HERON BOX

Rosemary has spent most of her years in the fine art arena. Coming from a family that recognized the importance of art and lineage it made for a natural course of expression. As a teacher and inspirational driver she has moved into the realm of decorative painting with the encouragement of her sister Janice Cormier of Country School House, Huntington, MA. Janice has been in the business for many years teaching in her studio and throughout the country. It is a joy to share the knowledge that I have acquired and I hope to inspire others to feel satisfaction and acknowledgement of their talents.

By Rosemary Barrett

SUPPLIES

PALETTE: DECOART® AMERICANA PAINTS

• Deep Midnight Blue-DA166 • Soft Black- DA155 • Black- DA067 • Snow White- DA01 • Asphaltum- DA180 • Sapphire- DA099 • Blue Harbor- DA283 • Graphite- DA161 • Warm White- DA239 • Ultra Deep Blue- DA100 • Antique Gold- DA09 • Pebble- DA303 • Spicy Mustard- DA284

MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES:

• Water based varnish • Transfer paper (Saral-White) • Stylus • Blue tape • Paper (for practice)

BRUSHES:

• #2, #4 Liner-Loew Cornell® • #4 Filbert- Loew Cornell® • 1” Flat Scharff 44 • #6, # 1, #3, #8 Rounds Red Sable Scharff

SURFACE:

I used a wooden file box measuring 12” X 8 1/2” X 4”, but really any surface that holds the design will work nicely.

PREPARATION

After you have sanded and panted your box or surface, paint with Sapphire. Sand and add another coat of Sapphire. You are now ready to transfer the design. Tape down with Blue tape, using the White Saral Paper, and transfer using a stylus.

PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS

BIRD:

The shadow of the bird is painted with Deep Midnight Blue. Use a #8 round to achieve coverage quickly. Using Warm White, base in the white areas with a #6 round. Always stroke in the direction of the feathers, from the head to the tail, in long strokes (practice this a little). Nothing is written in stone and the beauty of paint is that you can change it if you’re not satisfied. The building up of color and strokes is what gives this bird life and dimension. The back feathers and top of the head are in Ultra Deep Blue. Using a #3 round, stroke in the direction of the feathers. Shadow the dark feathers with Graphite in a wash, building up gradually. Highlight these feathers with Blue Harbor. Paint in the dark feathers on the back and bottom with Graphite and highlight with a wash of Soft Black and Pebble, building gradually in the direction of the feathers.

Add a wash of Pebble on the right side of the chest, all the way to the bottom of the bird. Highlight the white chest with a wash of Snow White, covering the Pebble wash that you just laid down, but let it show through somewhat.

BEAK:

Using a #3 round, base in with Asphaltum. Use a wash of Black in the shadows. Highlight in a was of Antique Gold, Pebble and bright highlights with Snow White.

EYE:

Base in the eyeball with Marigold, highlighting the outer ring with Spicy Mustard. Surround the eye with Soft Black and paint the pupil with Black. Then add a highlight dot with Snow White.

LEGS:

Base paint with Pebble and shadow in Graphite. Highlight with washes of Warm White, building washes until you achieve the brightness that is the same as the white chest of the Heron. Ripples in the water, near the legs in a wash of Blue Harbor and highlight with Snow White.

Enlarge or reduce the size to the surface of your choice.

Note to reproduction companies/stores: The bearer of the original color magazine has full rights to have this drawing reproduced and enlarged one time for personal use. This notice has been printed in red ink for verification of authenticity.