(Click here to see all the projects I’ve made for Michaels Craft Stores!)
This month’s Michaels Maker challenge was to make a Paris themed project. Since I’ve been on a “small painting” kick I decided to use that as my theme using these great glass lockets available at Michaels:
First I printed off a Monet painting from Wikipedia. I used a cereal bowl to draw a circle around a portion of the painting:
I used the template inside my locket to draw a small circle onto watercolor paper:
If you’ve never painted, or think you struggle with perspective, try using a grid to recreate the image. Then use a pen to draw around blocks of color to focus on:
Use the same grid on your smaller circle and use a pencil to lightly transfer the same blocks of color:
For this Monet painting its easiest to focus on the water lily pads first. You’ll want to use the tiniest brush you can find for this!
You can also use color pencil or tiny detailed markers to get some of the other details in:
The large section of grasses in the center of the painting:
Use small, tiny brush strokes to layer different colors you see:
Here I started blocking in the color of the water:
Look closely to see what colors you see: there are purples, mustards, many different shades of green:
To lighten areas that may have become too dark I use white gesso. You can also use this for small accent highlights at the end of painting like the flowers:
Once the painting is dry cut it out with scissors and place it in your locket:
The back of mine has the name of the painting, date, and artist using a small detailed graphic pen:
What painting will you paint?
From Michaels:
· Now it’s your turn! That’s right, you can enter to win the trip of a lifetime to Paris too. How? By creating your own Parisian-inspired art, floral, baking or paper crafting project and uploading a photo to www.paris.michaels.com through March 31. You can also share your project on social using #SpringtimeInParis #Contest
· What do you win? A four-night trip for two to Paris, 1,000 euros, a VIP tour of the Louvre, private classes including sketching, floral arranging, baking and more!
· If you need a little Paris inspiration to get you started, take a look at some of the Springtime in Paris projects on Michaels.com.
