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October 26, 2009

More Picture Frame Styles

Filed under: Hand made gifts — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — @ 8:08 pm

This style uses plaster of Paris again but in a slightly different way to making plaster moulds and sticking them onto the frame but I’m sure you will enjoy this one just as much and be very happy with the results..

For this style you will need:-

  • Flat picture frame (min width 7.5cm)
  • Stiff cardboard and tape
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Playdough
  • Biscuit cutter shapes
  • Paint and brush

What to Do:-

Cut four strips of cardboard to form a box around the outside of your picture frame. The sides will need to come above the frame by a few centimetres. Do the same on the inside of your picture frame. Make sure the corners of the boxed area are secure with tape to prevent leakage of the plaster.

Use the biscuit shape of your choice and the playdough to make some shapes and place them, as you like, around the frame. Each shape should be of even thickness about 1cm, press them gently and evenly into place.

Mix 300ml of plaster with 150ml of water to a creamy consistency. Pour into the cardboard box surrounding your frame to a level just below your shapes. Leave overnight to set.

When the plaster has thoroughly dried you are ready to decorate. Remove the frame and shapes and paint your chosen colours. If you’re not sure about colour choice think about where the frame will be located, can you blend it with colours in that location? Or, what are the shapes you have used for example, hearts – red and gold, shells – yellow and pale blue or stars – silver and dark blue.

Maybe you can make a few frames, package them up unpainted and give as gifts with some paint and brushes, Christmas is just around the corner.

Have a good time and enjoy your creativity.

October 25, 2009

Make your own Picture Frame

Filed under: Hand made gifts,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 5:00 pm

A decorative picture frame on a wall or side table can turn a simple photo into a work of art. They can make a wonderful personalised gift or add some unique character to an otherwise ordinary room.

You will need to find or make a frame with a flat surface, any size is ok but a square frame with the outside measuring double the length of the window is a good method to use.

If you decide to make a frame, balsa wood works well, just cut to size and glue, using impact adhesive, at square angles.

Decorating your Frame

Using moulds that will fit on your frame and some plaster of paris your frame is only limited by the moulds you choose to use. Chocolate moulds are a good source for this design. There are a wide variety  of shapes available shells, dinosaurs, teddies, hearts and the list goes on. Once you have decided on and made your moulds you can paint them to suit your theme.

What to Do :-

  • Follow the directions for mixing the plaster to a creamy consistency.
  • Pour into moulds and leave to set for one hour.
  • Turn out the moulds and leave to dry completely.
  • Sand off any rough edges.
  • You can paint the frame and each mould individually if needed or glue to frame and paint altogether.
  • Position moulds onto your frame and stick into place. Leave overnight.

A gilt edged frame is nice with the shells and bright colours for a funky frame.

If you start now you will have made some quick and easy but uniquly attractive and personalised gifts for Christmas.

Enjoy and keep smiling. :)

September 27, 2009

Anyone Can Draw

Filed under: drawing — Tags: , , , , , , — @ 7:45 am

If you would love to draw but always say you can’t or don’t know how to well nows the time to reconsider.

Drawing isn’t really difficult, of course some people find it easier than others just like most other things in life. That doesn’t mean that you can’t learn a few tricks that with practice will have you drawing alongside the most capable drawers.

If drawing is something you love to do than why not. Here are few new ways to consider what it takes to call yourself a good drawer.

Drawing is a combination of lines carefully observed and put onto paper or other similar medium. To put simply, look, see, draw. The key is in learning how to ‘see’.

When you look at an image you would like to draw consider what the simple shapes and lines are. Don’t get confused or bogged down by details drawing is a process that starts with the simplest form first and than slowly builds up to a completed picture.

So to start with you are just going to concentrate on drawing the simple lines and shapes first. Before you actually start to draw practice looking for these shapes and lines. You are already familiar with them and can also already draw them.

The basic lines are very closely related to the letters of the alphabet and with only slight adjustments will form your drawing, now remember this is just the beginning, once you have accomplised a few drawings and your confidence grows you will be able to produce more complicated pictures. The basic lines and shapes however will always be present.

Think Positive :)

August 30, 2009

Paint Class 2

Filed under: Paint and Painting — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 12:55 pm

How did you go with your drawing? If you didn’t have a projector then drawing by scale would be the other method to use. Most people would have done this before in their school art class and it works very well. Most drawings will come out fairly accurate using  scales. For anyone who’s not sure, use a ruler to draw lines diagonally and horizontally over your enlarged copy of the picture you wish to paint. Do the same onto your canvas, be sure to measure the same number of boxes onto each. So step by step, box by box you can begin to draw your picture. Take your time and just focus on one box at a time, before you know it you will have drawn your picture.

The next step and a rule my art teacher tells us every week is to put out your pallet. Now in my art class  we use a pallet of six colours and white, cool blue, warm blue, cool red, warm red, cool yellow and warm yellow. With those colours you can make any colour at all. Now when you lay out your pallet you need to know what colour you want and you will usually need it in three shades so you can put the effects of shadow and light into your painting. It’s a good idea to make a colour chart so it’s a little easier when it comes to what colours you need to mix to create the colour you want. So I will let you know how to do that in my next post.

Have Fun :)

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