Stars and Stripes Colorsplash

Flag Up Girls!

Here comes another fun

Paint Project.

In the spirit of the Season and all

I've been wanting to

paint stars and stripes.

This is really more of a Pop Art version

of Old Glory.

And you can hang either vertical or horizontal.

But it will definitely add a splash

of summer color to your home.

It's just Happy Art.

I used 1/2" plywood

and cut a 16" X 27" rectangle.

Sand all of the edges.

Paint the back Semi-Gloss Black (Outdoor Paint)

Using a watered down Raw Sienna

brush the front,  covering the entire surface

and all of the edges.

Then using some black,

brush in a few strokes.

This way the very underlayer

will be a warm color

that will show through your

top coat technique.

Layers and Layers of Paint

give pieces more depth

and a very painterly artful quality.

Now for some color.

At about 9" down I taped down a line.

Now I can lay in my blues.

I'm using the same paint method

that I used on this table.

But here on the blue part of the flag

you can fold a piece of cardstock paper

any size and drag it back and forth,

continuing to dip in the 3 different colors.

You can even switch motion

vertical then horizontal for a criss cross application.

Apply as much paint as you want

leaving some of the underlayer showing.

That creates a worn chippy look.

I also added some dark navy blue on top.

I didn't have the paint color I needed,

but I had some blue stain

leftover from these Summer Beach Chairs.

So I used that.

I poured some of the stain into a smaller bottle

so it was easier to pour.

BFF = Blowdryer

Now for the red

Cut a piece of cardstock about 3 1/4"

(just shy of that a bit)

Mark the 5 stripe layout on your board.

Using a straight edge

dip the cardstock in each of the colors

and drag down the line.

Add more of whatever color

you want to show.

Then for the white:

After you have all of the stripes painted,

return to the blue

and stencil in your stars using this same

dip and drag motion.

I first sketched a layout for the stars 

on a sheet of paper 

so I had a general idea of placement.

Then I cut stencils out of cardstock.

Laying the stencil in position

I used another folded piece of cardstock

(okay how many times can I say cardstock)

to dip and drag across the stencil

working out to in

so I don't get much run under.

Oh, and here are the colors

I used for the stars.

Well, you would think that would be enough.

But , oh no...

Let the layering continue..

Splatter with Orange.

Then a spray sealer.

I might even use a marine varnish

if I hang it outside.

Let's use a fun summer hang-

sisal rope.

I drilled tiny pilot holes in the plywood

to start my 1 3/16" screw eyes.

Say What?

Well, that's what they're called.

You can see how I looped the sisal through

and wrapped the braiding cord around.

Then you'll have a long stretch of rope.

I don't know how much I used but

it might have been 5 - 6'.

Tie that a couple of times

for a loop in the top.

Woop Woop

Now you have an American Summer Colorsplash !

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you're having a great summer!

Linky Parties:

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                         Home Stories A to Z

                         My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wednesday:     Savvy Southern Style

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Friday:              Redoux Interiors

                         At the Picket Fence

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                        Craftomaniac

                        I should be Mopping the Floor

                        Between Naps on the Porch

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