So you think you want to paint

First I want to say thankfully I did not have food poisoning!!!! It must have been a very bad case of the stomach bug but it did leave me drained . Then my oldest daughter has a bout of Diverticulitis and spends several hours in the ER. And yesterday and today GD is sick. However I think we will all recover.



Now supposing you have been over to Lindas blog and loved what you saw.You are primed and ready to paint. First gather your basic supplies--the paint called for, brushes, sand paper, tracing and graphite paper, something to hold water in and some varnish. And lastly your wood piece. Yipes now where does that come from!!!! Okay don't panic at this point you have options-maybe. If you've gotten a pattern book theres a good chance the artist has listed a resource where you can buy your desired piece. Most of them don't have time to cut their own wood so they simply hire someone else to do it. Just be prepared for sticker shock because most pieces are expensive. Now if you've used that free pattern Linda has posted you will have to find someone to cut your wood or learn to do it yourself.


Allright lets say you've got that wood piece and are ready to start. Stain your back with a water based stain and let dry then sand your piece ( front and back) lightly and wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Some people like to seal their wood first with a general sealer-not your varnish, but I love the way the different woods take paint so I never seal my wood. It's up to you on this step.( This only applies to the front of the piece. The stain will seal the back ). Use the tracing paper to copy your pattern and the graphite paper to lay under it ( on your wood piece) to copy it to the wood. If your wood is soft don't use a heavy hand or you'll emboss it!! Gentleness is the key. At this time only trace the main details (larger areas) and then apply a thin layer of paint, let dry, lightly sand and then apply another thin layer of paint. Now comes the fun part--all that detailing. This is where the part of you comes in. The designer knows that unless they have taught you you won't be able to paint exactly like them. And even if they did teach you you'll still develope your own style. That's what makes painting so fun. Most of it is you. Can't make berry vines-make squiggles. Eyes turn out silly-so what. Painting is suppose to be fun and it's about what you like. Shoot I rarely use the colors the designer does and I still hate that "aged look". Just put those details on however you'd like. With time you'll learn the ropes and soon be painting like a pro.


Now that your piece is completely dry you can varnish it. Varnish comes in brush on or spray. Either one is good but spray is quicker. One coat is enough if you plan to use indoors but for outdoor use apply several coats so your master piece will last. Now stand back and admire that creation-make sure you take a picture because you'll want to see how far you've come after a few years. Just never doubt yourself and don't let anyone else's bad opinion bug you either. Take it and move forward. You'll be glad you did.

This is just a brief detail of painting and getting started. Next time we will cover the supplies in detail.You can paint on a shoestring budget but the better supplies you can afford the better the end result. I just don't want you to back out at this stage. This is a new adventure and hopefully a life long hobby. It's also very relaxing so it's good for the ole body.

If you need some pictures of any of these steps just let me know and I'll get them on.Linda has some great pics on her blog and hopefully she'll be back up and running soon and will have some more goodies for you.

It's going to have to wait.....

Let me tell ya anything I promised is going to have to wait as I am one sick mamma dog. I have been battling something for the few days and it smells alot like food poisoning but not sure. I won't gross anyone out with the details but things are only getting worse for me. Last time I got this type thing I was flat on my back for 14 days. I can't afford that time off but if I don't take care of myself now I'll end up taking a lot more time off.


Don't give up and start that practing now so by the time I do get ready for our first tutorial you'll all ready be on your way to being a pro!!

Some plans for the future....

Thought I would drop in and let y'all know what I have up my sleeve for the future of this blog. I want to do a series called " Getting Started and beyond" I know Linda has allready given you a taste of what to expect ( A Brush With Friends) but I will be covering that from my crazy point of view as well. I really want to do a video type thing for using a scroll saw but I have a messed up USB cord for my camera so not too sure that will come to pass.

Right now I've got 3 lessons/post lined up. " So you want to paint",,,Do I really need all that!!!",,,and " Business or just a Hobby". Knowing the way I chatter on sometimes these will likely be a bit long but hopefully not too boring. I will likely forget something important even though I'm writting it all down so if you have any questions or a suggestion you want to pass along please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to see it's anwswered/addressed. I do want to stress that I am not a pro. I haven't had any formal training and anything I pass along will be things that I have learned along the way. I have been painting/cutting wood for over 20 yrs so I do know a little about things!!!

Not sure when I will start this series but aiming for this weekend as the first one. Until then why not hop on over to A Brush with friends and find out where you can get a free pattern and a quick tutorial on the basics. By the time you get back here you may allready be well on your way to a new and addicting hobby!!!

Some ornaments

Here are a few of the current things I've been working on. As you might be able to tell I like adding texture to my creations. Whether it be layers, decorative snow or clear fabric paint. I think adding that texture gives your item an entirely new look--plus if you make a booboo and don't want to throw out the entire thing the snowtex helps cover those places and none will ever know!!! (Don't have a hearattack Linda!!!!). I also add some thin wire ,bells and/or trinkets. The first couple years I only added these to some special pieces but the customers really started asking for them so now ALL the ornaments get bells .


My favorite designer is Renee Mullins.( The bottom 2 birds are her designs). She creates and paints the most adorable things plus they aren't all that hard to copy. I can't add all the fine detailing like she does but let me tell ya her designs sell out at the craft shows.


Since my brain isn't working too proper ( sinus or allergies making me feel bad) -and I have to keep retyping things I think I will just end with this. I will try to get back in a few days with more and maybe some tips and things I've learned along the way.

Have a great day and try something new--but keep it legal!!--- , you might just find that you like it.

Here I Go Again!!!

Trying to set up another blog that is!!!! I can not for the life of me figure things like this out. Thankfully I haven't managed to wipe out the computer while doing so but stranger things have happen so I won't cross that off my to do list.


This new blog will showcase my woodcraft painting as well as those items from NorthernStarCa (and anyone else who wants to join us). She will have tons of painting links on her blog (http://abrushwithfriends.blogspot.com/) and who knows what else. You will just have to check it out once she gets rolling.

As for me- I use to be able to draw and paint anything that was put in front in front of me. My classmates hated me in art class. In fact when we moved back to Ohio in 2001 I ran into an old classmate and that was the first thing out of her mouth-"Can you still draw like you use to?" The answer to that is NO. Back in 1979 we had a fire and it wiped out my entire art portfolio and all my supplies. ( not to mention everything we owned) It just blew me apart and I refused to pick up a pencil or drawing tool again. Fast forward to the future--1985 and a craft show in Angleton, Texas. I had entered this show doing only cross stitch and plastic canvas. I did allright in sales but then I started looking around and seeing all these wonderful woodcraft things and saying to myself I can paint like that and it should cost alot less than needlework stuff. Boy was I in for a shocker. By the time I got the scroll saw ( son paid half), all the paints and books I probably had a few hundred dollars invested. And that was just the first year!!!! My next step was to learn to paint. I was very lucky to have someone coach me for a few weeks . She never once giggled or condemned me and only offered encouragement. Finally I was on my own.

My first pieces were-well lets just say that had I been the customer I wouldn't have touched them with a ten foot pole! But would you believe I sold all 25 of them!!! Plus some ornaments and other things I had. I was in Painters heaven. I managed to make enough money to buy a bus ticket to Ohio so I could visit my mom.

While I do use patterns I always paint my own way. My favorite designer is Renee Mullins. She makes the cutest things -from ornaments to bigger pieces. I think I have seen more of her work at the shows than any other designer out there and it never fails to sell--even if you paint like I do.

Now while I've come a long ways from those early pieces I still have alot to learn . I hope you will try your hand at painting. I always tell people that if you can color a coloring page you can paint with paint!!! OOOh maybe you have to have some extra talent whenever you shade or detail but then that's what Sharpie markers are for.

Why not tell us your story. How did you get started in painting? Are you self-taught or born with that wonderful talent? Do you sell your stuff or just make it for fun and family? We would love to hear from you.

I hope you will enjoy this new blog as well as A Brush with Friends.