Thyme to show you a Sailor Boy Banner

Can you believe that it will be 4th of July this weekend?

I wanted to paint something Red, White & Blue.

Today I am going to show you a project 

called 

Sailor Boy Banner

 Design 

by

Cynthia Erekson

Lets step inside the STUDIO and get started!

My Palette 

DecoArt Americana Acrylics

Deep Midnight Blue, Uniform Blue, Heritage Brick. Antique Maroon, Khaki Tan, Warm Beige, Tomato Red, Antique White, Buttermilk, Light Buttermilk, Bleached Sand, Antique Gold, Blue Harbor, Dusty Rose, Terra Coral, Lamp Black, Milk Chocolate, Burnt Umber

I began by first lightly sanding my piece then removing the dust. 

I then used a 2" sponge brush to apply a textured coat of Deep Midnight Blue

I then transferred the main elements of the design to the surface.

I base coated the hat with Antique White.

I used my 

Moon Brushes 

to dry brush both the 

highlighted 

and 

shaded areas.

I highlighted heavily to separate

 the brim from the crown, 

along the face and back edge 

using 

Khaki Tan

I used Bleach Sand to dry brush the highlights in.

I also like to use Ultra Rounds  for shading and highlighting.

You can achieve the depth of color you want by applying several washes .

Let each wash dry completely before apply the next so you won't lift the paint!

I keep a small dryer on my table to quicken drying times.

Working on the face and hair.

I have painted the necktie with Heritage Brick. 

I shaded with Antique Maroon and highlighted with Tomato Red.

I am now working on the collar.

I have painted the cuffs, shirt and added the stripes and star to collar.

Finishing details!

I used

 DecoArt Soft Touch 

Varnish to finish my piece.

The "Kit" to this project came with a burlap flag banner.

However I decided to make a few changes to the project to personalize it.

I began by first cutting a strip of fabric from some heavy muslin.

I then soaked the fabric my 

"grunge mix"

to age it.

*** You can find my grunge mix recipe at the top of the page under the RECIPE tab.***

or

Click 

HERE

I usually soak several pieces of fabric when I do this so I have it on hand for other projects.

I then dry my "grungy fabric" on a cookie sheet in a 200 degree oven.

Watch carefully!

I printed out the words OLD GLORY on my computer using 

Avery Fabric Transfer Paper.

Follow directions on the package for ironing on your fabric.

Close up of my grungy banner!

I decided to attach the burlap flag banner

 to an old flag pole that I had

 instead of the dowel that it came on.

Are you ready to see it?

I attached everything to a grapevine wreath.

Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt 

provided me with 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

Sailor Boy Banner!

Happy Painting!

Lynn

Thyme to show you Catch of the Day

Today

 I wanted to show you a project that I just completed 

called

Catch Of The Day

Design

 by 

Cynthia Erekson

The 

surface is a 30 1/2" tall

 "Dummy Board"

"Dummy Boards" 

were first brought to this country in Colonial Times.

 Cut from flat boards, 

these whimsical figures were painted to resemble men, women or children. 

They were free standing

 and

 were often placed near a fire place with their backs

 to the wall to serve 

as a presence in an empty room.

My Palette

DecoArt Americana Acrylics

Deep Midnight Blue, Dove Grey, Neutral Grey, Slate Grey, Graphite, Heritage Brick, Dusty Rose, Burnt Sienna, Victorian Blue, Antique Maroon, Warm White, Lamp Black, True Ochre, Milk Chocolate

Let's Paint

I began by first sanding my surface. 

I then wiped the dust.

Next I sealed my wood with 

Multi Purpose Sealer

I let the wood dry.

I applied 2 base coats of  Deep Midnight Blue.

Dry well between each coat.

I then transferred the main design lines to the board.

I base coated the hat, cuffs and pants with Dove Grey.

I shaded these areas with a mix

 of 

Neutral Grey and Slate Grey.

The hat brim, and boots are base coated in Graphite.

The entire 

face and beard area 

is undercoated 

with 

Neutral Grey.

I added several light coats of 

Dusty Rose

to the 

face area.

I created the 

nose and eye sockets 

by shading these areas 

with a mix

 of 

Dusty Rose plus Burnt Sienna.

I usually use 

Ultra Rounds

 for painting.

They hold a lot of water 

and 

their pointed tip make it easier to get into smaller areas.

I always use separate brushes for base coating and floating.

This insures that you have a nice chisel edge on the brushes you use to float.

When floating I like to apply several washes of color to achieve my desired value.

Not only are good brushes important to achieve a good float 

BUT

so is water!

I always have 2 containers of water on my table when I paint.

One container is for rinsing my brushes, 

the small glass dish contains CLEAN WATER

 to dip my brush in before loading it with paint to float.

You will never get a good float if you are using muddy water from your brush basin.

I have painted the Captains eyes.

I am now working on the jacket.

I used both Moon Brushes and Stain-It Brushes to do the jacket.

The jacket is heavily dry brushed using Victorian Blue to highlight it.

The Deep Midnight Blue I used to base coat the surface now becomes the shading.

I am now working on the beard.

I base coated lobster with Heritage Brick and a small touch of Dusty Rose.

Shading

on lobster was done 

with 

Antique Maroon 

to define the 

body sections

I have painted the wood flag pin.

Close up of face 

Line work details are added.

I spattered my project to add texture.

*** SPATTERING***

To spatter I put a nickel size puddle of paint on my palette. 

I then dip a large stencil brush in my water.

 I blot the brush on a paper towel. 

I then circle the brush in my puddle of paint.

I use my palette knife to repeatedly flick the bristles of the brush, 

pulling towards me using pressure with the palette knife. 

I move across my area as I work. 

Let dry!

I applied several coats of 

Dura Clear Soft Touch Varnish 

to my completed project

Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt 

provided me with 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

Catch of the Day!

Happy Painting!

Lynn