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Pattern Packet Art Work & Techniques using Dynasty® & Black Gold® brushes
by: Kay Quist
 

"THE LUNCH LADIES" Pattern No. 2005-03 These happy snow ladies are dressed in their blue and purple finery and "Red Hats". They stand 15 inches tall and are about 12 inches wide, including the base. "SANTA'S SCENE" Pattern No. 2005-04 This jolly St. Nick is all dressed in his star studded red coat and hat, with a winter landscape scene. He stands 18 inches tall and is about 10 1/2 inches wide, including the base. "WARM WOOLY MITTENS" Pattern No. 2003-24 Oval Shaker Box. Snowman family and friend, posing for their family picture, dressed in their winter finery "SNOWTIME JOYS" Large wooden frame with two inset panels. "FREE TREATS" This is Pattern Packet #2005-02   These are my painting instructions "Terms & Techniques" GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACRYLIC PAINTING  "TERMS & TECHNIQUES" by: Kay Quist     WOOD PREPARATION   Lightly sand wood with fine sandpaper.   Wipe clean; fill any holes with wood putty, let dry; sand and wipe clean.   Seal wood with wood sealer, following manufacturers directions on container, and let dry.   Lightly sand again (for which a piece of brown paper bag works nicely),  and wipe clean.   A nice way to finish the backs of the wood pieces, is to apply one coat of Gel Stain, using color indicated in Supplies list, let dry before starting to paint the front.     TRANSFERRING PATTERN   Trace the pattern onto tracing paper.   Tape the pattern to the project with masking tape and then slide a sheet of transfer paper, such as Super Chaco Paper, underneath.   Use a soft lead pencil or a stylus, to trace the pattern lines, being careful to trace very lightly so as not to dent your wood.     WOOD FINISHING Let all paint dry thoroughly, curing over night or longer. I use several light coats of finish, sanding lightly and wiping clean, between coats.       "KAY'S TERMS &TECHNIQUES"     BASE-COATING   WASH OR TRANSPARENT COLOR -- Mix paint with water to achieve the transparency you want. Apply the wash coat, using as large a flat brush as possible, for the area, making long even strokes. Work as fast as you can and do not overwork the paint. Let dry and then repeat if necessary, sanding lightly between coats.   SOLID COLOR -- Evenly apply two or three thin coats of full strength paint, drying thoroughly between coats. Sanding lightly  between coats and after final coat; wipe clean.   DARK BACKGROUND -- When working on very dark background colors, it is helpful to undercoat the patterned areas with one coat of a color such as COOL NEUTRAL first; this will help the base color cover with fewer coats of paint. Sand this very lightly and wipe clean.    HIGHLIGHT AND SHADE FLOATING   Using the largest flat brush possible for the area, dip the brush into clean water to which you have mixed “Easy Float” paint, according to manufacturers instructions on bottle; blot lightly on paper towel to remove excess water.   Side load corner of brush in full strength paint and blend on your palette, working on one track until the paint fades evenly across the brush, going from dark to light to just water. I apply the paint in short choppy strokes rather than just one long row of color. Highlights and shading are built up gradually by using layer upon layer of thin paint.   Repeat each color as many times as needed to achieve the intensity you want. In some places I will use two or more colors in the highlighting or shading; use the first color listed; use the remaining color or colors, in the order given; dry between coats. In the instructions the colors will be listed in order of use, followed by a slash and then the second and any succeeding colors (I.e. KHAKI TAN/TRADITIONAL RAW SIENNA).   The size of each successive color application should be smaller in area; elimination of any of the colors given will not achieve the same results as mine.     REVERSE HIGHLIGHT   Using the largest flat brush possible for the area, dip into clean water mixed with “Easy Float”, (as explained in previous instructions) and apply a very thin coat to the area you are going to highlight.   Side load corner of brush in full strength paint and blend on your palette; starting at the center of the area you wish to highlight, turning your work so that you can float from top to bottom, using a feathering, side to side motion; flip the brush over and using the same method, apply the paint next to the previously painted area (the feathering helps to eliminate a hard line through the center where the two sections meet).   Now using a dry, Dynasty Mop Brush, Series #400, size appropriate for the area, gently soften the paint with a pouncing/patting motion; working from lighter outer edges of the color being used, back into main area. Dry, and then if you want the highlight to be stronger, follow same procedure with the same color or a lighter shade.     MOP BRUSH BLENDING   Use a dry Dynasty Mini Mop Brush, Series #400, to blend and soften the edges of your highlight or shade colors.   Using a soft, pouncing/patting motion, work from lighter outer edges of the color being used, back into main area. This is a wonderful way to make the edges of your floated colors look very smooth and have no hard edge lines.   Use the brush size appropriate for the area to be blended.     DRY BRUSH STIPPLING/BLENDING   Using a dry, Dynasty, Dry Brush, Series #200, size appropriate to the area you are working in, dry brush on added highlights or shades.   Dip brush into full strength paint and remove excess on paper towel; apply the paint by softly pouncing/patting the brush on the area you wish to shade or highlight.     ROSY CHEEKS   Make rosy cheeks, using a Dynasty Round Fabric Brush or a dry, Dynasty Dry Brush, size appropriate for the area.   Dip brush into full strength paint and remove excess on paper towel; apply brush to project, working softly in a circular, swirling motion.     DRY BRUSH SLIP SLAP   Load a flat brush with a small amount of full strength paint, remove excess on a paper towel.   Working in a criss-cross motion, lightly apply paint to the area you wish to shade or highlight; soften with a dry, Dynasty Mop Brush, Series #400     These project was created by Kay Quist demonstrating the proper techniques for creating unique craft and painting projects using Dynasty® Brushes. 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