Herb Tray
click for larger photo
DecoArt Americana Acrylics:
DAO1 Titanium (Snow) White
DAO3 Buttermilk
DAO41 Country Blue
DAO52 Avocado
DAO57 Jade Green
DA195 Bittersweet Chocolate
DA199 Primary Red
DA201 Primary Yellow

Other DecoArt supplies:
DS17 Multi-Purpose Sealer

Surface:
Wood tray

Techniques Used:
floating, stippling, liner work,
pressure strokes, double–loading, striping

Brushes:
Deerfoot brush
Liner brush
#3 round brush

Painting supplies:
Rectangle patterns
Sandpaper
Paper towels
Patterns for herbs and lettering
Painting instructions:
1. Trace and transfer rectangles. Mix basecoat colors with Multi-Purpose Sealer 1:1. Paint as follows: tray sides Country Blue; rectangles and tray edges Buttermilk; remainder Jade Green. Let dry. Sand lightly.
2. Repeat colors without the sealer.
3. Float Avocado around each rectangle.

YARROW:
1. Use deerfoot brush to stipple with Primary Yellow.
2. Pick up a small amount of Bittersweet Chocolate on edge of brush. Tap over flowers and in shaded areas. Wipe brush with paper towel.
3. Pick up small amount of Titanium White. Tap randomly over flowers to highlight. Let dry.
4. Use liner brush and Bittersweet Chocolate thinned with water for stems.


THYME:
1. Use liner brush and Bittersweet Chocolate thinned with water for stems.
2. Use #3 round and Avocado to make small pressure strokes down each side of the stems.

BEE BALM:
1. Use deerfoot brush and Bittersweet Chocolate to tap in three loose circles for flower heads.
2. Mix equal parts of Titanium White and Primary Red. Double–load #8 flat brush with mix and Primary Red. Place loaded brush on flower center. Pull brush sideways and lift to form petal. Repeat, varying directions until flower is full.
3. Double–load #8 flat brush with Avocado and Jade Green for leaves.

LETTERS:
1. Trace and transfer lettering.
2. Use liner brush and Bittersweet Chocolate thinned with water to paint lettering on rectangles; Avocado for “HERBS”; Titanium White for dashes; Country Blue for ribbons.
3. Use #3 round brush and Jade Green to stripe edges of tray.