Project Difficulty:
Moderate Estimated
Project Time: 1 to 2 days
Tools and Materials:
Unfinished shelf
Acrylic craft paint in deep blue, medium blue, gold, sunflower, yellow, and ivory
Decorator glaze in neutral
Chalk pencil
Plastic wrap
Flat foam paintbrushes
Sandpaper
Tack cloth
Pencil
Transfer paper
Artist's brushes: liner and medium round
Sealer
This project features an unfinished shelf painted in cheerful French-country colors which match a nearby tablecloth (Fig. 1). You, too, can adapt your shelf to suit its setting. The techniques of frottage and freehand painting are clearly explained so that, in completing this project, you'll easily gain both these skills and a custom accessory for your home.
The best advice for freehand painting is to use a high-quality artist's brush because a brush of poor quality may lose bristles and leave brush marks. Also, practice on paper or scrap wood before painting your project freehand.
1.
Sand and Base Coat the Shelf
Sand the shelf to create a smooth surface, and then wipe it with a tack cloth. Paint it with two coats of deep blue paint, and let it dry.
2.
Apply a Frottage Finish
Mix the neutral glaze with medium blue paint; the mixture should be the consistency of milk. With a foam brush, apply this wash to a small section. (Fig. 2)
Next, smooth a large piece of plastic wrap over the wet paint (don't worry about wrinkles and creases in the plastic; they'll enhance the textural look of the finish). Push the plastic around in the wet paint with your fingers or the palms of your hands to create a pattern. Then immediately pull the plastic off the wet paint.
Proceed to frottage subsequent sections, each time changing the direction in which you apply and remove the plastic; this will add complexity to the overall texture. Let the finish dry.
3.
Add Freehand Designs
Begin by marking placement of the olives near the top of the shelf. Then either lightly draw them freehand with a pencil or transfer the olive design onto the shelf (Fig. 3).
To transfer the design, first enlarge or reduce the olive motif; then slip a piece of transfer paper beneath it and position it on the shelf. Trace the lines of the olives lightly with pencil, and these will be marked on the shelf.
Use mixtures of the gold and sunflower paints for the olives and leaves, and highlight them with ivory (Fig. 4). Dip an artist's flat or round brush into these paints, and dab off a bit before applying the brush to the surface. To paint the olives, gently guide the brush, allowing it to do the work, pressing down and easing up to vary the thickness of the line. If you make a mistake, quickly wipe off the paint with a damp sponge or paper towel and try again.
Next, draw a narrow chalk line on all front edges of the shelf. Using a liner brush, paint a narrow yellow stripe over these lines.
4.
Seal the Shelf
Let the shelf dry; then cover it with two or more coats of sealer.
