Painting Tips:

When painting on paper mache, basecoat all surfaces to prevent warping and to strengthen the box. If it bubbles, let it dry completely. Most bubbles will disappear when dry. Apply all shading and highlighting by floating color with a side-loaded brush. When I use the term "glaze",use a sheer float of color by carrying more water in your brush. Using your favorite medium will also work. Glazing will help keep the look soft.

Preparation:

Mix Multi-Purpose Sealer with Wisteria (1:1) and basecoat the entire box(except top). When dry, sand lightly and coat again with Wisteria with no sealer added. To save time, I basecoat the box top with Flesh Tone (adding Multi-Purpose Sealer for the first coat - then straight Flesh Tone for the second coat). I then apply pattern for the head, shoulders and all facial features. Base the rest of the box top around the head and shoulders with Wisteria. It will take fewer coats of Wisteria to cover the Flesh Tone than the reverse and I only need to put the face pattern on once. When the Wisteria is dry, apply the pattern for wings and the lettering.

Lighten pattern lines for the facial features with the kneaded eraser. Thin Shading Flesh+Flesh Tone (2:1) with water and line all facial features with a liner brush.

Face

1. Shade face with Shading Flesh+Flesh Tone (2:1) above the eye lids, across top of the head, below chin, place a c-stroke above mouth to indicate an indent, on the bottoms of the nostril covers and ball of nose, around the nostril covers on the face, on tops of shoulders, inside of ears, down the sides of head and place a flip-float across the bridge of nose between the corners of eyes.

2. Highlight face with Hi-Lite Flesh on the top of ball of nose, edges of nostril covers, center forehead, and under the eyes.

3. Glaze with Sable Brown above eye lids and in corners where the neck touches the face. Paint tiny stokes for eyebrows.

4. Blush with a sheer Glaze of Coral Rose on cheeks and tip of nose.

5. Paint lips with Coral Rose + a touch of Flesh Tone. Shade bottom of each lip, bottom of lower lip and line smile with Antique Rose + Coral Rose. Highlight centers of each lip by dry brushing Flesh Tone.

6. Whites of eyes are Hi-Lite Flesh . Iris is Desert Turquoise + White. Outline iris and shade top of iris with Desert Turquoise. Use Charcoal for pupil and line top of eye. When dry shade with Charcoal across the entire top of eye. Mix Charcoal and Sable Brown for lashes. Highlight eye with a dot of Titanium White at 2 0'clock and a curved line from 9 o'clock to 7 o'clock.

7. Thin Sable Brown with water and paint short, fine hair with the rake brush.

Wings

1. Shade wings next to baby's head and shoulders with Wisteria + Deep Periwinkle (1:2). Use this same mix to shade behind feathers.

2. Highlight the outer edges of wings and each feather with a sheer float of Titanium White, also place a few individual floats randomly among feathers.

3. Deepen shade next to baby's head and shoulders with Deep Periwinkle.

Other Details

1. Lettering and sponging on bottom of box are done with Wisteria + Deep Periwinkle (1:2).

Finish:

When completely dry, spray all surfaces with 2 light coats of matte finish to protect.

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