Thyme to show you a Sweet Snowman Angel

The New Year has brought us some frigid temps here on Ole Cape Cod! We thankfully have only received a dusting of SNOW. BUT that doesn't mean you can't have SNOWMEN! Let's step inside the STUDIO to see what I have been painting! Today I am working on a project  called  Sweet Snowman Angel The design for this project  is by Amy Mogish You can find the pattern in the book Jane And Amy Create Christmas My Palette DecoArtAmericana Acrylics Antique White, Autumn Red, Black Forest Green, Dark Chocolate, Graphite, Hot Shots Fiery Red, Lamp Black, Leaf Green, Light Buttermilk, Mistletoe, Neutral Grey, Slate Grey, Soft Black, Warm White, Black Chalkboard Paint Lets paint! The surface I used is a Mini cheese box. (3 3/4" x 6" D) I prepped my surface by rolling on 2 coats  of  Black Chalkboard Paint I painted both the inside and outside. I let that dry well. I prepared  a  Duster Stippler Brush  with  Graphite  as you would for dry brushing. Make sure it is very dry!  You should not see paint moving around on your surface! I dry brushed over the entire surface in a circular motion with the Graphite. When dry I repeated the process with Neutral Grey. I transferred the main elements of the design to the surface with white graphite paper. I used my Moon Brush loaded with Slate Grey to outline the snowman. *** Your brush should be VERY DRY! *** I used a Stain It Brush to base coat the area with Slate Grey, then Light Buttermilk. I added highlights using Warm White thru the belly and front of face. I prefer to layer my highlights and shadows and  not try to achieve it in one stroke of the brush! I used Neutral Grey , then Graphite  to add shading under the hat, left side of head, under chin, and the arms. Working on the face and additional shading. I am now working on the hat. I have base coated the holly leaves on hat. Isn't he SWEET? I am now working on the berries. I have added the homespun "angel wings" and of course bakers twine! I did not have a White Prisma Color Pencil as suggested in the pattern. Instead I used a Generals Charcoal White Pencil for the lettering. When using a chalk pencil no matter how careful you are there will be some smudges. Clean up is important! I use a Point Blend Brush dipped in water to clean up any smudges. It is essential to use   Workable Fixative to  affix the chalk pencil  to the surface  BEFORE you varnish!! The lettering around the bottom of the box  says WARM HEART COLD NOSE I will now work on the rim of the box. I used my   Micron Mini Detail and Lettering Brushes to  add the  Autumn Red  border on the rim of cover. I used a small snowflake stencil to add snowflakes around the box. I also painted the under side of the cover! Under side of cover! I dry brushed some snow on the rim of the box with Warm White. I varnished the box with several coats of Dura Clear Matte Varnish. I lined the inside of my box with scrapbook paper. Once I had cut and measured my pieces  I used an old brush to apply  Decou -Page  to the back side of each paper I applied once piece at a time carefully smoothing out any air bubbles. HINT (You can use the edge of an old credit card for this) Lining the inside of your box adds so much to your project! You can use your box for a small candle or  gift it with some fresh baked goodies Or better yet keep it for yourself! This was a fun project to paint! Thank you Amy! Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt  provided me with the paints to complete this project  as part of their  Helping Artist and Blogger Outreach Programs Thank you DecoArt! I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint Sweet Snowman Angel Happy Painting ! Lynn