I recently shared with you the first instalment in my paper mache tutorial: 3 letters forming the word ART that I will use to decorate my studio and mixed media supplies store.

You can watch the tutorial for the letter A first but the letter R is actually the one I started with (not sure why but I did!)…
It’s pretty hot today but… Are you ready anyway…? Great!

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Let’s keep working on this paper mache tutorial!

1. I applied white gesso first and let it dry before painting on some lovely pinky-reddish acrylic…
2. I complimented the first colour with some orange then added some contrasting aqua green that I sort of dry brushed to retain a little texture from my paint brush.
3. Next came a floral stencil I used in Chapter 2 of my book No Shenanigans mixed media painting. It’s not an easy one to find so I’ll provide some very similar ones in the supplies list below 😉
   I wanted to make sure the colours of my flowers would stand out on top of my crazy colours so I first applied some gesso, let it dry then added some yellow and mauve.
4. Using a gorgeous leaf stamp, I added some texture on every side of my letter R, using dark purple ink so the leaves are visible but not the main focus.
5. Now to bring all my elements together, I did a little finger painting with some light blue, then light green acrylic.
6. I wanted subtle details to fill in some of the gaps so I stamped some little circles/bubbles with gold ink (BE STILL MY HEART!)…
7. Time to add a little ‘pop’ that will stand out with some tiny white dots using a stencil and gesso once again.
8. I know you won’t be surprised as I do this almost every time: I pulled out my iridescent gold and rubbed a little paint on the edges so they will catch the light…
9. I finally completed this letter by painting the bottom and back in black, just so it feels finished (to me at least) 🙂

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I really love the results!!

Watch the video tutorial below and let me know your thoughts on my paper mache tutorial with a comment below (scroll down to the bottom of the page) as I always love to hear from you!

With love and sunshine,
Mimi Bondi

 

Art supplies used:
(click on blue links if you want to buy the same ones)

• Papier mache letters from Lincraft
• Liquitex Basics acrylic paint Primary Red, Cadmium Orange Deep Hue, Bright Aqua Green, Light Blue Permanent, Light Green Permanent
• Makeup sponges
• White gesso
• Carabelle Studio Circles Dots stamp
• MMS Leaves Stamps
• Tsukineko Stazon Royal Purple inkpad
• Tim Holtz Dot Fade stencil
• Floral stencil – Try ColorBox Bloom Stencil (the Crafter’s Workshop Solace Stencil would also look cool!)
• Pebeo Iridescent Gold
• To protect my project: Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish