Introducing ..... PATCHES

Well I decided this gourd looked like a Patches so that is his name. He was fun to make and I hope you enjoyed watching the journey. I just listed him on my Etsy shop so I'm off the make the next project. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I'll be back soon.

The Making of a Scarecrow - Part 4

Well I'm almost finished with this project. He's just received his 2 coats of spar urethane and I also drilled small holes around the areas that I am inserting the raffia.

Small holes are drilled for the straw effect.

Some of the raffia that has been glued into place.

A front view of the "straw".

The final reveal will be tomorrow. I've decided to name him PATCHES and I will list him on the etsy shop.

TFL!

The Making of a Scarecrow - Part 3

This scarecrow is finally looking like himself now.....he's getting his personality. I sketched a few details on lightly with a pencil and then base coated the shapes with acrylic paint. I chose bright happy colors for this scarecrow. I shade and highlight each area for dimension. I have also used a liner brush to do the outlines on certain areas such as around the pockets, patches and stitches on the overalls.

Now it's time to give him a personality! I made sure he has that little twinkle in his eye for the final accent. A little drybrushing for the cheeks gives him that cute ruddy appearance.

I added a nice accent patch to his hat. This hat will have raffia inserted later around the edges of the brim for a straw effect. I felt I needed a bit of color to bring it all together.

I added some fun stripes for his plaid shirt and the button of course. Any colors could be used for the shirt. I just like the burgundy/red/orange combination for a fall feel.

My last post on this scarecrow will include the finishing gloss coat and the raffia accents. Hmmm....I will also need a name for this guy. Any suggestions please comment :-)

Thanks for taking a peeek!

Halloween is going to be here soon!

Oh my goodness.....it's almost September already. I couldn't believe that there were Halloween AND Christmas decorations set up at Costco this past week. I think I have lost a part of the summer somehow. Oh well.....since I heard all the scary sounds coming from the Halloween displays there I decided to come home and make a few fun embellishments for the Etsy shop. This is what I created. They were really fun to make and fall is the best time of the year for me so I just loved dry embossing these pumpkins.




A new update to the scarecrow gourd is also coming this week. It's turning out really cute. I'm adding raffia for the "straw" accents!

TFL!

The Making of a Scarecrow - Part 2

Happy Tuesday everyone!
Oh my...our new little puppy has been keeping me QUITE busy the past 2 weeks. She's a sweetie but very active! I have managed to base coat the scarecrow and do some shading and highlighting. Here are a few examples so you can see the progress. I hope to accomplish a bit more in the next few days. It still doesn't look too much like a scarecrow but soon it will begin getting a personality.

I first begin by sketching, with a pencil, the basic shape of the hat, face, shirt and overalls. I then basecoated (3 total coats) all the appropriate areas with my acrylic paints.

There will be a happy little face here soon :-)

I then begin deciding where I want my shading to be. I float different values of paint colors on those areas. This gives the piece definition and dimension.

A close up of the shading around the shirt and overall strap at the shoulder area.

A bit of drybrushing on the areas where the light would hit helps make the piece come alive. In person the denim is beginning to look real.

The next steps in Part 3 will be to draw on more details such as: facial features, collar, arms, pockets on the overalls, and stitching. I'll post some photos when they are completed. Thanks so much for looking.

Have a great day!

Please support Darlene's Breast Cancer 3-day Walk @ http://08.the3day.org/goto/DarlenePlotinski
Take a peak at our Etsy Shop too @ www.ggam.etsy.com

The Making of a Scarecrow - Part 1

I've been desiging a new fall gourd that looks like a scarecrow. I LOVE this time of year so all the fall themed ideas keep floating through my head. I usually start setting out all the paint colors that I would like to use on my project. I use mostly Deco Art Americana paints but I do have a few shades of other brands.



I then begin sketching out some ideas for my design. I also take notes as I begin painting on my project so I remember what colors I use and where I shade and highlight in case I decide to make a repeat design.

Then I prepare the gourd by picking out the best shape for the design I have decided on. I hand draw the basic outlines for the design and get prepared to base coat each seperate color. More to come on the painting process soon!

Thanks for checking in,

Darlene

Gift Packaging and a GREAT Company

Happy Friday!
I did a custom order through our Etsy shop a while back for a company named Brownie Affair. Gail, the owner, has some wonderful products on her website http://www.brownieaffair.com/.

Here is a sample of the two options she has using my flower and tag designs for her gift packaging. Thanks again Gail for your business! Give Brownie Affair a try if there is a gift for a special person or family in your future. This company is wonderful!

"Elegance"

"Flower Chic"

Best of luck on your business Gail....

Darlene