Grab your Brush and Follow Your Gut!

When you start a painting project, do you map out the steps you will take to achieve the look you're after, or do you just grab your brush and paint from your gut?  I picked that term up from Annie Sloan.  She's a "paint from your gut" kinda gal and I tend to be as well.  Chalk paint suits us follow-your-instincts type of artists.  Listen to me, sounding like I'm all chummy with Annie Sloan! 

A girl can dream, can't she? 

Often times, inspiration hits me mid-project, as was the case with this over-sized wood frame.

It hung around in our garage for a few weeks before I finally set it out on the kitchen island along with several different pots of paint and a variety of brushes.

A mix of Paris Grey and Old White covered the entire frame in 2 coats.

The beautiful raised details on each corner were just begging to be highlighted.  I chose Old White, Duck Egg Blue and Antoinette to properly show them off.

At this point I felt that there needed to be another dimension to these lovely details.  I lightly dry-brushed over them with Old White.  The next step was to apply the clear wax and I could have stopped there, but I didn't.  I rarely do.  There is just something special about that dark wax that I love.  I knew it would pull the whole look together and make this frame look like it was just pulled off of a centuries old wall in un appartement à Paris!

I frequently get comments from readers who say that they just can't get the hang of the dark wax, or that it scares them!  I can see why.  This isn't pretty...and I try not to share unsightly images on my blog, but I wanted show how the dark wax looks when first applied, and maybe give those of you who have been intimidated by it the confidence to give it another go!

Because just moments after your project looks like this...

It could look something like this...

The most important thing to remember is that as long as you have applied a good coat of clear wax first, and wiped off the excess, you can manipulate the amount of dark wax that you want to see on your project.  Just keep rubbing in more of the clear wax until you end up with the finish you had hoped for.  I also encourage you to attend a workshop with your local stockist!  Phyllis at the Purple Pear was a tremendous help to me and we had a marvelous time together when I first visited her at her at her lovely shop in Portland, Oregon!  Just weeks later and I now consider her one of my dearest friends!  So, don't be shy!  Seek out your local stockist and sign up for a workshop!  You will learn so much, gain confidence in your painting and waxing skills and surely make a new friend or two...or more!

I am really pleased with this frame's new look!  You will be seeing it again in just a few weeks when I reveal a very special display that I am currently working on!

As always, I thank you for your sweet visit!  Have an incredible weekend!

With Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

sharing with these fun link parties:

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Sew-Crafty Tuesday at Ruby Jean's