On The Worktable. Early Post for Sunday, 30 September 2018.

I've had two of these metal canisters for quite a while. Spray painted them both black and have been thinking about how to paint them. Traditional rosemaling was in the back of my mind until I watched a how-to video on YouTube about Zhostovo painting for the umpteenth time and decided use that method.

Truly, I've watched these videos at least a dozen times. Luba Vdovina is an extraordinary teacher. The segments are short enough to hold your attention, but detailed enough to keep them interesting. I keep checking back to see if she will ever upload more. Alas, only the six videos are there to date.

She has some amazing products available in her Etsy Shop if you are one of the many artisans or amateurs who enjoy working with fiber.

Anyway...

Reference materials were pulled from the bookshelves. Thank goodness I'm a birdwatcher and have been gifted Birds and Blooms magazine by Dear Daughter. Lots to look at before deciding the subject.

Not owning a white charcoal pencil, a watercolor pencil was used to rough in the design.

Next came gathering materials and laying them out. Newspaper put down. Strong, hot cuppa coffee.
Artist quality paints were pulled only to discover that several of them had dried up. (How that happens in a closed tube is a mystery.) Thankfully, there are plenty of paints on the shelf. Both Artist Loft, Folk Art and Americana acrylics.

Also pulled good quality blending brushes from Global Art (same company as the good paint) and both Extender and Floating Medium. The good brushes and best paint were purchased at Jansen Art. They also have some wonderful instructional products available. I've always been very happy with everything purchased there.

I used Artist Loft Extender Medium when painting the blue background. Was amazed at how thick it is - very similar to Elmer's Glue. Shockingly, it took two days to dry completely. Yeah. This project has been in the works for a while.

Wishing I had practiced on a flat surface, the technique worked well enough once I got the hang of it. At first, the use of extender didn't work simply because I diluted too much. Lots of work remains.

I resorted to a more traditional style for the details being filled in over the next few days. Am always critical of how my incomplete work looks, but will reserve judgement until painting is completed.

For anyone else trying this technique: Luba says it only takes a small amount of extender. Truer words were never spoken. Use a dab at first. You can always add more later. Also, when painting on such a reflective surface be sure to keep q-tips on hand for cleaning up the extender. It dries clear, but can dull the original surface. A damp q-tip works wonders.

Tomorrow, 29 September is my late Little Sister's birthday. She would have been 59 years old. Am sure this weekend will be a soggy one. Hence the early post.

Y'all have a great weekend.