Magnolia
By Sivanvitha Juturu
I chose this project because it’s a bit challenging. The flower is only white, developing highlights and shadows becomes important. The shape of the flower and its petals brings the flower to life in all its glory.
Supplies:
Black canvas board 12X16 inch E53101216 Phoenix Arts Group
Palette:
FolkArt Acrylic Paints:
Classic Green Multisurface 2917
Daffodil Yellow Multisurface 2912
Titanium White Multisurface 2938
Green Flash Colorshift 5129
Lime Green Multisurface 2914
Burnt Umber Multisurface 462
Pure Black Multisurface 2957
Liquitex Paint:
Ivory Black 1046244
Medium Magenta 1046500
Cadence Paint:
Turquoise CAD2067
Mediums:
Texture Paste INK44444 Ranger
Matte Sealer/ Finish Spray AS-13-7 Decoart
Brushes:
Plaid:
Flat brush size 12 1059
Flat brush size 6 1059
Flat brush 3/4inch 1059
Round brush size 1 1050
Miscellaneous Supplies:
Any scroll-shaped stencil (The one used is from Crafttreat.com, item no: CTS033.)
Paper towels
Pencils
Water bin
Pallet paper
Grey transfer paper
Masking tape
Pallet knife
*Tip
In this painting, I use more Ivory black color, in absence of this color you can use Payne’s Grey which will also give us a good outcome.
Preparation:
1. First transfer the pattern onto the black canvas. You will apply the scrollwork around the flower, using the stencil and the texture paste randomly. I used four, one in each corner.
2. Initially we will get started with the embossed painting with texture paste, we start by positioning the stencil by fixing with masking tape in the desired place, then apply the paste on the design with a pallet knife by equally spreading throughout the design. After you apply, slowly lift the stencil in an upward direction. Now you will see the embossed design on the canvas. While lifting if you find any little design part out of shape, it is completely fine we can cover it with the paint.
3. When the texture medium dries, you can start painting the background. Paint the background with Turquoise, Daffodil Yellow, and Titanium White. Load a 3/4th inch flat brush with all three colors randomly and with crisscross strokes, paint the entire background including the embossed design.
4. On the embossed design, I just lightly brushed Medium Magenta and Green Flash, using the same dirty brush.
Instructions:
Flower Petals
1. Load flat brush #12 with a mix of Titanium White (90%)+ Ivory black (10%) and base coat all the petals leaving the cheat lines of the flower petals.
2. The next step is to add shadows. Shadows can be added where the petal curls and one petal is behind the other petals. Sideload the 3/4th inch flat brush with a mix of Titanium White (80%) + Ivory Black (20%) and paint the shadows.
3. Dry brush technique - Now with the dry 3/4th inch flat brush load with a small amount of the above Titanium White mix and brush on petals in a way that it covers the irregular shadow lines on the petals and until it covers more than 3/4th of each petal. While brushing your paint should just cover the threadings of the canvas. This is how you can identify if your brush is loaded with a small amount of paint or not.
4. Now you can slowly increase amounts of White into your same dirty brush and paint at least 3 layers on each petal, until you can see all the petals have maximum White on them. While layering be sure that you will not be covering the entire previous layers. You should add layers by leaving small portions below.
5. Use the same technique on all the curved sides of petals as well.
6. Now for the exact bottom petal, the shape will be up and down on the same petal, for this I have added highlights on two places on the same petal, leaving a small gap in between. The procedure to add the highlights will be the same layering technique.
7. To add reflections on few petals brush a small amount of Lime Green and Magenta separately with the dry brush.
Stamens
Double load the flat brush #12 with Classic Green and Lime Green with a touch of White, leading with Lime Green, standing on the chisel edge stroke the stamens starting from the top. To make them brighter, add another layer by adding more White on the Lime Green side.
Leaves
1. To paint the leaves load the flat brush #12 with Classic Green and base coat both the leaves.
2. To add shadows on the vein and curved leaf sideload the flat brush #12 with Classic Green and a touch of Burnt Umber and stroke on both the leaves.
3. Load the dry flat brush #12 with a small amount of Sap Green and a touch of White and start adding highlights, this can be done in at least 2-3 layers by adding more White in it. The highlighting procedure is the same as the dry brushing technique used when adding the highlights for the flower petals.
4. To capture the sheen on the leaf brush a a small amount of Turquoise on the center of the leaf.
Water Drops
1. Sideload the flat brush #6 with Black and add a shadow on the lower side inside the drop. Add a highlight by sideloading the flat brush #6 with White and add on the top side of the drop, assuming the light direction from top to bottom.
2. Add a highlight around the heavy side of the drop along the outer edge of the white highlight by sideloading the flat brush #6 with Black.
3. Now add a glint on the extreme lower side of the drop by loading the round brush #1 with White. The glint should be like a small dot and dash.
4. For the curved leaf, the edge of the drop should be opened, this gives an illusion like in a vertical dropping effect.
Finishing
Following the manufacturer's directions, seal the surface with several light coats of Matte Spray Varnish, allowing appropriate drying time between coats.
Contact the designer at anvitha.jayanthi@gmail.com