Step 1: Apply Base Coat & Crackling Gel
To start our creative project, I applied a base coat of blue Magic Paint to the entire canvas. This coat sets the foundation for the beautiful colours I planned to layer on top later. Using a Posh Chalk Wax Extender Brush, I made sure to cover the entire canvas thoroughly.
Once the base coat was dry, I moved on to applying Posh Chalk Crackling Gel. I used a Posh Chalk Smooth & Blend Brush to spread the gel evenly across the canvas. This gel is essential in creating those coveted crackle effects later in the project, so I wanted to ensure it was applied smoothly and thoroughly which the Smooth & Blend Brushes are perfect for.
Step 2: Mix & Create Coloured Pastes
Now it was time to mix our coloured pastes. I decanted some Posh Chalk Crackling Paste into a few convenient pots. I decided to create a palette of colours that echoed the warm and dreamy hues of a sunset.
The first thing I did was take my first pot of paste and add Posh Chalk Colour Kicks. I started with Bright Scarlet and Dandelion Yellow for a vibrant orange. Initially, I noticed the red overpowering the yellow, so I added a bit more yellow to get that perfect sunset orange.
For my second pot, I chose Pine Forest as the base. I wanted a dark green but found the colour too light. So, I added some Ebony Noir to darken it slightly. However, it turned out to be closer to an olive shade for my liking, so I balanced it out with a drop of Dandelion Yellow and Aegean Ocean, which gave birth to a lovely dark green shade.
Next, I combined Aegean Ocean and Royal Indigo in the third pot, resulting in a stunning deep blue that perfectly matched my theme. I wanted a lighter blue as well, so I mixed a fourth pot using Aegean Ocean and just a dab of Pine Forest. The result was a soft turquoise, reminiscent of twilight skies.
With all my colours ready and looking beautiful, it was time to move on to the next step of my creative project.
Step 3: Applying Coloured Pastes
I took my sea sponge and lightly spritzed it with water to get it moist but not dripping. I began dabbing my coloured pastes onto the canvas, starting from the bottom and working my way up. The dabbing technique allowed me to create unique textures, and as I transitioned between colours, I could see them beautifully blending into one another in situ.
My intent here was to replicate the blocks of colours seen in a sunset—rich oranges giving way to deep greens and blues. As I worked, I let the colours overlap slightly, creating new shades right on the canvas. Seeing my creative project start to come to life was mesmerising; it felt like I was painting the sky!
Once I was satisfied with the application of the coloured pastes, it was crucial to flatten the raised textures left by the sea sponge. I took my Posh Chalk Premium Finishing Trowel and worked horizontally across the canvas. This technique helped maintain the sunset effect while smoothing out any uneven spots.
I carefully cleaned my trowel after each stroke to preserve the individual colours and avoid any unintended mixing. After flattening the texture, I dried the entire canvas using a heat gun. It was exciting to see the cracks starting to form as the heat activated the Crackling Gel and Paste!
Step 4: Stencilling with Athenian Plaster
With the canvas dried and crackling beautifully, the next step for my creative project was sanding down the surface. This was essential for ensuring that my stencil would adhere properly without any bleeding. After I sanded, I took care to brush away the excess dust that had accumulated in the cracks. This will ensure a smooth surface for my stencil to adhere to—which is vital for a perfect stencil application.
For the stencil design, I chose the Posh Chalk Oriental Garden Premium Stencil, perfect for complementing my creative project’s fairytale theme. I mounted it onto the canvas using spray glue and made sure it was firmly in place.
Now it was time for the Athenian Plaster! I decanted some Posh Chalk Athenian Plaster into a separate pot and mixed it with the Ebony Noir and Mocha Delight Posh Chalk Colour Kicks to create a lovely dark grey colour. With a Finishing Trowel in hand, I applied the plaster over the stencil, making sure the application was even and thorough.
Once I peeled the stencil off, I was amazed to see the delicate design emerge against the vibrant background. The dark grey colour I had created made the design look like a silhouette against our sunset backdrop. To speed up the process, I then dried the plaster with my heat gun. Watching the details come alive was such an exhilarating moment!
Step 5: WoodUbend Applique Preparation & Application
Moving on, my creative project needed a final piece to feel complete. I selected the Applique WUB2280 for this (a gorgeous ‘fairy door’). First I pre-painted the WoodUbend applique using the dark grey Athenian Plaster mix I used previously. To ensure that every nook and cranny was filled with colour, I spritzed it lightly with water before applying the mixture with a Posh Chalk Mouldings Brush.
Using my heat gun, I killed two birds with one stone; not only did I dry the plaster, the heat made the fairydoor nice and pliable, perfect for the application to the canvas. I spread a layer of WoodUbend WoodUglue over its entire footprint, giving it a quick once over with the heat gun to activate the glue before firmly pressing it into place on my canvas.
Now, I wanted to add some detailing to my piece to give it depth and dimension. I decanted some Orange Gold and Smoky Charcoal Posh Chalk Pigments onto an old WoodUbend MDF Board, which served as my mixing palette. Gradually, I added Posh Chalk Pigment Infusor to create a paste. Initially, the Orange Gold was quite overpowering, but after adding more Smoky Charcoal, I achieved the desired shade.
Using a dry brush technique, I lightly brushed this paste over the entire applique. The shimmering finish added a touch of magic, and I immediately fell in love with how it transformed the look of the piece.
Step 6: Final Touches & Shading
To complete my creative project, I wanted to give the raised stencil design a polished and glossy finish since, when you sand the Athenian Plaster, it becomes polished. I pulled out my belt sander and started sanding the surface, gradually moving up in sandpaper grits with each pass. As I progressed, I could see the glimmering effect starting to emerge. This step is essential for achieving a glossy and professional-looking finish.
The last step was adding depth through shading. I opted for the Posh Chalk Black Patina to achieve this effect. I carefully applied it around the appliqué and along the edges of the canvas, creating defined lines and enhancing the overall design’s contrast.
To finish, I feathered out the shading using a Posh Chalk Wax Extender Brush and Posh Chalk Patina Extending Wax, ensuring it blended smoothly into the background. This step not only creates depth but also acts as a protective sealant that safeguards my artwork from potential damage.
Once satisfied with the shading, I wiped off any excess wax with a paper towel to avoid any clumps drying, completing my lovely Crackling Plaster Fairytale design.
Posh Chalk Crackling Gel
Posh Chalk Crackling Paste
Posh Chalk Pine Forest Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Dandelion Yellow Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Aegean Ocean Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Royal Indigo Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Bright Scarlet Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Mocha Delight Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Ebony Noir Colour Kick
Posh Chalk Wax Extender Brush
Posh Chalk Smooth & Blend Brush
Posh Chalk Mouldings Brush
Posh Chalk Premium Finishing Trowel
Posh Chalk Oriental Garden Stencil
Posh Chalk Athenian Plaster
WoodUbend Applique WUB2280
WoodUbend WoodUglue
Posh Chalk Pigments Orange GoldÂ
Posh Chalk Pigments Smoky Charcoal
Posh Chalk Black Patina
Catch all Posh Chalk and Woodubend products online at patina lane here.
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