EX

CLUSIVE

SNOWY MENN' MITTENS

by Cindy Mann Vitale

2 | artistsclub.com

PALETTEDecoArt Americana AcrylicsAlizarin Crimson #13179Antique Teal*Baby Pink #13031Blue Chiff on #13193Blue Haven #13553Burnt Umber #13064Country Blue #13041Cranberry Wine #13112Grey Sky #13111Grape Juice #13236Lamp Black #13067Leaf Green #13051Lemonade*Lilac #13032Navy Blue #13035Pumpkin*Purple Cow #13262Razzle Berry #13266Red Violet #13140Sapphire Blue #13099Snow White (Titanium White) #13001Sweet Mint #13552Teal Green #13107Toff ee #13059Warm White #13239Whispering Turquoise #13537*Discontinued by DecoArt

SURFACESScroll Hanger #63242Teacup Cutout #6324012" Tombstone Plaque #63228

MEDIUMSWood Filler 4 ounce*Multi Purpose Sealer #87392One Step Crackle*Weathered Wood #84146Dura Clear Matte Varnish #87395Americana Wood Glue*Acrylic Sealer Finisher Matte Spray #70836*Discontinued

MISC. SUPPLIESDecoMagic Brush Cleaner #84160Pencil, eraser, rulerPro Art Tracing Roll #83175Saral Transfer Roll #82070Wet palette, or plain white coated paper platesWater binPaper towelsVery fi ne grit emery cloth

BRUSHESPapillon by the Artist's ClubRound size 1 #20157Round size 2 #20158Round size 3 #20159Round size 5 #20162Shader size 12 #20131Glaze Wash size 1 inch #20103

PREPARATIONThe Scroll HangerFill the holes with the Americana Wood Filler. Allow to dry, and sand lightly to smooth the surface.

Tombstone PlaqueBase coat with Titanium White. Allow to dry, then transfer the design.

Teacup CutoutBrush on an even coat of the Multi Purpose Sealer and allow to dry.

TRANSFERRING THE DESIGNI prefer to transfer the larger designs onto the surface and paint the background in, and around, the design. After the background base coat, and shading, have dried, I transfer the smaller designs elements, if needed.

The entire background can be based in before transfer-ring the design if you prefer. Depending on the base coat color, an underpainting of white may be needed, for the best results. Honestly, I try to avoid this step, if possible.

Some details are added with the pen after the base coating, shading, and fi nal fi nishing steps have been completed. Transferring may not be necessary if they can be drawn on freehand.

Snowy Men N' Mittensby Cindy Mann Vitale

artistsclub.com | 3

4 | artistsclub.com

Since the teacup will be glued onto the plaque, trans-fer the outline of the cup onto the board. As you begin the painting process, paint ‘inside the transfer lines’ to provide an allowance for positioning the teacup cut-out during assembly.

The Tombstone Plaque

THE HARLEQUIN DESIGN:Transfer the blue and ivory diamond shapes.

THE SNOWY MAN FIGURINE:Transfer the outline of the hat, including the interior harlequin design, pom-pom and ruffl ed trim, head and body, stripes on arms, mittens, ruffl ed collar, outline of the Snowfl ake stick decoration, and the striped design at the base.

Omit the following details: The facial details, posy on the collar, and the polka dots on the mittens. The inte-rior snowfl ake design, and the handle and base of the Snowfl ake stick decoration.

LITTLE SNOWMAN WITH TREE:Transfer the outline of the hat, including the hatband, the scarf, including the stripes, the mittens, and the little tree decoration.

Omit the following: The facial details, rosebud and leaves on the hatband, handle and ball base of the small tree decoration and dots on the little tree.

THE SLED:Transfer the outline of the sled including the runners. Transfer the outline of the tree, tree trunk and snowline.

Omit the following: The snowy accents on the tree, the snowfl ake, and the ropes.

THE ICE SKATES:Transfer the outline of the skates, including the furry trim.

Omit the following: The little tree and two posies poking up out of the ice skates, laces, and the metal runners.

THE HOUSE, TREES AND SNOWFLAKES TEACUP SCENE:Transfer the outline of the round snowfl ake sticks, outline of the pine trees, outline of the small snowman, including the hat and the scarf, outline of the house, including the chimney, snow on the chimney and roof, windows, shutters, door and door trim.

Omit the following: The interior designs in the round snowfl ake sticks, and the snowfl ake decorations, including the sticks for both decorations, white detail-ing on the trees, tree trunks, all of the interior details on the snowman, stone details on the chimney, snow

on the chimney cap, snow in the window sills, interior panes on the windows, door trim and interior details on the door.

The Teacup CutoutTransfer the following: Two bands along the top rim, two bands at the base of the cup, and the triangu-lar shapes of the tree design inset. Then transfer the outline of the mitten design and the stripes on the cuff s. Now transfer the stripes on the handle, the round shape of the snowfl ake area, posy areas outlines, and the stripes on the handle.

Omit the interior details as follows: The polka dots in the background and the small trees in the triangular shapes. The bow, ribbons, and hearts on the mittens. The snowfl ake in the round area and the posy designs on the handle. The polka dots on the base inset.

PAINTING INSTRUCTIONSNote: The term ‘diluted’ indicates a ratio of approxi-mately 95% water to 5% paint for darker colors, such as black and the dark blues, reds purples, greens, or brown shades. If a diff erent ratio is recommended, the ratio will be provided.

The Scroll Hanger• Paint the scroll hanger, including the sides, with

Burnt Umber. Allow to dry. • Brush the Weathered Wood medium over the entire

surface in an even coat, including the sides. The application should not be too thick, or too thin, for the best results.

• The Weathered Wood medium should be completely dry to the touch before moving to the next step.

• Using Warm White, and the No. 12 shader, apply the paint in a ‘patting’ motion, laying the paint down onto the surface. Pulling the paint across the surface can move the Weathered Wood medium and ruin the eff ect.

• Applying the paint in diff erent directions as you lay the paint down onto the surface will also help to give good results.

• Refi ll the brush with Warm White paint as needed, and repeat the steps given above until the entire surface, has been covered.

• As the paint dries, the separation will begin, giving the weathered wood eff ect.

The Tombstone Plaque

THE BACKGROUND:• Beginning at the top of the plaque, paint on a base

coat of Lilac down about three inches.• Mix Whispering Turquoise and Warm White mixed in

a 50-50 ratio and blend into the wet Lilac base coat.

artistsclub.com | 5

6 | artistsclub.com

• Continue with the Whispering Turquoise and Warm White mixture to approximately three to four inches up from the harlequin design.

• Mix Baby Pink into the wet Whispering Turquoise and Warm White mixture all the way down to the harlequin design.

• Shade the Baby Pink area just above the Harlequin design with diluted Red Violet.

• Shade the Lilac area with a light application of diluted Purple Cow. Deepen with an additional shading application of diluted Grape Juice in the corners of the plaque.

• Shade around the Snowy Man and the background area of the teacup scene with diluted Sapphire Blue.

THE HARLEQUIN DESIGN:• Base coat the blue areas with Blue Haven. Base coat

the white areas with Warm White. • Shade the blue squares with diluted Navy Blue,

fl oating a little of the diluted Navy Blue over the white areas to blend and soften.

THE HOUSE, TREES AND SNOWFLAKE SCENE:House and Snowy Areas:• Base coat the house, including the snow on the roof,

and the snowy area around the house, with Warm White.

• Shade around the snow draping, the windows, front door, and sides of the house with diluted Lamp Black.

• Base in the chimney with Grey Sky. Transfer, or freehand, the stones. Shade around the stones, and the chimney cap, with diluted Lamp Black.

• Paint the interior of the windows with Blue Chiff on. Shade part of the window with diluted Sapphire Blue.

• Transfer, or freehand the window panes. Paint on with Warm White.

• Paint on the shutters with Baby Pink. Shade with diluted Alizarin Crimson.

• Paint on the front door with Lilac and Warm White mixed in a 50-50 ratio. Transfer, or freehand, the panels. Shade with diluted Grape Juice. Transfer, or freehand the doorknob. Paint on with Banana Cream.

• Transfer, or freehand, the snow on the chimney cap, and the snow drifts in the window sills. Paint in with Warm White.

• Shade all the snowy areas with diluted Sapphire Blue, as follows: the snow on the roof, the chimney cap, the window sills, the path in front of the door, area around the trees, and the snowman.

artistsclub.com | 7

8 | artistsclub.com

THE SNOWMAN:• Base coat the snowman head and body with Warm

White. Shade with diluted Sapphire Blue. • Transfer, or freehand, the face and coal buttons.

Paint on the nose with Pumpkin. Paint on the eyes, mouth, and coal buttons with Lamp Black.

• Paint on the hat with Grey Sky. Shade with diluted Lamp Black.

• Paint on the hatband and the scarf with Lilac. Shade with Red Violet.

TREES:• Base coat the trees with Lemonade. Shade with

diluted Leaf Green. • When dry, transfer, or freehand, the curvy white

lines on the trees. Paint on with Warm White. When the paint has dried, fl oat a thin application of diluted Leaf Green over the curvy lines, along the sides of the trees to blend and soften.

• Transfer, or freehand, the tree trunks. Paint on with Toff ee. Shade with Burnt Umber.

ROUND SNOWFLAKE STICKS:• Base coat in the disks with Blue Haven and Warm

White in a 50-50 ratio. Shade part of the disk with diluted Navy Blue.

• Transfer, or freehand, the snowfl ake design and the sticks. Paint on the design, the dots around the edges, and the sticks with Warm White.

THE SNOWFLAKE DECORATIONS:• Transfer, or freehand, the snowfl ake design,

including the sticks. Paint on with Warm White. • Float a small amount of diluted Sapphire Blue over

some of the white areas to soften and blend into the background.

THE SNOWY MAN FIGURINE:• Base coat the pom-pom, ruffl e trim on hat, collar,

and the body of Snowy Man Figurine with Warm White.

• Shade the Snowy Man Figurine with a 50-50 mixture of Country Blue and Sapphire Blue.

• Transfer, or freehand the facial details. Paint in the nose with Pumpkin. Shade with Cranberry Wine around the base of the nose only.

• Paint on the eyes, and the mouth, with Lamp Black using the tip of a liner brush. Do not create perfectly round shapes.

• Create cheeks by patting and blending, a 50-50 mixture of Baby Pink and Alizarin Crimson in a very light application. Allow to dry, and repeat when dry, to build up the color to the desired eff ect.

• Paint in the curvy stripe at the base of the Snowy Man body with Blue Haven. Shade with Sapphire Blue. Base in the purple stripes with Lilac. Shade with diluted Grape Juice. Paint the white stripes with Warm White and fl oat some of the diluted Grape

Juice over the white stripes to soften. • Paint in the white harlequin diamonds on the hat

with Warm White. Paint in the purple harlequin diamonds with Lilac. Shade with Red Violet. Float some of the diluted Red Violet over the white diamonds to soften.

• Create the eff ect of gathered tulle on the pom-pom, and ruffl e trim on hat by base coating with Warm White. While the Warm White base coat is still wet, tap Grape Juice into the paint with the tip of a liner brush. Use a pat and blend technique to soften while keeping the contrast.

• Base coat the ruffl ed tulle collar with Warm White. Create the eff ect of gathered tulle by painting on diluted Grape Juice with a liner brush into the wet base coat. Follow with a liner brush fi lled with Warm White to soften if needed.

• Transfer, or freehand, the posy, leaves and stems, on the collar. Base in the petals with Baby Pink. Shade with Red Violet. Base in the posy center, the stem and leaves with Lemonade. Shade with Leaf Green. Add dots around the outside of the posy with Lemonade.

• Base coat the mittens, and purple stripes, on the arms with Lilac. Base coat the white areas on the arms, and the white bands on the mittens, with Warm White. Float some of diluted Red Violet over the white areas to soften.

• Transfer, or freehand, the polka dots. Paint on with Warm White. Float a little diluted Red Violet over the some of the polka dots to soften.

• Paint the Snowfl ake on a Stick decoration the same as instructed for the Round Snowfl ake Sticks as given above in the teacup scene. (I know…lots of snowfl akes!)

• Transfer, or freehand, the stick and the base with stripes. Paint on the stick, and the blue stripes on the base, with Blue Haven and shade with diluted Navy Blue. Paint the purple stripes on the base with Lilac and shade with diluted Red Violet.

THE LITTLE SNOW MAN:• Base coat the head and body with Warm White.

Shade with a 50-50 combination of Country Blue and Sapphire Blue.

• Transfer, or freehand the facial details. Paint on the eyes with Lamp Black. Paint on the nose, and mouth, with Baby Pink and shade with diluted Alizarin Crimson.

• Create cheeks by patting, and blending, Baby Pink and Alizarin Crimson mixed in a 50-50 ratio in a very light application. Allow to dry, and repeat to build up the color to the desired eff ect.

• Base coat the hat with Grey Sky. Shade with Lamp Black.

• Base coat the hatband with Whispering Turquoise

artistsclub.com | 9

10 | artistsclub.com

and Warm White mixed in a 50-50 ratio. Shade with diluted Antique Teal. Transfer, or freehand, the rose and leaves. Paint on the rose with Baby Pink. Shade with Cranberry Wine. Paint on the leaves with Lemonade. Shade with Leaf Green.

• Base coat the white stripes on the scarf with Warm White. Base coat the aqua stripes with Whispering Turquoise and Warm White in a 5-50 ratio. Shade the aqua stripes with diluted Antique Teal, and fl oat some of the diluted paint over the white stripes to soften.

• The mittens are painted, and shaded, with the same mixture as the hatband. Base coat the white stripe with Warm White. Float a little of the diluted Antique Teal over the mittens to soften.

• Base coat the Little Tree Decoration with Lemonade. Shade with Leaf Green. Transfer, or freehand, the polka dots. Paint on with Warm White. Float the diluted Leaf Green over some of the dots to soften. Paint on the stick and ball with Baby Pink. Add three dots of Warm White on the ball. Shade with Alizarin Crimson.

THE SLED:• Paint on the background with Whispering Turquoise

and Warm White in a 50-50 ratio. Shade with diluted Antique Teal.

• Paint on the tree with Lemonade. Shade with diluted Leaf Green. Pat some Warm White on the ends of the tree branches to resemble snow.

• Transfer, or freehand, the snowfl ake at the top of the tree. Paint on with Warm White.

• Transfer, or freehand, the tree trunk. Paint on with Toff ee. Shade with Burnt Umber.

• Base in the snowy area with Warm White. Shade with diluted Sapphire Blue.

• Paint on the runners with Baby Pink. Shade with Alizarin Crimson. Apply a third coat of shading with diluted Cranberry Wine to deepen.

• Transfer, or freehand, the ropes. Paint on with Toff ee. Shade with diluted Burnt Umber.

THE ICE SKATES:• Base coat the skates with Warm White. Transfer, or

freehand, the laces. Shade with diluted Lamp Black to create contrast. Base coat the soles with Grey Sky. Shade with Lamp Black.

• Base coat the fur trim with Warm White. Pat in a small amount of diluted Sapphire Blue into the wet Warm White basecoat to shade and create the eff ect of fur.

• Transfer, or freehand, the runners. Base coat with Warm White. Shade with diluted Lamp Black.

• Transfer, or freehand, the two posies and the small tree. Paint the small tree the same as the small tree being held by the Little Snow Man, with the exception of painting the tree trunk with Toff ee and

artistsclub.com | 11

shading with Burnt Umber. Paint the two posies with the same instructions as for the posy on the Snowy Man collar.

The Teacup CutoutBase coat all four bands on the teacup with Baby Pink and Warm White mixed in a 50-50 ratio. Allow to dry. Shade with diluted Razzle Berry. Shade with a 50-50 mixture of Razzle Berry and Cranberry Wine at the outside edges for deeper contrast.

THE TREE DESIGN:• Base coat the background of the tree design inset

with Warm White. Shade with diluted Navy Blue. • Transfer, or freehand, the purple dots in the white

background area. Base coat with Lilac. Float a small amount of diluted Purple Cow over the dots to deepen.

• Base coat the triangular background areas with Blue Haven and Warm White mixed in a 50-50 ratio. Shade with highly diluted Navy Blue.

• Transfer, or freehand, the little trees in the triangular shapes. Do a basecoat of Warm White as an underpainting. Paint in the trees with Lemonade. Shade with diluted Leaf Green. Paint the tree trunks with Toff ee. Shade with of diluted Burnt Umber.

THE BOWL OF THE TEACUP:• Base coat the bowl of the teacup with a 50-50 ratio

of Whispering Turquoise and Warm White. • When dry, shade around the edges with highly

diluted Navy Blue.• Highlight with Warm White at the center of the

bowl.

THE MITTENS:• Transfer the mittens, including the striped cuff s,

hearts, bow and ribbons. • Base coat the mittens, the bow and ribbons, with

Warm White. • Base coat the pink stripes on the cuff s, and the

hearts, with Baby Pink. • Shade the mittens with Baby Pink. Use diluted

Razzle Berry to add a second shading application on the mittens, and to shade the pink striped areas on the cuff s, and the hearts.

• Use Razzle Berry and Cranberry Wine mixed in a 50-50 ratio to add a third application of shading to add more contrast for all areas on the mittens, bow and ribbons.

THE HANDLE:• The Stripes: Base coat the striped area with Blue

Haven and Warm White. Shade the blue areas with diluted Navy Blue. Float a small amount of highly diluted Navy Blue over the Warm White areas to soften.

• The Posy Design on the Handle: Base coat with

Warm White. Shade with Baby Pink. Deepen the shading with an additional application of diluted with Razzle Berry. Transfer, or freehand, the posy design. Base coat the posy petals with Warm White. Paint in the center and the leaves and stems with Lemonade. Shade with diluted Leaf Green.

THE SNOWFLAKE DESIGN:• Base coat the circle with Blue Haven and Warm

White mixed in a 50-50 ratio. Shade with diluted Navy Blue.

• Transfer, or freehand, the snowfl ake. • Paint on snowfl ake with Warm White (dilute slightly

with water, if the paint seems too thick to fl ow smoothly)

CUP BASE:• Base coat the white inset with Warm White. Shade

with diluted Razzle Berry. • Transfer, or freehand, the polka dots. Paint the same

as the purple polka dots in the background of the tree design, as instructed above.

FINISHINGThe sequence of the fi nal steps are as follows:• Varnishing

12 | artistsclub.com

• One Step Crackle Medium: Applied only in certain areas of the teacup after all the painting and shading has been completed. Instructions follow.

• Antiquing • Inking• Assembly • Spattering• Spray Final Finish: optional

VarnishingI dilute the varnish in a 50-50 mixture with water. Apply in a thin even coat over the scroll hanger, the plaque and the teacup after all the painting, and shading, has been completed. Allow to dry. I apply a second coat, working in the opposite direction, to ensure complete coverage.

One Step Crackle Medium for the Teacup• Using the One Step Crackle Medium creates an

aged, or crazed, appearance to the surface.• Brush on the medium in an even coat with a small

round brush. • The medium can be applied only in select areas,

such as the handle, the base, up around the rim and a few random areas over the bowl of the cup.

• The medium could be applied over the entire teacup surface, if you so choose.

• Allow the medium to thoroughly dry. • Apply diluted Burnt Umber over the crackle medium

areas with a small round brush. • As the Burnt Umber paint dries, the crackled fi nish

will begin to appear. • Allow the Burnt Umber paint to thoroughly dry, and

then apply another coat of varnish over the teacup.

AntiquingI antique all my surfaces, if only with a very light ap-plication. My antiquing medium is Burnt Umber mixed with approximately 95% water and 5% paint. Test to see if the solution appears too dark, and adjust with more water, or paint, if needed. • After the fi rst application of antiquing has

thoroughly dried you can decide if you are pleased with the results. For a darker eff ect, apply another light coat of the antiquing. A word of caution is that applying too much antiquing creates a dark and muddy result.

• Since this is a winter theme, I suggest applying a very light coat of the antiquing then adding a second application of antiquing along the edges of the plaque, the arched top, and at all four corners.

• Apply a light application of antiquing to the scroll to maintain the light ivory color.

InkingInking is an option, but I rarely omit this step. Inking the design pulls out design elements. Inking is also an easy

way to add details that would be more diffi cult, even impossible, with paint and brush. Inking details are added after the varnish, and antiquing, have been ap-plied and the surface has thoroughly dried. Inking can be selective by choosing only certain elements of the design for emphasis or inking the entire design.

My hands often shake, which obviously interferes with good results. So, here are a few good tips that I adopted to compensate for my failings. First, I want to mention that I have given up on ‘perfection.’ If I’m close, that is good enough. Secondly, I found that making shorter, broken lines is much easier for me and mistakes are not as apparent. And I always have many mistakes! A third option is to ‘fi x’ the design by fi lling in with more paint, or even painting over an area, and starting over. It takes a few applications of paint to cover the ink, but it can be done.

Outline, or trace, around each shape/element of the entire design. Use the line drawing, and the photo, as a reference.

AssemblyPlace a few drops of the Americana Wood Glue on the back of the scroll hanger and press in place along the arch of the plaque. Repeat to attach the teacup in the correct position.

Spattering• Spatter the entire surface with Warm White. • Since I don’t mind getting paint on my fi ngers, I use

a toothbrush. • Test the spatter pattern on a piece of paper before

applying to the surface. If the paint is too thick to create a fi ne spatter pattern, add a few drops of water to thin.

Final FinishIf you would like to apply a fi nal protective sealer, I suggest the Americana matte spray sealer. Follow the directions on the can. I apply two light coats.

ATTACH THE WIRE HANGER:Cut the wire to approximately a 28 inch length. Bend the wire at mid-point, twisting to create the loop. Push the ends of the wire through the holes from the back to the front. Curl and bend up to hold the plaque in place.

artistsclub.com | 13

Pattern at 100%1" x 1"

To ensure yourpattern is at 100%,

this box should measure 1" x 1" when printed.

14 | artistsclub.com

artistsclub.com | 15

Pattern at 100%1" x 1"

To ensure yourpattern is at 100%,

this box should measure 1" x 1" when printed.

Copyright 2018 by Cindy Mann Vitale and Crafts Group, LLC.All Rights Reserved. #332428

No. *A332428*© Artist’s Club®. All rights reserved. For private, non-commercial use only.

Please see our web site for terms of use.