Thyme to show you a Greenskeeper Box

Are you ready for Christmas yet?

The MAGIC continues to happen here.....

Let's step inside my STUDIO to see what I have been painting!

I see my 

Christmas Elf 

HINKLEY 

is 

waiting for us!

Today I wanted to show you a project

 called 

Greenskeeper Box

Design

 by 

Cynthia Erekson

My Palette

DecoArt Americana Acrylics

Antique Maroon, Camel, Heritage Brick, Milk Chocolate, Traditional Raw Umber, Avocado Dip, Cocoa, Lamp Black , Red Iron Oxide, Burnt Umber, Dusty Rose, Light Avocado, Sand

Dazzling Metallics

Venetian Gold

Let's Paint!

My surface

 was a 

Pine "Greenskeeper" Box

that measured 14 1/2" x 5 1/4" x 4"

Often times when I base coat a piece I combine Multi Purpose Sealer (1) : (1) with my base color.

My base color for this project was Traditional Burnt Umber.

I used a sponge brush

with a 

"press and lift" motion

 to base coat the bottom (outside),

 sides and back

 with Traditional Raw Umber

to create a textured surface.

I repeated the "press and lift" motion to base coat the front of the box with Cocoa

Next I mixed a woodgraining glaze.

 I began by squirting a quarter size puddle of Milk Chocolate on my palette.

Then in a circle around this puddle I squirted

 6 quarter size puddles

of 

Clear Glazing Medium 

on my palette.

I mixed this well with my palette knife.

I wood grained the back and both sides of the box.

 I did one side at a time.

I applied the glaze with a sponge brush.

I then pulled my graining tool thru the glaze.

Let box dry completely before proceeding.

When the glaze is almost dry you can use a hair dryer to speed the process!

I measured in 1 1/2" from each side.

I drew a vertical line down each side of the box.

I pressed painters tape onto the box leaving the 1 1/2" spaces exposed.

I then loaded a stencil brush with Milk Chocolate.

I scrubbed my brush on a paper towel to remove excess paint.

I pounced the dry brush onto the side borders.

I left the color somewhat mottled.

I traced my pattern and transferred the ground area.

I used the chisel edge of a Moon Brush to establish the hill top.

To do this I loaded my brush with Sand. 

I wiped my brush on a paper towel until almost dry.

I then scrubbed the brush across the hilltop, 

to deposit faint color 

that just "sits" on top of the textured base coat.

I again loaded the brush with Sand

and 

scrubbed it on a paper towel until almost dry.

I wiped the brush side to side on my surface to apply a faint " snowy" ground.

I used the same stencil brush loaded with thinned Sand paint for spattering.

To spatter hold loaded brush over area to be spattered.

Use palette knife to flick the bristles by pulling the knife towards you.

I spattered the ground and the 2 outer Milk Chocolate borders.

Working on coat of Greenskeeper.

The coat is highlighted using Venetian Gold.

Painting trim on coat and hat using a Silver Micro Mini Lettering Brush.

I have painted the trees.

I am now working on the face and beard.

I am now working on the buildings.

I base coated first with one coat of Red Iron Oxide. 

I let that dry they added a second coat with Heritage Brick.

I do most of my base coating and shading using Lowell Cornell Ultra Rounds.

I use Maxine Mops to dry and soften floats.

The roofs of the buildings are done. 

I am now working on the trees.

I have painted the sheep.

I have added all the small details and line work.

I added the snow mounds on the ground by tapping on Sand with my Moon Brush.

I used a Texture - It Brush loaded with Sand to add the foliage to the tree branches.

I used a stencil to add the fern vines to the sides.

I used my Stain-It Brush to dry brush Traditional Raw Umber around the edges of the box.

I used my stylus to add the snow in the sky and any additional dots.

I varnished my box with several coats of Dura Clear Ultra Matte Varnish.

I filled the box with a mix

 of 

artificial greens , pine cones, berries

 and 

tiny battery operated white lights.

Rosemary Reynolds and 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 

Greenskeeper Box

Happy Painting!

Lynn