Thyme to show you a Fat Pilgrim

Thanksgiving 

is tomorrow!

I couldn't wait to paint

 Lynne Andrew's 

new Fat Pilgrim design.

I apologize for getting so behind in my blogging!

Let's step inside the

  STUDIO

I had several of these very 

large gourds 

in my stash just waiting for the right design to paint on it.

I knew it was the perfect surface to adapt Lynne's FAT Pilgrim design to.

I used my 

Prism Autograph Projector 

to size the line drawing to fit the gourd.

I had to adjust some of the elements of the design to "make it work".

My Palette

Antique Gold, Antique White, Burnt Orange, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Buttermilk, Country Red, Graphite, Lamp Black, Marigold, Milk Chocolate, Slate Grey, Titanium Snow White,   Warm Beige
Dazzling Metallics Glorious Gold

Lets Paint

I began by washing the entire gourd with 2 coats of Buttermilk.

Next I washed the face with Warm Beige.

I washed the hair, beard and mustache with Slate Grey.

I then added the facial features.

I use Lynne Andrews new floaters and stipplers

I use Jack Richeson Dome Sash Brushes for mopping.

To refresh your memory this is what the gourd looked like prior to painting the facial details.

After I had painted the facial features and had the beard base coated 

I realized I needed some type of "brim" for the hat to make my gourd look more like a Pilgrim.

I decided to use QuickWood to make the hat brim.

Quick Wood

is a 2 part resin and once kneaded together you have about 20 minutes of open time before it begins to cure. 

It fully cures in 24 hours.

With that being said I needed all 20 minutes to get the brim made and attached!

 I first flattened out the piece of QuickWood I had cut.

I used a water glass to cut a small circle which was about 6" wide. 

I then used a smaller glass to cut out an inner circle.

This is where it got REAL TRICKY!

I put the "brim" over the top of the gourd.

Because the QUICKWOOD was still in the pliable state it started to STRETCH!

I could have used and extra pair of hands at this point!

I ended  cutting about a 1" piece of QuickWood. 

I formed several pea size balls.

I used the pea size balls to support under the brim while I was smoothing and attaching the brim from above.

By this point the QuickWood was really starting to set so I REALLY had to work fast!

I finally managed to get it on and remove the tiny balls under the rim that I had used for support.

Here is my PILGRIM with his hat which I painted Lamp Black.

I then transferred the remaining details to the gourd with graphite.

The Pilgrims coat was washed with Burnt Umber.

I painted right over the arms, turkey and banner.

I used a #14 floater to do the first wash of Burnt Umber.

I then used my 1" domed sash brush to lightly stipple the wash as I went along.

This technique is used to blend and soften your wash.

It is important to dry completely between each wash so that you do not lift the paint.

Do as many washes as needed to achieve the depth of color you want.

The more soft layers of washes you apply, the more blended and softer the coat will look.

The Pilgrims collar is washed White.

I shaded between the collar top and beard with a mix of Burnt Umber and Graphite  ( 1:1)

I completed the beard by using the tip of a #2 floater loaded with White.

I pulled the hairs out around face, mustache and beard.

I then switched to a #4 floater for some thicker strands.

Completed beard.

I painted a heavy Buttermilk wash on the turkey, cuffs, hands and banner .

The turkey is a wash of Milk Chocolate.

Shading around the wing and top of head is Burnt Sienna.

Snood ( fleshy stuff under beak) is Country Red.

Beak is Marigold.

I then wet the areas of the turkey where you see the spots.

I then picked up some Burnt Umber on the tip of a #4 floater.

I dotted the paint on the WET areas.

You will start to see the paint bleed out.

You can use your finger or a mop to smudge the spots.

The legs are painted with Marigold.

When dry add Burnt Orange stripes.

The banner is washed with Antique White.

I then transferred the scripture verse.

Lettering is done with a

 Roaring Tikky Graphic Pen 0.1

Be sure to spray your lettering with Krylon Fixative so your lettering does not smudge when you varnish.

Close up of finished Pilgrim face.

Finished Fat Pilgrim

He looks wonderful displayed in an old wood bowl with some bittersweet added.

The scripture verse reads 

" I will praise God's name in song and glorify him  with Thanksgiving "

I also painted the surface that Lynne Andrews designed for the 

Fat Pilgrim project.

This surface measures 12 1/4" x 7"

This surface was painted in the same way that I painted the gourd,

 with the exception that his britches and shoes were added.

Close up of face.

Here you can see the Pilgrims britches and shoes.

I applied several coats of Dura Gloss Soft Touch Varnish to each piece when completed.

I attached my Fat Pilgrim to a grapevine wreath.

Completed Fat Pilgrim Wreath.

Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt 

provided me with the paints to complete these projects.

Thank you DecoArt!

I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint this
FAT Pilgrim
project two different ways!

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Lynn