Thyme for A Truckload of JOY

Over the holidays I was so busy painting that I got really behind with my BLOGGING!

I have lots of projects to show you!

Today 

I am going to show you a project 

called 

A Truckload of JOY

Design by

Laure Paillex

My Palette

Snow White, Zinc, Watermelon Slice, Santa Red, Forest Green, Foliage Green, Tuscan Red, Lamp Black

DecoArt Chalky Finish Paint

Serene, Relic, Everlasting White

I decided to SUPER Size this design.

I sized it to 2' x 3'.

LET'S PAINT!

I began by mixing DecoArt Multi Purpose Sealer (1):(1) 

with 

Serene Chalky Finish Paint

I base coated my surface with this mix using a

Large American Decor Brush

I let that dry well.

I then buffed lightly with fine sand paper to smoothen any raised grain.

I wipe away any dust.

I then applied a top coat of Serene ( no sealer added).

Let dry.

I then used a "chip brush" to streak Everlasting White over my surface.

To do this I began along one side edge of the board and streaked all the way across. 

I then rotated the board and streaked from the opposite side.

When dry I transferred the pattern to the surface.

The first layers of color (underpainting) 

are placed 

to define the basic shapes and spaces of the composition.

They also provide an even reflective background for the more transparent colors which follow.

 Next I base coated the letters

  J-O-Y with Zinc.

In this step the letters look streaky but the color evens out in the next step.

In the next step I painted the individual sections of the truck with brush mixes of Watermelon Slice + White.  

I painted the lighter pink hues on the door, and fender. 

The hood, bed, cab roof are darker pink.

When completing the letters the color value changed from Zinc (dark gray) at the top to a lighter gray mixture of Zinc + White (2): (1) at the bottom of each letter. 

I then used a "chip brush" to drag streaks of White over the completed letters.

Next I filled in the tree shape with thinned White.

I put a piece of painters tape along the edge of the truck bed for this step.

I used an angled stiff brush to give shape to the tree branches.

I used a liner brush with a thinned mix of Santa Red + a bit of Black ( dark red hue) to outline the doors, window, and the truck bed. 

I then used a round brush to apply the first layer of Santa Red to the truck. 

I kept my paint thinned. 

You can do this with H20 or use some Drying Time Extender.

Be sure to let dry between coats!

I added additional shading on the edges of the truck bed,  before shading the fenders and front bumper. 

I again used a mix of Santa Red + Black.

The tree and wreath were painted using a mix of Forest Green and Foliage Green.

Once the tree was dry I  loaded the long bristles of an angle brush with White to tap on the snow.

I brushed a thin wash of White onto the door window, windshield, rear window and headlamp.

I placed a heavy line of Zinc/Black along the running board.

I dry brushed on the White highlights.

Working on wheel detail.

I spattered flecks of snow using White all over my piece.

I then added heavy accents of accumulated snow and ice to the truck.

Close up of truck.

I decided to personalize my truck.

My father- in- law was a plumber by trade. He drove a RED pick up truck.

I put his business logo on the door of the truck.

I sealed my piece with

  Dura Clear Soft Touch Varnish 

I displayed the piece over the mantle.

I decide to take my "Red Truck" theme a bit farther after finding this truck surface while at NET.

Painted truck in progress!

I gathered some wreath making supplies.

I attached the truck to a fresh wreath for my porch.

Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt 

provided the paints 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

A Truckload of JOY

Happy Painting!

Lynn

Thyme to show you a Holly Snow Lady

When I was shopping at

 NET 

this fall

 I was immediately fascinated by some new ornament patterns 

that my good friend 

Jane Allen 

had in her booth.

Jane explained to me 

that she and her good friend Shara Reiner got together to play

and 

before you knew it they were sculpting Shara's whimsical characters using QuickWood. 

With some playing and brainstorming "SharaJane" was born.

SharaJane is a line of designs that is a little bit Shara and a little bit Jane.

I just KNEW I had to try making some of these ornaments!

The problem was deciding which ones I wanted to try!

I wanted them ALL!

Lets step inside my STUDIO and see what I chose!

Let's get started!

My Palette

Country Red, Deep Burgundy, Foliage Green, Hauser Medium Green, Lamp Black Plantation Pine, Tangelo Orange, Warm White, Zinc, Blue harbor, Bright Salmon, Evergreen, Indian Turquoise, Raw Sienna, Snow White, Soft Black Spiced Pumpkin.

I decided on the Holly Snow Lady as my first project.

I did it Shara's Way & Jane's Way!
You will need some 100mm plastic disk ornaments.
These measure about 4" wide.

I began by first removing the top of the ornaments.
I then poured Snow White paint into the ornament.
I swirled the paint around until the inside of the ornament was covered.
I then tipped the ornaments over to let the excess paint flow out.
I used cups to hold each ornament.

I let my ornaments dry this way overnight.

It's now time to play with some QuickWood!

Some basics to remember when working with QuickWood

1. QuickWood is a 2 part resin. When mixed together you have about 20 minutes of open time before it begins to cure. It will full cure in 24 hours.
2. Only cut off as much as you need at a time.
3. Make sure it is thoroughly mixed together ( no swirls of color) or it will not cure.
4. Do not wear jewelry , especially rings when working with QW.
5. Apply Silicone Glove before starting and as needed when working with QW. It helps keep it from sticking to your hands!
6. Use DecoArt Extender to blend QW being careful not to use too much or it will make your QW gummy.

To help with the sculpting process the pattern includes a link to 7 brief videos.

You can watch a video , do the step and then move on to the next step.

This was very useful if you are new to sculpting with QW!

I began with sculpting my Holly Snow Lady Shara's Way first.

There is a little learning curve with playing with QW.....but it is fun and relaxing!

I followed Jane Allen's quick tutorials for each step which makes this project easy peasy!

Adorable!

I then made some Holly Snow Ladies Jane'sWay!

It was fun seeing my Holly Snow Ladies come to life with paint!

Aren't they adorable? I know you want to try some!

The feeling you're being watched!

After I had all my ornaments painted I added some BLING.

You can do this by brushing some

Decou-Page

on the leaves

Then sprinkle on some

DIAMOND DUST

for 

sPaRkLe

If you do not want to cover the entire background of your ornament 

with GLITTER you can give your ornament a light spray of  

DecoArt Matte Sealer

Holly Snow Lady

Janes Way

Holly Snow Lady

Shara's Way

Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt 
provided me with the products to complete this project as part of their
Helping Artist and Blogger Outreach programs.

Thank you DecoArt!

My Elves

 Hinkley and Elfin 

are busy in the STUDIO now 

wrapping all my Snow Ladies!

The MAGIC of Christmas is happening!

Remember ......there is room for everyone on the NICE list!

I hope you have enjoyed watching me make my
Holly Snow Ladies!

Happy Painting!

Lynn