JOY by Chris Haughey

This shabby-chic background technique is easy and impressive!  Adding a trendy word design gives fresh, appealing results.

Supplies

Shutter Panel 3 piece set 18” x 7-½”  31-L633 available at Cupboard Distributing www.cdwood.com Command Hanging StripsDecorative Upholstery TacksExpired Credit CardFine Grit SandpaperGrey Graphite Tracing PaperHolly Bough Layering Stencil (Tim Holtz by Stampers Anonymous)Painter’s TapeQuick Grip AdhesiveSpecialty Sponge, Set of 2StylusTransfer PaperWire Cutters

DecoArt Americana Acrylics:

Charcoal Grey (DA088)Deep Burgundy (DA128)Driftwood (DA171)Hauser Light Green (DA131)Plantation Pine (DA113)Santa Red (DA170)Soft Black (DA155)Warm White (DA239)

Brushes

Flat Shader, #8Duster Stippler, #4Angle ¼”, ½”Chris’s Epic 18/0 Script Liner (www.cdwood.com)

Chris’s Spectacular #4 Stencil Brush (www.cdwood.com)Select Round #4 Splatter Brush (Ranger)

DecoArt Mediums:

Americana Matte Sealer/ Finish SprayMulti Purpose SealerUltra Matte VarnishFine Crackle Finish

Preparation:

Seal all surfaces with Multi Purpose Sealer using large specialty sponge.  Lightly sand and wipe clean. Load large specialty sponge with Charcoal Grey to undercoat surfaces.

Painting Instructions:Background:A credit card is used to create the undertones for the distressed wood effect.  To “load” the credit card, squirt a puddle of paint on palette. Keeping credit card perpendicular to palette, slide through paint resulting in a roll of paint at the bottom of the card.  Scrape card across surface in long horizontal strokes, making sure the paint is spread flat, with no start and stop lines.

First load credit card with Driftwood to scrape over background.  Applying several light layers will create different values of the color.  Continue to scrape color until background has been mostly covered. Next, load credit card with Warm White.  Scrape over background covering the background with layers to desired “whiteness”.  Because the paint is applied in thin layers, it will be translucent, allowing some of the darkness to show through.

To create continuity and tone down the texture, load oval wash with thinned Warm White. Apply several washes over the surfaces until desired “whiteness” is achieved. When dry, lightly sand to create distressing.  

To create the wood grain effect, load damp stippler with thinned Charcoal Grey. Starting at the right edge, pull gently towards the middle of the plaque, lifting the brush to create a lighter shade towards the center.  Repeat, pulling from the left side, the middle area should be much softer. Repeat to desired texture.

Worn Edges: To create the irregular edge, load select round with Soft Black.  Holding the brush at a 45 degree angle with tip of brush pointing out, roll between finger and thumb around outer edge, resulting in the jagged effect.  

Paint grooves between stripes Charcoal Grey.  Use painter’s tape to mask off the grooved sections to ensure straight lines with crisp edges.

JoyWith 8 flat, undercoat the “J” and “Y” with two coats of Santa Red.  Load toe of ½ angle with Deep Burgundy to float along bottom and up right sides of letters.

To create the shadow, load select round with thinned Charcoal Grey.  Float a transparent drop shadow below and to the right of the letters.   

Load Chris’s Epic Script 18/0 Liner with Warm White to pull highlights down left side of letters.  With same brush and thinned Soft Black, outline letters.

Wreath:Using Epic Script Liner and Charcoal Grey, paint center vine on wreath.  

Holly Leaves:  The holly leaves may be hand painted or stenciled.Painted Holly:Load select round with Hauser Light Green to paint the holly leaves.  Using ¼ angle, shade along bottom and/or right sides of leaves with Plantation Pine.  

Stenciled Holly:Select holly leaf on stencil and mask with painter’s tape to isolate and prevent overpainting.  Secure stencil with painter’s tape. Load Chris’s Spectacular Stencil Brush with Hauser Light Green, working paint into the bristles.  Wipe brush over a paper towel to remove excess paint. This will ensure crisp edge lines. Stencil holly leaf. Repeat to cover wreath, using two coats where necessary.  . The stencil and stencil brush may be used to add shading.  Reposition stencil and secure with painter’s tape. Load stencil brush with Plantation Pine, wiping over paper towel to remove excess paint.  Using a small swirling motion, gently add shading along the bottom and/or right side of leaves, blending softly.

To create the shadowing, load select round with thinned Charcoal Grey to paint a transparent drop shadow below and to the right of each of the leaves.

Load Chris’s Epic Script Liner with thinned Soft Black to outline leaves, add center veins, and curling vines.Using handle end of brush, dip dot Santa Red berries at base of holly leaf clusters.With Warm White and stylus, add a tiny dip dot highlight in the top left of each berry.

Crackle  Following manufacturers directions, apply One Step Crackle randomly over surfaces, avoiding letters and wreath.  The thicker the application, the larger the cracks.When the crackling is completely set and dry, antiquing is applied to enhance the cracks.  Thin Soft Black with water to an ink like consistency. Load oval wash to slip slap over crackle, immediately wipe clean with a soft cloth, leaving the dark paint in the cracks.Work in small areas for easier control.

SplatteringLoad splatter brush with thinned Soft Black.  Splatter heavier around the edges, lighter in the center area.  Repeat with Snow White to add light spatters over the lettering and wreath.

Finishing:Touch up side edges and paint back of plaque with Charcoal Grey.Remove any tracing lines.  Spray seal all pieces with several coats of Matt Spray Varnish allowing appropriate drying time between applications.Arrange pieces and secure with Quick Grip Adhesive.With cutters, snip off centers of upholstery tacks.  Secure the heads with adhesive.Attach Command hangers to back of plaque.

All supplies available at Cupboard Distributing  www.cdwood.com