The Free-handed Flower: From Pinterest to Paint!
- Caroline Sturman
- Jun 16, 2016
- 2 min read
Hey, ya'll, it's time to gain some confidence on your free-hand painting! If you can't put what you're imagining on your piece, then find a 2D picture of something you like and do your best to recreate it!
So I’m fairly short…like 5’5” on a good day. And in our kitchen we have cabinets that are at least 7 feet high so obviously, I have trouble reaching the top shelf. I saw this unfinished wooden stool at Michael’s and thought it’d give me the boost I needed. I believe it cost around $7 post-coupons. (Get that Michael's app!)
Inspiration? Pinterest, please! I searched for a simple flower on Pinterest and found this cross-stitch design that seemed modestly elegant and maybe paintable? Dare to be bold, people!
1. Paint. No sanding, no priming, just get to painting!* I used AS Paris Grey as my base paint and the AS Old White for the flower and border. Let the base paint dry at least an hour before moving onto the next step, if able.
2. Free-hand that flower! So I really can’t freehand paint and that’s okay. I used the Pinterest photo as a guideline for dimensions and even texture on the flower. I started with the main part of the flower, the stem, and went from there. I did roughly draw in all the leaves and the main flower before setting in on more of the details. Honestly, just wing it. If you mess up, you can try wiping (gently, don’t remove the base paint) off the paint with a lightly damp rag or just paint overtop your Oops! with more of your base paint. Have patience and be kind…to yo’self!
3. Border. I used painter’s tape to outline the border and tried to make it as straight and even as possible. Nobody’s perfect, but also nobody’s going to be staring at my foot stool that closely...except this camera apparently.
4. Clear Wax. I used AS Clear Wax on this piece because I wanted that “clean” modern look. Two coats and I was done! Keep it simple, stupid!
*Lessons Learned! – In hindsight, I would’ve applied a coat of Shellac all over the unfinished wood before painting. Unfinished wood tends to be greedy and will soak up a lot of your paint, making you use more than necessary.
Comentários