Last Monday I showed you how I recycled an old 80's dining room/kitchen chair into a blank canvas for today's project: chair painting. The photo on the left shows my finished project. I hope I've inspired you to try your hand at it! I chose a black gesso background instead of blue skies for added drama but you can do whatever you like.
I thought I could go through the steps I take to draw my dandelions that so many of you love. Each photo below includes some information on how I achieved each step. There are many photos online to use as a reference photo. Simply google dandelions and switch to the image tab.
I used artist acrylics (Basic, Liquitex, Windsor & Newton, Golden). I believe that the craft acrylics should work just as well, as long as they are thick enough not to bleed into the fabric. I did caution you to paint 2 coats of gesso on the canvas to ensure a better seal and reduce bleeding. My paints were thick but any excess water, might soak into the adjoining areas blurring your clean lines. Therefore, don't add water to your acrylics, use them straight from the bottle, jar, or tube. I was able to touch up any bleeding with more gesso and a fine 000 brush. It was extremely effective.
I thought I could go through the steps I take to draw my dandelions that so many of you love. Each photo below includes some information on how I achieved each step. There are many photos online to use as a reference photo. Simply google dandelions and switch to the image tab.
I used artist acrylics (Basic, Liquitex, Windsor & Newton, Golden). I believe that the craft acrylics should work just as well, as long as they are thick enough not to bleed into the fabric. I did caution you to paint 2 coats of gesso on the canvas to ensure a better seal and reduce bleeding. My paints were thick but any excess water, might soak into the adjoining areas blurring your clean lines. Therefore, don't add water to your acrylics, use them straight from the bottle, jar, or tube. I was able to touch up any bleeding with more gesso and a fine 000 brush. It was extremely effective.
 After drawing the stem, I paint an oval cream tip which will hold the seeds. I usually paint in shadows of the little divets where the seeds have escaped followed by each seed. Pay attention to shadows.YOu can see where some paint dripped onto the black gesso and was wiped. It's easily fixed by painting over with gesso. |  I next extended the stems out from each seed pod, placing them close together and adding more stems from areas where seeds are but cannot be seen.  Here's another close up of the seeds. Note the angular ridges and fine barbs. I suggest you find macro images online of seeds or study some under a magnifying glass. |  Next begins the tedious fluff . I use a thin rigger brush and water down my white paint a tiny bit for better flow. The idea is to achieve a light but full effect. Make sure the tips feather out thinly for a true light as air feeling!  I also paint on a few dried or browned leaves curling near the base of the flower head. Practice leaves on some sketch paper first. |  Here's a nice close up of the details  If your chair has a back, you can add a few seeds floating away. Remember to vary the position and size of each seed so they look like they've been carried off in the wind. |
Once everything was completely dry after a few days, I used a spray on matte finish clear varnish for acrylics. Follow directions on the can and apply two coats. Once the sealant has dried, you can reassemble the cushions onto your frame and stand back to admire your work! Mine didn't sell at the Spring Show last year, but I love it so much tat I've decided to keep it and use it as my art studio chair! I had so much fun doing this that my next canvas painting project will be a pair of white running shoes! Stay tuned !
Love,
Rolande
Love,
Rolande
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