How to Paint Large Feather Art

I got my paintbrushes out!

It's so relaxing and energizing at the same time.

I've been so busy learning to design patterns

on the computer and have them printed onto fabric.

Here is a sample of a watercolor flower that I painted

and then put into digital format for fabric printing.

Since I had so much fun painting my blue jay feather,

I wanted to share some steps with you guys

in case you would like one too 

for this Spring and Summer.

I used 4 picket fence boards from Menards.

They are Saw Tex Fence Pickets for 99 cents each.

Base paint off white

lifting your brush at the edges to reveal

unfinished wood .

You can see the faint pencil sketch of the feather

outlined on the boards.

Here is a template for you to look at

and rough sketch.

Then starting at the bottom

with the lightest color,

I work my way to the darkest color on top.

The paints are wet so they blend as they go.

Here are some of the paints

that I used.

While your paints are still wet,

pull from the center out,

blending as you go.

With an up and down motion,

punch in some black horizontal stripes.

Then you can go back over and soften a bit 

by pulling your brush down lightly.

Blend the black out more as you get to the bottom

of the feather. 

Keep your paint application lighter there.

Now for some finishing tips:

Pull in some off white background paint

to make clean cut in sections.

Use a smaller flat brush.

Add some gray fine feathers on the bottom 

with a liner brush.

You can also drag

some white dry brush or black dry brush

over top if you want more lines.

Also run a dark gray or black center line up the middle.

Hope you try it!

I hope to be back with another

paint project soon.

Happy Painting,

Deb

"Away in a Manger" Christmas Gift Tags - Watercolor - Printable

Merry Christmas, friends!

I have some Christmas Tags

to share with you.

They are made with watercolors

and then I changed them to digital art in illustrator.

 Humble little manger friends

are soft and light,

a sweet touch to your

Christmas wrap.

Here is the link to the PDF.

Away in a Manger Christmas Tags

With the light color 

and white background,

your printer won't use a lot of ink.

I think there are some in this mix

for both children and adults.

I hope you enjoy them,

Deb

Links:

Between Naps on the Porch

Coastal Charm

How to Paint Rustic Pheasant Feather Wall Art

Harvest, Cornhusks, and Pheasant Feathers...

things that remind me of fall.

I thought I would share a few painting tips

on the pheasant feather wall art.

First I love that it is a big long piece.

I used 2 cedar fence boards, 55.5" long.

So the piece measures 11 x 55.5".

Based in a brown wash

(watered down brown paint).

Let that dry.

Paint the next coat a white and grey mix,

lifting at the edges to get a worn edge look.

I sketched a chalk line shape of the feather.

Using a a folded piece of cardstock paper,

I dipped in tan and outlined the feather.

Then filled in pulling from the outside to the inside.

The first tan color I used ended up being too light.

I would start with a mix of Folk art camel and Raw Sienna.

I used a brown stain too.

I was trying to achieve a golden brown.

On the first go round,

I drug wide brown stain stripes with the cardstock.

You could use a dark brown paint. It will dry faster.

Then I painted a little more raw sienna and brown to make it darker.

Then I used a brush to paint a little black over the stripes.

On the lower right side of the feather, I splattered

some camel color and then some brown.

Paint finer detail black random stripes here.

On the edges I used dark brown 

and used my brush to pull in a feathered look.

If it is not feathered enough,

use your gray and pull from the outside to the edge of the feather.

This will help make it look airy.

I think this would be a great outdoor welcome

with some pumpkins!

Hope you try it!

Deb

sharing at:

Between Naps on the Porch