coated  the panel 

with a mix 

of 

Brandy Wine and Gingerbread

I applied 2 coats of this mix letting each coat dry completely.

I then thinned some Walnut Stain with water on my palette.

 I used a slip slap motion and a 2" bristle brush to apply to my panel.

I then took a scrunched up piece of old cotton t-shirt to "rag off" the stain.

I pressed the rag lightly and quickly over the surface to give it a mottled look.

Work quickly before the stain dries!

I let the panel dry completely before spattering the background heavily 

with

 Lamp Black

* To do this easily , dip the bristle tips of a large stencil brush into water and mix into a dime size puddle of Lamp Black, Hold brush over panel and pull a few bristles toward you with a palette knife, using some pressure. Turn brush to access more paint. Reload if necessary. Let dry completely!

It's now thyme to trace and transfer the main design.

Exclude the details for now.

Base coat the chair with 2 coats of Olde Gold.

I am now adding some shading to the chair with Raw Umber.

Base coat the dress with 2 coats of Soft Black.

I shaded the dress using a 3/4" brush to create a large float with Lamp Black

I also dry brushed using Lamp Black to soften the shading details of the dress.

The leaves on the chair are painted so to look like they were stenciled on.

Adding the line detail to the chair.

Chair detail is complete.

Base coat collar, face and hands

Shade face and hands.

I am now working on cheeks, lips and nose

I have now added the hair and the bow on the bonnet

I am now working on the bonnet

I am now working on the eye detail 

and 

adding additional detail to the lips.

I am now adding some highlights to the hair.

I am also working on the lace around collar and cuffs.

Close-up of detail

I have now added more detail to the eyebrows .

I have also added some "wrinkles" to the forehead, around eyes, chin and mouth

Next I cut a stencil of the knitted shapes.

I put a piece of screening over the stencil

 and 

pounced heavily into the stencil openings.

I then shaded the "knitted area" with Milk Chocolate then Soft Black.

I used Dura Clear Ultra Matte Varnish on my completed piece

Once my panel was completely dry I mixed some

 Burnt Umber

with 

Staining and Antiquing Medium

I applied this lightly to the background areas of the panel, 

wiping with a clean cotton cloth.

Aunt Sophie sitting waiting to be "framed". 

The finished piece measures

26" x 23"

My husband made the frame for this project

I first sanded then sealed my my frame 

with

  Multi Purpose Sealer

I then applied 2 coats of Antique Gold

I taped off the inner edges of the fame.

I applied a thick coat of One Step Crackle Medium.

 Let dry.

I then mixed some Lamp Black with the Staining and Antiquing Medium.

I brushed it on the frame and wiped the excess with a clean cotton cloth.

Now we have a crackled finish

 I measured to find the center of each side of the frame.

Using a stencil brush I pounced Emperor's Gold into the stencil.

I then spattered the gold edges  heavily with Lamp Black.

I then inserted Aunt Sophie in the frame.

DecoArt provided me with the paints and products to complete this project as part of their 

Helping Artist and Blogger Outreach Programs

Thank you DecoArt!!!

I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint 

Aunt Sophie

I will soon be painting a companion piece to this project 

called

Captain Jack

Happy Painting!

Lynn