Country Blooms

Hello again, Connie here with my new mixed media painting, Country Blooms.  For me bright colors are healing and they tend to make us feel happy.  I personally enjoy fussy cutting painted papers for my projects while I am outside or in front of the television.  As you have probably noticed, I tend to put flowers or butterflies in my work because they are the perfect canvas for color and expression.  I really tend to get emotionally connected to my work because I put so much of myself into what I create.  I really hope that by sharing my projects you can get a glimpse of how I see the world and possibly a little bit of who I am as an artist.

List of Supplies:

-I used plywood but you can use canvas, art board or heavy watercolor paper
-Acrylic Paints – Pastel pinks, purple, aqua, green, orange and yellow then a darker selection of the same colors
TCW Matte Gel Medium
TCW White Gesso
TCW781 Scrollwork stencils in mini and full size
TCW792 Micro Dots stencils in mini and fullsize
TCW775s Mini Scalloped Mandala stencil
TCW462 Stained Glass Stencil
-White Gel Pen or White Paint Pen
-Faber Castell Gelato in Raspberry

Because I work on plywood I always like to prep my piece with pieces of torn paper adhered with TCW Matte Gel Medium but you can always just prime your piece with either TCW Clear Gesso or TCW White Gesso.

Next I took my pastel colors and applied them with my fingers.  If you tend to get a heavy or dark spot use a baby wipe to remove some of the paint.

Once the first layer is dried I began alternating both size TCW792 Micro Dots stencils applying the same colored paints I used in the first layer.

 

See how the stencils compliment each other.

Here is the finished second layer.

Once everything has dried I applied TCW White Gesso to the mini TCW781 Scrollwork stencil in random spots making sure some sections looked faded.

I watered down the leftover gesso on my pallet and splattered it onto my canvas.  I hate to waste paint.

Really love the soft look I achieved with this background.

Now to make my flowers I traced the center of TCW462 the center circle and each petal onto card stock and leftover watercolor paper.

For the smaller flower I used the mini TCW775 Scalloped Mandala stencil. Again, just tracing the center and each petal.

Here you can see I used scraps along with a full sheet.  Next you need to turn each piece over so you don’t paint over you cutting lines.

Using the darker/deeper shades of the same colors as before I applied them to the same three stencils TCW792 Micro Dots (full size and mini) and TCW781 Scrollwork over and over.

Because my canvas background seemed more pink and purple I tried to make my flowers more of the green and dark purple so there would be a contrast.

Now for the fun … following the cutting lines you traced fussy cut all the petals and centers.  Don’t worry about keeping every piece with each center because it will drive you crazy lol.

I always do a practice layout and once I’m happy I take a picture with my phone so I can reference it.

Using the TCW Matte Gel Medium apply all your flowers by putting the centers down first and then the petals.  Don’t be afraid to put a partial flower in a corner.

Once dry I took my white gel pen and outlined the petals and then did some squiggles and dots in the centers.

To enclose my piece I took a Gelato Raspberry colored and rubbed along the edges and into each corner.

Here are some pictures of the final piece all nicely framed by my hubby.  My finished piece is approximately 12″ x 36″ without the frame.

I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial and it inspires you to break out those bright colored paints and play!!  Please leave a comment if you like this tutorial or if you have any questions.

Hugs,
Connie

***As a TCW Brand Ambassador I have been provided with some products free of charge but the art and opinions are all mine.  I truly love these products and being a part of this wonderful team***

5 thoughts on “Country Blooms

  1. This is wonderful Connie! I love fussy cutting too. I love seeing your process broken down into steps. Thank you for sharing!… Niki

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